What Do You Ask A Legend?

I have had the opportunity to talk to both of these great players. I took a breaking lesson from Johnny about 20 years ago and I have had the pleasure of talking to Nick on several occassions. They are both very patient and will answer all of your questions.
I would ask them about their practice routines. That is a huge difference between the top players and us wannabes. Also, I would talk to Nick about the mental game as he has more heart than anyone who has ever played the game of pool.

Just my two cents. Have a great time.
 
stljohnny said:
So, in just over a week, I'm going to get to spend some time with both Johnny Archer and Nick Varner. I've been racking my brain on just what to ask these legends. I'd like to ask about breaking techniques, mechanics, speed control, reading caroms/breaking clusters... and a bunch of other things; but a) time is limited, and shared among 5 other "students". b) some of these sound more like questions I'd pose to a long-term coach.

I'm assuming each of them will have their own agenda to direct the clinic, but usually there's some sort of Q&A time, so... What would you ask about?

And if you're in the St. Louis area, Feb8th, be sure to call in sick to work and come out to Side Pockets, in St. Charles. Clinic starting at 11am, public exhibition starts in the evening. For more info, hit this flyer to get contact info.
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Well shoot, somebody has to say it: ask them both what they think of this center to edge aiming system taking the pool world by storm.

If they answer that they don't use it I'd ask them why the hell not. I'd ask them if they have bought Stan's DVD and tell them that if they haven't (gasp) once they watch it two or three dozen times (mit the prerequisite *open mind*); call up Stan to clear up anything they don't understand (maybe sign up for a lesson); they will make all the shots all the time and never miss.

Lou Figueroa
oh yeah
and post a video
of themselves shooting :-)
 
lfigueroa said:
Well shoot, somebody has to say it: ask them both what they think of this center to edge aiming system taking the pool world by storm.

If they answer that they don't use it I'd ask them why the hell not. I'd ask them if they have bought Stan's DVD and tell them that if they haven't (gasp) once they watch it two or three dozen times (mit the prerequisite *open mind*); call up Stan to clear up anything they don't understand (maybe sign up for a lesson); they will make all the shots all the time and never miss.

Lou Figueroa
oh yeah
and post a video
of themselves shooting :-)
Click to expand...

Ahhh you dawg, you beat me to it.

To really turn Johnny upside down, ask him if he lied to Hal Houle about not using CTE. J/K J/K And make damn sure you don't use my name.

However, it would be a SMART move on your part to hear PRECISELY, how each of them aims and if on different shots, they use different techniques or if they are OUT OF STROKE, do they aim differently. None of us see things EXACTLY the same and many of us do different things when it comes to aiming. It would be neat to hear about the different aiming perspectives that each of them have.

Oh yeah, and for some entertainment that shouldn't get you smacked, ask Johnny, what the hell is up with all of the lint picking and that moving balls from one pocket to the next? I'm sure he has a good reason for it, just like some of Earl's answers to some of his unique goings on.

For Nick, tell him JoeyA wants to know that when playing one pocket, is all of that moving balls up table is really necessary? :grin:
 
JoeyA said:
Ahhh you dawg, you beat me to it.

To really turn Johnny upside down, ask him if he lied to Hal Houle about not using CTE. J/K J/K And make damn sure you don't use my name.

However, it would be a SMART move on your part to hear PRECISELY, how each of them aims and if on different shots, they use different techniques or if they are OUT OF STROKE, do they aim differently. None of us see things EXACTLY the same and many of us do different things when it comes to aiming. It would be neat to hear about the different aiming perspectives that each of them have.

Oh yeah, and for some entertainment that shouldn't get you smacked, ask Johnny, what the hell is up with all of the lint picking and that moving balls from one pocket to the next? I'm sure he has a good reason for it, just like some of Earl's answers to some of his unique goings on.

For Nick, tell him JoeyA wants to know that when playing one pocket, is all of that moving balls up table is really necessary? :grin:
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lol. Funny thing is that when I'm really in the zone I do a bit of lint picking and ball shifting meself. It's just that your brain is so revved up and you are so focused you are thinking about everything and nothing. So you pick the little pieces of chalk off the table so the balls will roll truer and you move balls from one pocket to another so that there is no chance your shot will spit out.

Lou Figueroa
 
Hm,

just 2 questions-
"Wanna play some pool" and then
"Where is a good restaurant here"
 
Ratta said:
Hm,

just 2 questions-
"Wanna play some pool" and then
"Where is a good restaurant here"
Click to expand...
Good point, is there a good rib place in the area or a Japanese Steak house (the tapinyaki style). Johnny and I have eaten at soo many of those beni hanna type places we just love it. :) if anyone is in the area of St Charles, Mo please enlighten me. Thanks
 
lfigueroa said:
lol. Funny thing is that when I'm really in the zone I do a bit of lint picking and ball shifting meself. It's just that your brain is so revved up and you are so focused you are thinking about everything and nothing. So you pick the little pieces of chalk off the table so the balls will roll truer and you move balls from one pocket to another so that there is no chance your shot will spit out.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...

I understand your chalk picking and ball shifting but I've seen Johnny pull balls out of pockets that he won't be shooting object balls into and was always curious about that. For Johnny is the removing of balls from a pocket that he is not going to shoot balls into just a habit and something to while away the time as he lets his subconscious work on the problem at hand or something else?
 
JoeyA said:
I understand your chalk picking and ball shifting but I've seen Johnny pull balls out of pockets that he won't be shooting object balls into and was always curious about that. For Johnny is the removing of balls from a pocket that he is not going to shoot balls into just a habit and something to while away the time as he lets his subconscious work on the problem at hand or something else?
Click to expand...
Here is what I heard on the ball moving from pockets. When on the TV table the lights above the table shine onto the balls in a pocket that has filled up, I think he said that sometimes when he is down on his shot he can see the glare out of the corner of his eye so sometimes even when that may not happen he still takes balls out of the pocket just in case he gets down and sees in and has to get back up off his shot.
 
When I talked to Earl I asked him about his cue just to see what he likes in cues.
Then I let him know that I just shot a 5-0 in my BCA 8ball match, so he better not tangle with my game right now.
 
bfdlad said:
Here is what I heard on the ball moving from pockets. When on the TV table the lights above the table shine onto the balls in a pocket that has filled up, I think he said that sometimes when he is down on his shot he can see the glare out of the corner of his eye so sometimes even when that may not happen he still takes balls out of the pocket just in case he gets down and sees in and has to get back up off his shot.
Click to expand...

That makes sense Mark. Thanks!
JoeyA
 
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