You see, the match pitted one of the top players in the world against an amateur. The video was showcasing a REALLY tough out by the pro. The pro (some guy named Shane Van Boening) didn't have an easy out, but of course made it look easy, lol. But it was his opponent who I was also focused on. His opponent was looking away from his own match, I'm guessing because he was perturbed about being beat and that Shane was running out (yet again I presume). Instead of watching and learning from the top player, though, he was looking elsewhere.
It was a HUGE missed opportunity!
He could have spent his time (instead) wisely while sitting in that chair to watch, learn, and absorb from one of the best players on the planet! Instead, he seemed kinda miffed and deflated Shane was running out.
In the short clip, he sat holding his cue looking at anything but his opponent. He would glance back over to his own table right before Shane made each shot, but then quickly look away disinterested when he didn't miss. The guy finally set his cue down and looked somewhere else while Shane continued a pretty phenomenal out.
I get it. I really do! Who wants to get beat? Who wants to not have a shot? Who wants to lose?
No one.
But, if you can already tell that Shane is going to beat you, why not take advantage of the front row seat you have? Why not watch his stance? Or his shot selections? Or how he would get back down on shots he wasn't comfy with? Or how walked around the table looking for the best position for his cueball for his next shot? Or what pattern he chose? The guy only glanced occassinaly back at the table to see if Shane missed or not.
There is so much more to this game than making balls - and to be able to watch Shane is a huge treat! To be able to watch how pro's approach the table (literally and figuratively), what choices they make, what patterns they choose, and how they take their time with their shots.... Omg peoples, take advantage of these learning opportunities!
How about the opportunity for a quick word with Shane after too?
ReplyDeleteI don't know him from a hole in the ground so am not judging what Shane would or wouldn't do. Only surmising another opportunity his opponent let get away.
Look like you are interested in the match, watch all of the stuff as you've suggested Melinda.
Then afterward what about the opportunity to ask why he took a certain path on a ball, or how he hit the cue ball to make it (a punch stroke, or particular siding on the cue ball or whatever).
Even if you know the answer, it opens the door to have a conversation with the guy, however brief.
Maybe he'd even set the shot up and demonstrate again how he hit it?