Your thoughts here have merit........
Interesting thread for sure.
I hear a lot of talk about how much this young man Zack likes to compete (he's not a kid by the way). I haven't heard a single word about how much he likes to practice.
On it's surface, what I'm getting out of this thread is Geno thinks he can turn a good player into a champion by having him out there gambling and playing tournaments as much as possible. What I really think Geno is doing is teaching a player two things: how to match up, and how to feel comfortable playing your game under pressure. That's fine and dandy, but all I think that does is teach a guy how to be a decent money player.
A decent money player and a champion are two completely different things in my book.
If you were really serious about turning this guy into a champion, I think this thread would quickly become a lot more boring. For instance, we would hear about how the kid was getting up early, getting some excercise, eating breakfast, and then hitting the practice table for probably about 5 hours. Then taking a break, and maybe practicing for a couple more hours. Possibly lining up a couple of matches throughout the week just to keep his focus. Then maybe planning one or two tournaments a month to test his progress.
Do this for a couple of years and you may have something on your hands. But that wouldn't be nearly as exciting to read about as someone that is out gambling every night.
Just one banger's opinion.
Hi there and I really liked your insight here and thoughts.
Zach is 23 years old. To me that's a kid. To others that might be getting old. When your just about ready like I am to turn the corner to 60 everyone looks like a kid. Bottom line is he has a long time to play pool yet and the best is yet to come.
Zach does do drills. In fact when he goes to play someone he likes to get there early and do some of his drills to get warmed up.
I never was one to do too many drills. If I missed a shot in a match or gambling I would practice it for hours. This turned into one of my drill shots. I had my own personal set of drills that I do from time to time.
This Zach is a race horse. He likes to gamble and was already doing this before we met. Many of the great players out there gambled whenever they could to keep their game sharp and to make some money. The gambling part has gotten so much tougher than it was years back. Players play much better and they are allot smarter when they match up.
Many of the pros don't gamble much because they can't get a game. And sometimes it just doesn't make much sense to bang heads with someone for hours in an evenly matched game.
I guess you could say what I'm trying to do with Zach is just have some fun. While having this fun, learn some valuable lessons. He is young and has made many mistakes matching up and playing in the past and will probably make many more. I just want to help him learn how to put the odds a little in his favor.
Zach needs to learn how to bite, scratch and kick everytime he walks to the table whether it be tournament, money game or practice. When the eyes fix on that table the bell goes off and the fight is on. This is what he needs to learn. The road holds all these secrets to becoming a dominant player.
If you continue to make the same mistakes the road will chew you up and spit you out in little pieces. If you can learn to tame this monster you can handle so many different situations.
And we are squeezing in some exercise. Eating, exercise and sleeping are all so important for any player.
I have to agree though. It would be pretty boring for anyone to just do drills for 5 hours everyday.
Got to have some fun.
For me the road is fun. It's life in the pool world.
I can speak for Zach also. He would rather be on the road playing pool than just about anything. He's hooked on the game the same as so many of us have been for years.
One thing for sure.
Zach is way ahead of the curve for most young pool players and the time we have spent on the road has raised that up for sure.
Let's see where Zach will be 6 months from now. I think we will see a very mature, seasoned player for being 23-24 age bracket. Time will tell.
Even though we are on the road I am constantly thinking about where and what we will do next. If there is a lesson to learn at anytime I make sure the point is well understood.
It's kind of like a pool teacher giving someone a lesson in general. You don't know what the player knows until you get to that part of the game.
On the road you need to point out things as they happen. When you make mistakes out here it costs you money. Money is not only how we keep score but it allows players like Zach and myself to live out our dream.
Run out of money and all you can do is sit home and dream.
Myself I like living it a little better.
Years back I was in Kentucky for a National tournament. In the 70's.I lost to Jimmy Reid deep in the tourny. A person came around and asked all the players why they played the game of pool.
Under my picture I had the guy put 5 letter.
M O N E Y >>>>>
It's still true today. Without the money you can just sit home busted.
2 men a van and the road...........
