VIDEOTAPE YOURSELF - You might learn something

[Stones]

I started playing pool when I was 12 yrs. old (56 now). For most of my life I thought I had normal form at the table (stance, stroke, etc.) until I was videotaped by a friend of mine a few years ago. What a shock!

The only way to discribe it was hilarious! I look like the "before" pictures in the pool books.

I shot sidearm worse than McCready (This is not a jab at Keith. I wish I had his game.) or Willie Hoppe. The cue was very wide to my stance line. I practically laid my head flat on the cue. How I could see over the cue ball is beyond me. And, oh my god, my stroke.........it looked like an unfolding lawn chair. Calling it a punch stroke is being way too kind!

Occasionally over the years, someone would say to me, "I don't know how you make a ball." I really didn't understand what they were saying. Now, I know.

You ever see small children trying to play pool? I started playing at an army base teen club when I was 12 until I was 16. Starting out so young and small, I had a hard time reaching most shots so I had to strecth most of the time to make the shot. With no one knowledgable around to show me anything different, it just stuck with me as I grew up. Now, it's to late to change.

I now keep my video camera at the pool room so I can help my younger friends with their games. It is a lot easier to change something once they can see it versus trying to explain it to them. One thing I say a lot to them is, do as I say, not as I do. I have seen a lot of improvement in their games since starting this.

You newbies to the sport, tape yourself and your friends. If you see something strange, go find a good instructor and get straightened out as early as possible.

Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[TATE]

The thing I got about videotaping myself was that I could see myself getting tense from missing shots or getting out of line. I saw what happened to me, on tape, right before my eyes, in "playing bad" mode. It is amazing how this feedback can help you to understand and deal with your mental issues.

Chris

 

[I rack balls]

Sounds like a great idea. I have been wanting to tape myself for a few weeks now but I need to find me a camera.

Eric.A.

 

[xidica]

Someone in DFW want to practice this together? LOL. I don't have a camcorder but wouldn't mind recording someone playing a race to 7 with the ghost if they'd do the same for me....

TATE those video's you posted were great btw.

 

[arsenius]

I haven't been able to record myself at the table, but I have recorded my stroke at home, from a few different angles. It was surprising to be sure. Ugly... My stroke is very straight, but my form is not nice to look at.

 

[buddha162]

I taped myself 2 years ago with a cell phone camera...the video captured 2 major flaws in my mechanics: 1st, I moved on almost every shot. I never jumped up, but tensed slightly forward at the end of each stroke. 2nd, I was choking up on the cue, addressing the CB at less than 90 degrees.

Those 10 seconds of footage did wonders for my game. I highly recommend everyone to do the same.

-Roger

 

[StormHotRod300]

When i bowled, I would get guys asking me how in the hell i stayed consistant, because my Backswing was so high. And I would come back with the, my backswing isnt that high, and i would say i only goto about here and raise my arm back to about where i thought it was.

Well the last year that i bowled, i decided to video tape myself practicing to see how high my backswing was. OMG!!!!!!!!

When i would reach the end of my backswing, my arm was litterally almost straight up and down. Needless to say when i tried to lower my backswing, it fukked up my timming and my game went to hell fast. The whole year was a struggle and compared to the year before which was great, i went right down the crapper. All because i watched a video of myself and seen what i had been doing for years on end.

Now unless i was having lessons with Scott Lee, i wouldnt ever want to video tape myself playing pool. Why? because whats the point unless someone can point out what i am doing and what i should be doing.

I've always been one to practice different stuff untill i found what works for me, I'm one who always practices my break, and a few weeks ago, Scott Lee was in town doing Pool School and after i was done practicing said he could help me with what i was doing.

Well a few days later, I was practicing with a guy i know and working on my break. He recommended to me that i stand up straighter, when breaking.
But after a day of just soft breaking till I got my stroke down, and was comfortable with standing up straighter, i started to break harder.

And now, its amazing how hard I can break with such little force and arm movement. My med break now crushes the rack, on a 9ft in 9ball and just sends balls flying all over on a 7ft when playing 8ball.

And this is all from someone just telling me to try standing up straighter lol.

No video needed there.


Keep the posts clean. Mr. Wilson

 

[Scaramouche]

Ah, to see ourselves as others see us!

I taught skiing for a number of years. The toughest part is to convince the student to change when he thinks he is doing it right, particularly if he has been skiing for years.

Putting him on video is a cold dose of reality. He can see where the problems of technique cause skiis to skid, arms to fly out of position, and the legs fail to absorb the moguls. Video a slalom run and he sees how flaws compound problems to create disaster.

 

[Scott Lee]

Now, it's to late to change.

It's NEVER too late to change. In a few hours I can eradicate, with the help of video, your life-long bad habits...at least I can give you the tools to be able to make the changes yourself. It's not difficult to change old behavior, if you know what to do to make the changes, and you really want to. It takes about 3 weeks, if you practice the right things, the right way...about 15 minutes a day.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[Cornerman]

I started playing pool when I was 12 yrs. old (56 now). For most of my life I thought I had normal form at the table (stance, stroke, etc.) until I was videotaped by a friend of mine a few years ago. What a shock!

The only way to discribe it was hilarious! I look like the "before" pictures in the pool books.

Any good instructor should be using videotape so that you can see yourself. It can be a real eye-opener.

For me, the biggest things I noticed was that I was really starting to lose my hair, and I needed to lose ten pounds.

Fred

 

[ShootingArts]

Bob McDill said it well!

Any good instructor should be using videotape so that you can see yourself. It can be a real eye-opener.

For me, the biggest things I noticed was that I was really starting to lose my hair, and I needed to lose ten pounds.

Fred

"it's an awful awakening in a country boy's life,
To look in the mirror in total surprise.
At the hair on my shoulders and the age in my eyes."
Bob McDill


I don't know if I would want to see me on video!

Hu

 

[Tristan]

I tried videotaping myself playing the ghost in a few games of 'bumps,' but it's too hard shooting with one hand.

 

[cplayermagic]

Someone in DFW want to practice this together? LOL. I don't have a camcorder but wouldn't mind recording someone playing a race to 7 with the ghost if they'd do the same for me....

TATE those video's you posted were great btw.

who wouldn't want to record ghost: 7 ford: 0

ive been known to play some players who tell me to play the ghost and so i play the ghost and i win for 10dollars a rack. big time gambling isnt about being good, its about a state of mind. of course, knowing how to match up is also important.

 

[desi2960]

it works

i taped my self about 10 years ago. i set up camera and played myself 9 ball, trying to forget the camera. i played for 2 hrs. after looking at the tape i found i was missing the same shots over and over. nearly all my misses were shooting too hard or too much juice. it made me stop and rethink my game. keep your head down

 

[Cameron Smith]

The thing I got about videotaping myself was that I could see myself getting tense from missing shots or getting out of line. I saw what happened to me, on tape, right before my eyes, in "playing bad" mode. It is amazing how this feedback can help you to understand and deal with your mental issues.

Chris

Good point. What I need to do is to see what I am doing when I'm doing it wrong. I'm afraid to go to an instructor and be playing very very well, and for him not to be able to see what I'm do wrong.

 

[chilli66]

Any good instructor should be using videotape so that you can see yourself. It can be a real eye-opener.

For me, the biggest things I noticed was that I was really starting to lose my hair, and I needed to lose ten pounds.

Fred

LOL, I already know my hair has left for a better climate & as for the 10 pounds, I could lose those too. Sadly, I don't need a camera to remind me!

Now I would be interested to see how my stance looks these days. I took some snooker lessons years ago which included the stance but I'm sure I've slipped back to my old, comfortable style that seems to suit me. I might have to drag the camcorder to the pool hall one day.

 

[AOyster]

HI-Tech Video Analysis

I totally agree!!

Video Analysis playes a huge role in self-learning. With a detailed Professional analysis, one can see clearly exactly what they are doing and what they "should" be doing. What is important is knowing exactly what to look for. This technology is now available at the Academy of the Cueing Arts.

I have been playing golf for 31 years, as long as I have been playing billiards. Earlier this year I attended a PGA golf school where they used a super video analysis program. www.v1golf.com Check out this analysis technology. Now when I look at myself I know exactly what to look for, specifically what I am doing, both correct and incorrect. A huge difference from before, just looking at a video of myself.

With all the advanced technology available today at these high tech golf schools, I decided to step it up here a few notches. I have advanced my academy to the current level of the top golf schools in the world.

With all the drawing tools, side by side evaluation of "perfect" positions and not-so perfect positions from side views and forward views, I am now able to give you a detailed personal cd of your set-up, swing, stance, grip, head, etc. Lines, circles, boxes, stroke tracking, timing tempo, angles with specific degrees at points, etc. Knowledge of kinesiology will put you into perfect mechanical robotic positions so pocketing balls becomes "A" simple rountine movement.

I have been studying the art and science of this "sport" from every aspect for over 20 years. I am able to do an analysis and record audio and video to a cd for you. You can then sit back at home and have priceless years of knowledge at your fingertips. Slow motion frame by frame analysis of multiple shots give you a crystal clear vision of exactly what you are doing correctly and incorrectly.

A standard analysis is usually about 15-20 minutes with audio and slow motion. I can guarantee you will see clearly outside the box.

If you would like a personal analysis cd please contact me through www.billiardinstruction.com

Hope everyone has a super and safe holiday season!

Cheers,

Oyster
Master Instructor
Academy of the Cueing Arts
BSACA Master Academy

 

[VIProfessor]

Videotaping yourself is SO important! I tape myself at least once a month, just to check for flaws creeping in, and I NEVER teach without a video camera. After all, in my opinion, it is nearly impossible to see yourself raising your head on the stroke or clenching your grip instead of following through with a relaxed grip. Furthermore, when we're down on the table we don't see how the cue ball moves quite as well as we do when we're spectators. The difference between how the balls move on a good stroke, as compared to a punched or jerky stroke, is profound, and it's one of the things that I look for.

 

[Scott Lee]

I totally agree!!

Video Analysis playes a huge role in self-learning. With a detailed Professional analysis, one can see clearly exactly what they are doing and what they "should" be doing. What is important is knowing exactly what to look for. This technology is now available at the Academy of the Cueing Arts.

I have been playing golf for 31 years, as long as I have been playing billiards. Earlier this year I attended a PGA golf school where they used a super video analysis program. www.v1golf.com Check out this analysis technology. Now when I look at myself I know exactly what to look for, specifically what I am doing, both correct and incorrect. A huge difference from before, just looking at a video of myself.

With all the advanced technology available today at these high tech golf schools, I decided to step it up here a few notches. I have advanced my academy to the current level of the top golf schools in the world.

With all the drawing tools, side by side evaluation of "perfect" positions and not-so perfect positions from side views and forward views, I am now able to give you a detailed personal cd of your set-up, swing, stance, grip, head, etc. Lines, circles, boxes, stroke tracking, timing tempo, angles with specific degrees at points, etc. Knowledge of kinesiology will put you into perfect mechanical robotic positions so pocketing balls becomes "A" simple rountine movement.

I have been studying the art and science of this "sport" from every aspect for over 20 years. I am able to do an analysis and record audio and video to a cd for you. You can then sit back at home and have priceless years of knowledge at your fingertips. Slow motion frame by frame analysis of multiple shots give you a crystal clear vision of exactly what you are doing correctly and incorrectly.

A standard analysis is usually about 15-20 minutes with audio and slow motion. I can guarantee you will see clearly outside the box.

If you would like a personal analysis cd please contact me through www.billiardinstruction.com

Hope everyone has a super and safe holiday season!

Cheers,

Oyster
Master Instructor
Academy of the Cueing Arts
BSACA Master Academy

Gosh Tim! Glad to see that you upgraded to active stop-action, video analysis. I've been doing that for more than twenty years! They've been doing that for 25 yrs. at Cue Tech, in Dallas...or don't you remember, from when you were there?

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[AOyster]

Gosh Tim! Glad to see that you upgraded to active stop-action, video analysis. I've been doing that for more than twenty years! They've been doing that for 25 yrs. at Cue Tech, in Dallas...or don't you remember, from when you were there?

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Yes, I have been doing video analysis for over 20 years myself and as you should know, we were never able to do what we can with today's current technology!

Video Analysis was done at Cue tec with a marker on the screen of a small tv on a fold out table with a VCR. (anyone know what that is?) I do not know what they are doing today. Only 3-4 lines were drawn as references when I was there over 10 years ago.

The video analysis technology today is exponential compared to years ago. This software allows me to do things that weren't even thought of years ago. I currently use 12 reference points, tempo timing down to the hundredths, overlay, side by side, stroke tracking, angles down to the degrees, plus much more. Descriptions of bone placements, joints, muscles are clearly detailed. Each analysis is recorded as I do it, with audio and all on screen graphics for every student to take home with them.

I use two 42" plasma screens, a mac with photoshop CS2 for detailed frame analysis to print for each student, a Canon XL1s 3CCD professional video camera, canon 9 meg digital stilll cameras along with over 20 teaching aids I have created over the years.

I also use balancing tracking sensors for dynamic foot movement during the stroke. This is amazing when you see charts of students movements during there stroke.

Anyway, just a few.. for you. All in all, the difference today with all the best technology is night and day compared to back then.