Have you ever known a player with almost zero natural talent to get good?

[Straightpool_99]

How are we defining "natural talent" here? Awesome hand-eye coordination?

I remember a friend of mine in middle school. We were playing softball during PE. Most of us struggled to just hit the ball. He kept fouling the ball off until he got a pitch he liked (or the coach told him to stop fooling around).

I think "natural talent" is a combination of several traits:
1. Good Eyesight, specifically to be able see "straight lines".
2. Very good coordination and fine motor skills
3. Intelligence, or at least good memory, to be able to retain lessons learned.
4. Inner drive
5. Ability to concentrate.

 

[pt109]

Whether or not someone has natural talent is simply your perception.

If the question is whether with hard work a person can significantly improve the answer is yes.

I knew a 19 year old kid who was a decent player...and he was alawys observing and
thinking.....earned every lesson with hard work...but he had a vision.
I've known a few other young guys who had a quicker start than that kid...played quite
a bit better at the same age.....
...but that kid became the best snooker player that ever came out of Canada.

He didn't miss any rungs on the ladder on the way up.

 

[AtLarge]

I knew a 19 year old kid who was a decent player...and he was alawys observing and
thinking.....earned every lesson with hard work...but he had a vision.
I've known a few other young guys who had a quicker start than that kid...played quite
a bit better at the same age.....
...but that kid became the best snooker player that ever came out of Canada.

He didn't miss any rungs on the ladder on the way up.

Cliff Thorburn -- World Champion, 1980. #1 world ranking, 1981/82.

 

[wigglybridge]

i have heard this story from a few sources, so i think it is true: Ralph Eckert was apparently taught by someone who made a bet that he could teach Anyone to play, and his opposing bettor picked Ralph as being hopeless.

 

[Black-Balled]

But by the time good is reached, any attributes that would define the person as zero talent would be gone.

I don't understand.