Sure, you can learn by watching other sports, but pool is about patterns and safeties and choosing the correct shots. That's why watching videos can really elevate your game.
I have heard the quote many times before that says "learning is not a spectator sport."
And while I believe that to some extent, I don't believe it at all times.
As the Omega Billiards Tour Director, I get to watch A LOT of great play on Sundays of the events. I don't sit around watching the tv screens or playing games on my phone. No, I take FULL advantage of watching the top players battle it out.
Watching their shape, leave, safeties, the way they follow through and stay down so well! Their patterns, break style, etc.
I am very lucky that I have always been very perceptive and pick up on things quickly.
You, too, can watch better players and learn from how they play, how they handle themselves (yes, good or bad), patterns, watch their pre-shot routine, etc.
Wealth of knowledge by watching and paying attention!
2 comments:
The Omega Tour is not conducive to "watching and learning." Watchers are neither accommodated or appreciated. Peanut gallery seats are mostly too far away from the table to see anything more than than the stroke. Seats alongside the tables are (rightfully) reserved for the players, although there are usually plenty of extras. At the last Omega Tour I attended, I had the misfortune of being seated near a match where one of the players "suggested" I move. I should have moved immediately, but did not. I had sat at that position the whole prior day with no one complaining. Later in the week, I was horrified when, at my local hangout, someone had heard that I intentionally was "sharking" one of the players. Do you think I want to go watch and learn again. I don't think so. Not until non-players are welcomed to sit respectfully in the playing area. You would think players would be used to people moving behind their shots. And I would be most careful with my movement. But it's a bad situation all around and one that I don't care to repeat.
While I understand how you feel, and I'm sorry you experienced this, after running tournaments for over 10 years, I can tell you it's a rule that non-players are not allowed in the playing area. I have to ask spectators to move from the playing area EVERY single tournament. It really is a distraction and the players are trying to concentrate. But I know you and I KNOW you would never shark anyone. So I'm sorry someone even suggested that. That's not fair. But, it's not just the Omega - every big tournament/tour, non-players are not allowed in the playing area. Including the OB Cues Ladies Tour (as an example). They are even more strict about it. I'm sorry to hear you wont come out again. But we can't allow spectators in the playing area. I wish the pool rooms were larger here in Dallas Fort Worth to have better seating for everyone to watch comfortably. But there are still good areas to watch the matches from.
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