Is this as good as it gets?

RackGirl

RackGirl

Registered
I am a fairly decent pool player who has played for 15 years on and off and I feel like I have hit this stopping point in my game where maybe...perhaps...this is as good as I can be. I am by no means close to being a pro player - but I am no slouch on the pool table either. I can hold my own.

Now mind you, I KNOW I don't practice enough drills and I KNOW I don't play often enough - but I feel like I am never going to get any better no matter how much I practice or how many hours I put in at the table. I've been "in stroke" before and yes it kicks ass but it never stays around for more than a day or so no matter how many hours I play.

I see good players who rarely play and yet they're so GOOD. How do they do it?

Is this as good as it gets?
 
RackGirl said:
I am a fairly decent pool player who has played for 15 years on and off and I feel like I have hit this stopping point in my game where maybe...perhaps...this is as good as I can be. I am by no means close to being a pro player - but I am no slouch on the pool table either. I can hold my own.

Now mind you, I KNOW I don't practice enough drills and I KNOW I don't play often enough - but I feel like I am never going to get any better no matter how much I practice or how many hours I put in at the table. I've been "in stroke" before and yes it kicks ass but it never stays around for more than a day or so no matter how many hours I play.

I see good players who rarely play and yet they're so GOOD. How do they do it?

Is this as good as it gets?
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ANSWER: My God NO!!!!!
You should be getting "better" every outing.
It sounds like you have a piece missing in your Fundamentals.
What City do you live in? Maybe I can help.
randyg
 
No, actually the best part of my game is my fundamentals - I get compliments on my stroke quite a bit and I was lucky enough to be taught my stroke as a kid by one of the best instructors out there because I was best friends with his daughter growing up.

A friend of mine who plays pool quite well tells me that I have terrible cue ball control and honestly, I do. :wink:

Randy, I'm in Illinois.
 
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RackGirl said:
No, actually the best part of my game is my fundamentals - I get compliments on my stroke quite a bit and I was lucky enough to be taught my stroke as a kid by one of the best instructors out there because I was best friends with his daughter growing up.

A friend of mine who plays pool quite well tells me that I have terrible cue ball control and honestly, I do. :wink:

Randy, I'm in Illinois.
Click to expand...

Cue ball control is a big deal and could possibly be a big reason you're having issues. No one can pot them from the lampshades forever.

As far as fundamentals are concerned, no matter how solid you are, they could ALWAYS be better. Trust me. Even pros tweak their mechanics from time to time and some players go through major transitions in mechanics over their career. Efren for example has a completely different stance now to what he used in the 80's.

Before I started playing snooker, I had already knocked in a 98 ball run in 14.1. I thought my mechanics were solid and my stroke was silky smooth. Snooker completely changed my outlook on this and I continued to improve in this department to the point where tough shots that I made most of the time became a certainty afterwards.

All excellent players that you see played an awful lot of pool at some point. After a while it doesn't take a lot to maintain your level of play, but if they aren't playing much they probably aren't getting a whole lot better.
 
I've been playing for almost 30 years, with LONG layoffs along the way. I'm still improving, because I WANT to. The bottom line, there's a ceiling for everyone, but no one ever hits it; you don't get to live that long. You may or may not ever get to Allison Fisher's speed, but you can and will improve in bits and leaps, just as she will until she gets to a point where she isn't working at improving anymore. You will find in the future (if you stick with it) points where you have an "aha" moment and discover something in your mechanics, equipment, concentration that just clicks and adds three balls to your average inning (happened to me two months ago), and other times where just a little thing comes along that adds a cool tool to your kit (happened last night). It's when you quit caring about improving that it stops, and it will stop at some point in your life, because other priorities will crowd pool out. Until then, quit worrying and try to remember to have fun! :D
 
Hi there Rackgirl,

There is a reason that many good players play pretty good with little practice. They just naturally get the eyes in a more correct position than others. Some of us just naturally do it better.

When a player is so called "in stroke" the shots all look so good. What has basically happened is from repetition everything has gotten better including getting the eyes in the most correct position.

Again, this is why the shots look so good during this time.

A player can keep playing 8 hours a day to stay in stroke which will help you naturally keep the eyes in the right position or you can learn where they need to be and force them there enabling you to see the shots great right from the beginning. Kind of like lining up the sights on a rifle.

This can actually be taught to everyone.

Once a person learns how to do this you will never get down on a shot and have it look bad. If the shot looks right the eyes are giving the right info to the brain and then to the body. If it doesn't look right it probably isn't right.

If the eyes are not perfectly positioned and you don't hit the exact amount of the object ball you want the position on the next shot will be compromised greatly. Many shots you can hit fuller or thinner and still make the shot.

I can and will teach you this amazing technique for free and right over the phone. I've done it 100's of times already to many of our own AZers.

Just make sure you are at a pool table and give me a call 715-563-8712.

After 8:30 any night of the week will work.

You won't believe your eyes but you'll have to because seeing is believing.

Looking forward to your call.

Have a great 4th. Geno...........
 
Potting balls from the lampshades…yep, that’s me.

To answer your question, Bob, what drills? I don’t know a lot of drills and the few that I do know I am able to practice for a little while but it gets so boring so fast – I don’t understand how anybody can do hours of drills every day and enjoy it. Does anybody enjoy doing drills? Is there no other way to improve? I feel like I don’t give 100% when I do drills, yet when I play a match, I give it my all. I just get too relaxed when I practice and I feel like some days I am wasting my time because I can tell I’m not giving 100%.

And yes, I have definitely had those “aha” moments where I learn something new – there is nothing better than being able to execute these new “aha” shots that I am learning in an actual match. That is part of what keeps me going and wanting more.

I will be calling you, Geno. I think you have an excellent point. I’ve seen so many different techniques for lining up a shot and I don’t think I use any technique – I would really like to hear your viewpoint (although I have no idea how you will explain it to me on the phone). I think you are right about hitting a ball fuller or thinner but being that precise on where I hit my object ball has never been consistent for me.

Some days I guess I am just frustrated. I feel like I am at a stopping point in my game and that unless somebody shows me something new, I am not going to get any better. And yes, I could do drills 8 hours/day but it would not be driven from the heart and I would not enjoy it – it would feel more like a “job” to me if that makes any sense and the quality of my practice would not be as high as it is during a match. It’s hard to be “on” all the time every day.

I just feel stuck. I don’t want to give up pool – I love the game and I have always loved the game. And I know I am a good player and that if I ever break through this plateau I am stuck in, I will be a force to be reckoned with. But maybe I am just being lazy and that it is only fair that I put in the time at the table to get better whether it’s quality time or not. Perhaps it is desire that I am lacking and that other players have it and I don’t, I don’t know.
 
RackGirl said:
Potting
To answer your question, Bob, what drills? I don’t know a lot of drills and the few that I do know I am able to practice for a little while but it gets so boring so fast – I don’t understand how anybody can do hours of drills every day and enjoy it. Does anybody enjoy doing drills?
Click to expand...


I'm in a similar boat. I don't play much anymore. I'm good for a 30 or 40 something run in a game of 14.1 maybe more on less frequent occasions, but I just don't enjoy practice.

My buddy LOVES practice it's almost annoying how he can do this stuff over and over, but ... hey, to each their own. He will shoot 200 straight ins over and over. He will put three balls on one short rail almost kissing and shoot the middle ball up and down table into it's original spot between the two balls over and over.

Geez ... like shoving bamboo shoots under your nails LOL, :) But some folks love it, AND ... it shows in his game. He makes EVERYTHING ! My arthritis would cripple me if I stood up that long never mind shooting balls. Bottom line, we're all different. I sure don't share his desire. :speechless:
 
RackGirl said:
No, actually the best part of my game is my fundamentals - I get compliments on my stroke quite a bit and I was lucky enough to be taught my stroke as a kid by one of the best instructors out there because I was best friends with his daughter growing up.

A friend of mine who plays pool quite well tells me that I have terrible cue ball control and honestly, I do. :wink:

Randy, I'm in Illinois.
Click to expand...



Hi Rackgirl. Do we know each other?

Cue ball control comes from cue stick control comes from solid fundamentals.

How is your speed contol?
randyg
 
No I don’t think I know you. I learned my fundamentals from Jerry Briesath.

I have to be honest…my cue ball speed is terrible. I have practiced a speed drill hitting the cueball up and down the table trying to hit various lengths on the table…a half table, a full length (letting the cue ball touch the end rail), a table and a half (down to the end and back to the middle of the table) and then two lengths (down to the end and back to the short rail where I started) but that is boring as heck. I can only do that drill so long before I just get bored with it.

Are there other speed drills I can do?

Also, I am playing with a Z2 shaft. Perhaps this is part of my problem with cue ball control??? I was reading a forum about various shafts and I have to agree - the Z2 has made my game better by leaps and bounds at times; HOWEVER, it has also made my game a disaster at other times if my stroke is off.
 
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Jerry's a great teacher

RackGirl said:
No I don’t think I know you. I learned my fundamentals from Jerry Briesath.

I have to be honest…my cue ball speed is terrible. I have practiced a speed drill hitting the cueball up and down the table trying to hit various lengths on the table…a half table, a full length (letting the cue ball touch the end rail), a table and a half (down to the end and back to the middle of the table) and then two lengths (down to the end and back to the short rail where I started) but that is boring as heck. I can only do that drill so long before I just get bored with it.

Are there other speed drills I can do?

Also, I am playing with a Z2 shaft. Perhaps this is part of my problem with cue ball control??? I was reading a forum about various shafts and I have to agree - the Z2 has made my game better by leaps and bounds at times; HOWEVER, it has also made my game a disaster at other times if my stroke is off.
Click to expand...

Hi there again,

Jerry gave me a lesson back when I was 18 years old. Best thing I ever did.

I showed Jerry what I teach at the US Open 2 years ago. He was impressed and made the comment that there is definitely merit to what I teach. He had me go over it a few times to understand it better.

As Cory Dewel walked by Jerry said" Hey Cory come here for a second." As I started showing Cory he said I got to go. I got a match in 10 minutes.

As far as that Z2 shaft , it shoots where you aim and is very forgiving as far as squirt is concerned but it deffinitely will put extra english on the cue ball if your not careful.

On the days where your a little more off on the eye position they all seem to play bad. If your eyes are not in the right position, the brain is not getting the most correct image and it's impossible to have the body respond the way you want.

I can't believe you havn't called me yet.

Just kidding...........:rolleyes: 715-563-8712
 
Speed control and learning tangent lines are both essential to play good postion.

You should take Randy up on his offer, it would be the best investment you could make in your game.

The drill you mentioned can work for developing speed control (touch) how long do you do it for, and do you track your progress?

As far as tangent lines you need to learn how to alter the cueball path off of the tangent line with follow and draw.



RackGirl said:
No I don’t think I know you. I learned my fundamentals from Jerry Briesath.

I have to be honest…my cue ball speed is terrible. I have practiced a speed drill hitting the cueball up and down the table trying to hit various lengths on the table…a half table, a full length (letting the cue ball touch the end rail), a table and a half (down to the end and back to the middle of the table) and then two lengths (down to the end and back to the short rail where I started) but that is boring as heck. I can only do that drill so long before I just get bored with it.

Are there other speed drills I can do?

Also, I am playing with a Z2 shaft. Perhaps this is part of my problem with cue ball control??? I was reading a forum about various shafts and I have to agree - the Z2 has made my game better by leaps and bounds at times; HOWEVER, it has also made my game a disaster at other times if my stroke is off.
Click to expand...
 
I do understand that after the cue ball connects with an object ball, using follow or draw will affect where the cue ball hits the rail which in turn affects the cue ball’s direction (depending on whether I use running or inside english) and that I can pretty much get anywhere I want to on the table with this knowledge. I have to admit it doesn’t come naturally to me to do this yet which is quite frustrating – but I think it will come naturally over time with more play.

Have I mentioned that I hate drills? (including those damn speed drills). I do not do them often and I do not track my progress – I get bored with it so fast. I wish there was some sort of “game” where I could do drills against myself and find various challenges to keep me interested, but so far I have not had any luck with it. I’m guessing I know what I need to do based on what you guys are telling me and that I need to practice what I am weak at - tangent lines, speed control, english off of rails, aiming...where to begin...

I'm not a horrible player - I'm a strong 6 on the APA and I have taken down a few good players - but I feel like a beginner all over again...there is still so much to learn!!

Gene, I will be calling you this weekend. I’m not sure if it’s my Z2 or my aiming that has me off on some shots but I’ve been told many a times before that I miss balls that I shouldn’t be missing.
 
RackGirl said:
No I don’t think I know you. I learned my fundamentals from Jerry Briesath.

I have to be honest…my cue ball speed is terrible. I have practiced a speed drill hitting the cueball up and down the table trying to hit various lengths on the table…a half table, a full length (letting the cue ball touch the end rail), a table and a half (down to the end and back to the middle of the table) and then two lengths (down to the end and back to the short rail where I started) but that is boring as heck. I can only do that drill so long before I just get bored with it.

Are there other speed drills I can do?

Also, I am playing with a Z2 shaft. Perhaps this is part of my problem with cue ball control??? I was reading a forum about various shafts and I have to agree - the Z2 has made my game better by leaps and bounds at times; HOWEVER, it has also made my game a disaster at other times if my stroke is off.
Click to expand...



Great choice. Jerry is one of my best friends and also my Mentor.....randyg
 
RackGirl said:
I am a fairly decent pool player who has played for 15 years on and off and I feel like I have hit this stopping point in my game where maybe...perhaps...this is as good as I can be. I am by no means close to being a pro player - but I am no slouch on the pool table either. I can hold my own.

Now mind you, I KNOW I don't practice enough drills and I KNOW I don't play often enough - but I feel like I am never going to get any better no matter how much I practice or how many hours I put in at the table. I've been "in stroke" before and yes it kicks ass but it never stays around for more than a day or so no matter how many hours I play.

I see good players who rarely play and yet they're so GOOD. How do they do it?

Is this as good as it gets?
Click to expand...

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video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjNU7pQnwaI
I can tell you most people initially think it is a gimmick, until you try it and instantly pick up the faults the players are experiencing, the worlds top coach is now teaching the other top coaches on how this cue works, the top coach in Ireland now uses it as part of the coaching manual there.
This cue is a must for all coaches and instructors, it will help you regardless of how much experience you have teaching.
 
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