Natural Abilities or Lessons and Systems ?

[randyg]

For any one on this thread who is really interested:

"Talent is overrated"
by Geoff Colvin

Great read....randyg

 

[BigDaddyInc.]

Also I dont think self taught = natural ability

Whether you are self taught or get instruction whatever you do, you will be using your own natural ability to play right? You can learn for yourself or you can be taught by someone else but you can only employ the knowledge yourself with your own natural abilities.

Or in other words you can practice what you learn until it becomes natural to you.

 

[decent dennis]

I think we all have the ability but i also look at every game as a lesson since after the break[unless you set them up],the balls are never the same set-up. just my thought.

 

[BigDaddyInc.]

I just don't think that teaching yourself equates to natural ability.

If some 10 year old kid comes up to the table and just naturally has a straight stroke, then I'll say he has natural ability.

If it takes you a year to make your stroke straight by practicing alone in your basement, then I don't think you're a natural. You just learned by repitition.

Ok then i guess i misunderstood the what the op was trying to get at with this voting poll. No i did not pick up a cue and instantly start running out. I learned by observation and through competition, doing drill shots, and hrs of practice.

I have never took a lesson nor have i employed any "systems" i toyed with the diamond system for a few weeks but gave it up i like playing by feel.

 

[Banks]

You can't learn what you don't know.....randyg

Very true, but.. if I see a shot executed, it is still possible for me to understand the hows and whys based on the collision, reaction and result.

I'm not saying that I've learned it all(or even half) or that lessons/systems would have no benefit for me. I meant to say that what I have learned I have obtained primarily through my own efforts to learn the game without direct assistance. That is how I learn best - by watching, attempting, trial and error and the odd hit that results in something useful. I also have a moderate amount of insight for strategy.

I consider myself more of a bar shooter.. so I'm sure there's plenty I'm doing wrong (which, I'm usually told, is playing in a bar!).

My take on the questions was whether you learned on your own or through the directing of another person's provided information.

 

[oldzilla]

I checked NA myself, but I tend to agree with Brandon on this. I have spent untold hours watching tapes, DVDs, reading books and magazines, but only as an adjunct to natural ability. Maybe the poll shoud be a bit broader in scope.

There's NO ONE who has just picked up a cue and known everything about the game. Whether it's strategy or technique, everyone gets hints lessons or what have you from someone.

The people with the most natural talent are typically the ones that get the most help from the best players. I don't know what it is, it's like you see some of yourself in them or a natural talent that you want to help hone.

The truth is that everyone can make use of knowledge and the knowledge gained by others.

Shit even when I was a strong player at a young age I would draw and follow for everything. It had to be pointed out to me, why didn't you just come three rails here, here and then here instead of drawing the ball two table lengths? And I had to reply, I don't know, didn't see it I guess.

Natural talent is nothing more than good hand eye, muscle memory and interspatial relational ability. Knowledge is the key to playing excellent pool, the more you have the sooner you have it, the better a player you will become.

That whole axiom of "If I only knew what I know now, then" is the truest statement ever told.

Jaden

Oldzilla,
Thought provoking... I've been playing since I was 17 and it was all natural ability for the first 20+ years. But, I found some really good practice drills early in my learning stage.

IMO, practice drills are what kept me interested in improving my game over the years. That and I really do enjoy practicing. Many players I know HATE to practice and only like to play the game and then complain about not improving.

I did take a 'bank pool' lesson from John Brumback in the late 90s that I have to admit, improved my overall bank game alot and I thought I was an average bank pool player.

I think a good instructor will help the serious player learn QUICKER, but not become world class.

WOW ! I just got home and quickly read through what has been posted since earlier today. I gotta say there is some very very interesting opinions on this poll/subject. I beleive Tramp Steamer is right about a broader poll being better. And Jadens post makes alot of sense too. You guys go right ahead and pursue a broader poll if you wish to. It will take some disecting of all the info here to get all the options together, thats for sure !
And lets see what else comes up here. It is only a few hours old !

So far I think it's been a good thread ! ty all vm for your input.

 

[poolplayer2093]

both. i've got a little natural ability and i like to think that the few lessons i've taken have helped. i give mad props to scott lee.

 

[oldzilla]

i beleive i gave this poll a 10 day lifeline !

 

[336Robin]

Reply

both. i've got a little natural ability and i like to think that the few lessons i've taken have helped. i give mad props to scott lee.

Just judging from the current results of the poll it looks to me that at least 45% or so are just natural feel players and 55% have had a lesson or some kind of help.

What I see with a lot of players is that mostly its due to an attitude because a lot of them really believe their skill level is due to------them.

They seem to take it very personally and really grind it out trying to figure out for themselves what it is they have to do in order to get better and mostly that guy is someone that isnt open to being helped and its not because he isnt really trying hard because he is.

It is just a very independent attitude that I am going to solve this myself and I have to say my hat is off to a guy like that because he is someone who really supports pool and I have no beef whatsoever with that guy.

I have learned to recognize that in players and just be supportive when they keep not getting better because that desire to look at things from a slightly different perspective than the one that they have is something they have to decide on and I wont have any effect on that regardless of what I say and what I do or sometimes how badly our game turns out in my favor. It seems to be a man thing or a macho type thing and just not something I want to do battle with.

Once you get past that, the door opens up to you but you have to be receptive or it never will.

Sometimes its a money thing some folks are just so tight they refuse to see the value in help because they have never bought a book, had a lesson and really analyzed what is wrong with their game.

Mostly you cant do anything with that.

336Robin :thumbup: http://274928807619529663.weebly.com/

aimisthegameinpool@yahoo.com

 

[oldzilla]

yep it is the " I can do this " attitude that comes out of alot of people when it comes to pool. They think it is very easy I guess.

Some actually can. Others just think they can. Some need help and get it.
Some need help and turn away from it.

I said all I needed was my ability but you know part of being self taught is the info you gather yourself by watching !

Remember what Yogi said !

‎" You can observe a lot by watching " Yogi Berra

:grin: