This post gets my vote for best answer :thumbup:
Can you become a AA/world beater at the age of 40'sh....
- Thread starter OTB
- Start date
This post gets my vote for best answer :thumbup:
Decide on a goal and then objectives to reach it if your really serious.
Choose what level you really want to play, for example: I want to play as good as Chris Bartram.
Now, start where you're at and plan objectives to grow, similar to what you've done above.
Goal: Play like Batram
Objective 1: be an APA 7 by November 2012
Objective 2: be an APA 8 by June 2013
Objective 3: be an APA 9 by December 2013
For each objective, develop a plan of action with practice time and what specific things to work on. Many here on AZ can give you drills and practice regimens. You also need to know your own game, decide what your weaknesses are and work on those.
If you do not meet objective 1, find out why you didn't and adjust your plan. Are you not practicing enough, are you not practicing the right things. Make a new objective and try to reach that one.
With a limited amount of time, the best way to acheive your goal is to plan. If you don't plan, prepare to play 12 hours a day because much of that time is probably wasted. You need 12 unprepared hours of practice to acheive half that with a plan.
I don't know if that helps or not. It's like the person who says they want to be a millionaire, but doesn't have anything in place to make it happen. If you don't make it happen and just hope, it won't.
Green rep coming your way. This right here is, imo, the best post of the entire thread.
Depends a lot on your natural ability...
I guess I would be in the minority to say it depends a great deal on your natural ability. Most players, even those who play all the time only reach a certain level -- just putting more time in is not going to be enough to make that big a leap, you are also going to need sufficient natural ability to reach that level.
That said, the only way you will find out is if you try... really try. If you really work at it, pretty soon you will find your game leveling off at its natural peak, which might not be the AA that you dream of. To get much above your natural peak at forty? I don't think so.
I guess I would be in the minority to say it depends a great deal on your natural ability. Most players, even those who play all the time only reach a certain level -- just putting more time in is not going to be enough to make that big a leap, you are also going to need sufficient natural ability to reach that level.
That said, the only way you will find out is if you try... really try. If you really work at it, pretty soon you will find your game leveling off at its natural peak, which might not be the AA that you dream of. To get much above your natural peak at forty? I don't think so.
Listen
You 'sunshine pumpers' don't know what your talking about! Are any of you 50 years old so you know what you're talking about for the 40's?
I am 64 years old, and have played Pool 50 years, so I think that makes me a little more qualified to answer the original poster's questions. Starting in your 40's you start to lose muscle tone in your body. I use to be built pretty good and could always press my own weight, but anymore I am just skin and bones with hardly any muscle tone at all. It affects your stamina a lot when you play.
The 40's were okay, I peaked some in my 40's, taking 9th in the world in Vegas at the Valley International Championships in the Open Division. You start to lose some in your 50's, and you have to make up for it by being a smarter player.
First off being a 7 in APA and 9.5 in BCA does not make you an AA player.
If you think it does, you are sadly mistaken. If those are your true goals, I would say they are attainable. Are you a B, B+, or A player now?
If you are a B player, you can probably progress to being an A player, but mostly likely not a AA player. Just because you practice doesn't mean you have the talent to become an AA player or above.
I don't mean to pop your bubble, but I am a realist.
You 'sunshine pumpers' don't know what your talking about! Are any of you 50 years old so you know what you're talking about for the 40's?
I am 64 years old, and have played Pool 50 years, so I think that makes me a little more qualified to answer the original poster's questions. Starting in your 40's you start to lose muscle tone in your body. I use to be built pretty good and could always press my own weight, but anymore I am just skin and bones with hardly any muscle tone at all. It affects your stamina a lot when you play.
The 40's were okay, I peaked some in my 40's, taking 9th in the world in Vegas at the Valley International Championships in the Open Division. You start to lose some in your 50's, and you have to make up for it by being a smarter player.
First off being a 7 in APA and 9.5 in BCA does not make you an AA player.
If you think it does, you are sadly mistaken. If those are your true goals, I would say they are attainable. Are you a B, B+, or A player now?
If you are a B player, you can probably progress to being an A player, but mostly likely not a AA player. Just because you practice doesn't mean you have the talent to become an AA player or above.
I don't mean to pop your bubble, but I am a realist.
Your not offending or popping my bubble, I look forward to all responces given......I dont think apa 7 or 9.5 in bca makes a AA player, I just set that my first goal to reach in the next 7-8 months, I know ones game dose not improve over night..........my goal after I reach this one will be to improve to the next level again........I have nothing stopping me but me......if I dont reach the level I want to be at, I blame only myself........I'm still having fun...OTB:joyful:
Banks
Banned
My first thought when reading your post was only.. Do you have the determination?
My goal was.. reach APA 8b 7, APA 9b 9, BCA A, BCA Master, BCA GM maybe.. I'd just be satisfied with being a good shortstop. :thumbup:
There will be plateaus here and there, when you wonder where the heck your shooting went, but every once in a while, you'll sit confident in the knowledge that your old self wouldn't want to gamble with your new self. Every here and there, you'll see the pieces coming together and it feels real nice.. then you'll screw up for a bit and start wondering again.. that's when you fight through it and see yourself improving again.
I almost like plateaus now, even though they frustrate the hell outta me. I try my best to play hard through them and get them over, because every time I come off a plateau I'll be shooting well..
^This^
The large majoritty of people who play pool don't have a prayer of being a AA or world beater. They simply do not have the natural talent and genetics to reach that level. People's brains are all wired differently, some people excel at math, some are phenomenal writers, some become the next Syndey Crosby or Wayne Gretzky, 10,000 other amature hockey players who were just as into the game at age 6 simply did not show the same level of talent and rapid increase in skill level and fell behind.
Pool is not different, most people are simply not capable of making it to the pros. I know tons of players who have put in crazy amounts of practive, more then alot of players WAY better then they are, but they hit a ceiling that is in general their peak potential level and they don't get much better despite still putting in massive amounts of practice and constant competitive play. Players with higher potential don't stop at that level, they simply keep improving and they peak at a much higher level.
I know I could have been "good" at this game if I had commited massive amounts of time into it. I know how good I can get pretty quickly if I start playing 20-30 hours a week and start competing in tournaments and gambling. But I know for a fact that I do not have the capability to be Alex Pagulayan level in the game, it does not matter if I put 60 hours a week in, travel the world playing in constant tournaments and gambling, commit my life to the game. I would get good, I would be in the mix of the short stop level of North America, but compared to SVB, Alex, Wu, Hohmann, Souquet? Not a freaking prayer, I never had a chance at that level. It is simply not in me.
It does not matter nearly as much if you are 40, what matters is how much potential natural talent you have in the game of pool. The age thing is about 2% of the equation, 90%+ of the equation is how much natural talent you have and what your peak level of play that you have in you is. If it is below AA/World Beater level then you don't have a chance now and you honestly never did. And that is the reality for 99.99% of the players in this game. Sorry, but that is the way the world works in ALL of the things we might undertake. We don't all get to be the next Sir Issac Newton or Albert Einstein either, it does not matter how much you study, 1000's of people in physics worked just as hard as they did, but they were simply not born with the natural ability and mind that made Newton and Einstein do what they did.
Last edited:
Perhaps but the research indicates otherwise. I guess the only way to find out is to try.
How does one know unless they put in the time and effort?
Pool is unlike most sports in that it can be played at a very high level even when the player isn't an athlete.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27243437/ns/health-aging/t/age-both-brain-body-start-slow/
----------------------------------------
Scientific training: How one former couch potato found a talent and then called on the appliance of science to become an elite performer
This is a personal account of my life as a runner. At the age of 30 I was just an average bloke. I was stuck in a rut with a stressful job that had long, unsociable hours. I was overweight, taking no exercise and enjoying a smoke and a drink. Then something happened: whatever it was – an early mid-life crisis or a sudden awakening of an inner competitive spirit – it eventually changed me into an international athlete. It is an unlikely tale but this is exactly what happened.
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/scientific-training-marathon-training-882
Talent is Overrated Geoff Colvin
Do you think that you could ride a bicycle across America? What would it take for you to do that?
Could you do it if you started out as an overweight guy with bad health and a full time business?
Our own Frank Briscoe of Frank's Center Inc. did it starting at the age of 58. http://www.oldguyonabicycle.com/
Frank has been a fixture at all the major shows and will be at the upcoming Super Billiards Expo.
So can you become a AA player or even a world class player after 40?
You bet your ass you can and the only way to find out is to get busy.
One thing is CERTAIN.
If you put in the time you will get WAY better and you will definitely show great improvement and you will feel much better about yourself.
And in pool you can measure your progress fairly easily.
http://www.smartnow.com/page/5933
http://fitwomenover40.com/blog/?p=117
Starting at 67 years old this guy is a world class powerlifter at 79!!!!
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Sep/24/sp/sp18a.html
And some of you want to still say that someone cannot become a world class pool player after 40?
Mike Lebron won the US Open at 57 I think. I think I read that he didn't take pool seriously until later in life.
http://www.nzrun.com/topic/1245-Is-...nties-too-late-to-become-a-world-class-runner
http://www.lakesidepress.com/Golf/GolfSecrets.htm you can check the facts in this sales pitch yourself.
Bottom line is that it's not too late.
http://fitwomenover40.com/blog/?p=117
Starting at 67 years old this guy is a world class powerlifter at 79!!!!
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Sep/24/sp/sp18a.html
And some of you want to still say that someone cannot become a world class pool player after 40?
Mike Lebron won the US Open at 57 I think. I think I read that he didn't take pool seriously until later in life.
http://www.nzrun.com/topic/1245-Is-...nties-too-late-to-become-a-world-class-runner
http://www.lakesidepress.com/Golf/GolfSecrets.htm you can check the facts in this sales pitch yourself.
Bottom line is that it's not too late.
You won't know how good YOU can get until you try!!
Any time you commit yourself to something it cannot be wasted time. Commitment is good for the soul. Keep stats of some kind... balls potted, hours at the table, something.. and have a daily goal to reach.
Go for it!! You might really surprise yourself!!!!!!!
Back in 1981 I never thought I'd ever be able to draw a sober breath but it has now been 11,035 days without a drink/toke/toot/fix/pill.
Not bragging. The point is, with commitment anything can happen.
This is gonna sound harsh, but I don't think you have it in you to do so.
Reason is that you came on here asking if it was possible. If you truly desired to do so, than you'd do it without seeking prior approval or justification especially from this site.
Also, you'd know what you needed to do without asking what you need to do.
In addition, trying to put time lines on your development shows how little you know about what it takes to play top level pool. That you are more concern about status that rankings bring then really putting your heart and soul into the sport.
Remember, 9 ball is not the whole of the pool world and you can not gauge your true skill level with just one version of the game.
Nope, you are gonna try, but only go so far cause you truely do not know what all is involved to play top level pool.
See top level pool playing has nothing to do with trying to be a pro pool player.
Do 5 days of 6 hours practice in a roll 2 off. Do this for a month. Then gives us a update.
Now, my 6 hours of practice is at the table with breaks, 10 minutes a hour and a lunch. Not 6 hours at the room, talk, playing around with shots and so on. But 6 hours of focus practice. No chit chating, nothng but at the table.
Try this as starters....
Reason is that you came on here asking if it was possible. If you truly desired to do so, than you'd do it without seeking prior approval or justification especially from this site.
Also, you'd know what you needed to do without asking what you need to do.
In addition, trying to put time lines on your development shows how little you know about what it takes to play top level pool. That you are more concern about status that rankings bring then really putting your heart and soul into the sport.
Remember, 9 ball is not the whole of the pool world and you can not gauge your true skill level with just one version of the game.
Nope, you are gonna try, but only go so far cause you truely do not know what all is involved to play top level pool.
See top level pool playing has nothing to do with trying to be a pro pool player.
Do 5 days of 6 hours practice in a roll 2 off. Do this for a month. Then gives us a update.
Now, my 6 hours of practice is at the table with breaks, 10 minutes a hour and a lunch. Not 6 hours at the room, talk, playing around with shots and so on. But 6 hours of focus practice. No chit chating, nothng but at the table.
Try this as starters....
Thanks for the words, I'm giving you green for the 11,035 days sober, thats great ..........:smile:
I look for all peoples input, whether right or wrong......I only look for approval from God & my wife though...:smile:
My whole point of the post was to hear peoples input on whether they think it can be done, or if they have heard of it being done, its not like I just picked up a cue and decided I want to shoot pool, good or great. I have been playing for 25 years, I took the game more seriuose when I was in my early 20's, then life begain, I have owned a billiard store for several years and have put my time to running that only and family. I have not put really much time into my game, I am at a point where I can devote the time every day to pratice on my pool game.........I have decided to do it, will my game suffer, shurrly not, it will improve, I just am giving it my all and try to bring my game to a level where I'm not donating my entry fee every tournament........as I have said in earlyer posts, I'm not looking to go after the top 25 world beaters..............OTB
My whole point of the post was to hear peoples input on whether they think it can be done, or if they have heard of it being done, its not like I just picked up a cue and decided I want to shoot pool, good or great. I have been playing for 25 years, I took the game more seriuose when I was in my early 20's, then life begain, I have owned a billiard store for several years and have put my time to running that only and family. I have not put really much time into my game, I am at a point where I can devote the time every day to pratice on my pool game.........I have decided to do it, will my game suffer, shurrly not, it will improve, I just am giving it my all and try to bring my game to a level where I'm not donating my entry fee every tournament........as I have said in earlyer posts, I'm not looking to go after the top 25 world beaters..............OTB
Last edited:
Just my opinion, but I think it's possible with the right mindset. Like someone else said you'll need to be highly motivated with a plan - to get to A speed. But beyond that you'll also need physical and mental talent. From an apa 6 starting point there's a ton of catching up to do in knowledge and execution.
Don't take it the wrong way, but you said you have a couple hours a day to spend on pool. If you had the right mindset, you'd already be spending it on pool because you want to - not asking if you should to reach a goal.
Don't take it the wrong way, but you said you have a couple hours a day to spend on pool. If you had the right mindset, you'd already be spending it on pool because you want to - not asking if you should to reach a goal.
I'll be 59 this year. Aging is somewhat genetic and lifestyle too. I've also had Lasik and have no health issues. Starting at about 40 or 50 a person needs to do things to stay in better shape. I play pool or practice a few hours a week at most and have cashed at the Swanee (just about the only big tournament I play in) the last 4 years in a row and I'm competitive enough in the Hard Times tournaments.
I have noticed the last few years it's harder to keep the body weight off. I work out with weights and run - but the last six months or so, not enough, and I've gained weight. The weight lifting has kept my strength up. I work out comfortably with more weight than I used in my 20's and 30's.
The limit on pool playing is talent and willingness to put in the practice and competitive time. I'm lazy about pool and a casual player - so I probably won't get to the next level. I don't want playing pool to be "work" if you know what I mean.
Chris
Last edited:
My friend did it at the age of 70, so you still have plenty of time. Pool and everything else needs determination, dedication and will power. You said you could play 6 hours per day but you just don't . Simple , get down and just do it. If you don't try it, you will never know. Anyway, good luck.
One man I know and played with and against for the past 30 years is Bob Vanover! He is 79 and can still play. He's not the top rated player he once was, but in his sixties he could play with anyone. About 1993-94 Johnny Archer had just won the world championship and in a tournament at CJ's Billiard Palace in Dallas,TX. they drew each other. Johnny broke and ran 8 in a row, then broke dry. Bob ran out and broke and ran 7 in a row to tie the game at 8. the final score was 11-9 Johnny. Johnny was in his twenties and Bob was in his sixties.