May be some truth to this

[SilverCue]

But not the main truth

During the 14.1 Finals match last night between Thorsten Hohmann and Darren Appleton, one of the commentators (Tony Robles I think) ask "What's the difference between Professionals and Amateurs?"
His answer was that "Amateurs practice a shot until they can make it and Professionals practice a shot until they can't miss."

 

[LAlouie]

Or another way of putting it is the pros simply don't miss. If one believes there's no talent to that, then maybe I can practice dunking until I can dunk like Lebron James.

The thing is, part of being gifted, is that the road to brilliance is attainable. Practice refines and hones that talent to perfection. Being NOT gifted is a totally different animal. That means practicing until you're satisfied with okay-ness. What Robles said is true, but it's a chicken-egg thing. It's no surprise that great players are driven.

 

[bdorman]

Michael Jordan was well known for being the first to arrive at Chicago Bulls practice sessions (usually hours before the scheduled time) and the last one to leave (also usually hours after the scheduled time).

 

[The Captain]

Professionals to amateurs are like masters to students.... The difference is "the professional/master has missed more times than the amateur/student has even tried"

 

[pwd72s]

Or another way of putting it is the pros simply don't miss. If one believes there's no talent to that, then maybe I can practice dunking until I can dunk like Lebron James.

The thing is, part of being gifted, is that the road to brilliance is attainable. Practice refines and hones that talent to perfection. Being NOT gifted is a totally different animal. That means practicing until you're satisfied with okay-ness. What Robles said is true, but it's a chicken-egg thing. It's no surprise that great players are driven.

Couldn't agree more...a greenie to you

 

[michael4]

"Amateurs practice a shot until they can make it and Professionals practice a shot until they can't miss."

^^ this pretty much sums up the dedication that pros have, which the average person doesn't have...

part of being gifted, is that the road to brilliance is attainable. Practice refines and hones that talent to perfection. Being NOT gifted is a totally different animal. That means practicing until you're satisfied with okay-ness.

^^^ I wont downplay the importance of natural talent, but on the other hand excessive work ethic can often overcome lack of talent. Larry Bird for example, (tall yes, but not athletic) Michael Chang (tennis) for another....

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Or another way of putting it is the pros simply don't miss. If one believes there's no talent to that, then maybe I can practice dunking until I can dunk like Lebron James.

Actually, pro level players do miss. The real difference between their level, and others, is their shot making percentage. It's higher. Sometimes much higher.
I was listening to Danny Harriman discussing pool play, one afternoon, and the fellow he was talking to remarked that he (Danny) must have won more games than anyone here in the pool room, to which Danny said: "Yes, and I've probably lost more, too." :smile:

 

[victorl]

Or another way of putting it is the pros simply don't miss. If one believes there's no talent to that, then maybe I can practice dunking until I can dunk like Lebron James.

The thing is, part of being gifted, is that the road to brilliance is attainable. Practice refines and hones that talent to perfection. Being NOT gifted is a totally different animal. That means practicing until you're satisfied with okay-ness. What Robles said is true, but it's a chicken-egg thing. It's no surprise that great players are driven.

I agree, but the ability to work hard and focus in practice is an extraodinary and rare talent that can overcome being "not gifted". Pool is one of things that I think only comes naturally to very few people and most of what an outside observer would see as "natural talent" is more often than not the results of years and decades of intense observation and repetition.

 

[macguy]

But not the main truth

During the 14.1 Finals match last night between Thorsten Hohmann and Darren Appleton, one of the commentators (Tony Robles I think) ask "What's the difference between Professionals and Amateurs?"
His answer was that "Amateurs practice a shot until they can make it and Professionals practice a shot until they can't miss."

We have all heard that old one. The difference is very little. Pro's make little or no money so by most anyones measurement pool, all pool, is an amateur sport.