Pool Is One Of The Hardest Games

[Jaden]

Yes...

And the same argument can be made for baseball, football, hockey, etc., that folks like SJD have no idea what it takes to play at a high level of any of those sports, and exactly how difficult it is, correct ?

That argument CAN be made for any sport if you don't know what it takes to get there; however, many sports that are considered traditional sports require more innate ability than pool. Yes there are caps as to how good a player can get and once bad habits are introduced it can become nigh on impossible to eliminate them, but you don't have to be able to run a 4.4 40 and you don't have to be able to endure 26.2....

So there are lees or at least different caps on how good the players can become, yet you still have relatively few that get there. That shows just how difficult it is.

Now maybe it's because there's no reward. I've made the argument myself that if a viable tour that could support a decent number of players were to present itself, you'd see world class players jump out of the wood work.

I personally know four or five who rarely if ever compete outside of their respective regions if at all.

So there is that. I would really say that in different ways ALL sports played at the highest levels are extremely difficult, but you won't EVER see the necessity for baseball players to have an batting average of .900...

Now is it more difficult to get a hit than make a ball. Sure, and that's why the difficulty has different ways of being attributed to different sports.

Jaden

 

[CJ Wiley]

Tennis- not as demanding as pool mentally and regarding knowledge of margin of error

There was a period of time that I played tennis at a higher level than pool. I trained 8 - 12 hours a day and hit numerous balls, training with anyone and everyone that wanted to improve with me.

My mentor became the head coach at NMSU College and I had the chance to compete against some of the best college players in the country (they recruited them from all parts of Mexico, America and South America).

Although tennis is a much more challenging physical game, it's not as demanding as pool mentally and regarding knowledge of margin of error and zones. Many may think the two games are "apples to oranges," but I assure you there are many similarities.

The TOI is much like using Top Spin in tennis, it expands the target area, however, using deflection instead of the curve of spin......the same concept they use in golf when "drawing" or "fading" the ball into the green or fairway.

All these games have common denominators, but it takes a lot of hours to "real eyes" the similarities......the differences are easy to see for an "untrained" eye.

'The Games are the Teacher'

That is the problem with folks that don't want to use logic... NOBODY said pool was easy, we are only saying with much information and personal observation, that many other sports are MUCH more difficult to master. So, what, why does that bother pool folks.....

I can teach a 18 yr old who never played pool and spend a few months with them, and they will be able to compete in the local league....tey are not gonna be MVP or even the best on their team, but they will be mid range and pocket balls, and actually help the team.

That same 18 year old than has never thrown a football or a baseball, would take several years (with the strong possibility they will NEVER be able to compete) before they are gonna join the local park district baseball league (COLT League around these parts) and actually compete... why do you think that is exactly ?

Bring this up in a bar over a few beers and watch your non playing pool buddies laugh you outta town

 

[one stroke]

BINGO. And with pool you don't need athletic ability. Thus, why it is easier to reach a higher level.... Most athletic sports weed out the others pretty quickly.....

And, btw, adult softball is NOT baseball.... I would never assume folks that never played pool, can play pretty good bumper pool in the basement as logic that it's an easy sport...

For the record, I will say pool is one of the toughest NON athletic sports to master.... does that make any of my couch potato pool buddies feel any better

Yes that's the part people don't understand you can think you have all the right tools in other sports but at the end of the day someone has to pick u as being one of the best if that does not happen by a very early age the chances of playing a pro sport are all but done ,, it can be a very cruel world when its up to others to decide whether you or not you have what it takes

1

 

[CJ Wiley]

.it comes from within - even players like Tiger Woods are no exception.

Yes that's the part people don't understand you can think you have all the right tools in other sports but at the end of the day someone has to pick u as being one of the best if that does not happen by a very early age the chances of playing a pro sport are all but done ,, it can be a very cruel world when its up to others to decide whether you or not you have what it takes

1

No one else can ever make that decision for you......it comes from within. Even players like Tiger Woods are no exception.

 

[one stroke]

No one else can ever make that decision for you......it comes from within. Even players like Tiger Woods are no exception.

Funny you should bring Golf up I was going to use that but I'm on the fence of golf being a sport ,, in the big sports I don't care what your desire is someone else will make that decision for you and trust me here skill is not always the deciding factor such things as age or previous experience at a collage level or semi pro teams play a huge factors in these decisions ,, pool ,golf ,darts ,bowling , lawn darts, chess then there is sports like tennis and figure skating that take thousands of hours of instruction from a very early age to get to the highest level now humor me and tell me pool gets this level of instruction in the USA

1

 

[The Kiss]

It's not tennis pool does not require starting at the age of 6 and neither does baseball
The fact is it often takes yrs before you can recognize if a player of other sports is going to have not only the skill but the physical requirements speed quickness and size all are factors that simply does not exist in pool
By the shear numbers the chances of being a top player in pool is far more likely than any sport bar none ,, but then again why we compare it to a sport is ridicules in its self


1

Ah but there lies the difference in my eyes coaching of fundamentals of baseball in my case started at 6. Head down, back elbow level, fairly level swing. time the pitch in the on deck circle ect ect.

With pool when i started I was given no real basis of fundamentals try and make the ball in the pocket if you made a couple in a row you were doing OK. But what if someone taught me, keep your head down, dominant eye over the cue, aiming techniques, contact point, pocket english, touch ect.

Hell I was well into my 20s before I started to really grasp the game and the technical nuances

 

[SJDinPHX]

And the same argument can be made for baseball, football, hockey, etc., that folks like SJD have no idea what it takes to play at a high level of any of those sports, and exactly how difficult it is, correct ?

This is where 'assuming' can get you in trouble, RJ...Certainly not saying I was a Pro at any sport, but I did letter on the varsity baseball team, all three years I attended high school, from freshman on...Baseball and ice hockey were my first love, after pool. I had a rifle for an arm (played 3rd base and catcher) and I was always the most productive hitter on our team.

Hockey was my first love..If there had been organized hockey in our somewhat isolated area, I may never have wound up a pool player..Like CJ was with tennis, I was with baseball and hockey.. I am sure if there were tennis courts, or golf courses in our small town, I am sure I would have gotten involved in those sports too ! In later years, I grew to love and appreciate, both tennis and golf..Never picked up a club, until my late 20's but got to about a six hdcp, fairly quickly !

Call this bragging if you like, but I was more a 'jock' during my formative years, then I was a pool player..My passion for gambling won out over sports, or I'm sure I would have probably pursued those other games, had the opportunity had presented itself. I realize now, how much I missed by not attending college !

I was a little small for football, but I lettered as a sophomore and a junior, in those sports too. (QB naturally) So please don't dismiss me, as knowing nothing about physical sports..So I feel I am making a well rounded observation, on the difficulty level, of learning ALL games ..Thanks for letting me vent !

PS..If there are any doubters, I still have all my HS yearbooks, for anyone's viewing pleasure..I was much more prominent in them, than any of the pool books ! (I was a 'rock star' in high school sports. :wink

 

[CJ Wiley]

Of course golf is a sport, Tiger Woods is one of the best athletes of all time.

Funny you should bring Golf up I was going to use that but I'm on the fence of golf being a sport ,, in the big sports I don't care what your desire is someone else will make that decision for you and trust me here skill is not always the deciding factor such things as age or previous experience at a collage level or semi pro teams play a huge factors in these decisions ,, pool ,golf ,darts ,bowling , lawn darts, chess then there is sports like tennis and figure skating that take thousands of hours of instruction from a very early age to get to the highest level now humor me and tell me pool gets this level of instruction in the USA

1

Of course golf is a sport, Tiger Woods is one of the best athletes of all time.....in any sport. His training has been incredible through the years and although his body is showing wear and tear, he still maintains a high level of physical performance.

In Hank Haney's book, 'The Big Miss', he describes Tiger's routine through the years.

 

[one stroke]

Of course golf is a sport, Tiger Woods is one of the best athletes of all time.....in any sport. His training has been incredible through the years and although his body is showing wear and tear, he still maintains a high level of physical performance.

In Hank Haney's book, 'The Big Miss', he describes Tiger's routine through the years.

Being a Athlete does not make a game ,, their are plenty golfers that have won Majors that the only thing they ever curled was a 12oz beer
Of course you sidestepped my point of instruction given in other sports where pool would pale in comparison

1

 

[easy-e]

This is where 'assuming' can get you in trouble, RJ...Certainly not saying I was a Pro at any sport, but I did letter on the varsity baseball team, all three years I attended high school, from freshman on...Baseball and ice hockey were my first love, after pool. I had a rifle for an arm (played 3rd base and catcher) and I was always the most productive hitter on our team.

Hockey was my first love..If there had been organized hockey in our somewhat isolated area, I may never have wound up a pool player..Like CJ was with tennis, I was with baseball and hockey.. I am sure if there were tennis courts, or golf courses in our small town, I am sure I would have gotten involved in those sports too ! In later years, I grew to love and appreciate, both tennis and golf..Never picked up a club, until my late 20's but got to about a six hdcp, fairly quickly !

Call this bragging if you like, but I was more a 'jock' during my formative years, then I was a pool player..My passion for gambling won out over sports, or I'm sure I would have probably pursued those other games, had the opportunity had presented itself. I realize now, how much I missed by not attending college !

I was a little small for football, but I lettered as a sophomore and a junior, in those sports too. (QB naturally) So please don't dismiss me, as knowing nothing about physical sports..So I feel I am making a well rounded observation, on the difficulty level, of learning ALL games ..Thanks for letting me vent !

PS..If there are any doubters, I still have all my HS yearbooks, for anyone's viewing pleasure..I was much more prominent in them, than any of the pool books ! (I was a 'rock star' in high school sports. :wink

Well there you have it, case closed! Dick was the best high school athlete in a town with no golf courses, tennis courts, organized hockey, or people interested in sports. His word is golden. Argument over.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Mark O'Meara and Hank both had tables in their houses

Being a Athlete does not make a game ,, their are plenty golfers that have won Majors that the only thing they ever curled was a 12oz beer
Of course you sidestepped my point of instruction given in other sports where pool would pale in comparison

1

I would be willing to put my pool instruction up against any other sports teacher. Hank Haney would agree that pool has more components than golf when you look at it physically AND mentally.

There are several PGA golfers that play pool, when we were all out at Deer Valley Mark O'Meara and Hank both had tables in their houses, and played every night. I "edged" them out, but they are very serious about their games, Hank kept a record of every game he played.

And no, there's not been golfers that have won majors only curling 12 oz. beers. The hand/eye coordination is far superior to baseball, football, or hockey. (if you consider any of these "sports")

 

[BeiberLvr]

Lol come on CJ. All targets in golf and pool are stationary.

 

[KRJ]

I would be willing to put my pool instruction up against any other sports teacher. Hank Haney would agree that pool has more components than golf when you look at it physically AND mentally.

If that was even remotely true, pool players would change careers in a heartbeat... the 100th best golfer on the planet is living the life of Riley, the 100th best pool player might not know where his next meal is coming from.

You need NO physical athleticism to play pool.... with other sports that is half the battle..... thus why SVB could NEVER play NFL QB like Manning, and Manning might not ever play pool like SVB, but he would get a lot closer

and after a few years of training, I'm pretty sure a dedicated athlete like Manning would NOT embarrass himself in a tournament,,, prolly not gonna get in the money, but embarrassed, hardly. SVB might not even survive training camp No offense to SVB, I'm not thinking I would either !!!

 

[bdorman]

Didn't Danny Basovich leave pool for a career as wide receiver for the New York Jets?

 

[one stroke]

I would be willing to put my pool instruction up against any other sports teacher. Hank Haney would agree that pool has more components than golf when you look at it physically AND mentally.

There are several PGA golfers that play pool, when we were all out at Deer Valley Mark O'Meara and Hank both had tables in their houses, and played every night. I "edged" them out, but they are very serious about their games, Hank kept a record of every game he played.

And no, there's not been golfers that have won majors only curling 12 oz. beers. The hand/eye coordination is far superior to baseball, football, or hockey. (if you consider any of these "sports")

Pay attention to the bouncing ball ,,, first I can assure you John Daly and Jason Dufner are not wining any all around athletic test there are many golfers that would not be considerd athletic by anyone's other than your definition
I know your not suggesting that pool players at the pro level have more hours of instruction from a coach than a PGA pro has that's simply nonsense so stop already
And of course golfers can play pool but pro ams are covered with other sports stars that are scratch golfers ,,


1

 

[nobcitypool]

If that was even remotely true, pool players would change careers in a heartbeat... the 100th best golfer on the planet is living the life of Riley, the 100th best pool player might not know where his next meal is coming from.

You need NO physical athleticism to play pool.... with other sports that is half the battle..... thus why SVB could NEVER play NFL QB like Manning, and Manning might not ever play pool like SVB, but he would get a lot closer

and after a few years of training, I'm pretty sure a dedicated athlete like Manning would NOT embarrass himself in a tournament,,, prolly not gonna get in the money, but embarrassed, hardly. SVB might not even survive training camp No offense to SVB, I'm not thinking I would either !!!

So what definitely defines a sport? And what clearly defines an athlete? If you want to get really picky about it, perhaps the only real athletes are those that participate in the Olympic Decathlon. Do you think Michael Jordan or Lebron James could win the Decathlon? Oh, it's baseball players that can hit a 90 mph curve ball that are the "real athletes", right? I guess that's why the Red Sox DH "Big Poppa" looks like the only thing he can do other than hit is curl a mug of beer. But wait a minute, David Ortiz was named the MVP of the 2013 World Series, he won that based upon his ability to hit a 90 mph curve ball, fast ball or slider (it sure wasn't for his base running and fielding), so he must be a top athlete right? Well how about Peyton Manning, many consider him the best QB of all time. He looks like he runs a 40 yard dash in under 5 minutes (on a good day). I'll bet he'd do great in the Decathlon wouldn't he.

Perhaps then you can clearly define why your baseball and football players are athletes but the Professional Pool Player isn't. No question, it is a different kind of athleticism and skill set but to say it doesn't require exceptional capabilities period is absurd.

 

[nobcitypool]

Pay attention to the bouncing ball ,,, first I can assure you John Daly and Jason Dufner are not wining any all around athletic test there are many golfers that would not be considerd athletic by anyone's other than your definition
I know your not suggesting that pool players at the pro level have more hours of instruction from a coach than a PGA pro has that's simply nonsense so stop already
And of course golfers can play pool but pro ams are covered with other sports stars that are scratch golfers ,,


1

How many of them are scratch golfers playing from the same tees and course set up as the pro's play their tournaments on? Would you try to make an argument that Michael Jordan wasn't a great athlete? Yet by comparison to professionals, he sucks at golf. And he apparently was fairly serious about being competitive at pool but I've yet to see him do well at any tournament. Oh, we also have Charles Barkley, a Hall of Fame Basketball player. Sir Charles though can't break a 100 on any decent golf course. On some days, he'd be lucky to break 100 on the front 9. Was Michael Phipps an athlete or did he win all those gold medals in swimming on luck alone? Perhaps you missed his time on Haney's show but he certainly wasn't going to be challenging Dufner or Daly any time soon.

 

[bdorman]

At the top level all games are hard. It's useless to compare them.

The only valid comparison is how a player ranks in his particular sport.

The best pool-player (open to debate) is equal to Usain Bolt, world record holder in the 100-meter. It tells us nothing that Bolt's pool game sucks and SVB couldn't finish a 100-meter race.

 

[JB Cases]

I think that there are plenty of non-athletic nerdy types who also excel at pool.

One of the results found in the studies is that those who are highly skilled at one activity tend to be no better than the average at other activities.

Specifically when recall of chess layouts was tested master chess players had nearly perfect recall - OF ACTUAL GAME SITUATIONS.

When the chess pieces were put into setups that were not game situations - i.e. positions that would be unlikely or impossible then the ability to recall the exact position of the pieces was NO BETTER THAN A PERSON WHO NEVER PLAYED CHESS.

The same result was found in many similar tests.

But don't let science get in the way.

Oh and for the sports gene folks who always like to point out the Kenyan runners........

RadioLab Podcast. Not going to do your research for you and provide a link.

 

[Island Drive]

You need NO physical athleticism to play pool.... with other sports that is half the battle..... thus why SVB could NEVER play NFL QB like Manning, and Manning might not ever play pool like SVB, but he would get a lot closer

and after a few years of training, I'm pretty sure a dedicated athlete like Manning would NOT embarrass himself in a tournament,,, prolly not gonna get in the money, but embarrassed, hardly. SVB might not even survive training camp No offense to SVB, I'm not thinking I would either !!!

You sir are talking ''out of an area'' you have no clue about. If you think Mika Winning the US Open 9 Ball after losing his first match, and then going, I think its 13 rounds, as I've won this way before myself, but NOT with That kinda field depth. But if you say this man is NOT athletic, you've shown your hand. Verbal Thread battles not needed here, Common Sense speaks too LOUDLY.