I think not,but i would like to know all of azers opinions and why,i would say for the pool player that is working,he just isnt able to stay as sharp as to oppose to the non working player,because of time able to be spent in the pool room!
Working full time and playing pool at your highest level,is it possiable?
- Thread starter richiebalto
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Married, no kids and supportive wife...possible :thumbup:
Wife+kids= no game
Agreed. If you work a regular 40 hour week you can still get 4 hours a day in and more on the weekends. However, if you are married with kids, there is no way you can be a good husband and father and play anywhere near your top level due to lack of time.
The odds have to be against it. If the top level players are practicing 4-8 hours a day like it is said, can't see how someone working full time can do it. Even if you fit in the practice, how sharp can that practice be coming off a full shift at work?
I suppose if someone had an unreal amount of natural talent it could happen, but they'd have to have more natural ability than any of the top players now have that do play pool full time.
I suppose if someone had an unreal amount of natural talent it could happen, but they'd have to have more natural ability than any of the top players now have that do play pool full time.
I think there are world class players who do not play alot on a day to day basis. John Schmidt for one says he does not devote alot of time to pool these days. He still plays jam up but there was a time in his life when all he did was play pool. I do not think anyone can get even close to world class without playing pool day in day out for a couple of years probably 5k plus hours. Prior to that they need to log 5k hours in basic development. Once you got it burned in you can do other things like dirt bikes. I also think a good number of those hours have to be under heat whether gambling or tourney soemthing to put pressure on the student of the game.
Elvi has not put in the time thus my low C level of play.
I want to play more but it is hard to make the time to put the priority on pool required to keep moving up. However I am a world class low C player.
Elvi has not put in the time thus my low C level of play.
I want to play more but it is hard to make the time to put the priority on pool required to keep moving up. However I am a world class low C player.
The results of your efforts will be defined by your belief system. We could guess at what most folks would accomplish but the real answer is inside you.
Dare to succeed!!
I would have to say "NO"! However, if a player were to once reach world class level, and then get into other activities that make playing/practice a 3 days a week deal, then I think it's possible to do. But initially getting to world class speed takes too much for a working man. That said, I think it's more a lifestyle than actually time spent on a table. You need to be able and willing to play anybody, anywhere, anytime, and in some cases for anything. A working man would have to decline getting into a 10 ahead game of one pocket on a Sunday night for fear of risking not being able to make it to work Monday morning. I think it's more immersing yourself in the culture and state of mind than actually spending time on the table.
Example of skill -vs- knowing how to win:
I knew a young JR High school kid in Japan who is now a young pro on the JPBA tour. Hayato Hijikata. When in school, he came home from school and put at least 4 hours a night on the table doing the kind of drills that we all know we need to do but are sometimes too lazy to do???? On weekends, he played in tournaments. He was soon a higher level amateur player. Once he graduated from Jr High, he opted not to enter high school (high school is elective in Japan) and work on turning pro. So then his daily routine became practicing every day during the daytime, and playing in a tournament EVERY night. Weekends were reserved for larger events. In a very short period of time, he turned pro and was slowly becoming a threat to finish in the money in larger pro events. His skill level had not changed considerable from when he was in Jr. High. By that I mean athletically, what he could do with a pool cue hadn't taken a sudden turn for the better. However, he went from being a good amateur to a strong pro player just from playing in a competitive situation on a daily basis. He had learned how to win, and in some cases, he had learned not to loose. More state of mind than physical skills when you get to that level.
dave
Example of skill -vs- knowing how to win:
I knew a young JR High school kid in Japan who is now a young pro on the JPBA tour. Hayato Hijikata. When in school, he came home from school and put at least 4 hours a night on the table doing the kind of drills that we all know we need to do but are sometimes too lazy to do???? On weekends, he played in tournaments. He was soon a higher level amateur player. Once he graduated from Jr High, he opted not to enter high school (high school is elective in Japan) and work on turning pro. So then his daily routine became practicing every day during the daytime, and playing in a tournament EVERY night. Weekends were reserved for larger events. In a very short period of time, he turned pro and was slowly becoming a threat to finish in the money in larger pro events. His skill level had not changed considerable from when he was in Jr. High. By that I mean athletically, what he could do with a pool cue hadn't taken a sudden turn for the better. However, he went from being a good amateur to a strong pro player just from playing in a competitive situation on a daily basis. He had learned how to win, and in some cases, he had learned not to loose. More state of mind than physical skills when you get to that level.
dave
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i havent read the responces
but table time will overcome many talent deficiencies
if you were great and have slipped where you are now may still be better than most
if you were not so great you will be more not so great
jmho'
icbw
I agree with you Richie. Going to work everyday keeps you tired and keeps you busy. You can't practice as much as you need to for one reason. You also have to sleep so you can go to work. Nice thread Richie.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, but in my opinion it would be difficult to improve much under these circumstances.
I believe League is social hour (I'm not knocking league), it's not really a place to measure your progression (in my opinion).
I think the first thing is to talk with an instructor. I would recommend you send Scott Lee a PM. It's not cheap, but if you really want to improve, this is the BEST money spent on your game.
Personally, I stopped playing league because league night I only got to play 5 to 10 games (not enough for me). I rarely play in tournaments also, too much setting around for me. If I want to measure where I'm at or put myself under pressure, I go to the pool hall and match up against the best player I can find (last weekend it happened to be Joey Gray).
Talk with your instructor about your goals and expectations. Talk about the time limitation (be realistic). Your instructor should be able to help you create a strategy or process to improve.
Just a few thoughts
Steven