The value of quality sparing partners

breakup

breakup

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am in the midst of an epic battle. I have been sparing with a friend for about a week now, kind of getting up for the state tourney and the BCAPL in Vegas in late October. Not really gambling, just enough to keep score. We have played numerous times over the years but this is by far the longest battle. We have played 19 hard fought sets of 8 and 9 ball. The score stands at 10-9 my favor but the last two sets she played flawless. She’s a former top 10 WPBA player and picking up speed, I’m not sure I can hang when her “A” game returns but I’m going to try like hell. It is bringing the best out of me, she hates to lose and she knows she has to bring a game to win. This match has reminded me how valuable good sparing partners are. Just thought I would share the moment.
 
breakup said:
I am in the midst of an epic battle. I have been sparing with a friend for about a week now, kind of getting up for the state tourney and the BCAPL in Vegas in late October. Not really gambling, just enough to keep score. We have played numerous times over the years but this is by far the longest battle. We have played 19 hard fought sets of 8 and 9 ball. The score stands at 10-9 my favor but the last two sets she played flawless. She’s a former top 10 WPBA player and picking up speed, I’m not sure I can hang when her “A” game returns but I’m going to try like hell. It is bringing the best out of me, she hates to lose and she knows she has to bring a game to win. This match has reminded me how valuable good sparing partners are. Just thought I would share the moment.
Click to expand...

Sparring is one of three forms of practice. Good hard sparring is perhaps one of the best ways to prepare ones self for competition........SPF-randy
 
I agree. Good sparring partners are highly valued. I have increased my matchplay level mostly because playing with tough opponents. Playing with only inferior opponents doesn't usually pay off.

And another thing, when we are sparring with fellow top players in my club, we are playing like in tournament matches. Hardly no talking, no conceded 9-balls, no mercy (no ducking easy combos) etc. I see too many players practising with shooting shots they wouldn't shoot in tournaments or going for shots they would duck in tournaments because it's the "easy" way of choosing. Also, some players are constantly trying to break their high run record during practising ignoring the obvious safety shots. I think that's bad form and won't get your tournament matchplay confidence where it should be.

Just my two cents.

I know a couple of players who are the best in their towns/cities. I just know that because they lack quality sparring opponents, it's high likely that they'll never be in the top of Finnish pool elite. This usually leads to the fact that the biggest cities produce the best players. You can always find quality opponents in major cities.
 
I got my biggest jump in speed when I started playing the best players I could find. Did'nt have to look far, the room I played/worked in had 2 really strong players, 1- "Pineapple" mostly played 9-ball, 1- Andy Toth mostly played 14.1. They played all games of course, but I played them thier favorite on purpose. I never took weight, played cheap $20/$30 sets mostly, and learned a ton because they would POUND me relentlessly. Most other people in the room would say "what the hell are you doing throwing $$$ away playing them heads up?" Basically I was paying for the advise they would give me while playing. When we played alone those guys would tell me exactly what they were doing and why. To this day I still hear thier voices when I'm playing, telling me what and what not to do. To the average Pro these guys were maybe 1/2 a ball behind. My point is always play better players, but try to find ones that will take you under thier wing, not just take your money......Gerry
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top