Back to Blog
Elite billiards6/2/2023 ![]() ![]() There is no change in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. The ICC Elite Umpire Selection Panel headed by ICC General Manager – Cricket, Wasim Khan, made the additions during the annual review and selection process, increasing the number of umpires on the panel from 11 to 12. I look forward to continuing to serve the game as an umpire," Aleem added. I would also like to thank my family without whose support I could not have gone on for so long. “I thank the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and my colleagues on the panel for their support over the years. My message to umpires the world over is to work hard, maintain discipline and never stop learning. “Though I am still keen to continue as an international umpire, I felt it was now the right time, after 19 years on the road, to step away from the Elite panel and provide an opportunity to someone from the International Panel. ![]() I have had the pleasure and honour of umpiring the world over and what I have achieved is something I did not even dream of when I started in the profession," said Aleem in an ICC statement. Only a small few are stubborn enough to keep at it for so long since the only reward is self satisfaction, the odd score and a kind word here and there.“It has been a long journey, but I have enjoyed every bit of it. Most who stick around tend lose interest in the grind of daily practice and coaching after a few years. I’ve been around for a while and I see people come and go from the scene. Personally, I think the biggest barrier for most people who start late is just that long term dedication. I started at age 20 and I am 39, turning 40 this year with my only break being when COVID shut everything down. I doubt I am even 700, I don’t live in an area with Fargo ratings so I can only guess, but I think I am getting closer and might have recently found what I need to break through. As an adult, it’s really really really long road. All of the people I am aware of who started late and got there played for probably 15-20 years or so. That’s not professional level, but it’s good enough that we would have called them a pro 15 or so years ago. I am aware of a few players who started late and achieved a Fargo Rating of 700-720. If we are talking about an adult who starts between 20-25 and wants to be just good enough to scare a pro now and again, that’s a different story. If we are talking about a proper pro, they tend to start around 10-12 years old (I don’t think it matters if they start before that) and they will be pro level by 17-18 and competitively internationally by 18-20. Simply developing the physical tools and understanding of the game is not nearly as difficult as developing the mental fortitude to go out and win pro events where guys play just as good as you and can fire back with multiple racks in a row off a single mistake of yours. I believe that this is the toughest part of the equation. Then practice/competition can be a little more self-directed, but it still helps to have a coach.įinally there's the tournament/competitive seasoning required. Playing every day and either sort of lucking into good mechanics/understanding of the game or having an experienced and strong player work closely with you until your knowledge is sound and deep. Then there's the requirement of total immersion in pool. That seems to be the common thread among pros, and the earlier a person starts, the better. The biggest key is starting to play seriously and obsessively before age 15 or so. I think it's less about the time and more about getting the right experience at the right age. Grinding out enough to pay for travel costs to continue playing in pro events every month, teaching beginners the same boring fundamentals. So you start giving pool lessons every day to pay the bills. There's something separating you from the top players, something even time and money can't account for. You spend another 5 years practicing what you think are your biggest deficiencies, but you just can't rise higher. You just keep paying out of pocket for travel expenses to play pro events. ![]() Even after that one time you played out of your mind and finished 14th, you made barely enough to pay for travel and a drunken celebratory night afterwards. You're regularly playing on the pro circuit.īut, you make no money. You'll start getting invited to stuff that isn't technically open but hasn't filled their field yet.Ĭongrats, you've made it. There's a certain skill level that you can attain within 5 years through playing 8 hours a day 5-6 days per week, combined with some good coaching, that will be good enough.Īt that point you start showing up to any pro event that's open (there's lots of them). Assuming you're a good amateur, time isn't a factor, money is.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |