For sure cheesy. Oh yeah well what do you suggest Jason? It’s a good thing your not in charge of pool in America.
Johan Ruijsink Returning as MC coach
- Thread starter one stroke
- Start date
Ditto to you brother. There is nothing that can be done, players don't want to practice, or work on their mental games. They also won't travel to events with top, top, players.
Yes, I understand it's expensive and let's face it, the Americans have NO chance outside of Shane of making any money in these events. I understand why the players don't go, but without going they will NEVER be competitive with outside players.
Sadly the day of the American Pro is over, probably forever.
It is a shame you can't go, you and Dechaine are probably the only other players(american) capable of becoming top 10 players in the world, and with you playing the other games very well, you'd have to be the favorite between you 2 if you could compete more.
I truly wish you could make a great living at this game, I just don't think it's possible in the US.
Jason
No actualy basement dweller has spent to much time in the basement, there are several pro's who play many events that in its self tells you who want to play and who doesn't I'd pick from that group and work it from there because those are the guys who are putting in the effort, the Euro don't sit at home sucking thier thumb crying about how bad pool is and they can't make any money they are out here grinding for every cent they make,,
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Go USA!!!
If your not part of the solution you are part of the problem!
I love there is a forum that we are able to debate such trivial things like... why the greatest country in the world can't produce a team to win a pool tournament? Well until we look at this as a TEAM event we will continue to struggle.
I have seen many threads and comments pointing out what is wrong with the American players: inability to play safe, poor mental toughness, pattern play, different equipment, even blaming the promoters, etc., etc.. All of which, in my opinion, is a bunch of crap. We have lost 8 in a row and most of those were not even close. How is that even possible??? The format alone is built to keep it close.... short races playing 9 ball! All you hear from players when they are looking to match up is we need to make it a long race and we can't play 9 ball cause there is to much luck involved. I personally refuse to believe we are that outmatched we cannot compete.
So I believe it points back to our TEAM approach..... or lack thereof. You can look at many concepts around teams and sports, but I think it boils down to two key components. Every team needs a leader and players need to be held accountable. From an outsiders view, I have not seen either of these things present on team USA in recent history.
In any case just my .02 cents..... I for one will still be cheering on the good ole USA! Also, I thank Matchroom for keeping this event alive. I was lucky enough to attend this past years event and loved every moment!!!!
If your not part of the solution you are part of the problem!
I love there is a forum that we are able to debate such trivial things like... why the greatest country in the world can't produce a team to win a pool tournament? Well until we look at this as a TEAM event we will continue to struggle.
I have seen many threads and comments pointing out what is wrong with the American players: inability to play safe, poor mental toughness, pattern play, different equipment, even blaming the promoters, etc., etc.. All of which, in my opinion, is a bunch of crap. We have lost 8 in a row and most of those were not even close. How is that even possible??? The format alone is built to keep it close.... short races playing 9 ball! All you hear from players when they are looking to match up is we need to make it a long race and we can't play 9 ball cause there is to much luck involved. I personally refuse to believe we are that outmatched we cannot compete.
So I believe it points back to our TEAM approach..... or lack thereof. You can look at many concepts around teams and sports, but I think it boils down to two key components. Every team needs a leader and players need to be held accountable. From an outsiders view, I have not seen either of these things present on team USA in recent history.
In any case just my .02 cents..... I for one will still be cheering on the good ole USA! Also, I thank Matchroom for keeping this event alive. I was lucky enough to attend this past years event and loved every moment!!!!
You live in the best pool playing nation in the world right now. Give me five players from the PI and we can match up with five players from any country, including Taiwan. The Philippine pool players already know how to win and how to deal with pressure. Not much coaching needed there, just fill out a line up card and turn them loose!
I'd love to lead these "dogs" to victory! Maybe one day.
Never gonna happen! The part about them winning anyway.
Give me 5 Euros and you got action against the Pinoys! The next best thing to gambling and winning is gambling and losing.
Jason
Ps, good luck in Vegas
Never gonna happen! The part about them winning anyway.
Give me 5 Euros and you got action against the Pinoys! The next best thing to gambling and winning is gambling and losing.
Jason
Ps, good luck in Vegas
Why don't you come out there dude? We be ballin' again!
Why don't you come out there dude? We be ballin' again!
I wish! Been in Ft Lauderdale a week, last 2 days in Savannah, and headed to Philly till Sunday or Monday, then back to work in NY on Tuesday.
Not sure when I'll be off again, might make it to the SBE, maybe.
Probably done in Nov or Dec.
No rest for the wicked after this week lol.
Jason
Money, bar tables and pressure
From reading through many threads like this and listening to interviews where respected people with in the billiards community where asked their thoughts on why this was happening with the MC, three overarching items seem to get repeated. Money, bar table play, and pressure. Not my personal thoughts or original ideas but I tend to agree for the most part.
Europe seems to have a much larger cash flow within the sport, I think this money comes from a larger and more enthusiastic fan base. This causes billiards companies to become more profitable and a portion of those profits go back into the sport and players pockets. It means more of the large competitive tournaments “and the players ability to afford the costs” filled with the best players. As nearly any intermediate to advanced player can attest, the more often you play, and play against better players the better your own game gets as you become more pressure resistant.
From what I understand, far more pool halls have 9 foot tables in Europe than in the US, or at least the pro tournaments are played mostly at the locations that have 9 foot tables. Again, as most of us know, time spent on a 9 foot table rather than a bar box raises your game.
I placed money first because I think it “or lack of it” is what leads to less establishments with 9 foot tables and less of the large competitive tournaments that build a pressure resistant player. I also think geography plays a role in this, Europe as a whole is a smaller land mass with more people per square mile than the US which is much more spread out and often the only way to get from A to B is to buy an expensive plane ticket.
So, more money, more top-quality players geographically closer to one another, more 9 foot tables with high pressure top talent players in large tournaments makes for a better European team. I’m sure there are many other small factors at play as well, but I’ve always felt these were the most compelling arguments.
From reading through many threads like this and listening to interviews where respected people with in the billiards community where asked their thoughts on why this was happening with the MC, three overarching items seem to get repeated. Money, bar table play, and pressure. Not my personal thoughts or original ideas but I tend to agree for the most part.
Europe seems to have a much larger cash flow within the sport, I think this money comes from a larger and more enthusiastic fan base. This causes billiards companies to become more profitable and a portion of those profits go back into the sport and players pockets. It means more of the large competitive tournaments “and the players ability to afford the costs” filled with the best players. As nearly any intermediate to advanced player can attest, the more often you play, and play against better players the better your own game gets as you become more pressure resistant.
From what I understand, far more pool halls have 9 foot tables in Europe than in the US, or at least the pro tournaments are played mostly at the locations that have 9 foot tables. Again, as most of us know, time spent on a 9 foot table rather than a bar box raises your game.
I placed money first because I think it “or lack of it” is what leads to less establishments with 9 foot tables and less of the large competitive tournaments that build a pressure resistant player. I also think geography plays a role in this, Europe as a whole is a smaller land mass with more people per square mile than the US which is much more spread out and often the only way to get from A to B is to buy an expensive plane ticket.
So, more money, more top-quality players geographically closer to one another, more 9 foot tables with high pressure top talent players in large tournaments makes for a better European team. I’m sure there are many other small factors at play as well, but I’ve always felt these were the most compelling arguments.
I wonder if we aren't talking about different pressure.
What I mean is that I have 100% confidence that SVB and Justin Bergman are rock solid under pressure where they are playing a race to 100. I think both believe that given a large enough sample size, they should beat everyone. (Except maybe a few Filipinos).
However, handling the pressure of playing your best RIGHT NOW, in a race to 5, for your country, teammates, and reputation is a different kind of pressure that I do think the U.S. is not prepared for because the never play short, high-pressure races. They play long races.
kollegedave
What I mean is that I have 100% confidence that SVB and Justin Bergman are rock solid under pressure where they are playing a race to 100. I think both believe that given a large enough sample size, they should beat everyone. (Except maybe a few Filipinos).
However, handling the pressure of playing your best RIGHT NOW, in a race to 5, for your country, teammates, and reputation is a different kind of pressure that I do think the U.S. is not prepared for because the never play short, high-pressure races. They play long races.
kollegedave
The latter is the pressure I'm talking about and they have not handled it well for a long time. There is a remedy for that and it isn't predicated on more drills (not that drills are a bad thing). It really boils down to having a conversation that makes a difference in their attitude and outlook. It can be done if you know what to say and when to say it. :wink:
I would agree its two different types of pressure. Playing on a team in a multi day event, knowing that the people you are used to playing against are now looking to you to get that win adds a new type of pressure to your game. At the amateur level my play is higher in a singles event and singles league vs team play. I had always thought the team aspect had something to do with lowering my level of play and confirmed it when I started playing more singles leagues. Do the Europeans play this format any more than we do? From what I gather they are playing against each other every week, i wouldn't think they are any more used to the format than we are, or any more of a cohesive team than the Americans. I can only say for sure that I play better as an individual in longer races than in a league with short races.