Just Some Food For Thought

[jay helfert]

First I want to say Johnny is right on as usual in ALL his posts. His analysis of top players (especially young ones) and slightly lesser players is very good. Like Johnny, I was a career B to B+ player. Many places I would go people would think I was the greatest, but I had already seen and played great players, so I knew where I stood on the totem pole of pool.

I think the answer is that we all rise to our own level of competence (or incompetence). I got a late start in pool at age 18. Most of the top players started very young at 10-13. Once I started I worked as hard or harder than anyone for the next ten years to improve my game. I literally played night and day, every day! And I got to be a good player, just not a great player. The top players could do things on the table that I was not capable of. They had better strokes than me plain and simple. Consequently, they had more options.

Could I have been a better player if I started younger, I don't know. I'm not so sure now. It may be the same reason that some athletes excel in other sports and some don't. I guess we will always have superstars and the journeymen. That is the nature of sport. When I was 25 I still wanted to be a great player. When I was 35 and Danny Diliberto called me a "shortstop" for life, I was content with that.

 

[vagabond]

Yeah Mosconi was drowning. Johnnyt

I first held the pool cue at the age of 33. prior to that I was a 400M Hurdler. Now I am a very old guy and older than grady and buddy Hall but I still do a reasonably good job with long difficult angle shots.Because of the aiming system I developed I am able to pot those shots. The aiming system I discovered is called 'Red neck aiming system'.It has two components: 1.cowboy 2.Reverse cow Boy.I was never been disapointed with my system of aiming.
I have very bad stroke mechanics- When i am bending my back hurts.when my bridge hand stretches it hurts in the shoulder and I wince with pain.then when I am aiming my neck hurts.when i am taking the swing at the cue ball my right elbow hurts.But the balls get sunk anyway.

 

[BigDogatLarge]

I listened to you all...

I went to league tonight and followed the advice of the learned people that were kind enough to post some advice. I focused on stance, stroke delivery, and shot speed. I played much better than I usually do. After league they have a nightly tournament and I actually won the matches against the guys that beat me like a drum. I left the first guy with six on the table and the other two with four each. I can "see" what you were talking about and I thank you all for taking the time to help an old fart play better.

Thanks again,

Dwight