Formal instruction?

Question

Johnny got me thinking about this. If you were to seek out formal instruction, would you go into it with the idea that you might have to break down your game and start from scratch, or do you just want someone to tweak a few things here and there, but overall not really change anything about the way that you play? M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Matt makes a good point. The newer style of teaching does bear a strong resemblance to Alison Fischer's style of play. The reason for this is to reinforce the ideas of limiting excess body movement and keeping everything is a straight line. Alison just exaggerates everything that we tend to teach at the BCA, but that's what practice is about, to exaggerate, repeat, and measure the results. Alison may seem mechanical and uncomfortable but she's really not at all. Take a completely different style of play like Bustamante. As different as his stroke is from Alison's, he still keeps the cue moving straight and most of the movement is coming from below the elbow, like it should be. Frankly, I've been playing around with Bustamante's stroke lately, and I do like some of the aspects of it. That's not what I would teach. It is very fluid, and there's nothing wrong with that. That sidearm stroke like McCready's does drive me nuts though I will admit. Ever seen Willie Hoppe? Yikes.

Answer 1

I would go into it totally open minded. Hoping that an instructor would be able to pinpoint any weakness in my game and help me to get rid of it. I think most players have things that they could use help with. Some more than others. Could be a slight flaw in your stroke, Maybe the way you strategize, having trouble with bank shots , can't play position properly etc. etc......I think it would be silly to get formal instruction if you aren,t going to change anything about the way you play. I guess you would have to go into it with the idea that no matter how long you've been playing you still can and will learn something new. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Just depends on how stubborn that old dog is.

Answer 2

I personally would seek out an instructor who's ideas about the pool stroke are more congruent with mine. I believe MOST players would benefit greatly from an instructor that could break down their stroke and start from scratch, and I would not be completely against this. However, there is more than one was to play well, and I would make sure I found someone who taught more of the style I want to have.

I like to play more like the 'old timers,' even though I'm relatively young. I would rather play like Willi Mosconi than Allison Fisher. A lot of instructors have taken to teaching a snooker style approach to the game, which is fine, but not what I'm looking for. I like to have a more upright stance, more angle with the cue, and a free flowing stroke. I would not enjoy playing with my chin on the cue and with a very rigid, mechanical stroke. If I'm not going to enjoy the game as much after an instructor makes his 'improvements' to my stroke, there's no point in doing it since this is a game, and it's meant to be fun.

So I guess my answer is that I would be open to having an instructor break down my stroke if need be, but he must teach the style I want to use, otherwise I would not even go to him (And I do know of at least one that teaches the style I like, even though I haven't really researched it much).

Answer 3

I just got back to playing pool about four years ago I played some in my twentys then went to working off on jobs in different states and roping caves on the semie pro rodeo tour had to retire from work on medical at age 42 started playing pool as a pastime was rated a 4 on both bca and apa if a lot of you remember a few mounts ago I started asking all of you regulars on here where I could find a instructor here in ala and a lot of stuff about how to get a goog draw and about good cues and many other things and all of you were very helpful I found a rated instructor in tenn went to him he made me start over I and it realy helped my game I had several session with him he moved my game up to a soliead 5 and some times I hit a six for a while but I drop back and fourth but in openion if your are serious about your game a good insturctor will take your game apart and get you on the right tract but you have to be willing to want to learn and be paticant to get to the leval you want

Answer 4

I was in my mid 30's when I took up tennis...like a "vice" and really serious about it...went to see the local pro for some lesssons...one of the best known in my area.....he looked at me and asked as to how serious was I about it...."I want to be State Ranked by 40"...."well the biggest problem you have is that you are an "old dog" and you are going to have to learn new tricks"......in other words, you are going to have to change your game in order to get anywhere.....right away I change and go back to play my buddies...all of a sudden I am getting beat with this new game....but I endured the losses and little by little my game changed to the point that I was #8 in the State in my division at 40!....a "sightful"(not sure if that should be the word)....but an Instructor that has the "sight" or the ability to draw the shot in your brain and also the "sight" to see the faults in your game would add a lot and therefore I would be willing to change my game in order to excell down the road.....but not only the way that I play but the way that I "think" my game.....always wondered how some pro tennis players did a certain shot.....John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova on TV as announcers can show you the shot just by their "depective" statements....you see how they did it and why....they don't realize just how great an Instructor that they would make....so YES, I would change my game entirely just to be able to improve my game ...so I would put myself totally in your hands.....at 60 I can still attain this higher level and truly believe it....just need a good coach!!.....BUT one has to want it to do it!! That is the key word to any success 'WANT"!!!

Answer 5

I think a trainer is better for a beginner than someone who's been shooting over 20 years, some as much as 50!.
I think he can probably give me some tips, and maybe realize something that I am doing wrong, but it would be hard for someone to change their game completely, after all those years. I am sure I would use some tips, or try some!

Answer 6

For real I would let you tell me I would shoot a couple of racks or whatever then would be open to any and all sugestions-May even get spellin lessons

Like you said Tiger Woods has coaches
Forman has Trainers
Bata may have an inst