What would you have done differently?

[SamLambert]

Hello everyone,

I am a novice at everything related to billiards and am loving the game, but I am also seriously having a lot of difficulty finding general consensus information. It's all over the place and I don't quite know where to look. I watched videos on YouTube, read what I could on the web and very recently got an instructor that will be able to give me about 1 lesson per week.

I thought it might be a good idea to ask you guys : what would you have differently if you could go back to the start line?

 

[tashworth19191]

I would have got a coach to help me lay down good solid fundamentals, then I would hit a million balls. I wish I had never watched videos, they hurt my game. I would enter every tournament I could and play competively as often as I could. I would get a home table and practice as much as possible. I would get me one stick that plays good and learn just that stick.

I would never try all the gimmicks I have tried and I would find that skill is the only thing that makes you a good player. Videos, custom sticks and lack of playing good competition have been my worst enemy...

 

[SamLambert]

I would have got a coach to help me lay down good solid fundamentals, then I would hit a million balls. I wish I had never watched videos, they hurt my game. I would enter every tournament I could and play competively as often as I could. I would get a home table and practice as much as possible. I would get me one stick that plays good and learn just that stick.

I would never try all the gimmicks I have tried and I would find that skill is the only thing that makes you a good player. Videos, custom sticks and lack of playing good competition have been my worst enemy...

Thanks for the reply! Good information.

I am curious though, how has watching videos hurt your game?

Also, there is a tournament for new players tomorrow at the pool hall where I usually play, I think I will participate after reading your post.

 

[Icon of Sin]

Can't really think of anything... maybe start playing on the big table a little sooner... other then that, I like the way my game has been progressing...

 

[Tramp Steamer]

I agree with Tash, for the most part, but I don't think a coach, or instructor is necessary.
If you are going to hit a million balls (which you should) then you are probably going to be hanging around a pool room. If you are hanging around a pool room then there are going to be guys there who know how to play good pool. Watch how they play and emulate them. Develop your own set of fundamentals rather than those an instructor thinks you should have. Your body and your mind will adapt, and provide you with what you need.
The only way to become a great player is to do your time in the trenches. Eat, drink, and sleep in a pool room. Good luck. :smile:

 

[caff3in3]

I would have looked up Tor Lowry's videos. Best instructional videos I have ever seen. Most of his videos are on youtube.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Thanks for the reply! Good information.
I am curious though, how has watching videos hurt your game?

Allow me, Tash.
It's the same as me buying Golf magazines. Information overload. Swing this way, swing that way, hold the putter this way, not that way. It hurts more than it helps, and just keeps you going in circles. Watch a video for it's entertainment value only. Try watching Scott play Alex. Very exciting.
And, learn to play One Pocket. You'll thank me later. :smile:

 

[jburkm002]

I agree with watching other players. See them do something you cant. Learn how to do it. Which will teach you a lot about how play English for different shots. To me it's all about playing position and that's is truly what separates players. Really good players will have several ways/routes to achieve position. Of course we all have to make balls but currently ball control is the key to the next level. Whether for position, safety, kicks etc.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[7forlife]

HA, and you though this was going to be different. This is the subtitle version without the video.
But really, I wouldn't of taken the time off as many times as i did and would of gotten more serious a lot earlier. It's ones mind that makes the video material work or not work, it's by hanging around the right people that you learn about what to learn, just like life, you take bits and pieces and make your own. Not get an instructor? well to each his own but if you do follow pool like you say you do just look at who's making the most noise right now and tell me that those guys are not putting some "Seeeerious" time into practice and have a good coach, and then you tell me based on the guys you seen now versus the guys from yesteryear who's going to hold the title the longest. If I had to go back it would be this
Instructor/trusted person to let me know what right is followed by a harmonious blend of practice, competition and action. Finding the right mix for "YOU" is what's key.
Best of luck on your journey, Lord know we've been down the rabbit hole a few times.

 

[Keith Jawahir]

Didn't know it at the time, but when I started as a teenager, it was at one of the biggest gambling rooms in NYC (Golden cue on Queens Blvd). I would have asked the older guys for advice instead of just hitting balls around for hours on end. Made it much more difficult to fix my fundamentals later. When I was stationed in Georgia, I would have spent more time in a pool hall than clubbing and drinking. But, I'm glad I at least was able to stumble into some form of instruction at some point and my game has taken off since then. The single most important thing you can practice is straight-in shots.

 

[kntbeach]

Practice and learn with people who are better than you. You need to lose thousands of games before you start winning. I agree with shoot millions of balls also. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[StraightPoolIU]

Hello everyone,

I am a novice at everything related to billiards and am loving the game, but I am also seriously having a lot of difficulty finding general consensus information. It's all over the place and I don't quite know where to look. I watched videos on YouTube, read what I could on the web and very recently got an instructor that will be able to give me about 1 lesson per week.

I thought it might be a good idea to ask you guys : what would you have differently if you could go back to the start line?

No question I would have found an instructor, and focused in on my stroke mechanics and fundamentals before anything else. When I started playing I had no idea that stuff even mattered at all let alone that it might be the most important part.

 

[Sunchaser]

Million balls is the key for sure. Flat cue doesn't hurt either. Good luck and keep it fun... Matt D.

 

[hang-the-9]

You are already doing the best step for a beginner, that is the lessons with someone that can watch what you do, how you do it, and correct you if needed.

I probably spend 15 years playing the wrong way and was stuck at a certain level, then used another 5 years trying to fix it, and still have not reached a consistent level in my game that I want due to my fundamentals issues that I did not even know I had for years and years. Just because the place I started playing in had no really good players and no-one that gave lessons.

 

[jojopiff]

I would:
1. Get lessons - Have a correct, repeatable stroke. Fundamentals are priceless.
2. NO ENGLISH - I spin the ball all over the darn table. Trying to rectify now but it's tough. Obviously at some point you'll get to using english, but stay away as long as possible.
3. Play on the big table - I played strictly bar box for the first 8 years or so and it hides flaws.
4. Play with better players, ALWAYS - If you're playing league, be the worst person on the team. And once you're not, get on a new team where you are. If you gamble, find a better player who will play you cheap (or free) and take no spot.
5. Hit balls, hit balls, hit balls - Then hit more balls.
6. Play in different places - For me, I get annoyed when I play somewhere the table is filthy, the balls are dirty and different brands, and it's humid. Get to where you can play on any equipment, in any setting. Balls bank different(as well as cue ball angles) on different tables and equipment and humidity.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Develop your own set of fundamentals rather than those an instructor thinks you should have.

Or on the other hand...

First learn the fundamentals an instructor thinks you should have (because that's why they're called fundamentals), then adapt as necessary to your own physiology and style.

pj
chgo

 

[cardiac kid]

Sam,

You have a great coach / instructor possibly available in Trois-Rivieres. Francis Crevier lives there. I've both played him and watched him on the internet. You probably could not do better than him. Even just for an evaluation of your game.

Lyn

 

[Bob Jewett]

I wish I had help with my fundamentals. I eventually learned how to play most shots but I think it would have gone a lot faster with a straight stroke and correct sighting. I had been playing for 12 years before a friend finally asked my why I wasn't aligning correctly. I thought I had been.

I wish I had learned to be a little more skeptical about some of the advice I got. You don't really understand what you hear or read until you understand its limitations and sometimes errors. You need to test.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... I don't think a coach, or instructor is necessary. ...

If you don't care about how long it takes to play well or how poorly you play in the end, maybe this is true, but mostly you're wrong. We cannot see our own mechanics very well. Beginners don't know what is possible and what is impossible. An instructor or a mentor can help with that.

On the other hand, there are bad instructors. They will be glad to "pour piss in your ear" (to quote Danny McGoorty) and charge you big bucks. As in the rest of life, the would-be player needs to learn to evaluate his sources of info as well as the content.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Or on the other hand...
First learn the fundamentals an instructor thinks you should have (because that's why they're called fundamentals), then adapt as necessary to your own physiology and style.
pj
chgo

Wrong again, Johnson. Don't you ever get tired of that.
Fundamentals are developed by the individual, not according to the opinions, or dictates of an instructor. Haven't you ever seen Jim Furyk's golf swing? That didn't come out of a book, or was taught at a golf school.
Jeez!