Young vs. Old

Gurnee_Steve

Gurnee_Steve

New member
I'm not that old at 57 and like to think of myself as a pretty good player. The other night after my league I hung out and watched two of the best shooters in my area play sets of 9-ball. I'd guess that they were in their late 20's and were playing awesome.

These guys were so amped up I couldn't believe it. Fast, really fast, practice strokes and they almost always play the hard, heavy english shot (3-4 rail position) when, IMHO, a softer shot would have worked just as well.

When I play, I try to keep my heart rate down and play controlled, deliberate shots...not flying around the table like these guys slamming balls into pockets. Maybe they just play at a different level than I do but I tend to think not. I could 'see' each of their shots and followed their strategies but I kept thinking they should just slow down.

Am I just getting old or should I go back to drinking a couple Red Bulls before I play?
 
a matter of styles

Steve,

I think it is safe to say that we all start off hitting the balls too hard. Most nine ball players remain fans of moving the ball around a lot to get shape because they usually have fewer balls on the table and a wide open break that leaves a lot of travel lanes.

I changed styles in my late teens or early twenties but one of the larger gains in my game came when an old player told me to move the cue ball as little as possible. Less travel means less trouble to get into.

Hu



Gurnee_Steve said:
I'm not that old at 57 and like to think of myself as a pretty good player. The other night after my league I hung out and watched two of the best shooters in my area play sets of 9-ball. I'd guess that they were in their late 20's and were playing awesome.

These guys were so amped up I couldn't believe it. Fast, really fast, practice strokes and they almost always play the hard, heavy english shot (3-4 rail position) when, IMHO, a softer shot would have worked just as well.

When I play, I try to keep my heart rate down and play controlled, deliberate shots...not flying around the table like these guys slamming balls into pockets. Maybe they just play at a different level than I do but I tend to think not. I could 'see' each of their shots and followed their strategies but I kept thinking they should just slow down.

Am I just getting old or should I go back to drinking a couple Red Bulls before I play?
Click to expand...
 
If they're hitting em too hard or playing too fast, yer too old!:grin:

Hell, I'm 49 and "deliberate" to a fault, and your post makes me think right now of three good (and younger than me) NYC shooters I've played in the past year. Got drilled in those matches, of course, only notching 2 games in each, but just one of the players, Adam Kielar, was punishing the ball somewhat like you described. And I was envious! The other two, hit them more the way I would ideally LIKE to play ... smooth, and getting the most out of their strokes without any eye-popping power. Those two would be Eddie Abraham and Bobby Blackmore ... if I could turn back the clock a little and channel their games, I'd, I'd ... well, not need any Red Bull, at least!
 
Gurnee_Steve said:
I'm not that old at 57 and like to think of myself as a pretty good player. The other night after my league I hung out and watched two of the best shooters in my area play sets of 9-ball. I'd guess that they were in their late 20's and were playing awesome.

These guys were so amped up I couldn't believe it. Fast, really fast, practice strokes and they almost always play the hard, heavy english shot (3-4 rail position) when, IMHO, a softer shot would have worked just as well.

When I play, I try to keep my heart rate down and play controlled, deliberate shots...not flying around the table like these guys slamming balls into pockets. Maybe they just play at a different level than I do but I tend to think not. I could 'see' each of their shots and followed their strategies but I kept thinking they should just slow down.

Am I just getting old or should I go back to drinking a couple Red Bulls before I play?
Click to expand...

Truthfully, my observation has been pretty much that the better the player, the more delicate the touch. Watching Efren play in person, I was astounded at how soft and light his stroke was. I wish mine was that easy.

Chris
 
I think learning to do more with less (as in cueball movement) is a really good thing to learn and it's a really good point you brought up. That's why I became such a fan of 14.1. I like the game, but also the more I learn to play it correctly with less cueball movement the more it helps up my level of play in other games.

ShootingArts said:
Steve,

I think it is safe to say that we all start off hitting the balls too hard. Most nine ball players remain fans of moving the ball around a lot to get shape because they usually have fewer balls on the table and a wide open break that leaves a lot of travel lanes.

I changed styles in my late teens or early twenties but one of the larger gains in my game came when an old player told me to move the cue ball as little as possible. Less travel means less trouble to get into.

Hu
Click to expand...
 
Its funny I came across this thread today as last night when I was practicing by myself my wife was observing two older gentlemen playing nine also. Later after when we got home she was telling me that even though I was gaining position for about almost every shot she wondered why the older guys were making their shots and the cue ball was traveling alot less than my cue ball and they were at a slower pace. She thought my cue ball was just everywhere even though I was making good position. Hmmmmm.... maybe when I get past the hill:p I will learn to slow it down but as long as the shots are falling I can't stop! and no Redbull here!!!hehe
Mahalo
 
trustbran said:
Its funny I came across this thread today as last night when I was practicing by myself my wife was observing two older gentlemen playing nine also. Later after when we got home she was telling me that even though I was gaining position for about almost every shot she wondered why the older guys were making their shots and the cue ball was traveling alot less than my cue ball and they were at a slower pace. She thought my cue ball was just everywhere even though I was making good position.
Mahalo
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Your WIFE watched you PRACTICE and made those observations? You might need to keep that one!

Mine, if she ever had some sort of medication mixup that would lead her to darken the doors of a poolhall, would be sure to observe: 1) the grime on the carpet; 2) how mind-numbingly boring the game is; 3) how the patrons must have been too broke to show their faces at OTB that day.
 
I see them speedsters quite a lot. It seems as if they always play faster after they come back from the restroom. Sometimes there is a little wihite stuff around their nose and I don't think it is shaving cream :confused: Maybe that tells us something. It seems as if I always play faster before I need to use the lav.

The old timers that play slow and focused still seem to end up winning when the night is over.
 
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15 years ago, I played more rails, went for more higher risk shots, hit the balls harder......won a lower percentage, but played fearless a won a few matches that I shouldn't....

These days, I play try to move the ball around a lot less, but probably still move it more than needed.....I seem to win more, even sometimes when I don't deserve to, due to more patience and use of safeties....

Ended up playing a gentleman about 15 or so years my elder on Sunday....he was a great guy....he moved the ball around a little less, but what was really impressive was his ability to always keep a smoothe stroke.....he had an incredible stroke, kept it regardless of the shot, and seemed to get as much draw/action on the ball with a softer hit.....I'd say we are similar speeds, but to watch him play was a thing of greatness.....

Regarding the rails, I know I am "on" when all my leaves are just touch/stop shots or single rails....if I'm constantly going 3 or 4 rails/up and down the table, I'm not hitting my marks, and it's gonna be a rough day :D
 
Travis Bickle said:
Your WIFE watched you PRACTICE and made those observations? You might need to keep that one!

Mine, if she ever had some sort of medication mixup that would lead her to darken the doors of a poolhall, would be sure to observe: 1) the grime on the carpet; 2) how mind-numbingly boring the game is; 3) how the patrons must have been too broke to show their faces at OTB that day.
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Hehe yah my Wife really doesn't mind coming along and occasionaly she'll play with me:p Oh and yes she is very observant!!!
 
Really Fast Old Guy

It is a sign of maturity of game to reconize that less is more. As for speed, the better I'm rolling it the quicker I move.
 
Regarding cue ball movement I always remember something told to me many years ago: "If you never go to a rail you cannot scratch".
 
Try to shoot as easy as you can for the conditions. In poor conditins such as a bar box with an out of round cue ball, abused cloth, unlevel table, etc., using more speed has its benefits.

A great practice exercise is to try to draw or follow the cue ball with a soft of a shot as possible.
 
I think the key to success is less cue ball movement. Flying around the table with whitey only gets you in trouble. But I also think a good rhythm is important. I've never seen an extremely slow player beat the world. Learn to play Straight Pool the right way and your 9 ball will take care of itself. Just ask Mike Sigel. Also when using the rails go in the line of your next shot as opposed to crossing your line, there will be more room for error in speed control.
 
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Tennesseejoe said:
Try to shoot as easy as you can for the conditions. In poor conditins such as a bar box with an out of round cue ball, abused cloth, unlevel table, etc., using more speed has its benefits.

A great practice exercise is to try to draw or follow the cue ball with a soft of a shot as possible.
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This is true. When playing on a bar box I don't know how many times a ball rolled off on me. It is better to play an extra rail or two to avoid the roll off.
 
I shoot in a dry pool room. The typical player is 18-27. I'm in my 40's. I cannot compete with these young guys in terms of stamina, vision, or flexibility. They have me beat in almost every category physically. But I still know more and have more patience than most.

I can't box with them toe to toe...I'll lose. But with a little strategy, I usually come out ahead. Gotta accept my limitations and safe em. Gotta ease up on the break and control the rock...no more room for carelessness.

Something I notice is that each one of these young talented players is fearless. They will fire at half a pocket without the slightest doubt. Was I ever that arrogant? Probably so. They probably learned that crap from me.

I had such respect for my elders when I was a young player. Have I changed or have they? I just don't know.
 
Gurnee_Steve said:
I'm not that old at 57 and like to think of myself as a pretty good player. The other night after my league I hung out and watched two of the best shooters in my area play sets of 9-ball. I'd guess that they were in their late 20's and were playing awesome.

These guys were so amped up I couldn't believe it. Fast, really fast, practice strokes and they almost always play the hard, heavy english shot (3-4 rail position) when, IMHO, a softer shot would have worked just as well.

When I play, I try to keep my heart rate down and play controlled, deliberate shots...not flying around the table like these guys slamming balls into pockets. Maybe they just play at a different level than I do but I tend to think not. I could 'see' each of their shots and followed their strategies but I kept thinking they should just slow down.

Am I just getting old or should I go back to drinking a couple Red Bulls before I play?
Click to expand...

yep you're just getting old
 
Drawman623 said:
Something I notice is that each one of these young talented players is fearless. They will fire at half a pocket without the slightest doubt.
Click to expand...

Of course it sucks being old and playing a lil scared ... but when these young guns get hot, they WILL make EVERYTHING! But just for a few games ... it's about guaranteed (I'm talking about B and C players, not world-beaters) that they'll hand you a few chances later by missing some crazy fliers before they'll reel their games back in. That's the old guy's chance to squeeze by.:grin:
 
Drawman623 said:
I shoot in a dry pool room. The typical player is 18-27. I'm in my 40's. I cannot compete with these young guys in terms of stamina, vision, or flexibility. They have me beat in almost every category physically. But I still know more and have more patience than most.

I can't box with them toe to toe...I'll lose. But with a little strategy, I usually come out ahead. Gotta accept my limitations and safe em. Gotta ease up on the break and control the rock...no more room for carelessness.

Something I notice is that each one of these young talented players is fearless. They will fire at half a pocket without the slightest doubt. Was I ever that arrogant? Probably so. They probably learned that crap from me.

I had such respect for my elders when I was a young player. Have I changed or have they? I just don't know.
Click to expand...

I just got back after the holidays and was glad to see all the replies I got. Yours made a lot of sense to me. I agree, the stamina and fearlessness that the young guys have is really something to behold. This is one of the reasons I stayed around to watch the match...I'm trying to learn what it takes to 'be the best' because one of the guys I was watching (let's call him Tim) is argueably the best player around. He and I know of each other but have never played against each other.

Funny thing, Tuesday night I drove through a blizzard to get to the bar (wife out to theater with a girlfriend...woo-hoo, "I'll find something to do honey, you just go and enjoy the play!!"). The bar was empty...just me and the bartender. I'm half way done with my beer and in walks Tim with his cue case. We talked about his match the other night and then went into the other room for a couple games of 8-ball. He wasn't firing away like he had previously but he was still 'fast and loose'. I should point out that he loves to gamble and I'm more in it for 'bragging rights'...so it was a 'friendly' match. Turns out I beat him more than he beat me. I wasn't keeping score but I think we played 9 games and I won at least 5 of them. I told him early on that I was a little nervous because I knew who he was. As the games rolled on, I realized that I could beat him. The last couple games I made some sweet runouts and was really getting my confidence going. I honestly think I rattled him. Then, he had to go and broke down his cue. I didn't beat him with mind-numbing slowness but with caution and a smooth stroke. Not to say I could beat him every time but I'll get my chance again because his team comes up on league night in January.
 
Travis Bickle said:
Your WIFE watched you PRACTICE and made those observations? You might need to keep that one!

Mine, if she ever had some sort of medication mixup that would lead her to darken the doors of a poolhall, would be sure to observe: 1) the grime on the carpet; 2) how mind-numbingly boring the game is; 3) how the patrons must have been too broke to show their faces at OTB that day.
Click to expand...

You must be married to my wife's clone. lol
JoeyA
 
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