Is "Heart" something you just have or can it be learned?

L

Lynch

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This is something that I was thinking about and curious as to what others may think about this? Also, what players in the game do you think have the most heart or never give up attitude? I'm going to throw Darren Appleton out there for one of them.
 
I think it's a good habit that can be learned.

I see these guys that play pool and start getting down on themselves when something goes wrong, and then their frustration leads to more mistakes and makes their attitude even worse... I can't help but think to myself, what losers. These guys will never accomplish anything in this game, and if they have the same attitude in other aspects of their life they're really going nowhere.

It takes "heart" to maintain a positive attitude no no matter what happens, on the table and in the real world.

Some people learn to do this growing up from their role models, others have to realize that they have a self destructive bad habit and WORK on fixing it.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I don't know if it can be learned, I really don't believe it can be. Heart is not just about never giving up. I'll quote something I wrote in one of my first posts here on this very subject. "Heart is being stuck 3 dimes at 2 am after playing 18 straight hours & being able to shut out that you're bone tired and feel like you've got ground glass in your eyes, shut out the rail birds and your stakehorse whining like a girl because your stuck, just shutting it all out & giving your complete focus to the task at hand and refusing to be denied." It's not just something you can try to muster up, you have to really believe & feel to the very core of your being, an unwavering belief. That is why I say I don't know if that can be learned, I really don't believe it can be. Good luck to you though
 
Last edited:
Heart: It's like a man that still goes to work, even when he's his own boss. You either have it or you don't.
 
Nine ... corner said:
I would agree that it can't be "learned" however it can be "developed" over time.
Click to expand...


Someone told me once that in order to come back from a big deficit, you have to do it and prove it to yourself. Once you do that and win 5 or 6 straight when the other guy is on the hill and win, then you will have the confidence that you are always in it no matter the score. I'm a believer in this at least to some extent. I know this was true at least to some extent for me. Do you guys think that developing "heart" is directly related to the amount of skill one has, combined with results? As someone else mentioned, it could be related to all areas of life to and more of an attitude towards the way one faces adversity.

I was thinking about this today because I was talking with a buddy of mine about an upcoming end of the season league tourney that is handicapped and I just didn't understand why, since it will be a race to 3 or 4. In my area, nearly all of the tourneys and leagues are handicapped and it drives me crazy. I understand the points for and against it, but are handicaps really needed for a race to 3 barbox 8ball, to make sure enough players attend? My friend was telling me without the handicap, many players won't attend even in a short race like that and this just has me baffled. I was telling him that if someone is an APA skill level 5 or above (which nearly all would be, that would play in this tourney), they can win a race to 3 against nearly anyone and that if they won't play because they don't get a spot, then they don't have any heart. Am I correct in thinking like this, when talking about a $20 entry race to 3 barbox tourney? Obviously heart can be a little different when talking about gambling or tourney play as well, but this discussion got me thinking....
 
I think it first has to be defined to know if all are talking about the same thing.

I don't know if it can actually be defined but examples of what each thinks it is can be given.

I've coached the 3 major sports at age levels form 4 1/2 years old to young adults in their mid 20s.

I can tell you that I've seen it in very young children so I think it can be & probably is a natural thing for some.

I also think it can come to one later in life too. As to whether it can be learned or developed on purpose, I don't know, but I don't think so.

I think it just comes to one naturally or it comes to one as a result of something in life. It has to be 'innate' for it to be of any real true benefit. It can't be contrived as it is a form of reaction or perhaps a better way to say it might be that it is a form or un-reaction or disregard for anything but the goal.

That's my 2 cents this time out.

Best 2 Everyone,
Rick
 
Last edited:
Take practice and discipline and work it into skill. Couple that with making the right decision at the right time, motivated by the desire to win and you have heart. Take that "heart" and let it get it overpowered by ego and showmanship and you'll have the formula to play poorly at times and throw a temper tantrum.
Humility goes a long way in the game of pool. Don't crow like the barnyard rooster when you beat an old man or some kid just learning the game.
I've been beaten in tournaments by guys that had no business beating me. They wing-dinged a few 9 balls and they went in. The cue ball launched into the air two feet and came down on the 9, sending it 8 feet to the pocket. I always smile, offer and handshake and tell them they played well. It shows younger players how to accept losing. If you can't be a gracious loser, the ego may keep you from ever being a good winner. If you won't respect yourself, nobody will.
 
What's the difference between heart and desire to give it everything you got?

I have this problem where trying harder is often detrimental. It makes me tense up, and makes me miscue. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem, and how do they deal with it?
 
Buckzapper said:
Take practice and discipline and work it into skill. Couple that with making the right decision at the right time, motivated by the desire to win and you have heart. Take that "heart" and let it get it overpowered by ego and showmanship and you'll have the formula to play poorly at times and throw a temper tantrum.
Humility goes a long way in the game of pool. Don't crow like the barnyard rooster when you beat an old man or some kid just learning the game.
I've been beaten in tournaments by guys that had no business beating me. They wing-dinged a few 9 balls and they went in. The cue ball launched into the air two feet and came down on the 9, sending it 8 feet to the pocket. I always smile, offer and handshake and tell them they played well. It shows younger players how to accept losing. If you can't be a gracious loser, the ego may keep you from ever being a good winner. If you won't respect yourself, nobody will.
Click to expand...

In another area I used to compete in (embarrassing strategy card game), we called it variance. Sometimes things roll your way, sometimes they don't. All you can do is choose the correct line of play, and make the right choices, and percentage-wise, you will come out ahead more often than not. I used to hate playing against players that you could beat 9-10 times in a row, but lose once, and suddenly they think they're on the same level as you. Playing against a good player, if you won, you know why you won, if you lost same thing. Regardless of the outcome, be it a bad day, how the rolls went, or who made more correct choices, how good you are isn't questioned. You know both of you are good, and both understand that the other person knows why things played out like they did.

I generally won't remember who won or lost. But I will remember when you split second fired in a ball, that let the cue go a gazillion rails, and then pretended that the perfect shape you got was completely intentional. Especially if you try to back it in like you're waving in a truck that last few inches. Keep going, keep going, a little slower, aaaand stop.
 
to me heart is performing when under pressure and can be acquired/enhanced by being exposed to pressure situations

has very broad application
 
Yes.

DTL said:
"Heart" has been discussed on here before. I've said in the past that Heart sometimes just means a player has a stake horse with many barrels. Sometimes Heart translates to: stupid, stubborn, degenerate. But true Heart is when a player knows he can win in the long run and has the will to get there.
Click to expand...

Yes, great point. I have a dear friend who was famous for having lots of "heart". He was a strong amateur player, but has a gambling addiction. I doubt he ever finished ahead at the end of a year over forty years, because he lost everything he ever won, and more.
 
tonythetiger583 said:
What's the difference between heart and desire to give it everything you got?

I have this problem where trying harder is often detrimental. It makes me tense up, and makes me miscue. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem, and how do they deal with it?
Click to expand...

Hi Tony,

To me:

Many have a desire for winning & 'think' they give it everything they have. Then if you really look close you'll see one that actually has Heart. Heart extends to more than what many think it is. That is why I said Heart needs to be defined, if it really can be, to see if all are talking about the same thing.

Heart can be a refusal to lose or a refusal to accept defeat. Heart does not win every game or every match all of the time. But Heart wins the battle with self doubt. Heart wins the battle with fear. Heart wins the battle with being foolish. Heart makes one practice the same way one competes. Heart is willing to sacrifice for the sake of the cause.

Heart is a family of many faces.

At least that's sort of how I see Heart.

Heart does not increase one's ability, but it can make one play higher or better than what would be normally considered to be one's ability.

Best 2 You & All,
Rick

PS Oh yeah, Heart is not selfish. When one has Heart, one will truly give it all one has & will make extreme sacrifices for the team, whatever or whoever the team is.

PSS Also, Heart is not necessarily about winning but winning can be a reward of sorts. However, Heart can actually be it's own reward even if the individual does not recognize it as such sometimes.
 
Last edited:
To me, having heart means fearless self-confidence, so much so that the player commands an inordinate amount of respect. Qualify that by stating the intelligent kind, not the reckless kind.

The people I think represent this the most in pool are Alex, Shane and Bustamante. Chris Bartram is also an excellent example.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top