Older players... what do you do?

[jay helfert]

I concur I had the privilege of a quality evening with Steve Mizerack.....playing darts! His opening with 3 in a bed demonstration of the fine finger work that is similarly available with a pool cue as well.
My dart board is getting it's share, every day. Usually just in passing.
My morning fitness is conducted at the pool table. Simple full range movement like Tai Chi. Stretch and flex first. My daily fitness program continues with the weight work. Building stuff

Bingo! There is a good reason you see pool tables in most Senior centers. It’s damn good exercise with all the walking, stretching and bending required.

 

[GoldCrown]

Bingo! There is a good reason you see pool tables in most Senior centers. It’s damn good exercise with all the walking, stretching and bending required.

Never heard anyone complain while they’re playing. I played a guy that needed a walker. He tossed the walker when he came into the room.

 

[maha]

you know i dont see many old people that are fat or are smoking. wonder what happened to them.

 

[WardS]

Count calories
and only play pool if I have clear and achievable objectives when at the pool table.

COVID lockdowns made me more sensitive to posture issues.

Today's pool game is all about good posture.

Count carbs

 

[justnum]

Count carbs

Slow down I am trying to count how many days of purple cabbage I can eat. a month.

Its fun setting that record. Counting carbs will take more time.

 

[justadub]

Good conversation starter. Now it’s time to get down to work! Two words that you’ve heard before - diet & exercise!

I’ll give you an exercise tip that most pool players are totally unaware of. This one is for all of you. Work on your grip to make it stronger! It can be as simple as making a tight fist for thirty seconds to a minute every day. Having a strong grip will improve your stroke and your overall game. I promise you!

P.S. The above does not mean holding your cue tight while playing!

Remember what Jay said about 30 seconds to a minute... and don't try the "more is better", too much with this. I have a terrible case of tennis elbow, and it's derived from gripping too tightly, for too long (playing drums). When you make a clenched fist, you can feel the tendons along your forearm. Those are the ones that can get aggravated from "too tightly, too much". Strengthen, yes. Don't overdo it.
(Tennis elbow sucks.)

 

[KMcGrath61]

Along with taking 20 some years away from the game, I also was involved in a very unfortunate accident which required a helicopter ride to a Hospital where I spent the next six weeks before going home for 8 more months of PT and recovery.

That was 5 years ago and I'm now starting to get back into playing. With rods and pins in my hips and legs, and a newly rebuilt wrist I find I have had to change quite a bit of how I stand, approach shots etc. I have trouble with a couple bridges especially shooting over a ball.

It can be frustrating when I miss something that used to be automatic, but it also forces me to be more conscious of my stance, my stroke, all the basics that became second nature. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing when trying to get back into the game.

Best thing I can recommend is keep hitting balls. You will eventually adjust to your new parameters and get comfortable within your limitations.

 

[Tennesseejoe]

Find a pleasant place to walk 1 mile. Drive your car around the neighborhood or any place where you can measure about 1 mile. Now casually walk the mile at a very easy pace and time yourself. That is your benchmark. Next time you walk, stretch your neck muscles a little or swing your arms, do a squat, etc. The last ten seconds of your walk...do a fast walk. Do this a couple times a week. Just keep track of your times. They will naturally decrease. The increased blood flow will rejuvenate your whole body.

One thing to stay away from is weight lifting unless you do this walking exercise after the weights. Lifting weights will build up lactic acid and make your muscles too stiff to play pool. This walking will remove the lactic acid by the time you finish your walk. I am 80 and ride horses several times a week.

 

[GoldCrown]

you know i dont see many old people that are fat or are smoking. wonder what happened to them.

I tend to forget where my smokes are. …. Also fall asleep during dinner. Hope that helps

 

[Biloxi Boy]

Check this thread out:

Why I Quit After Playing Almost Everyday for 30 Years

After I learned to play the game at a decent level, I saw a old guy trying to play pool, it looked like he was just learning the game. I was shocked when one of the guys said, "He used to be a great player!". I decided that when I lost the ability to play I would quit, it happened just after I...

forums.azbilliards.com

 

[GoldCrown]

Check this thread out:

Why I Quit After Playing Almost Everyday for 30 Years

After I learned to play the game at a decent level, I saw a old guy trying to play pool, it looked like he was just learning the game. I was shocked when one of the guys said, "He used to be a great player!". I decided that when I lost the ability to play I would quit, it happened just after I...

forums.azbilliards.com

Never never quit …. Simply give up

 

[Poolmanis]

Bend both knees is fast little help

 

[jay helfert]

Remember what Jay said about 30 seconds to a minute... and don't try the "more is better", too much with this. I have a terrible case of tennis elbow, and it's derived from gripping too tightly, for too long (playing drums). When you make a clenched fist, you can feel the tendons along your forearm. Those are the ones that can get aggravated from "too tightly, too much". Strengthen, yes. Don't overdo it.
(Tennis elbow sucks.)

The second part of this exercise which I left out is that after releasing your fist, stretch your fingers all the way out to relieve the tightness you will feel. Give ‘em a good stretch for ten to fifteen seconds. You’ll be fine after that.

 

[Billiard Architect]

Can you bend your legs a little so instead of your torso being horizontal, it's a little sloped and your neck doesn't have to bend as much?

Bad thing is... I am 6ft 3 and already feel like I am in a half squat when I play... if I crouch any more I will need a chair

 

[Mensabum]

you know i dont see many old people that are fat or are smoking. wonder what happened to them.

 

[Mensabum]

I never did shoot "nose to cue" even when I was 150 dripping wet and could have (so many, many, years ago). As I keep suggesting, it is all a matter of adjusting through practice/exposure. Ambidextrous shooting is a perfect example. Near impossible at first, but after time one can even learn to draw from either side. As others suggested above, follow the Nike Rule, again, and again, and . . .

I may have to do this. Bridge hand arthritis is so bad that after 30 mins of closed play, pain makes me switch up to open. Won't be long B4 I'll be swinging it bassackwards. Lol.

 

[Mensabum]

Don't know if you wear glasses like I do, but billiard glasses help me. With regular glasses when I get my chin down near the cue to sight I need to uncomfortably bend my neck back to get focused on where I'm aiming. This is pretty awkward and interferes with my stroke. Billiard glasses have the focus point much higher in the lens so you can just look down the cue with your eyes without needing to bend the neck much to get things focused. That's a lot more comfortable and natural feeling

Where did you get yours, if you don't mind me asking?? Optometrists in my area look confused when I ask about specific frames and lenses for pool. Bummer.

 

[Mensabum]

Along with taking 20 some years away from the game, I also was involved in a very unfortunate accident which required a helicopter ride to a Hospital where I spent the next six weeks before going home for 8 more months of PT and recovery.

That was 5 years ago and I'm now starting to get back into playing. With rods and pins in my hips and legs, and a newly rebuilt wrist I find I have had to change quite a bit of how I stand, approach shots etc. I have trouble with a couple bridges especially shooting over a ball.

It can be frustrating when I miss something that used to be automatic, but it also forces me to be more conscious of my stance, my stroke, all the basics that became second nature. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing when trying to get back into the game.

Best thing I can recommend is keep hitting balls. You will eventually adjust to your new parameters and get comfortable within your limitations.

Dude, that's a raw deal. Good to see you back tho!! Keep playing as your body allows. Greatest game on the planet and we need every single one of y'all!!
Much too easy to just give up and say fxxk it.

 

[Mensabum]

Bad thing is... I am 6ft 3 and already feel like I am in a half squat when I play... if I crouch any more I will need a chair

 

[gregcantrall]

Where did you get yours, if you don't mind me asking?? Optometrists in my area look confused when I ask about specific frames and lenses for pool. Bummer.

I got glasses without a bifocal and added a half inch filler of hot melt glue over a skeleton of plastic from a milk carton.

the skeleton loops around the frame at the top and can be rotated up and out of the way. Just enough flex and friction to keep it in place between the pads of the glasses. Works good for me.