Summer Time Fun

[txplshrk]

Hey guys I got a question for you. I live about 2 1/2 hours away from any one that gives lessons and coaches, etc. Well let me rephrase that, anyone that is BCA certified. My question is this as follows. I am planning on taking 4 hour sessions about once a month starting next month. There are some things to my game I am sure someone else can help me improve.

Then I have one other idea for the summer. I was planning on playing in 4 tournaments and 1 league every week. Monday would be 9-ball tourny, Tuesday 8-ball tourny, Wednesday 8-ball tourny, Thursday 8-ball league, and Saturday 9-ball tourny (By far the hardest tourny in the city.)

My wife thinks that I will get burned out quickly, and that I won't have any fun come about half way through the summer. I on the other hand feel that I would improve my tournament game greatly, and very rapidly. I am the type of person that shoots 6-7 days out of the week as it is, so I don't think I will get burned out. (I think it is more she doesn't want me to play that much. LOL)

Any one have any thoughts of playing that much? (Not marrital advise, but rather pool advise) I just want to know if I am crazy for trying to play that often in tourny settins, or if it might hurt my game at all.

Thanks! :roll:

[skor]

4 hours session is too much, you won't be able to take too much info in one session, it's better to get a two hours session or even 1.5 hours and them practice what you've learnt for a couple of weeks or even a month and then take another session.
Small steps are always better then giant leaps...

When taking lessons, usualy you're whole game changs since you'll learn how to do things "the right way", this means that at the beginning your level will drop a bit until you'll get used to play and think as your instructor will teach you. That is why it's best that you don't compete at all at the begining of your training because in competition you'll go to your old habits because the urge to win will overcome the desire to play as you are being taught.

I suggest that you devote the summer to training and learning and start competeing in the winter or next summer.

If you feel that you have to compete then I suggest that you join a league, this way you can monitor your progress since you can loose some games unlike in tournament when you loose, you're out...

Just my opinion 8)

[nathar]

When I took lessons from a BCA instructor, the first session was just over 3 hrs. The main reason was that on the first lesson there is an evaluation phase. In the case of my instructor, that involved setting up a video camera and a tv to view it on. Then he had me hit balls from 3 different angles. After I had hit some balls around, before he told me anything about how I was shooting, we sat down and watched the video. He used a dry erase marker on the screen of the tv to point out the errors in my stroke, stance and head position. That one excercise helped my game more than any other lesson or book before or since.

Needless to say that took up quite a bit of time. Otherwise I agree with Skor. 4 hrs is a lot of time for a lesson. And you have to be honest with yourself on how much you can take in and remember in a 4 hr period. If your instructor uses the same approach as mine did, then for the first lesson that time may be justified. If I remember, other than the evaluation period, I only received about an hour and a half of instruction in my first lesson, and then we shot a few games for about 1/2 hr or so for fun and so he could see how I approached the game so that he could see how he needed to prepare future lessons.

Anyway, good luck with the lessons. That is definetly the right way to go if you want to improve your game.

Oh, Skor is also right about your game taking a dip after your first few lessons. You will find out that, regardless of what you think of your game, that some of the things you do aren't necessarily the best way. Just remember what you are taught and work it into your game. As your learning curve progresses you will be amazed at the outcomes.

As far as shooting in 5 seperate competitions in a week. I personally wouldn't recommend it. If you get into a slump and lose in 5 competitions in a week, it can potentionally kill your confidence. Especially if you are just starting to take lessons. I realize that you are not new to pool, but as Skor said, you need to be able to adapt what you learn to your game. If you go gung ho into a competition and start losing, it is human nature to fall back into your old habits which will cause you to doubt what your instructor is teaching you. Then all you have accomplished is wasting your time and money.

[audiopro]

I too think 4 hours is too much. Also I think 4 tourneys plus league is too much, and you might indeed get burned out quickly...

However, while league might be nice to monitor your progress, I think playing in tourney's is a better way to step up your game play. When there is money on the line, I tend to play my A game, when it is just league I kinda just focus on having fun, chilling out, being leisure, and I tend to play more a B game.

So I would say, 1 tourney a week at the most, 1 league night, and I think 2 hours instruction should be ok.

[txplshrk]

Well I appriciate the advise. I think the 4 hour session is just my first session, but I would have to talk to him more. I was thinking originally that the 4 hour session would be ok since I have to drive like 2 1/2 hours just to get to the session.

As far as playing goes, I have a friend that is extremly good and extremly focused on the basics. He has already gotten me to improve my stroke, and for about 6 weeks I played like shit. (I also got an email from Tony Robles with the basics of the stroke, and that was almost exactly how my friend was telling me to improve it.) I am not the type of person that gives up though, I think I strive more and try harder. Now that my stroke is getting better I am starting to play a lot better at league. I have broke and ran a couple times, and if I count all the times I have broke and then pocketed 4 or five, well it's a lot more common for me now. My cue ball control has gotten better just because of a better stroke.

I know that it is easy to go back to old habbits, but I figured the tournament play would get me used to playing in tournaments. I always seem to choke at tournaments. I think I get too focused subconciously that if I loose I go to the loosers braket. Or if I loose I am out of the tourny. I don't actually think about that when I am shooting so I think it is subconsious. At league though I just come out and have fun, and I woop ass as I am having fun. In fact it pisses a lot of people off that I don't act all that serious in league, but I woop ass. So I guess it is just finding a happy medium.

Again I thank you guys for your comments and advise. I am sure if this instructor is any good he will make the same kind of recommendations that you all have.

[spartan]

I think a 4 hour session it too long. It would be overwhelming. He/she would be showing you so much stuff in 4 hrs that you cannot possibly remember it all. When you cant remember what he/she taught you after the lesson the lesson isnt really much use. I would take it slow. An hour maybe 2 every week or 2 weeks and practice in between. IMO you will see a better return on your investment.

[txplshrk]

Hey everyone,

Check out this website and tell me what you think of this school.

www.poolschool.info

[nathar]

Great school. That is where the guy I took lessons from got certified as an instructor.

[txplshrk]

I know that a lot of BCA instructors learn at that place. All the BCA instructors here in TX have been there. I am thinking about going to that school, but it is a 3 day 8 hour class. A lot of people might think that is too long.

[DEATHTRON]

How much does it cost again...isnt it quite a bundle? I dont know, it could be GREAT, but on the other hand, it could be way too MUCH.

Zach

[nathar]

The instructors class is a very advanced class. I wouldn't recommend it until after you have taken lessons and made use of those lessons for at least a couple of years. Once you have your form down and understand everything you have learned from your lessons intimately, then a class like that might be benificial. Having not taken lessons before, an 8 hour session will overwhelm you, and you won't benefit from it nearly as much as you might think.

Take your time with your lessons. I took a 5 session course over a period of about 8 months. I feel that the time between lessons not only gave me a chance to practice what I learned, but to more fully understand the purposes of the lessons and to apply those lessons to my future sessions. Please don't look at this as a crash course. Take your time and you will enjoy the benefits a lot more. 8)

[Bygjerry]

Hey everyone,

Check out this website and tell me what you think of this school.

www.poolschool.info Yo txplshrk I have been to that school recently and let me tell you it is the SHIAATT....by the third day your stroke will be smooth and sexy....YEAH BABY....the guys over there really I mean really know there stuff....I see you have a table at home so you would easily be able to benefit form there mother drills. I have had a hard time adjusting only because I have not practiced as much as I should.It can be a bit pricey but to tell you the truth its three whole days of instruction which breaks done to roughly $22.00 an hour. Trust me your game well never be the same.Deathron these fools are in your backyard man....save up and check it out you wont regret it...my only regret is that I did not go sooner....plus since it is so much information to absorb you can go back within 6 months for a free refresher course.....txplshrk I am thinking of heading back soon let me know when you think your going maybe we can met up there....peace.

[Bygjerry]

Hey everyone,

Check out this website and tell me what you think of this school.

www.poolschool.info Yo txplshrk I have been to that school recently and let me tell you it is the SHIAATT....by the third day your stroke will be smooth and sexy....YEAH BABY....the guys over there really I mean really know there stuff....I see you have a table at home so you would easily be able to benefit form there mother drills. I have had a hard time adjusting only because I have not practiced as much as I should.It can be a bit pricey but to tell you the truth its three whole days of instruction which breaks done to roughly $22.00 an hour. Trust me your game well never be the same.Deathron these fools are in your backyard man....save up and check it out you wont regret it...my only regret is that I did not go sooner....plus since it is so much information to absorb you can go back within 6 months for a free refresher course.....txplshrk I am thinking of heading back soon let me know when you think your going maybe we can met up there....peace.

[Bygjerry]

Hey everyone,

Check out this website and tell me what you think of this school.

www.poolschool.info Yo txplshrk I have been to that school recently and let me tell you it is the SHIAATT....by the third day your stroke will be smooth and sexy....YEAH BABY....the guys over there really I mean really know there stuff....I see you have a table at home so you would easily be able to benefit form there mother drills. I have had a hard time adjusting only because I have not practiced as much as I should.It can be a bit pricey but to tell you the truth its three whole days of instruction which breaks done to roughly $22.00 an hour. Trust me your game well never be the same.Deathron these fools are in your backyard man....save up and check it out you wont regret it...my only regret is that I did not go sooner....plus since it is so much information to absorb you can go back within 6 months for a free refresher course.....txplshrk I am thinking of heading back soon let me know when you think your going maybe we can met up there....peace.

[Bygjerry]

darn triple post :oops:

[txplshrk]

I am not looking at the instructors course. At least not at this time. LOL

Well for all the guys wondering there is a three day intermediate class, which is what I was told I need to be in costs $695 for the three days. Yes it is a large chunck of change, but if you figure it out like they said it is pretty cheap by the hour. They also have advanced courses, and instructors courses and such. Check out their course selection, there is something for everyone.

I was told by Randy that runs the school it would be a good idea to come up there for the 3 day class. Then after that he would recommend me seeing the instructor that I told you guys about in San Antonio.

Bygjerry I am thinking of going June 9-11th, but I got to see if my finances will allow me to do that. I have friends I can stay with in Dallas, but it looks like I will need to rent a car to get up there. I can't take my company truck that far. So I will let you know. I might have to wait until the end of the summer.

[Bygjerry]

Sounds cool I was hoping to go around Memorial day weekend...the intermediate class is awesome I went at the beginning of March, you just have to make sure you are ready to make big changes to your game. I seriously doubt you will second guess yourself and who knows there have an advanced class down in South TX in December maybe we can met up then!

[txplshrk]

Where in South Texas are they headed in Dec?

[Bygjerry]

Where in South Texas are they headed in Dec? About 2 hours south of you in San Benito...its about 15 mins from Brownsville or SPI in either direction send me a PM and maybe I can give you call for some more info on them. But you have to take the intermediate course before the advanced course for sure..... :twisted:

[txplshrk]

Hey I am going to try and go June 12-14th Do you want to go then Bygjerry?
I am going to fly up there, and Randy said he could pick me up from the hotel every morning before class.