I'm not sure what a 5,6, or a 10 speed is but for the most part, you're right about this Cane. We all run into those types that say they used to be a lot better that what they are showing on that particular night. Myself, I did used to play a lot better that what I do now, probably the 7 ball better, maybe more. But that's only because I don't practice anymore, I didn't just forget how to play. I run out like a champ one rack and then butcher the next. My flash backs from the old days last for a few games at most, so a non-player that may be watching would think that I'm pretty damn good, but I know better. FWIW, I'll take the 6 against my old self and bet as high as I want, just post baby! LOL, peace, John.Cane said:
Your True Potential
- Thread starter cuetechasaurus
- Start date
stephen_joyce
Registered
Practice is everything
Hi
I don't post to often but this has interested me. There are lots of people saying that they use to play this level etc. I have been playing for 25 years +
and have been in and out of love with the game several times in that period, however i have always played, what i have found is that when i am in love with the game i practice for hours every day and my level of play goes higher and higher, this of course drops when the romance is in a decline, i would say that most of the people that say i played at this level and i could be a really good player are telling the truth and at the time they were playing at that level they were in love with the game and practiced thier arses off either on thier own or by dominating a table somewhere.
However i do not believe that you can reach that level of consistency without doing the level of practice and going through the pain again, it is possible to have a flash night but if we examine those nights then i believe that we exagerate them in our minds and dont remember that you must be consistently at that level to be a top player.
I am currently in love with the game and have just bought a new table for the house. I am currently experiencing the pain of losing all the time as i have not practiced for 5 years, i have only been playing at weekends and as my standard declined my playing time went down over those five years. I must say that the players i am playing at the moment are the same players i used to play with and they have maintained there satndard and although i am losing i am getting better again, the practice is paying off but i have forgottten how to win and i am strugling to get it back. Getting over the line can be a cross to bear. I love the game and in a few months i will start entering competitions again, i hope to win but at this stage that is a lofty goal. Practice is everything when you can play all the shots and have the tactics down pat, so i will keep practicing and hope to not only get to where i was five years ago when i peaked and then lost interest but to pass by that milestone, i dont know where that will take me and i am not dillusional but i hope i can start winning again.
I hope i did not bore you to much, but i love this game of ours and wish you all achieve your goals , wether that is to be a pro or just to run a rack consistently.
regards
SJ
Hi
I don't post to often but this has interested me. There are lots of people saying that they use to play this level etc. I have been playing for 25 years +
and have been in and out of love with the game several times in that period, however i have always played, what i have found is that when i am in love with the game i practice for hours every day and my level of play goes higher and higher, this of course drops when the romance is in a decline, i would say that most of the people that say i played at this level and i could be a really good player are telling the truth and at the time they were playing at that level they were in love with the game and practiced thier arses off either on thier own or by dominating a table somewhere.
However i do not believe that you can reach that level of consistency without doing the level of practice and going through the pain again, it is possible to have a flash night but if we examine those nights then i believe that we exagerate them in our minds and dont remember that you must be consistently at that level to be a top player.
I am currently in love with the game and have just bought a new table for the house. I am currently experiencing the pain of losing all the time as i have not practiced for 5 years, i have only been playing at weekends and as my standard declined my playing time went down over those five years. I must say that the players i am playing at the moment are the same players i used to play with and they have maintained there satndard and although i am losing i am getting better again, the practice is paying off but i have forgottten how to win and i am strugling to get it back. Getting over the line can be a cross to bear. I love the game and in a few months i will start entering competitions again, i hope to win but at this stage that is a lofty goal. Practice is everything when you can play all the shots and have the tactics down pat, so i will keep practicing and hope to not only get to where i was five years ago when i peaked and then lost interest but to pass by that milestone, i dont know where that will take me and i am not dillusional but i hope i can start winning again.
I hope i did not bore you to much, but i love this game of ours and wish you all achieve your goals , wether that is to be a pro or just to run a rack consistently.
regards
SJ
Fore!
Each time I play or practice I make a handfull of shots that are very, very good; easily as good as any pro. I may also get in the "zone" and crank out an outstanding runout (9 ball or 8 ball) or a good run in 14.1. If I practiced more effectively and more often these things would happen more often I suppose.
I have the same experience with golf. Each round I'll make a handfull of great shots or putts. The difficulty in both games is developing consistency and accuracy. That only comes with practice and close concentration. Time is one issue. The other is priorities. All I know is that I've never seen a tombstone inscribed "I should have spent more time at work."
Each time I play or practice I make a handfull of shots that are very, very good; easily as good as any pro. I may also get in the "zone" and crank out an outstanding runout (9 ball or 8 ball) or a good run in 14.1. If I practiced more effectively and more often these things would happen more often I suppose.
I have the same experience with golf. Each round I'll make a handfull of great shots or putts. The difficulty in both games is developing consistency and accuracy. That only comes with practice and close concentration. Time is one issue. The other is priorities. All I know is that I've never seen a tombstone inscribed "I should have spent more time at work."
Before GTMO.
Before I got stuck coming down to GTMO I was scheduled to go to the RENO SANDS open and was practicing seriously, probably for the first time in my life.
I used to play 12-15 hours a day six or seven days a week, but I never practiced seriously I just played.
I wanted to test myself so I played 10 games as seriously as I have ever played to test myself to make sure I was ready for Reno. I broke and ran out 8 of the ten games, two of which were nineball breaks. I'm going to attempt to go pro when I get back, but if I can manage to stay on like that I'll put myself against anyone. Oh BTW, the other two games I still played perfectly, I just had to safety once in each. That is no BULLSH%T. One of the games I lost to myself because I managed to kick a ball in and finish the runout. The other, I missed form the safe and ran out with BIH.
We'll see when I get back in Dec if I've managed to stay in stroke, but even if I didn't I figure that I'll be ready again by June for the next Reno open. I'm even considering entering DCC in JAN if I'm still in stroke when I get back.
Before I got stuck coming down to GTMO I was scheduled to go to the RENO SANDS open and was practicing seriously, probably for the first time in my life.
I used to play 12-15 hours a day six or seven days a week, but I never practiced seriously I just played.
I wanted to test myself so I played 10 games as seriously as I have ever played to test myself to make sure I was ready for Reno. I broke and ran out 8 of the ten games, two of which were nineball breaks. I'm going to attempt to go pro when I get back, but if I can manage to stay on like that I'll put myself against anyone. Oh BTW, the other two games I still played perfectly, I just had to safety once in each. That is no BULLSH%T. One of the games I lost to myself because I managed to kick a ball in and finish the runout. The other, I missed form the safe and ran out with BIH.
We'll see when I get back in Dec if I've managed to stay in stroke, but even if I didn't I figure that I'll be ready again by June for the next Reno open. I'm even considering entering DCC in JAN if I'm still in stroke when I get back.
Potential?
After a few weeks playing on a 9 ball table with a 9 ball cue new I could compete with the best. Despite way too much partying and too little practicing I'm now sure I can.
If I find a table and practice everyday for 6 months I beleive I would win Pro tournaments and run 300+ balls.
After a few weeks playing on a 9 ball table with a 9 ball cue new I could compete with the best. Despite way too much partying and too little practicing I'm now sure I can.
If I find a table and practice everyday for 6 months I beleive I would win Pro tournaments and run 300+ balls.
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How Good...
First, I need a little clarification on these levels...ShortStop, A, B, C etc., but thats another thread...as far as ability...I play APA as an SL5...I have times where I'm in deadstroke and can't be beat, (I win 80+ % of my matches, never play down, always even or up)...granted, this is only within local league play...other times I strugle with consistency...and lose to people I feel I should win against...I have won Divisions, Cities (once), posting strong on a singles board still eludes me though...playing The Captains Tourny this weekend...maybe it's breakthrough time!
First, I need a little clarification on these levels...ShortStop, A, B, C etc., but thats another thread...as far as ability...I play APA as an SL5...I have times where I'm in deadstroke and can't be beat, (I win 80+ % of my matches, never play down, always even or up)...granted, this is only within local league play...other times I strugle with consistency...and lose to people I feel I should win against...I have won Divisions, Cities (once), posting strong on a singles board still eludes me though...playing The Captains Tourny this weekend...maybe it's breakthrough time!
Rude Dog said:
OK, Around this part of the country, we have a lot of rated tournaments. Many will be rated 3-10, 3 being the worst player and 10, usually the local shortstops. Occasionally, someone like XXXX or XXXX or XXXX will come into town, want in on the $20 tournaments and they'll be made to play to 11 or 12 games, but generally, at least around here, the SS's are 10's the beginners are 3's.
So my point with my post was we have a lot of these guys in these tournaments that play to 5 or 6 and moan and whine about how they used to play to 10 or 11... yeah, when pigs fly! I quit playing for 14 years and didn't drop that much speed!
Actually, after I came back, the hardest thing wasn't learning to play pool again, the hardest thing was learning how to WIN again! Was a long road to get past those head games that my own head was playing with me!
Later,
Bob
Hey Craig,TheOne said:
I also believe you have the game. You can play every shot and probably can make more of the harder pots than many US pros.
But you have to tighten it up with more time on the tables.
I think you gained a lot in your travels, now is time to take that research and polish your game. The money's gonna be there if you put in the hard yards. I'd love to see you come through the qualifiers and show us what you're capable of.
Colin Colenso said:
Thanks Colin, if I can get my own table/place I will give it go. However I see the lack of an IPT as a blessing in disguise now (another year out of IT prob wouldn't have been a good career move). Im going to work and practice my ass off next year and hopefully buy a couple of properties. I plan on playing some events next year, esp the IPT open ones if possible, however the IPT qualifiers in Nov is what I'll be aiming for (assuming it is still going strong of course). It sure would be nice to be able to take my old game into some of the tourny's Ive played this year.
Good luck with your practice Colin, I'm sure we'll meet in the states.