what is beyond pro level?

Jimbojim

Jimbojim

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was with a professional player in quebec the other day and we were talking about the fact that he was gonna buy an OB-1 shaft just for fun because he likes how it plays but would not use one as his main shaft. He plays with a full schon cue. I asked him 'why wouldn't you play with the ob-1 if you like it?' 'I have been playing with high deflection all the time, I'm too used to it.' 'But what if you improve your game with it?'

His response was ' I can't really improve my game anymore, only thing I can train is my mental not to get too shaky.'

My question is this: Did he say that because he is aware of limitations in his capabilities or we get to a point where there is nothing after? And I am talking about a guy who had proven that he can beat international pros like Busty, Archer, Reyes etc..
 
Efren is way beyond a pro at 1P and 9B on a good day, over all he has been the best player ever, so he is beyond pro-what ever that means.:)
 
Jimbojim said:
I was with a professional player in quebec the other day and we were talking about the fact that he was gonna buy an OB-1 shaft just for fun because he likes how it plays but would not use one as his main shaft. He plays with a full schon cue. I asked him 'why wouldn't you play with the ob-1 if you like it?' 'I have been playing with high deflection all the time, I'm too used to it.' 'But what if you improve your game with it?'

His response was ' I can't really improve my game anymore, only thing I can train is my mental not to get too shaky.'

My question is this: Did he say that because he is aware of limitations in his capabilities or we get to a point where there is nothing after? And I am talking about a guy who had proven that he can beat international pros like Busty, Archer, Reyes etc..
Click to expand...

Are you talking about Danny Hewitt?
 
It is that way in all sports really... You have pros, and then you have the guys that change the game as we know it. Jordan, Woods, Ali.... All greats and all players that have changed what we knew about a given sport. Reyes is no exception. He put a new face on the game, especially the all-around player. I think many Pro's reach the highest level they can achieve and then have to focus on things like the mental game. Then there are the guys that destroy walls, records and way the games are looked at.
 
Jimbojim said:
His response was ' I can't really improve my game anymore, only thing I can train is my mental not to get too shaky.'
Click to expand...

To quote Irving Crane: "The day you think your game has enough features is the day you stop improving." Danny is a fine player, but his own suggestion that there are no features he still needs to add to his game is shocking. The next level of competitive achievement may be unattainable to him unless he loses this attitude. There is nothing beyond pro level, but a pro must continue to build his/her competitive arsenal while progressing through his/her competitive career to attain the game's highest heights. Finally, mastery of shot conceptualization is a lifelong pursuit over the glorious green felt.
 
sjm said:
To quote Irving Crane: "The day you think your game has enough features is the day you stop improving." Danny is a fine player, but his own suggestion that there are no features he still needs to add to his game is shocking. The next level of competitive achievement may be unattainable to him unless he loses this attitude. There is nothing beyond pro level, but a pro must continue to build his/her competitive arsenal while progressing through his/her competitive career to attain the game's highest heights. Finally, mastery of shot conceptualization is a lifelong pursuit over the glorious green felt.
Click to expand...

sjm,
I totally agree with Crane's assessment (I'm sure that would make him happy).

I do think, however, that it is acceptable to grade the relative skills of pro level players. One of our star local players rates such players as either "pro level" or "champion" players. Needless to say, the "champion" players are ones with whom you gamble at your own risk.

Even the champions have room to improve. Though much of their improvement may be in the "mental game" area; I doubt that there is any player that could not improve in the areas you mention.
 
Jimbojim said:
His response was ' I can't really improve my game anymore, only thing I can train is my mental not to get too shaky.'

My question is this: Did he say that because he is aware of limitations in his capabilities or we get to a point where there is nothing after? And I am talking about a guy who had proven that he can beat international pros like Busty, Archer, Reyes etc..
Click to expand...

To answer your question, I doubt his statement meant he couldn't improve.
He likely thought that focusing on his mental game was the best approach to reaching a higher level. There are plenty of players with wonderful mechanics but lack the mental toughness required to play top-tier pool. He realizes that may be what's holding him back.
 
beyond pro level

To my way of thinking, there is a lot beyond pro level. Pro level covers a wide range from the worst pro's on up. Many on this board can beat the bottom tier of pro's and don't consider themselves pro players. There are pro players, truly competitive pro players, champions who are a threat to win every event they enter, and as Jallan said, those that are so exceptional that they change the game.

I beat "pro" players during my hiatus from pool when I was going years without picking up a cue. Obviously I couldn't have beaten a competitive pro player much less the higher categories I have given.

The pro's who think they have peaked in any area have peaked in that area unless they change their mindset. I read that one reason Reyes plays near bangers is to watch the shots they attempt and occasionally make. This keeps his approach fresh and of course he sets out to master the shots he is interested in that the banger might make one time in fifty.

Hu
 
One more thing I have heard about players is once they get to that the 'pro' level, the realize everything that they have put into the game, and what is required to get to another level. The question then becomes do you want to dedicate that time in this pursuit. Also, they see the people that are better then them and have to figure out if they can reach that 'championship' level with their skills.

All of a sudden, when you start working a 9-5 job to pay all your bills, staying at a pool hall from 6-2am isn't always the choice they want to make.
 
Beyond pro.... I'd have to say ur beyond pro when you never miss a ball, never have poor position, and always make a ball on the break. (nine ball, 8 ball of course). lol therefore i don't think anyone will every be "beyond pro".
 
I think we shouldn't forget what pro means. So once we can start with a definition then we can avoid the abstract concepts. Strictly one who does it as their profession. Of course some might point out the problem in people trying to do this, based on the low pay in tournaments. I mean wow 50K for first place...well yes, I would like to have that in my bank account, but seeing as A-Rod makes that a day, the discrepency seems ridiculous. So the very few players, that can win enough tourneys, and gamble enough to actually have pool as their profession....hence "pro," is obviously small. I think one good example of this is propoolvideo.com. Yes most of those guys might be "pros," in the venacular that is commonly used by pool enthusiasts, however, in reality they are just very good at what they do and have to go back to doing regular jobs. So the question shouldn't be who is beyond pro, it should be who really is pro... and then who is the best of those that actually are.
 
Black-Balled said:
The likely antidode for, "I have ...come to the realization that, I'm Busted. I have No Friends, No Family and No Life. I am a PoolBum"

:D
Click to expand...

Hey!! Let's not get personal there buddy! :D
 
Johnnyt said:
Beyond pro level was a young Efren Reyes. Johnnyt
Click to expand...
Yea, i would have to agree. IMO that was probably the only player that was just a far step above anyone. "Young" is the keyword, now a days he's just not at the same level.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top