I played straight pool tonight with someone i respect greatly. I respect not only his talent for the game and his understanding of it, but his ability to stay focused and calm in the toughest of situations on the table. We agreed to play a 200 point match and so it began with me breaking.
Thats where it began. A finesse and a calmness. Now whether its the culmination of years of observation, playing, learning, and studying our sport i dont know but i had a front row seat for something incredible.
Now our runs werent in the hundreds, hell neither of us ran even 50 but the shot making ability and the strategy that was displayed was nothing short of magical to watch. For me as a newcomer to the game of straight pool i guess the novelty hasnt worn off of watching superior players play break shots off of the pack and shots of that nature.
Perhaps its my level of play or perhaps hes a really good friend of mine ( i get to be in his wedding lol) but something was there tonight. A glimmer of something that is deep down in him. It could be something that has passed already or is just beginning to come to the surface after a long hiatus from the game. In my opinion whatever it is, that glimmer is a glimmer of greatness.
There were moments when i knew in my gut he would miss and give me a chance but somehow he pulled out a shot and made it look simple. That is the greatness i am talking about. The ability to shoot that killer shot and make it look like you do it all the time.
Like i said our runs werent in the fifties or hundreds but is that all there is to the game anymore? Dont get me wrong the accomplishment of running four hundred balls by John Schmidt is a testament to skill discipline and raw natural ability but there is also something to be said for us little guys. Finding our way out of racks that although might be simple to a pro to us could prove a little more difficult and the incredible feeling of accomplishment when finishing one that comes with it.
In reflection it was a good night, we were the last table going and although there were some kids making noise it still didnt damper it. I wish i could say i shot better and i was right there with him but i didnt. There were even moments where he took time out to show me what he did and how he did it, or showed me a better way to look at a pattern. Who does that anymore? Not many.
It was a great night of pool yet again and i consider myself lucky to watch this glimmer of greatness in my opinion soon to be. Its both inspiring and humbling to watch and it simply makes me want to be better. Not just at putting the ball in the hole but all of it. Being a better player all around. Focus and determination as a competitor, the vision to see through a rack and beyond and above all else the class to help out someone like me a novice to the game of straight pool. Once again that glimmer is greatness.
Charlie
Thats where it began. A finesse and a calmness. Now whether its the culmination of years of observation, playing, learning, and studying our sport i dont know but i had a front row seat for something incredible.
Now our runs werent in the hundreds, hell neither of us ran even 50 but the shot making ability and the strategy that was displayed was nothing short of magical to watch. For me as a newcomer to the game of straight pool i guess the novelty hasnt worn off of watching superior players play break shots off of the pack and shots of that nature.
Perhaps its my level of play or perhaps hes a really good friend of mine ( i get to be in his wedding lol) but something was there tonight. A glimmer of something that is deep down in him. It could be something that has passed already or is just beginning to come to the surface after a long hiatus from the game. In my opinion whatever it is, that glimmer is a glimmer of greatness.
There were moments when i knew in my gut he would miss and give me a chance but somehow he pulled out a shot and made it look simple. That is the greatness i am talking about. The ability to shoot that killer shot and make it look like you do it all the time.
Like i said our runs werent in the fifties or hundreds but is that all there is to the game anymore? Dont get me wrong the accomplishment of running four hundred balls by John Schmidt is a testament to skill discipline and raw natural ability but there is also something to be said for us little guys. Finding our way out of racks that although might be simple to a pro to us could prove a little more difficult and the incredible feeling of accomplishment when finishing one that comes with it.
In reflection it was a good night, we were the last table going and although there were some kids making noise it still didnt damper it. I wish i could say i shot better and i was right there with him but i didnt. There were even moments where he took time out to show me what he did and how he did it, or showed me a better way to look at a pattern. Who does that anymore? Not many.
It was a great night of pool yet again and i consider myself lucky to watch this glimmer of greatness in my opinion soon to be. Its both inspiring and humbling to watch and it simply makes me want to be better. Not just at putting the ball in the hole but all of it. Being a better player all around. Focus and determination as a competitor, the vision to see through a rack and beyond and above all else the class to help out someone like me a novice to the game of straight pool. Once again that glimmer is greatness.
Charlie
