Question for older players

Ghosst

Ghosst

Broom Handle Mafia
Silver Member
We're all getting older and unfortunately most don't notice it until it's already taken its toll. So what, in your experience, happens as you age and you continue to play? Is it the eyes that go, the back that won't co-operate, the focus that wanes, the energy that escapes us when we need to play long sets/tournaments?
 
It is different for different people ... Erving Crane won World Titles when he was in his sixty's !!
 
Ghosst said:
We're all getting older and unfortunately most don't notice it until it's already taken its toll. So what, in your experience, happens as you age and you continue to play? Is it the eyes that go, the back that won't co-operate, the focus that wanes, the energy that escapes us when we need to play long sets/tournaments?
Click to expand...

You lose your motivation to practice and play. There are exceptions of course.
 
Getting Older

Can't see as well; shoulders, back, neck and knees hurt; and I'd rather play with the grandkids than practice. Every once in a while I catch a gear, the younger me comes out, and all my opponent can say is I got lucky!
 
For me, it was the Eyesight, and the knees in long sets.(We tend to gain a little over the years).

Once the contacts were in place, the vision was just as good, if not better than 20 years ago..... That, and a comfortable pair of shoes, and I'm good to go.
 
Keith has recently been practicing to get his balance and "feels" right.

One recent observation a bystander noticed with Keith was his stamina or endurance was low. When you play every day for hours, whether in a tournament setting or action, you build up stamina *and* muscle memory.

Keith was playing in a 10-footer yesterday and commented that running racks, walking around the 10-foot table, he felt the exhaustion and needed to sit down. :grin-square:

Guess the bar boxes are a better choice when building stamina up. ;):embarrassed2::p:thumbup:
 
Personally, I find practise to be more tiring than playing. Pushing 75 and I'm playing as good as I ever had. I didn't really start playing a lot until about 10 years ago, still love it and still think I can improve. Also have started playing more 1P, I have noticed that the guys I play with in AZ, all about my age or older, have slowed down a bit. We used to play about 4 hours a day, now it might be closer to 2 hours.
 
Ghosst said:
We're all getting older and unfortunately most don't notice it until it's already taken its toll. So what, in your experience, happens as you age and you continue to play? Is it the eyes that go, the back that won't co-operate, the focus that wanes, the energy that escapes us when we need to play long sets/tournaments?
Click to expand...

I'm 70 and its all of the above.
 
Ghosst said:
We're all getting older and unfortunately most don't notice it until it's already taken its toll. So what, in your experience, happens as you age and you continue to play? Is it the eyes that go, the back that won't co-operate, the focus that wanes, the energy that escapes us when we need to play long sets/tournaments?
Click to expand...

Drive, determination, dedication, desire.

Those are the things that made me a player and those are the things that started to fade as I got older.


Freddie
 
BobTfromIL said:
Personally, I find practice to be more tiring than playing. Pushing 75 and I'm playing as good as I ever had. I didn't really start playing a lot until about 10 years ago, still love it and still think I can improve. Also have started playing more 1P, I have noticed that the guys I play with in AZ, all about my age or older, have slowed down a bit. We used to play about 4 hours a day, now it might be closer to 2 hours.
Click to expand...

I'm like BobT, but I do practice my drills when I can. I'm 74 still have company to tun, 3 puppies to play with & I'm taking care of my 99 year old Mother, so my time is short. I don't play tournaments anymore, because I'd rather play Golf (pool Balls on a Snooker Table with 5 or 6 of the larcenous bastards one could find. But it is 4-6 hours 3-4 time a week. If I had great eyes, lots of folks wouldn't like it.

I was 58 years old, before I won my first State Championship.
 
pt109 said:
Fred Davis got trickier as he got older....he used to bank an early red-ball up table and
leave whitey behind the pack....once a couple more reds ended up at the D end...
....the table became two 6x6s....no more long shots.

Here's Fred...still bringing it at the age of 65.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=...1xAg0Q&usg=AFQjCNHbwKzK0IKkRjpzIQgIutHxiOGtTw
Click to expand...

Thanks, enjoyable run.

I still play almost every day but about 1/3 as long as I used to. For me a cataract on my right eye is probably the biggest negative factor but I still enjoy playing for an hour or so daily. It helps to have a table at home. If I had to go to a pool hall I doubt if I'd play much at all.
 
Ghosst said:
We're all getting older and unfortunately most don't notice it until it's already taken its toll. So what, in your experience, happens as you age and you continue to play? Is it the eyes that go, the back that won't co-operate, the focus that wanes, the energy that escapes us when we need to play long sets/tournaments?
Click to expand...

@60
The short answer? yes. :)
I got back into the game at 60 back in January or February after many years away. For me - I'm finding the hardest thing is that "quiet eye" focus as I pull the trigger.
 
Knew a couple guys in their early eighties who would beat most league players and would be out at the bar at 10-11pm playing.

Last I knew Bucky Bell was getting in the local tourney and winning it frequently. Think he's around 75. That tourney runs from 7:30pm to around 1-1:30am.

I think it really comes down to how much you enjoy it if your gonna continue to play well. W the exception of serious back issues or vision.

I'm not officially old yet as I've been told cause I'm not over 50. But I have no lense in my rt eye and corrective glasses for my left that is nearsighted, feel I have a decent game and that vision impairment is overcame.
 
pt109 said:
Fred Davis got trickier as he got older....he used to bank an early red-ball up table and
leave whitey behind the pack....once a couple more reds ended up at the D end...
....the table became two 6x6s....no more long shots.

Here's Fred...still bringing it at the age of 65. ...
Click to expand...

"Davis only retired in 1993, aged 79, having lost to future world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan (62 years his junior) 5–1 in the Grand Prix qualifying during his last season."

[Wiki]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top