Do you consider yourself an athlete b/c you play pool?
- Thread starter gxman
- Start date
nope
if fatties, (like me) oldies, smokers and druggies can do it
its not a athletic sport
if fatties, (like me) oldies, smokers and druggies can do it
its not a athletic sport
Bowling? Darts? Curling?
This is a definition problem.
Since I am from Greece I think of these words from the greek grammar's and etymology's perspective.
According to the ancient greek etymology, âthlos “contest, struggle” (source)
Pool doesn't seem like a struggle to me, but it is a contest...
Even by modern etymology, "(άθλημα είναι) η ατομική ή ομαδική δραστηριότητα που αποσκοπεί στη γύμναση του σώματος και περιλαμβάνει συχνά τον ανταγωνισμό για την επίτευξη καλύτερων επιδόσεων" (source), which loosely translates to "athlema is the individual or group activity that aims to excessive the body and frequently includes competition to achieve better performance" (sorry for my mistakes)
So I guess it is half and half again.
To me, pool players aren't athletes. Pool is not a sport in my mind. BUT, I can't deny that other activities, that I can see similarities with pool, are (and were) considered sports. Archery is the best example I have. Archery does not include running or other movements that are considered as "athletic", but require extreme precision and very good eye-arm co-ordination. Archery was in the Olympics since the beginning, so if it was good enough for them, who am I to argue otherwise?
I guess it's a matter of where do you draw the line. As others pointed out, a healthy body sure does help being precise.. but it's not a requirement.
I guess pool is 50% sport.
Since I am from Greece I think of these words from the greek grammar's and etymology's perspective.
According to the ancient greek etymology, âthlos “contest, struggle” (source)
Pool doesn't seem like a struggle to me, but it is a contest...
Even by modern etymology, "(άθλημα είναι) η ατομική ή ομαδική δραστηριότητα που αποσκοπεί στη γύμναση του σώματος και περιλαμβάνει συχνά τον ανταγωνισμό για την επίτευξη καλύτερων επιδόσεων" (source), which loosely translates to "athlema is the individual or group activity that aims to excessive the body and frequently includes competition to achieve better performance" (sorry for my mistakes)
So I guess it is half and half again.
To me, pool players aren't athletes. Pool is not a sport in my mind. BUT, I can't deny that other activities, that I can see similarities with pool, are (and were) considered sports. Archery is the best example I have. Archery does not include running or other movements that are considered as "athletic", but require extreme precision and very good eye-arm co-ordination. Archery was in the Olympics since the beginning, so if it was good enough for them, who am I to argue otherwise?
I guess it's a matter of where do you draw the line. As others pointed out, a healthy body sure does help being precise.. but it's not a requirement.
I guess pool is 50% sport.
Niiiiiice. I know the feeling.
I believe that a good amount of mental athleticism is required to play at a serious level.
i believe the mental side is much more important
Ever play twenty-four hours straight?
I have never considered myself an athlete but there is no question as I age the lesser physical fitness becomes a handicap. No more large tournaments that end at four in the morning after several days battle, no more twenty-four hour or longer marathons.
No question you can be a pool player without being an athlete but a level of fitness definitely helps. Fit young players are leading the way as a general rule.
I believe in taking a holistic approach to every endeavor. A fresh body helps a mind. A tired mind or body drags the other down.
Hu
I have never considered myself an athlete but there is no question as I age the lesser physical fitness becomes a handicap. No more large tournaments that end at four in the morning after several days battle, no more twenty-four hour or longer marathons.
No question you can be a pool player without being an athlete but a level of fitness definitely helps. Fit young players are leading the way as a general rule.
I believe in taking a holistic approach to every endeavor. A fresh body helps a mind. A tired mind or body drags the other down.
Hu
If you add the word "well" to the end of the second line, I completely agree with you.
This hits it flush on the face ,, being fit doesn't by any means make you a athlete, in today's grind like the past US Open if your not fit it's highly unlikely you can win
1
Once in a while, with my 73 Meucci, I gotta get the counter kid to break it for me.
No idea why, cause I never "torque" it when I put it together but sometimes the joint just laughs at me and goes... "Yeah... not today, sportster," My wrists just ain't what they used to be I'm guessin'. So, on that basis alone, I'd hafta say, I be no athlete.Anyone here that breaks at 23+ MPH while effectively controlling the CB on a regular basis is "most definitely" an athlete.
I know lots of people that can put up fast breaks but no control. Very few hit 23ish MPH and higher and still keep control.
Hell, most amateur players do good to hit 21 and keep control.
PLUS:
anyone ever heard the term "grind"? Well, if your not in at least decent condition, your ability to grind in a looonnngggg gambling match will diminish VERY QUICKLY......and...... will ultimately define you as the "loser".
Anyone that doesn't agree, well.....you obviously have not been under a large amount of pressure for any length of time.
Athlete?....lol......yep and then some.
I know lots of people that can put up fast breaks but no control. Very few hit 23ish MPH and higher and still keep control.
Hell, most amateur players do good to hit 21 and keep control.
PLUS:
anyone ever heard the term "grind"? Well, if your not in at least decent condition, your ability to grind in a looonnngggg gambling match will diminish VERY QUICKLY......and...... will ultimately define you as the "loser".
Anyone that doesn't agree, well.....you obviously have not been under a large amount of pressure for any length of time.
Athlete?....lol......yep and then some.
No athlete here. I put in serious hours and my veins pop out and maybe a little sweat but pool is a game to me. The greatest game. But I consider football a game too, basketball, bball. I think of athletes as like runners I guess, track stars, wrastlers, maybe weight lifters...Olympic style
Looking Back ...
Looking back, when I was similar age I beat high school and college athletes by the score playing pool, even a few pro ball players. Pretty convincing proof that pool isn't generally a true athletic event. I stood no chance with them in their chosen areas of endeavor, then again they stood no chance with me on a pool table or in a circle track car. Few if any of the athletes could beat me in a chess match.
Different strokes for different folks. If we like to compete we all find where we can be competitive. In later years I found I could be extremely competitive with rifles and pistols. I have decent reflexes and motor skills, just not a body designed for athletic ability.
Hu
Looking back, when I was similar age I beat high school and college athletes by the score playing pool, even a few pro ball players. Pretty convincing proof that pool isn't generally a true athletic event. I stood no chance with them in their chosen areas of endeavor, then again they stood no chance with me on a pool table or in a circle track car. Few if any of the athletes could beat me in a chess match.
Different strokes for different folks. If we like to compete we all find where we can be competitive. In later years I found I could be extremely competitive with rifles and pistols. I have decent reflexes and motor skills, just not a body designed for athletic ability.
Hu
Maybe the English language doesn’t have an acceptable term for pool players, Hu.
....billiards is certainly not a sedentary game like chess, backgammon, etc
I used to gamble with an active football player....I could hit the ball twice as hard as he could.
One of my best friends was a national karate champ...I could hit the ball a way harder.
...pool requires good reflexes and hand/eye coordination....and physical stamina.
Maybe it’s not a sport or a game....maybe the Greeks got a word for it