“What is the most important thing?” Fast Mikie selected an appropriate April PoolSynergy topic. One that reflects his personality and if done well, one that could unearth profound nuggets. A topic to challenge our writers to dig up a critical and timeless tidbit to pass along to our readers. Selecting one bit of knowledge from my lifetime of playing pool and 15 years of teaching billiards is a monumental task. I can just picture Fast Mikie on his hammock with a wry smile while imagining us staring at our screens. I knew I couldn’t throw out any old tip like “keep a level cue”, “accelerate through the cue ball”, “stroke don’t poke” and call it a day. I even considered facing my personal demon “keep your head down and don’t jump up”. I could have cranked out a passable article, but then it would have been easy for someone to toss out ten other no brainers that would make me conk the heel of my hand to my forehead and say, “Of course! That is much more important.” I think I have come up with a mantra worthy of the topic.
The most important thing is ALWAYS SEEK KNOWLEDGE. Cultivate a desire to learn and your game will improve as will your enjoyment of playing it. As a lifelong student of the game, I can say that I love the game more with each passing year.
The time I spend with a cue in my hands is fulfilling. I love it so much that I made it into my career. I am a Professional Billiard Instructor. Teaching others the game is the most important part of my billiard related work. I also compete in a heavy tournament schedule in the Midwest and play in several leagues in the Twin Cities. I love travelling to compete in professional tournaments and I photograph these events. I am also a billiard retailer selling “Serious Gear for Serious Players” including cues, cases, and accessories that I personally endorse. So you see, coaching billiards is but one component of my profession and obsession. One thing I do know for sure is that  a formal lesson is one of the most effective ways for a pool student to learn and to ignite excitement about the game.
Some bloke named Steve Droke said, “Knowledge is power, enthusiasm pulls the switch.”
I feel that if a player takes the first step to improvement by making a commitment to learn, I can pass along useful information and more importantly some of my passion for the game. Facts and techniques are easy to obtain and easily forgotten. Emotion makes a lasting impression. I’m sure there are students of mine from ten years ago who can’t remember a specific item I taught, but they do remember my excitement and positive energy sharing my love of the game. I hope that it spurs the players to take up challenges themselves.  Conquering one challenge fuels the charge up the next peak.
“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” -Anthony J. D’Angelo
The professional ranks are teaming with players who have never taken a formal lesson. True, but most of these cognoscenti had a hunger to soak up knowledge and the will to play so many hours that they made their own waking moments into a lifelong lesson. Most of these pros spent much of their formative billiard years nearly locked in a pool room. Lucky ones had professional level players to watch, practice with, compete against, drink beer with, and ask casual questions that would surely be asked in a formal lesson. This sponge-like learning happens daily in your local pool room. Motivated up-and-coming players garner scads of useful tidbits as a railbird or local pool hall rat.
What does one do if he cannot spend 70 hours a week in a billiard establishment? Take a lesson. Watch Accu-Stats videos. Read forums. Find your own way to learn. Put that knowledge into action and you’re on your way to becoming a lifelong lover of cue sports.  Jump on in, the water’s fine.
This article is the sixth of a series of posts written in coordination with other pool bloggers entitled “PoolSynergy“. This month’s theme is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. To see others, go to: http://poolshooter.blogspot.com/2010/04/poolsynergy-april-2010-most-important.html
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