In regards to John Schmidt, the champion

9baller said:
I thought thorsten started playing at age 11. Anyone know?
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Yeah, I thought he started early as well. I seem to remember him playing as a teenager when I lived in Germany in the 90s.

He was pretty damn strong then. I think he won the World Championships much later when he was in or after his military duty.
 
Celtic said:
Actually truth be told most of the people at his level of the pool hierarchy dont give a rats ass about AZB or what a bunch of people that they see as beneath them think or have to say and thus they are not here.

This is for John, who might not be posting but I would be surprised given his mentality if he is not lurking.

Most pro players KNOW who they are. They KNOW how good they are. John might "know", but he has trouble "believing" it.

How do you think Archer or Immonen would react to people on this forum trying to discredit their feats or discredit their skill? Those two guys KNOW how good they are, they have huge self confidence, and they would laugh at all of us AZB posting shortstops who post some really awesome words while they are out there beating up on world class players. Archer and Immonen don't give a flying fig about any of us, and seriously why in the sam hell would they? They think they are way above us and it is not worth their time to even respond and guess what? It is not. Even the Chris Bartram's of the world that lurk around here know enough that those are not trees to be barking up. John the last time I saw him play live was SPOTTING Chris after Chris dispatched Rodney for 20 grand and was in dead stroke.

John Schmidt, WHEN he is playing pool seriously instead of dirt biking or spending 5 hours a day posting and following threads on AZB trying to validate himself IS a world class pool player with a ridiculous amount of talent and heart and his peers ARE people like Archer and Immonen that when they see his name as their next opponent on the drawsheet know they better bloody well show up because they are likely to be in a real tough match and will have to play their best to give themselves a fair chance at the W.

John Schmidt though, he does not have the same self confidence as those 2. That is why he feels the need to "tell" everyone on AZB how good he is. Archer, Immonen, they could not care less what people on this forum think. Alot of people think Orcullo is too much for Immonen in a cash game, which I personally find laughable, Immonen instead of comming here and argueing the fact just goes and wins the world 10-ball championships to go along with most of the other major pool events he took down this year and the only guy whose opinion matters. Orcullo, I think he might admit he is not exactly gonna breeze through a long set against Immonen. He probably has more respect for Immonen's game relative to his own then most of the people on this forum and he would be the first to admit that the match would be bloody tough, and at the end of the day that is all that really matters. Immonen cares what his peers think, not what a bunch of goofballs that spend their time posting on a silly forum and most of whom have a pinnicle of their pool year spent in Vagas playing in an amateur championship. And no offense to those goofballs, I am one of you, see ya all in Vegas.

John, stop friggin dirt biking, stop talking to a bunch of people that are beneath you. That groups of your peers, Dennis Hatch, Putnam, ect... that were here for abit looking for votes, notice where they are now. The group of people on this forum are best left to prattle on amoungst themselves while you go play pool and give them something to actually talk about. Forget this crap and this forum.

At the end of the day the same people that are posting on here trying to discredit you and knock you down a peg on the internet are the same guys that walk by you at the BCA in Vegas after THEY lost their last match on a bar box against some other nobody while you walk to your next PROFESSIONAL level 10-ball match against some other pro. And all the while those mouthpieces are doing nothing more then wispering under their breath "that there is John Schmidt!" when it comes to being their in person right in front of you. REMEMBER THAT! It does not mean a bloody thing what people say on these forums, it matters WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELF!
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This post suggesting JS should look at others as though they are beneath him is rediculous at best. For starters he isn't from that kind of mold, just simply not the kind of person he is. Yes, he is emotional and sometimes says something he feels badly about afterward, but he apologizes and tries to move on because he does care about others. Good or bad he puts himself out there because he believes its good for pool in the overall scope of things, in which I am a huge believer.

John its all good, but on some discussions just throw the towel in just a bit earlier :)

Kevin Vidal
14and1.com
 
I guess this "+10000hrs theory" means that it should be practiced in teens, before you turn into twenties.
(also, naturally, the quality of practice is important)

If some old guy gets bored in his pension and starts playing pool, I guess nobody expects him to become champion anymore, no matter how many tens of thousands of hours he practices. (this "old guy" example wasn't for you, Randy ;))
 
Marvel said:
I guess this "+10000hrs theory" means that it should be practiced in teens, before you turn into twenties.
(also, naturally, the quality of practice is important)

If some old guy gets bored in his pension and starts playing pool, I guess nobody expects him to become champion anymore, no matter how many tens of thousands of hours he practices. (this "old guy" example wasn't for you, Randy ;))
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But definitely, if you start at age 35, it's too late. I've always sort of thought that the practice should've been started before puperty, to really master the technique, but that's just my hunch.
 
Marvel said:
But definitely, if you start at age 35, it's too late. I've always sort of thought that the practice should've been started before puperty, to really master the technique, but that's just my hunch.
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Mike Lebron started late and won the US Open at 50.

People go back to school and become doctors at 50 years old.

I think that most people in adulthood just really don't have the time to dedicate to becoming the best in a sport.

But there are stories out there of people who have done it or people who have made comebacks. Here are a few.

Dara Torres is an example of someone who has proven that you can stay on top in a physically demanding sport.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dara_Torres

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550604574359652993619032.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_bloomer#Games_and_Sports

"Hope springs eternal"
 
hi

mullyman said:
As you may have noticed, John, I removed that post from here. That was after reading your apology. I was guilty of replying without reading every post to date.

I'm still going to jab at you for that $1,000 donation to a charity you said you'd make if you ever posted here again. I suggested cervical cancer since it struck so close to home for me this year. Because of that filthy fkkin disease my wife and I will never be able to have children. The charity is of course up to you, but no matter which one you choose I hope you are a man of your word and make that donation.
MULLY
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first off all the arguing is put in perspective when i hear something way more serious like cancer.
im truly sorry to hear that and hope your wife ends up great.god bless her.

actually i donated 1100 out of my pocket to diamond billiards in richmond va for a family that lost their father in car wreck earlier this year.
i think people realize i said i would donate 1000 to post hear again because i was mad ,same reason i said other stuff i didnt mean.
like when i say i would rather be ate by goat and shit off cliff,i dont really want a goat to eat me .

anyway again i thank you for removing that post ,i thought that was forgiving of you.



i have a 35 year old brother who is a quad after breaking his neck 10 years ago.

i dont wish family tragedy on anyone because ive dealt with it myself,and sincerely hope your wife comes through this.

take care mully and be strong
 
NYC cue dude said:
First, I'd like to say that recently I haven't been posting much and hardly ever start a new thread, although I daily read the goings on here.

After reading the "what it takes to be a champion" thread and Johns subsequent leaving the forum, I feel compelled to post.

My personal experience is as follows;

I first started playing seriously in the late 80's, early nineties at Chelsea billiards in NYC. Of course I played earlier in life, but it wasn't until then that I was surrounded by shortstops, hustlers and champions.

I befriended Ginky back then, when he was a low B player. He went on to eventually become the BCA champion. He practiced more than most pros ever do. He progressed so fast though, that anyone with eyes knew underlying everythin was natural talent.

George mikula taught me how to play pool. He and I both knew I didn't have that natural talent, but he taught me because he loved my desire. He told me then that all great players had top level muscle memory abilities, eye hand coordination, and keen eyesight. He believed that just desire and hard work could NOT get just anyone across the finish line.

Now I have been blessed that I van say I've "trained" with real champions. Since 2003 I have probably played over 10,000 hours. I've probably played 1000 hours with Ginky. For a year and a half, I played EVERYDAY A MINIMUM of 8 hours a day, sometimes 12 or 13 hours, with Thorsten Hohmann. Over the last 7 years I have played a significant amount of time, as friends (not in tournaments, action or as a student), with such champions as Charlie Williams, Johnny Archer, Mika, ervolino, lipsky, barouty, and others, including John Schmidt a time or two. The time spent on the (there has been many more) table with these folks wasn't casual and I mention these folks in particular because they genuinely wanted to help improve my game. And it did. I have been fortunate being retired in my 30's that I could dedicate myself entirely to pool during this time. I started as a c player. At my best, I improved to a steady b+ player and at my very best I could play very abbreviated periods of A speed 14.1 (3 innings in a 100 point game).

All this to say that I had every advantage. Champions to play with, unlimited practice time, the best equipment and indefinite sources of pool readily shared pool knowledge. I consider myself to have above average intelligence and above average phsysical skills. I was, a long time ago, a very skilled wrestler, even competing in Olympic qualifiers. With regards to pool though, I didn't have the "natural talent", and this is why I'll never be a world champion, or a touring pro, or even a regional shortstop. Either you have it or you don't.

As an example, Thorsten played pro speed within 2 years of picking up a cue. Within 2 more years he won the world 9 ball championships. Sure he practiced, but not 10 hours a day. And come on, within 2 years playing like that????

I believ that there are many people in the US who could play pro speed pool, who will never know because they will never pick up a cue. If you have been playing a few years already, and haven't quickly progressed to a shortstop level, chances are you never will.

Sure there are the rare occurences, the seldom abberations. Tommy Kennedy comes to mind. Not a lot of talent, but more than most, who plays stellar pool for a few months straight, and snaps a big one off to become a legend. Realistically though, how many are like that out of the millions that have EVER played?

For those that chased John away, I hope your happy. Every pro that has ever posted here has been chased away, inluding Thorsten. It is true what John said, that the pros do try and persuade other pros not to post on AZ. They laugh at us and belittle us. I have personally heard it, a few different times. The way John was treated is the reason. And he was one of the few who stuck around, for whatever reason. Some here feel he was obligated to come here and teach and share his wisdom. Truth is, he's not.

I agree with JAM that John shouldn't come here anymore if the experience isn't enjoyable. That goes for any member.

Count me in the camp that's says if you don't have the inate natural talent, then there is no way to manufacture it.

Rg
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Rg

This is one of the best posts i've read in a long time.......

James
 
JB Cases said:
Mike Lebron started late and won the US Open at 50.

People go back to school and become doctors at 50 years old.

I think that most people in adulthood just really don't have the time to dedicate to becoming the best in a sport.

But there are stories out there of people who have done it or people who have made comebacks. Here are a few.

Dara Torres is an example of someone who has proven that you can stay on top in a physically demanding sport.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dara_Torres

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550604574359652993619032.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_bloomer#Games_and_Sports

"Hope springs eternal"
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I don't know how old Mike LeBron started, but sure there can be exceptions.


What I meant, and what should be logical to everyone without further explanations, was that the younger you start, the better chances you have. The practice routines for a three years old are of course different than for a 16 year old, but everyone should get the point.

If you practise that magical "+10000hrs" between years 10-18, they are more effective, than if you'll play them for example between 18-26yrs of age, and dramatically different from playing them between 38-46, or slop sidedly here and there between 12-46.

Actually, one coach whom some would concider 'qualified', said that humans, there referring to pool players, will progress/develop until the age of 40.
I'd guess the most critical years are at teens, but many whom have started even earlier, seem to have something special in them.
 
John probably regrets saying it but he had a point when he said (paraphrasing) some people don't have the physical ability and/or the mental capacity to ever become good players. It sounded kind of harsh but it is true.

There are people who invest in expensive cues, instructional videos, lessons, etc and they don't improve.

Watch this video and Minnesota Fats explains the difference between a hustler and a scuffler. Some people are forever destined to be scufflers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekyLXFehvvk
 
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studies have found . . .

Studies have found that most men peak physically around twenty-eight and a recent one found that men peak mentally in their early twenties. In addition to that we often have more free time and are more open to learning in our teens. Although there will always be exceptions I suspect that our peak learning years when we learn something the fastest with the least effort are from about 12 to our early twenties.

I went back to school in my mid-thirties and the first nasty discovery was I had forgotten how to learn! A hundred times harder than when I had been in school for years already. Perhaps part of it is the gradual exposure to learning we have as children, we don't teach Calculus in pre-school, but re-entering the academic world was very tough. Being competitive I did finish at the head of my class but I had to work mightily to do that when I was often at the head of a class with minimum effort in high school.

Hu


Marvel said:
I don't know how old Mike LeBron started, but sure there can be exceptions.


What I meant, and what should be logical to everyone without further explanations, was that the younger you start, the better chances you have. The practice routines for a three years old are of course different than for a 16 year old, but everyone should get the point.

If you practise that magical "+10000hrs" between years 10-18, they are more effective, than if you'll play them for example between 18-26yrs of age, and dramatically different from playing them between 38-46, or slop sidedly here and there between 12-46.

Actually, one coach whom some would concider 'qualified', said that humans, there referring to pool players, will progress/develop until the age of 40.
I'd guess the most critical years are at teens, but many whom have started even earlier, seem to have something special in them.
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ShootingArts said:
Studies have found that most men peak physically around twenty-eight and a recent one found that men peak mentally in their early twenties. In addition to that we often have more free time and are more open to learning in our teens. Although there will always be exceptions I suspect that our peak learning years when we learn something the fastest with the least effort are from about 12 to our early twenties.

I went back to school in my mid-thirties and the first nasty discovery was I had forgotten how to learn! A hundred times harder than when I had been in school for years already. Perhaps part of it is the gradual exposure to learning we have as children, we don't teach Calculus in pre-school, but re-entering the academic world was very tough. Being competitive I did finish at the head of my class but I had to work mightily to do that when I was often at the head of a class with minimum effort in high school.

Hu
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ancedotally just look at the pro sports world. by the time a pro player (pick your sport) is in his early 30's he is already spoken of as "old". you dont see to many guys coming up from the minors in their late 20's. if they havent learned the game by then they are not going to. starting young may be the only cure for lack of natural talent.

brian
 
Marvel said:
I don't know how old Mike LeBron started, but sure there can be exceptions.


What I meant, and what should be logical to everyone without further explanations, was that the younger you start, the better chances you have. The practice routines for a three years old are of course different than for a 16 year old, but everyone should get the point.

If you practise that magical "+10000hrs" between years 10-18, they are more effective, than if you'll play them for example between 18-26yrs of age, and dramatically different from playing them between 38-46, or slop sidedly here and there between 12-46.

Actually, one coach whom some would concider 'qualified', said that humans, there referring to pool players, will progress/develop until the age of 40.
I'd guess the most critical years are at teens, but many whom have started even earlier, seem to have something special in them.
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I think we are still evolving, mentally and physically. Now that we don't have to hunt for subsistence and spend all of our mental energy figuring out how to outsmart animals we can devote it to figuring out ourselves.

This forum is an obvious example that we, as a species, have a ways to go on that front, but also a good example of how far we have come.

So yes, the exceptions now of people starting late and excelling at their chosen sports are rare but who knows what the future will bring?

Anyone who says that people are done for, over at, can't improve after a certain age is foolish because people prove them wrong time and time again. The only age that people surely aren't able to improve some aspect of themselves is when they die and I am not so sure of that actually.
 
Its unfortunate that people interact with a communication level below understandable. It happens.

And after all the two decades I have dealt with it I have learned to expect little out of people.

Just expecting someone to speak English in New York City is asking a lot sometimes. There are times when I expected them to understand English, the results were even more depressing.

I tell this to my peers all the time being understood and understanding is more important than talking or listening.
 
John I hope you know of and can focus on the fact that there are many out there who are in awe of your accomplishments. I started following you since you were called Riverside John. And always heard the buzz about you. But the fact that you have gotten the kind of professional awards and honors that you have attained is above and beyond any "buzz". Trust in the fact you have accomplished much and are respected as well.
Oh and Mully, anyone who can look Cancer in the eye and can fight back is a damn Champion in my book.
 
John is an envied guy, bottom line, and whether most people admit it or not, thats what fuels a lot of the undeserved hate and jabs at his character.
 
john schmidt said:
exactly my point. i showed my ass for sure and lost my cool.
i made team csi look bad and by going out of your way to make big red letters you are not helping the situation.
so you are not removing the red therefore i know where i stand.
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Thing about it is.....everyone has made mistakes and showed their ass...hopefully we can learn from it and move on.

I have nothing but respect for John. I feel he is a no frills down to earth guy and pretty much tells it like it is, and i respect that. I think he is great for the game and wish him the best...i wish nothing but the best for him and the team!
 
john schmidt said:
first off all the arguing is put in perspective when i hear something way more serious like cancer.
im truly sorry to hear that and hope your wife ends up great.god bless her.

actually i donated 1100 out of my pocket to diamond billiards in richmond va for a family that lost their father in car wreck earlier this year.
i think people realize i said i would donate 1000 to post hear again because i was mad ,same reason i said other stuff i didnt mean.
like when i say i would rather be ate by goat and shit off cliff,i dont really want a goat to eat me .

anyway again i thank you for removing that post ,i thought that was forgiving of you.



i have a 35 year old brother who is a quad after breaking his neck 10 years ago.

i dont wish family tragedy on anyone because ive dealt with it myself,and sincerely hope your wife comes through this.

take care mully and be strong
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Goats will eat just about anything.....my neighbor had a farting goat once....but he ate a tin can and died...damn i hated that goat
 
Jason Robichaud said:
I don't think it helps that sometimes he is dripping gas on here.
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I agree, he has said some stuff on here, but everyone makes mistakes and says stuff they dont mean. I have a hard time judging him on a lot of the stuff he has said because im guilty of getting hot at people and going off sometimes too. I think we all are.

This is a forum anyways. Im not saying it excuses bad behavior, but if someone gets mad on here but treats people with respect in person...i can live with that.
 
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