videos or lessons?

[Robertduke]

haha

Jerry Briesath or Mark Wilson may not win the U.S. Open this year but If you think they and people like them can't teach almost anyone, pro's included, something you are just plain wrong. IMO of course.

So a new guy instead of learning solid fundamentals and ways to approach the game, should just muscle up and gamble ? Does not seem to be a wise use of resources to me.

Do you teach kids to swim by throwing them in the pool and saying " Don't worry it will make them concentrate " ?

I have seen my share of so called "Instructors" who can't make 3 balls and I agree they are hard to take serious. But to label all instructors this way is a mistake.

I have recieved instruction from Jerry and Mark and it changed the way I look at the game after 15 years of playing it.

I also was able to watch Scott Lee do some teaching at DCC this year in the AZ room and would feel confident in recommending him.

I agree playing under pressure has it's place, whether thats gambling, leagues, or tournaments. It just really helps to have an Idea what you are doing before you jump in the ring.

Thats the way I was taught.. eww repressed childhood memories

 

[oceanweb]

Ok...I see you've got a great instructor. I take it all back!!

 

[JimS]

A video or dvd or book will not be able to see the flaws in what you are now doing. Only a qualified teacher can do this.

Get lessons. You'll never regret it.

Or... just keep playing for the next several years with the twisted body and screwed up jerky motion you call a stroke. Yeah... I know.. your buddy says you got a good stroke and you think you are doing just fine as you are. You lcan learn to do other skilled things on your own also. Who needs lessons to play the piano, or the guitar or box, or do Karate? Yeah.. you don't need lessons. Just copy the pros. Your buddy can watch you and tell you when you aren't doing it right. He knows what he's talking about.

Get some lessons and find out how much easier pool can be when you have the basics right.

 

[Scott Lee]

Private lesson:
$75/hr. or $500/day

Ok... I get it now!!

Yes...and book MONTHS in advance to get the opportunity! I'm certainly not twisting anybody's arm, to get to me...so I must be doing something right! Cute little photoshop job! Shows where your talents really lie!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[jessiedoll]

Yes...and book MONTHS in advance to get the opportunity! I'm certainly not twisting anybody's arm, to get to me...so I must be doing something right! Cute little photoshop job! Shows where your talents really lie!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Yes, you are doing a wonderful job of marketing yourself on this forum.

 

[JimS]

He and some other teachers and several cue makers and/or cue sellers and/or table mechanics and and and..... and what the hell is wrong with that? How else do we find out what's out there? What's the internet all about if not about finding out what's out there and or finding a new market for something we have to sell.

Nothing wrong with marketing something you have to sell that will benefit others and while doing that giving away a lot of very valuable information that back in the day a hustler would have taught us by example... if we could have caught on... and most didn't.

Nah... nothing wrong with selling on the forum. And as for the example of $75 an hour $500 for a day that hustler would have taken a dammed sight more than that!

 

[jessiedoll]

I'm new to this forum so forgive me if this is off topic.

But doesn't AZ have a special section for this type of thing WANTED/FOR SALE? Also, do you think you can give totally objective advice under this thread? Shouldn't everyone be allowed to express an opinion without other posters jumping down their throats? And why the hostility? I don't see anyone else swearing?

I don't intend for this to be out of place, it's just an observation.
Peace

 

[JimS]

I'm new to this forum......so forgive me if this is off topic.

But doesn't AZ have a special section for this type of thing WANTED/FOR SALE? Also, do you think you can give totally objective advice under this thread? Shouldn't everyone be allowed to express an opinion without other posters jumping down their throats? And why the hostility? I don't see anyone else swearing?

I don't intend for this to be out of place, it's just an observation.
Peace

It's the ole.. "I'm such an innocent victum of the mean ole foul mouth!" defense. Gotta love it. 4 or 5 posts and you're gunna tell everybody how to talk and in which forum.

 

[whitey2]

I tend to dislike "plugs" in the forum also

I tend to dislike "plugs" in this forum also. There are some folks
that seem to really push it to (or past) the limit though, and it
surprises me that nothing is done about it. For instance:

02-17-2007, 04:33 PM book on "Filipino pool secrets..." off the press
02-16-2007, 12:51 AM Book on 'Filipino Pool Secrets..." off the press
02-13-2007, 09:15 PM Book on 'Filipino Pool Secrets....' off the press
02-13-2007, 08:28 PM Book on "Filipino Pool Secrets......) off the press

 

[DelaWho???]

Private lesson:
$75/hr. or $500/day

Money well spent IMO. I have yet to read a post by someone who took a lesson and felt ripped off. It's not hard to find negative posts on this site, but I've never seen one about any of the instructors posting in this thread.
Do what works for you. I've seen the Byrne tapes, and there is a wealth of knowledge on the internet. I did a google search on the physics of billiards and found some great videos on the University of Co web site. A physics professor, DR. Dave, demonstrating various techniques and principles.
The lesson I took was great because it identified flaws within my own game. I was shown what I was doing incorrectly, and how to do it right. My game has improved greatly since the lesson, even though I haven't taken full advantage of the matereial presented (it's hard for me to find practice time).
Lessons don't know them til you try them.

McCue Banger McCue

 

[oceanweb]

Can we please let this thread die in peace.

 

[pooltchr]

Can we please let this thread die in peace.

Nobody is forcing you to read the thread, just like nobody is forcing you to take lessons. Someone asked for opinions, and they got them.

Nice editing job on the picture you lifted from my site. Thank you for helping promote Randy, Scott, Bob and myself. All of the students in that class were very pleased with the value of what they learned. Some of them even returned for the next level class held this past October. Sorry you missed out.
Steve

 

[Billy_Bob]

People are different.

Some have good self-disipline and learn on their own best.
Some need to go to school to learn.
Some already know everything there is to know and don't want to learn.

For pool, you should "Learn all you can". Read books, watch videos, etc. Learn what you *should* be doing. Learn which shots are possible, which shots are not possible. The thing with books and videos is there are many on pool which cover *very* specific areas. Like stroke, 30/90 degree rules, speed control, clustered balls, racking/breaking, draw, follow, position, safety play, etc.

So for learning, books can teach you about all sorts of things you need to know. Then videos will show you these things being done.

The next step is trying to do these things yourself. You can't see yourself shooting, but an instructor can. Also videotaping yourself and playing back in slow motion is a great way to see what you are doing.

Then what to do in certain situations... What is the best shot? How to draw. How high/low can you hit the cue ball. Safety options. Etc. It helps a lot to have an expert - master player or instructor showing you these things. They can watch you play and see what you are doing/not doing. Give advice and tips.

If you hang around with not-so-good players, then you will get not-so-good advice. Find the best player/instructor you can and spend time with them.

APA league is good for learning if you can get on a team with a master player. They allow coaching. So you can be in a nasty situation and the master player will know what to do. He will walk up and say "Play a safety. Hit this ball right here with a slow speed and leave the cue ball here." This is something you would never think about doing on your own. But then you remember this forever and then have a new trick to add to your "tool bag".

Instructors can watch your stroke for just a few minutes and instantly know what you need to work on. Follow their advice and good things will happen!

 

[JimS]

videos or lessons?which of these do you think will help your game the most.videos,once you buy them they are yours to keep.but its also good to be able to discuss what you are learning.books also,but me myself i don't stick to the books as i would a video or a live session.give your opinions.if videos are best for you which ones?if one on one lessons with an instructor, name who.

I liked Byrnes videos for learning pool facts. I've taken a few private lessons and learned from all from whom I sought help.

Scott was at the house with our friend CC and he showed me some stuff but CC had been helping me so Scott laid back mostly as he didn't want to step on any toes.

My first lessons were from Jeff Carter when he was at Cuenique in Madison but he's no longer there. I had a lesson from Sailor in Racine and I want to go back and I had a lesson with Mark Wilson down by St. Louis and he's a helluva teacher whom I'd very definitely recommend and would like to see again.

All of them were very helpful.

 

[gpeezy]

i agree let it die

Can we please let this thread die in peace.

all i really wanted was things such as "try 99 critical shots in pool" "jerry brieseth has lessons here's his email" "get your tail out there and match up".lets forget i ever posted it.thanks to everyone for thier input.

 

[seymore15074]

Lessons or Book:

A book will be a better value than lessons, and obviously, lessons will be more beneficial. Get the book for sure, and get a lesson or 2 just to get started if you can, and then seek out lessons whenever you feel that you need them from then on...

The instructors will just go over the same information that is in the book...except they can watch you and make sure you are on the right track.

Either way, I don't think it's that big of a deal...you could become great without a single lesson and you could become great without a single book...it all depends on you.

 

[randyg]

Lessons or Book:

A book will be a better value than lessons, and obviously, lessons will be more beneficial. Get the book for sure, and get a lesson or 2 just to get started if you can, and then seek out lessons whenever you feel that you need them from then on...

The instructors will just go over the same information that is in the book...except they can watch you and make sure you are on the right track.

Either way, I don't think it's that big of a deal...you could become great without a single lesson and you could become great without a single book...it all depends on you.

Seymore: The Instructors that I work with have gone alot further that most books. Most of those books are "Old School"....randyg

 

[oceanweb]

Lessons from a paid BCA instructor are not the best way to improve your game. If you are thinking about buying a cue and ask a Lucasi dealer his opinion, he will probably try to sell you a Lucasi. However, if you want an honest, "I'm not going to make a dollar and neither will my buddies opinion", keep reading.

The great thing about pool is that there are so many of us who absolutely love the game and are excited to share our knowledge and experience with others at no cost. You will spend at most 6 hours with a paid instructor. They will argue here that you will gain years of advanced knowledge, that your stroke will improve, you will be videotaped, etc., etc. There was one guy on here talking about how he can draw and stop the cue ball after his wonderful experience. You can learn that in five minutes.

Videos: (Accu-Stats) Get a few Accu-Stat videos and study them (Efren Reyes, Buddy Hall, Archer, etc.). You’ll notice that each player has a different stance, stroke, aim, etc. But also try to find the things they have in common (basic fundamentals), and then consider adapting your game to the player(s) that most fits your style. It’s like an artist or musician who says, “I was inspired by [name goes here]”.

Lessons: (local room owners and top players) Sure, the room owners may get a few dollars in table time and the top players may want you to pay their table time. But these guys will be around the next time you stop by and the paid instructor will be gone. If you want lessons, there are room owners and local top players that have vast knowledge of billiards and will help you with your stroke, stance, etc. from the basics to more advanced material.

Then, for “seasoning”, play in local tournaments and play your friends or other equally skilled players for a few dollars. This should give you a good all-around experience and improve your game (in time) and remember that it will take time.

 

[pooltchr]

The great thing about pool is that there are so many of us who absolutely love the game and are excited to share our knowledge and experience with others at no cost. You will spend at most 6 hours with a paid instructor. I know of several students who have spent 40 hours or more with an instructor. This time was not spent reviewing the same things...it was all covering fresh material. There is far more to be learned about this game than could possibly be covered in only 6 hours. They will argue here that you will gain years of advanced knowledge, that your stroke will improve, you will be videotaped, etc., etc. That isn't an argument...it's a fact. I can provide numerous former students who can back this statement up.There was one guy on here talking about how he can draw and stop the cue ball after his wonderful experience. You can learn that in five minutes.Yes, you can. Now, how long does it take to learn how to shoot at an object ball 5 feet away and draw back 6 inches? Then draw it back 12 inches? What if the object ball is only 3 feet from the cue ball? In other words, you can learn to draw a cue ball in a few minutes...but it takes a little longer to learn to control the draw.

Lessons: (local room owners and top players) Sure, the room owners may get a few dollars in table time and the top players may want you to pay their table time. Yes, room owners will show you something for a few dollars. But room owners are business people who are operating a business. How many of them have ever learned HOW TO TEACH? Same for those top players you mentioned.But these guys will be around the next time you stop by and the paid instructor will be gone. I am in my local poolroom several times a week. My students have no problem finding me if they have questions. If you want lessons, there are room owners and local top players that have vast knowledge of billiards and will help you with your stroke, stance, etc. from the basics to more advanced material.

Then, for “seasoning”, play in local tournaments and play your friends or other equally skilled players for a few dollars. This should give you a good all-around experience and improve your game (in time)Experience is a great teacher. But if you can shorten the learning curve, what is wrong with that? and remember that it will take time.Yes, it will take time. Even with an instructor, if the student isn't willing to put in the time to practice, it was a waste of everyone's time

You are obviously one of those fortunate people who don't need anyone to help you learn something. Most of us are not so self sufficient. I wouldn't have learned algebra in school if they just gave me a book and told me to read it. It was the teacher that made the learning process work.
Lessons from an instructor may not be the best way for YOU to learn. However, for the great majority of players, the knowledge and skill they can get from a good instructor are the best way to learn. Just because it isn't right for you personally, doesn't mean it isn't right for many others.
Steve

 

[jessiedoll]

I wouldn't have learned algebra in school if they just gave me a book and told me to read it. It was the teacher that made the learning process work.

Yes, but your Algebra teacher was there everyday. And if you had a question, the following day at school, he was available.

I know of several students who have spent 40 hours or more with an instructor.

Here's a little Algebra (40 Hours x $75/hr = $3000.00). Better than most Algebra teachers

Anyway, I'm glad that this had returned to a civil discussion. My boyfriend and I love playing pool and I'm so glad to have found AZ!!