So are you saying Patrick is a great brother of a great tennis player, or the greatest brother of a great tennis player?
Yes
And more typing so it will let me post
No holy grail?
- Thread starter tucson9ball
- Start date
Yes
And more typing so it will let me post
my point is specifically about pool.
Yes, if I could go back in time and mentored myself when I was 17 I could have played my top speed within 3 years and advanced WAY ahead in life physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. We can probably all say the same thing to a point....my point is specifically about pool.
It took me many years to figure out how to learn from the Game. I"m not complaining because it led to this opportunity now. I have a really good feeling about the future of pool, and I"m glad to live in this period of time so I can see it happen.
'The Game is the Teacher'
Agreed... there is no holy grail. 25 years ago when I first worked with Hal Mix (Hal coached Nick Varner, Kim Davenport, Robin Bell, etc.) the first thing he told me was "Rob, everyone is looking for the secret... the secret is there is no ****ing secret"
With that being said it seems that many on AZ are opposed to the quest for knowledge, viewing all information, systems, products, etc as gimmicks.
Willie Mosconi wrote books, put his name on products and made money... nearly every professional player has.
I've been working with CTE/Pro 1... I paid my money for the DVD, invested the time and it has helped my game. I am happy with my purchase and I believe that since Stan put years into this system he deserves to be paid for his information and hard work.
I've watched CJ Wiley's TOI Video - I think its an interesting system
especially for all the AZ'ers who complain about bar box conditions - it allows you to hit the balls at a somewhat harder consistent speed while getting shape and takes much of the table roll out of the game. (this is my personal assessment)
Even Willie Mosconi had his detractors back in the day - I have a copy of one of his books where he throws in this disclaimer prior to discussing his parallel aiming system "Before the purists begin to howl" - in other words his aiming system teaching was apparently controversial in his time.
If I ever get to the point where I'm unteachable, think I know it all and stop seeking knowledge it will be time to quit. (that will never happen
Yes, if I could go back in time and mentored myself when I was 17 I could have played my top speed within 3 years and advanced WAY ahead in life physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. We can probably all say the same thing to a point....my point is specifically about pool.
It took me many years to figure out how to learn from the Game. I"m not complaining because it led to this opportunity now. I have a really good feeling about the future of pool, and I"m glad to live in this period of time so I can see it happen.
'The Game is the Teacher'
I remember a few years ago writing one of my first posts about pool having "NO" Holy Grail. I simply meant that there was no quick fix, or gadget that would make the average Joe a road player or Pro.
I have seen and heard of soooo many aiming systems or some non-aiming systems that would improve your game it makes me want to puke.
Now don't get me wrong, I have no problem with people wanting to make a buck, with whatever their selling. Buyer beware.....all these gimmicks should have a disclaimer: hard work/practice is it's own reward.
If anybody beleives they can buy a jump cue and never miss a jump shot, their simply dreaming. If you buy a high dollar piece of chalk thinking you will never miscue? Cmon! Folks...wake up and smell the coffee! If you don't want to invest the time/effort to practice, then you will never be good. For some players, even practice won't improve their game much, brutal but honest. No magic elixir will make you play like Johnny Archer or Efren.
Some people were just born with hand/eye coordination that is unequalled. Combine that with hard work and years of drills, WHOALA! You have a world champ!
I have seem Earl Strickland or Corey Dueul put a stroke on a ball that 99.9% of pool players could never imagine or imitate. That is what it takes to be an elite player. The rest of us just watch ot participate on pool forums. Sure, we may be a good amateur player, but honestly, do you think you could compete at the Pro level? Not happening.
I play pool for a hobby, sure I compete in tournies(not Pro events), but I'm honest about my game. I work 40 hours a week at a paying job. I have no aspirations of being a Pro player. Does that mean I don't want to improve a bit? No........Does it mean I want to go to extremes andpractice 4 to 5 hours every day? Nope
I'm just the average Joe who plays pool, nothing more. Do I beleive there is some gadget that will make me play 2 balls better? NOPE, definitely not. So. to all you guys buying up DVD's and charts to get better......do yourselves a favor, work on your strok/follow through. Hit the spot you are aiming at and get the "feel" of the proper ball speed.
Here's a perfect example: have somebody stand across the table from you and toss them the cue ball. Did you throw it over their head? Did you throw sooo soft that it falls on the table between you? Or did you toss it right where they could catch it? THAT FOLKS is "FEEL" Translated to pool lingo, it would be "how hard to hit the cue ball to get shape"? How much draw makes the cue ball come bacward 2 ft.? I could go on and on...but all this is learned from practice. No gimmick or aiming/non-aiming is going to teach this.
KK, I'm done ranting.Keep hitting em. :thumbup:
You are like many of us who for long time thought the same thing. Pool has secrets that will take years to unlock on your own. No pro will give his knowledge for other pros so they get beat. With the advance knowledge at hand one can improve quick while at practice, but that has to be proven during serious match, and back to drawing boards if failed during a match, until both level of play are close.
No one is born with eye hand coordination that is special, all of us practice that!!
The other problem with pool, is that it is dependent on one's state of mind of which is best immediately after a good night sleep. Unfortunate for those that do not have table at home, and have to wait until pool room opens at noon or so, by then the mind state is altered a little, or after long day at work..good luck. Reason i am saying this, having a table at home allows you to play with 100% pure focus, you really will see that magic aim with ease, so you can see what is wrong with other fundamentals (especially stroke), you will be surprised..
Good luck..
Pathetic Shark
Banned
Talking of hitches, have you ever seen a bigger one than at about 10.10 of this clip?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbjl_8wtcS8
That guy has the worst stroke in the world. He has more tics than a Tic Tac factory. I would never listen to ANYTHING he has to say about playing pool and I would give him the 5 out and the breaks ALL DAY every day. He could keep me broke if he can beat me with that spot.
Here is another video by the same guy on the subject of Holy Grails in pool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoQcHkU1Dzo
The part in bold is the one "natural talent" that all excellent players possess. Thank you, Lowell, for mentioning that. :thumbup:
Roger
Just want to be sure of what is meant of natural talent, to me it means that one is able to see, think, and his/her body healthy and is normal, which is most of the people are, those that are unfortunate and have bad eyes, or mental condition do not have natural talent. Am i correct.
I would say that those are natural abilities. There is a certain range of ability that most people have. I think that most people consider anything below average, say bad eyesight, to be a handicap, and above average, say exceptional eyesight, to be an advantage. And some might even call those advantages natural talent.
I mean if you had two archers and one could for some reason see the target at 300 yards as clearly as if it were 50 yards away then this would be a huge advantage presumably. Would the super-sighted person be more talented then as an archer?
I think though that when people speak of "talent" they mean something more than just the physical capabilities. Plenty of skinny kids who studied dance didn't turn out to be great dancers while there have been fat kids who lost weight, started later and ended up being great dancers.
It's that mysterious something that people can't define, a glow or aura or whatever that people who excel at something seem to exude. Displays of skill that seem to be beyond a person's age.
We all love the movies where the outsider has something special about them, something inside of them that allows them find the solution, run faster, jump higher, see the patterns, whatever faster and accurately. In other words we love the underdog who comes through in some "magical" way. That's a lot more fun than seeing the guy try and fail and try and fail and keep going back for more until he gets it. Seeing him hustle for a break and a shot and watching him go up with his one shot and hope he doesn't blow it. Although those types of movies are also popular, just not as popular as the "magic talent" movies.
Hey Naji,
I agree about state of mind. I'm a firm beleiver that you need to have your mind right before going to play. If you just had a big argument with a spouse, you probably won't play your best pool that evening. If your life is going smooth, that's when the balls will just glide on the table. There are exceptions, but you get my drift.
BTW, I do have a 9ft. Diamond Pro to play on at all times of the day. I usually don't play much in the mornings. I've always played more in the aftrnoons or evenings.
Just wanted to add.....I've been around many top pool players. If somebody can tell me a secret that I don't already know, I'll buy their dinner and drinks for the evening. I don't see that happening.
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Curious what is your level , pro, close to a pro, below pro, have you won major tourney ? if you are a B player, you still have some discovering to do; you have to know how to be able to shoot the 4000 shots, or at least know how to execute those 4000 shots properly.
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3 quick points here.
I liked the video of yours they posted and I believe I either posted in that thread saying as much or shoveled some rep your way for it.
Secondly, that new video was funny as shit. I don't recall ever seeing you so animated. I watched the entire thing which is rather rare for me.
You get the 8.
Thanks. Since you have clocked me and are willing to give up the 8 I think I need the six but I will test myself and just settle for the 7.
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We are still looking for the holy grail.
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1st i want to thank you for your YouTube video, i like it, i think i agree with what you saying maybe not 100%, but that is a different thread.
As far as natural talent, i sensed that you believe, that talent is not something you are born with, but it is nartured. I really think that what makes us different humans with different abilities is that 1st adrenalin rush that we got when we won at the thing we did no matter what age we were, naturally at young age, that addictive rush of hormones that every human is try to replicate it is ingrained in our memory, we strive to make it happen again exactly, winning at pool, 1st deep love feeling to that person, 1st time we listen to a song, the feeling of 1st sex experience..etc, we "kill" ourselves to get it we work hard at it we turn to GOD and say please i beg you give me that feeling again!!, some succeed some do not, it is unfortunate, other take the easy route and resort to the artificial way of getting that feeling. My opinion.
True some people do have exceptional brain ability but not many and could be interpreted as some form of either very light Autism by experts, or some form of psychological or medical exceptions, but how and where that "talent" is nurtured and used they seem to excel!
One thing i differ with many people on, is the what they say about Efren R, that he is old, and no longer that sharp shooter, in my opinion he still as great as he always was, what changed is the easy and wide use of internet, pool teaching material, abundance of pool places...etc new pros know Efren now before they meet him, and know any minute mistake will cost, so they play very cautiously. True he is weak at the 9 or 10 ball break, but he always was.
"When you're hitting balls good, hit lots of balls." Sam Snead It has some truth, but if you do not know why you are hitting them that good that day, and not so good other days the saying by Sam is useless. That is what differentiate a pro from a lesser pro player.
Pathetic Shark
Banned
Yikes. At least that chicken wing only flaps in one direction. The one in the other video appeared capable of achieving vertical lift!
Still, you concentrate on aiming, eh?
Yes "newbie" I focus on aiming. When I have that mastered in about 3-4 years I will move on to the stroke.
Pathetic Shark
Banned
Stroke first, aiming second. But you already know that.