I'm glad that everyone seems to realize that I mean no disrespect to the sport of pool, nor it's players. I'm just trying to place a light hearted spin on this issue.
Consider these facts:
1) Assuming that we are playing on a 9' by 4 1/2' table, the average length of your shot is about 3'.
2) Unlike sports like golf or tennis that are played on different courses and surfaces, pool is always played on 2' slate covered in felt.
3) Aside from slight variances in size, and unlike golf, the six pockets on all pool tables are placed in the same locations, 4 corners and two sides.
4) Almost all pool shots, with the exception of combinations, caroms, and banks, are shot at no less than 0 and no more than 90 degrees.
5) Also, unlike golf or tennis, pool is always played indoors, eliminating all the variances involved in dealing with weather and nature; wind, sunlight, etc.
6) Unlike many other sports, except golf, pool is played against oneself, with stationary balls.
Considering, as an example, that tennis players, playing in the elements, must hit balls coming at them with different speeds and spins while moving and without the ability to measure each shot, makes the "measuring" practice seem slightly amatuerish. They "know" the court.
After playing pool for many years and pocketing tens of thousands of balls I would think that any pro should be able to pocket most balls and "know" the table without excessive measuring. Pre shot routine noted.
Am I way off base here?
Jim
Jim,
I understand where you are coming from. However, I am pretty sure your logic goes like this:
I don't believe I need to do this particular thing. Therefore someone else shouldn't need to do it either.
There are a LOT of assumptions in this one simple statement that unfortunately are not accurate. Here are some of them:
1) there is *tremendous* variance in how human beings operate, process information, compose themselves under a variety of situations, and perceive things. You can't assume that everyone does these things just like you.
2) Because of # 1 above, the way someone else does it *doesn't have to make sense to you* in order for it to be effective for them.
3) You have already pointed out that you are talking about pro players. The fact that they are pro players should indicate that whatever method they are using is effective enough. Since I am assuming you are not a pro player, I would think you would be more likely to find fault with your own method, rather than the one that results in pro level play.
I'm not trying to disrespect you or anything. You asked if you were way off base. I believe your observation of these pros is accurate (you are able to clearly see and say *what* they are doing), but you are committing an error in logic when you believe you can explain *why they are doing it* in terms of why *you* do what you do.
This reminds me of a time long ago playing in an APA 9 ball match. I was playing in a craphole bar, against a lower ranked player (I think he was a 6). When I didn't have a good shot, I played a safe. Some guy on the other team, ranked a 4 (out of 9, if you're not familiar with APA 9 ball rankings) challenged me with "you're a 9, you shouldn't have to play safe!"
Think about that for a second. This 4 who can barely make 3 balls in a row is telling me how I should play. He is exposing the fact that he has little understanding of the game of 9 ball, and also that he has little understanding of the kind of thought processes that go into becoming a 9 in the APA (not saying that is anything great, but you do have to know how to play a little). He is basically saying to me that I as a 9 should be able to be a 9 by using his skill level 4 mentality. This is simply illogical. The *reason* I am a 9 is because I play the way I do.
In any case, like I said not trying to crap on you or anything, just pointing out one way in which I think you might be off base.
Does that make any sense?
Thanks,
KMRUNOUT
