What Determines Natural Talent

[Whirlbreeze]

Hi all,

Seeking opinions.

I`ve notice (at least for myself), the higher the standard one improves or plays on, the more complicated the game becomes. Right down to a simple missed pot, there can be so many reasons why even something simple can go wrong.

Just what determines a natural? is it the ability to naturally know and visualize almost every angle at just a glimpse? Or the natural ability to have almost 100% perfect straightness in every deliverence of shot? Or the ability to feel and command where the cue ball should land up after a shot? Or practically all the above mentioned and more? The list goes on........

No arguement intended.

This game`s just so frustrating.

Being at this part of the world, we`re not very exposed to snooker as a sport, Have any professional in recent years achieved being a pro without having a coach?

Hope for some replies to this.

Good day to all.

[hegeland]

Good day, Sir.

I don't think anyone can become a pro without having proper coaching.

The ability to produce relatively big breaks short after having picked up the game is characteristic for a talent.

[MrRottweiler]

When first playing the game some can understand the angles better and pot well but more advanced aspects such as mental approach and shot selection come with experience. Although Ronnie is the most naturally gifted player the game has ever seen he will have still sacrificed a lot over the years to get where he is. It must be very frustrating for less talented sportsmen when they spend every hour they can in training and still be far from the top with little hope of getting there. I think that in itself is the cause behind many quitting or their lack of motivation.

[MattWilson]

Hmmm, I'm sure it is possible to turn professional without being coached. Undoubtedly, it takes years of playing other good players and learning from them to nurture your ability, but I've never been coached in my life, yet I have achieved my lifetime ambition of making a maximum.

I consider myself to be naturally able, but not at all gifted. I've never wanted coaching, I believe if you watch and play against top quality opposition then you will learn an awful lot more than simply practicing drills on your own all the time. A good blend of the two would be my advice.

MW

[vuce]

I think talent in every sport is the ability to learn much quicker then an average person.

[Whirlbreeze]

Thanls for all your replies.

And to MattWilson, Congrats. A century`s like a holy grail to me already. What more a maximum!

A very mental sport indeed.

Back to the topic on identifying a natural, I do agree big breaks are hard to achieve on the amature. However, in terms of breaks, I believe shot selection and cue ball control are very essential.

What i`m saying is, this game could go to a very 'textbook' level of play. maybe a gifted sportsman is able to further improvise on that? bringing 'textbook' stuff to another level?

I`ve seen players played for barely 2 years and already knocking in centuries. So have I seen players who`s been playing for a lifetime and still can`t make decent 30 breaks. One of whom I know, knocked in his first century after about 20 years of play.

What do your guys make out of this generally? Comparison between this standards.

[moondan]

Natural talent should always be defined by how much you win, the rest is just opinion and brings about confusion.
Whether you play left handed, right handed or both, the guy who pots the most balls is the most talented because he is the most successful, any other interpretation is a deviation on reality.
Because someone can win a frame more artisticly, is a sideshow to the main event.
Its late, just got back from the pub, it makes sense to me, but not sure it will in the morning

[ADR147]

Natural talent should always be defined by how much you win, the rest is just opinion and brings about confusion.
Whether you play left handed, right handed or both, the guy who pots the most balls is the most talented because he is the most successful, any other interpretation is a deviation on reality.
Because someone can win a frame more artisticly, is a sideshow to the main event.
Its late, just got back from the pub, it makes sense to me, but not sure it will in the morning

i just got back from the pub and it makes sense to me! - hendry was not coached as a youngster from what i am told, so thats natural talent?

[lbs]

for once, I would like to know someone who started the game in his early twenties, turn pro and is now in the top 128.

Seems like every of the top player started since 1x or even below 10 years old!

[dannyd0g]

for once, I would like to know someone who started the game in his early twenties, turn pro and is now in the top 128.

Seems like every of the top player started since 1x or even below 10 years old!

Dont think you will ever find anyone like that ! Of all time players Alex Higgins was the latest starter that i know of at age 15 i believe.

You are right though most players start around 10 yeras of age. (I think Ronnie, Hendry and Stevens were knocking in centuries at 10 years of age)

[samasnookerfan]

Well Hendry didn't start playing until he was 13, but learnt very quickly making a century in his first year I believe.

[Whirlbreeze]

My all time Fav player.

If where I got this info from isn`t wrong, he got his first cue for his christmas present at 13 yrs of age. made his first century break at 14, did another century the following day to his first. amazing isn`t it.

turned pro at 16 yrs of age winning some amature championship if i remembered correctly.

Became the youngest ever world champion. Was it at 17? or was it 21?

I just think he`s amazing. His composure is just fantastic. He`s seems to be playing his game, not affected by anything at all. Fantastic.

any more opinions on what determines a natural?

Good day to all!

[MrRottweiler]

I'm sure Hendry knocked in a 50 on the christmas day he recieved his first table. A 4 x 6 job. He said he knew then it was somehthing he would do for life.

[C-J]

I'm sure Hendry knocked in a 50 on the christmas day he recieved his first table. A 4 x 6 job. He said he knew then it was somehthing he would do for life.

hmmm,not that soon.

"-but i soon made up for lost time.I made a 50 break within a couple of weeks and then started playing on a fullsize table,once a week,at Malocos Snooker Club,Dunfermline".

[C-J]

I think Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry were two 'feel' (natural) players who because of there love for the game and desire to win turned ' mechanical' and have therefor rissen the total standard of the game.
Normally 'feel' players tend to be a bit lazy because of there natural ability and mechanical players in time can catch up.But when naturals really get devoted and have the right frame of mind(not hold back by nerves) here's the new superstar.