The Difference Between a Great Shortstop & A Good Pro

What the difference is the amount of research you do to find solutions to problems on the table. Also practice drills that make sense. Great I repeat GREAT fundamentals. If I have not played in a while and have something coming up I start with shooting 3,000 balls into a pocket just working on my stance and stroke. Then I follow that up with "situation shots" Then follow that by a four ball break and run drill. Then add balls to that until I can break and run 9 ball racks. Then it is a matter of your break shot which like the 3,000 ball run you break a million times to get it right. Until you are dialed in! This has worked for me for many years.

I wasted a lot of time working drills that got me nowhere. They were challenging but really didn't build anything in the way of skills that I really needed in a game. Not to mention if you have imperfections in your stroke or stance how do you intend to be consistent?

I served in the Army for over 20 years. We do the same at the rifle range. Get the same sight picture every time to build consistency. I can hit a 400 meter target with no scope. That maximum effective rage on a M16 is 550 meters. So I'm basically shooting with iron sights at what 85-90% of the capacity of the weapon? That took hours of practice and research on shooting the M16 right. Not just my basic training instructors that taught me the basics. I had to extend my knowledge on how to do it well. Same goes for Billiards. You got the basics...good. Now get ready to really do some studying. Apply what you learn.

An amateur will shoot a shot until they make it after seeing a shot they missed in league night. A pro will shoot it as many times as needed to ensure they will make it consistently not jus that one or two completions. That is the difference. Dedication to perfection. Practice the right things during the week...

Also if you notice I play on the same table and use the same balls as what is used in the serious tourneys. There is a reason for that...

I hope this helps.

Kind Regards,
Michael McDonald
Shooters Billiard Supply
www.shootersbilliardsupply.com
Player: Two Feather Anasazi by Viking Pool Cues (11 of 150)
Shaft: ViKore Shaft by Viking Pool Cues
Break: Predator Break 3 Pool Cue
Jump: Air 2 by Predator Pool Cues
Case: Instroke 3x5 Southwest Black Pool Cue Case
Table: Diamond Pro Am 9 ft with Aramith Tourney TV Pool Balls
 
John Disque said:
I know a lot of people who spend their lives working on their games and playing everyday... and just can't get over the hump.

I know a couple people who play for a few years, excel through the ranks and make it all look easy.

I've talked to people about this and most of them say the pro has some sort of genetic, natural ability - but it tends to sound like excuses for the local hotshot....
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This is not the real John Disque. The real John Disque would have colorized the words.

Who are you and what have you done with John Disque?
 
Ken_4fun said:
I suspect that natural ability has alot to do with it.

I interviewed a number of past champions over the years and it surprised me how many loved to play golf, again hand and eye coordination.

I have been around a couple youngsters, one of which was Skyler Woodward, but it seemed when he turned 16 or so, he started improving in leaps and bounds. The other youngster was a little older, maybe 17-18 when it happened overnight (again leaps and bounds). It wasnt that these guys didnt play before but it was like a growth spurt with ability.

I have read that Keith McCready had incredible vision. Obviously Keith started playing so early that he learned an unorthadox stroke. Keith was around great players and he could watch and learn from those guys, which would be huge help too. JAM always thinks we are picking on Keith but I don't think so, it would be interesting to hear if he was good for a long time and then did he have that "growth spurt" of ability in his teens that I have seen in other players.

My point is if someone is a good player and continues to play when this "growth spurt of ability" happens it can lead to becoming a great player.

JMO.

Best of rolls,

Ken
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It's very hard to be really good or great at something that requires eye hand ability starting after teen yrs ,, after 25 when when your brains hardwiring its just about finished it's a very rare occurrence,, the vast majority of even short stop players have played pool for many yrs ,

I'm prettty sure the thread starter knows these things ,thread like this is chum


1
 
He will say...

TATE said:
Maybe he sent his lemon cupcakes to the Mods: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=442959
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He said...

ill_be_back_terminator.gif
 
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