Deeman2
09-15-2004, 07:02 AM
As I have in the past, in the case of instruction I'll post my thoughts on my lessons.
Scott met me (and Tori) at The Corner Pocket in exciting downtown Kilgore, TX for our scheduled 4 hours of torture for my game. Scott was there a couple of minutes early and we had to negoiate with the room owner as she was afraid Scott's taping of the lesson would be a problem. After several phone calls to her partner/husband, Scott was able to talk her into letting him tape me. This was probably my fault as I had not told them we would be taping when I scheduled the lesson with the room.
My game had suffered since my move from Pennsylvania to Alabama and was really concerning me as we came to Texas. I had thought I was merely standing up in my shots and maybe had a little too much body movement. Gee, if it had only been that simple!
Scott found about 4 basic things I let overtake, not just creep into, my stroke. After many hours, I still had way too much movement, not enough pause in my stroke and was even lifting my cue out of an open bridge during my stroke. However, I now have the recognition of what I am doing wrong and can work on this. In the meantime, I can't make a ball but will just have to suffer until I get my game settled back down.
My Review: Scott was well prepared and was able to directly diagnose my problems after watching me hit a rack of balls. He was very understandable and responsive to all questions with demonstrations on all shots. He covered a large range of issues questioning my understanding of the concepts of throw, english and banks. He presents a very dependable system to more accurately draw and follow the cue ball, a sort of calibration that, while I'm still getting used to it, will allow me more control over my draw and follow shots.
He really made me conscience of the lower speeds you can use for draw, and other, shots. I knew I was going to get hit for my pre-shot routine (Dee's - let's lean over and spank the ball system) and I was right. Again, while he didn't cure this immediately, I am now paying much cloaser attention to it and it will come.
As expected, Scott gave me several drills to practice. I was impressed while simple, all of them tied together to make cover a wide range of skills and allows for objective judgement of success while still leaving you some confidence.
As expected, Scott, being a trick shot artist and doing many shows, was very personable and almost like the Energizer Bunny, in covering more material than I thought was possible in the time allowed. I mean when he says it's 4 hours of fast paced instruction, he means it. No breaks, no goofing off, he knows it's your money that's being spent.
After the lesson, he hung around and he played some nine ball and one pocket with Tori and I for about two hours.
I liked Scott's style and professionalism as well as his manner of instruction. You just don't click with some very nice and excellent instructors. I did with Scott. He didn't put up with any excuses or compromise on his view of how to hit the ball.
He, Tori and I then when out for a meal at a Mexican restaurant in Kilgore and, I tell you, he has as many stories as Fat's did, but his are much more believable.
Now I have to get my stroke together, at least a little, before he sees me shoot again at SPetty's on Saturday. Gee, what is it about your concentration when your instructor is watching? I wanted to jump up and say, "Scott, I swear I can run racks!" /ccboard/images/graemlins/mad.gif Well, I may be on my way back, but I have some new tools help me.
Overall, I rate his instruction as the best I have experienced and the overall day a big success. I also feel I have made a new friend.
/ccboard/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Deeman
Scott met me (and Tori) at The Corner Pocket in exciting downtown Kilgore, TX for our scheduled 4 hours of torture for my game. Scott was there a couple of minutes early and we had to negoiate with the room owner as she was afraid Scott's taping of the lesson would be a problem. After several phone calls to her partner/husband, Scott was able to talk her into letting him tape me. This was probably my fault as I had not told them we would be taping when I scheduled the lesson with the room.
My game had suffered since my move from Pennsylvania to Alabama and was really concerning me as we came to Texas. I had thought I was merely standing up in my shots and maybe had a little too much body movement. Gee, if it had only been that simple!
Scott found about 4 basic things I let overtake, not just creep into, my stroke. After many hours, I still had way too much movement, not enough pause in my stroke and was even lifting my cue out of an open bridge during my stroke. However, I now have the recognition of what I am doing wrong and can work on this. In the meantime, I can't make a ball but will just have to suffer until I get my game settled back down.
My Review: Scott was well prepared and was able to directly diagnose my problems after watching me hit a rack of balls. He was very understandable and responsive to all questions with demonstrations on all shots. He covered a large range of issues questioning my understanding of the concepts of throw, english and banks. He presents a very dependable system to more accurately draw and follow the cue ball, a sort of calibration that, while I'm still getting used to it, will allow me more control over my draw and follow shots.
He really made me conscience of the lower speeds you can use for draw, and other, shots. I knew I was going to get hit for my pre-shot routine (Dee's - let's lean over and spank the ball system) and I was right. Again, while he didn't cure this immediately, I am now paying much cloaser attention to it and it will come.
As expected, Scott gave me several drills to practice. I was impressed while simple, all of them tied together to make cover a wide range of skills and allows for objective judgement of success while still leaving you some confidence.
As expected, Scott, being a trick shot artist and doing many shows, was very personable and almost like the Energizer Bunny, in covering more material than I thought was possible in the time allowed. I mean when he says it's 4 hours of fast paced instruction, he means it. No breaks, no goofing off, he knows it's your money that's being spent.
After the lesson, he hung around and he played some nine ball and one pocket with Tori and I for about two hours.
I liked Scott's style and professionalism as well as his manner of instruction. You just don't click with some very nice and excellent instructors. I did with Scott. He didn't put up with any excuses or compromise on his view of how to hit the ball.
He, Tori and I then when out for a meal at a Mexican restaurant in Kilgore and, I tell you, he has as many stories as Fat's did, but his are much more believable.
Now I have to get my stroke together, at least a little, before he sees me shoot again at SPetty's on Saturday. Gee, what is it about your concentration when your instructor is watching? I wanted to jump up and say, "Scott, I swear I can run racks!" /ccboard/images/graemlins/mad.gif Well, I may be on my way back, but I have some new tools help me.
Overall, I rate his instruction as the best I have experienced and the overall day a big success. I also feel I have made a new friend.
/ccboard/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Deeman