wanting to step up my game a lil but,,,

[cireland1990]

Ok so im wantin to get better at this game but sometimes I try somhard I miss the easiest shits and it lowers my self esteem for the game! I play good pool but im wantin to get a stronger game. Im looking into getting some lessons but everyone ive found online is out of my budget and many states away! Does anyone kno anybody in missouri that gives lessons or around the kansas city area? Thanks

 

[Scott Lee]

cireland1990...You have to look at instruction as an investment in your game, rather than "out of my budget". Good instruction will pay you back many times over, in the long run. If you need to save money for lessons...do it. I travel all over the US teaching full time, and I will come to you. Plus I record all lessons on dvds, which you keep for review. If you're interested, PM me your contact information.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

 

[allanpsand]

Scott Lee is one of the best instructors in the PBIA.

Here's a suggestion: when you know Scott is within a few hours drive, get two or three buddies together and all of you share the expenses.

The stuff you learn will last your entire lifetime.

 

[fathomblue]

I'll echo biting the bullet and getting with a good instructor. Bob Nunley got with me for 2 lessons and showed me things on video that I had no idea that I was doing. Big wake-up call. From dropping my elbow 18", to "ping pong" eyes, my cueball address distance, etc. etc.

I've also gone as far as to get 15 min. at the table with John Brumback, who fixed about 3-4 fundamentals (not to mention 10 days of picking his brain at the Southern Classic). I took a lesson with pro, Adam Smith. Another with Johnny Archer. One with Nick Varner. A mini-lesson with respected road/action player, Gene Albrecht. I'm always working with multi-time Arkansas state champion, John James, as he plays out of my home room. I've talked at length and gotten to the table for some questions I had with former road player, Monroe Jones (former protege of Vernon Elliott). I took a seminar with Freddy the Beard, Billy Incardona and Danny DiLiberto. I've picked our league president's brain, Lynn Smith, regarding 1-pocket, among other facets of the game.

I subscribed to Accu-Stats Video-of-the-Month, per Brumback's recommendation about truly studying the pro's. That's an easy $12.95/month for a high quality DVD.

And all of that is in the past 12 months. My game has grown by leaps and bounds. If you want it bad enough, ya gotta put in the time and invest in your game.

And not to derail this too far, but I just ordered 2 of Allan Sands books last night. Just noticed that he replied on this thread. George Fels gave high recommendations after I used the "Search" function, so that's good enough for me.

One more thing.....CJ Wiley has had a HUGE impact on my game.

 

[pooltchr]

I'll echo biting the bullet and getting with a good instructor. Bob Nunley got with me for 2 lessons and showed me things on video that I had no idea that I was doing. Big wake-up call. From dropping my elbow 18", to "ping pong" eyes, my cueball address distance, etc. etc.

I've also gone as far as to get 15 min. at the table with John Brumback, who fixed about 3-4 fundamentals (not to mention 10 days of picking his brain at the Southern Classic). I took a lesson with pro, Adam Smith. Another with Johnny Archer. One with Nick Varner. A mini-lesson with respected road/action player, Gene Albrecht. I'm always working with multi-time Arkansas state champion, John James, as he plays out of my home room. I've talked at length and gotten to the table for some questions I had with former road player, Monroe Jones (former protege of Vernon Elliott). I took a seminar with Freddy the Beard, Billy Incardona and Danny DiLiberto. I've picked our league president's brain, Lynn Smith, regarding 1-pocket, among other facets of the game.

I subscribed to Accu-Stats Video-of-the-Month, per Brumback's recommendation about truly studying the pro's. That's an easy $12.95/month for a high quality DVD.

And all of that is in the past 12 months. My game has grown by leaps and bounds. If you want it bad enough, ya gotta put in the time and invest in your game.

And not to derail this too far, but I just ordered 2 of Allan Sands books last night. Just noticed that he replied on this thread. George Fels gave high recommendations after I used the "Search" function, so that's good enough for me.

One more thing.....CJ Wiley has had a HUGE impact on my game.

I would be a little cautious of working with too many instructors in a short period of time. Sometimes, you end up getting conflicting advice that just confuses some issues.

Bob Nunley would be my top choice in your area. I have worked with him in the past, and he knows his stuff, and how to communicate it to his students.

 

[fathomblue]

I would be a little cautious of working with too many instructors in a short period of time. Sometimes, you end up getting conflicting advice that just confuses some issues.

Bob Nunley would be my top choice in your area. I have worked with him in the past, and he knows his stuff, and how to communicate it to his students.

I play with Bob almost weekly and we're good friends now. We play each other quite a bit. Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I don't.

I tend to take nuggets from everyone to blend into my own style. I understand what you mean about having a million things thrown at you by lots of different people, but I do like varying perspectives on the fundamentals and nuances of the game. Some things click. Some don't. Everyone has their own physical limitations and unique body type.

Sometimes it's just nice to spend time with players like that to pick up mental aspects of the game. Or perhaps just their reinforcement that, yes indeed, this is what you do in the situation. That in itself is huge.

A quick example: Johnny Archer. He looked at my stroke on various shots and set-ups. He said my stroke was really, really nice. Don't change anything. Others in the clinic, he gave them tips on what to change and explained why. When a Hall of Famer tells you that you have a nice, smooth stroke, it really reinforces you and gives you a boost of confidence.

The other thing that really sticks out is that I asked him, "What's the biggest mistake that you see amateur players make? What prevents them from taking the next step?".

Johnny looked at me and exclaimed, "They miss!". The room busted out laughing. He then said, "Seriously. If you see a table that you can run out, you gotta focus on each and every shot. You HAVE to run out when you're SUPPOSED TO! The pro's run out. The amateurs don't. Do what you're supposed to do. Focus."

I think about that every time I see a rack that is supposed to be ran. And guess what? I've ran out more since then than I ever have.

So, you take away different things from different players.

In the end, the player you will become will be unique compared to any other. But, people will be able to see shades of players past that have affected your game.