Play a couple sets against a B player that you normally lose to with an A player coaching you and see how you do. If you still lose, it means your stroke is not B level so work on that. If you start winning, it means your knowledge about what shots to play isn't up to par, but have a reasonably good stroke. Take that information and work on what you find to be your weakness and try to figure out why the A player was telling you to shoot different shots than you would normally play.
How does a 'C' player become a 'B' player?
- Thread starter Gurnee_Steve
- Start date
It really depends.... I have seen some C players that are shot makers, but they lack defense.
They go for everything.
If you are solid at making shots, then I would practice safes. Practice your mental game. Concentration, focus, and patience. Slow down, and be methodical, until you build confidence, then you can play a little looser.
Again, I believe it's the safeties that hold lots of players back. They go for low percentage shots. Instead of playing a smart safety.
So, my overall suggestion would be to sharpen up your safety game and see how that effects your overall outcome.
I've heard it said before that the difference between an amateur and a pro is that when an amateur misses a shot they set it back up and shoot it until the make it. The pro will set it up and shoot it over and over until they don't miss.
Also, in most cases, you have a choice of pocket for a shot. Pay attention to the lay of the table and pick the shot that provides the most natural path to the line of the shot you want to make next. In other words, don't always shoot the easiest shot. Try not to pick shots that result in the cueball crossing the line of the next shot perpendicularly (I think that is a word). It is easier to see on the table than explain in words.
If your stroke is not steady and consistent, disregard everything else and fix it. If you have to worry about hitting the cueball where you want it to go, life will be a pain in the rear for you.
Also, in most cases, you have a choice of pocket for a shot. Pay attention to the lay of the table and pick the shot that provides the most natural path to the line of the shot you want to make next. In other words, don't always shoot the easiest shot. Try not to pick shots that result in the cueball crossing the line of the next shot perpendicularly (I think that is a word). It is easier to see on the table than explain in words.
If your stroke is not steady and consistent, disregard everything else and fix it. If you have to worry about hitting the cueball where you want it to go, life will be a pain in the rear for you.
On the strategy side, I don't know many C players that can take control of games that aren't realistic run-outs or straightforward safeties. Pay attention to what A+ players do in those situations when you get the chance and learn how to win the racks that you're giving away for strategic reasons. A strategy of "it's okay if I miss, because my opponent can't get out either" will come back to haunt you when you play better players that know how to deal with those situations and have the skill to do it.
It really is a good post. Pretty insightful.
I got a buddy who often says "man, I wanna get better, I gotta get better"... I guess his speed is what you'd call a C-player (6 in the APA)... and it's clear he's missing exactly what sjm lists. I mean he almost literally reached his current level without touching inside english. Now he's trying to use it more and it's painful because he doesn't know where to aim anymore. And I don't think he gets stun draw and stun follow, so his position is never quite right. Thinking about it I don't think I've seen him do a power draw from across the table either, it usually ends badly when he tries.
In the past I've been thinking it was his decision making, and that probably still needs work, but after seeing sjm's post... I think we're gonna work on mechanics.
Lessons?
There were 23 posts responding to the question before ANYONE suggested getting lessons. One poster seemed to actually advise NOT getting lessons.
Seems there are a lot of AZers who don't see the value in going to someone for help or are too proud to admit faults.
Being a good student is every bit as important as finding a qualified instructor. It takes a little honesty and humility.
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
There were 23 posts responding to the question before ANYONE suggested getting lessons. One poster seemed to actually advise NOT getting lessons.
Seems there are a lot of AZers who don't see the value in going to someone for help or are too proud to admit faults.
Being a good student is every bit as important as finding a qualified instructor. It takes a little honesty and humility.
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
I think the greatest teacher is zero, if there is no good chemistry between student, and teacher. If the student was to sign up for a lesson it would IMHO only be a 1-1.5 Hr. Single Session Lesson to see if the instructors could teach, and the student could learn from that instructor.
Avoid instructors who will only teach you if you buy a package. Because one the money changes hands you are sol, and stuck.
Mark OTTO's DVD Set Pool 101, and Pool 102 at $29.99 is inmo the BEST $29.99 you can spend on Pool. Master all that Mark teaches, and you will be ready for the Pro Tour IMHO.
The OP says he misses a lot more of the easy shots when as a "C" player he plays an "B" player. Most likely that is because of the pressure. If you miss with the "C" player he don't get out much, where the "B" player will get out often. Kind of like "it's no fun when the rabbit got the gun". Johnnyt
Cheat a lot. :thumbup:
that reminds me of the best advice I ever received about a sure-fire way to never miss a long straight-in ball. The advice was to not cut the object ball:smile:
Another way
Play in a handicapped league as a C-something. Get substantial ball spots from opponent. Wait for a money ball to rattle. Make your ball , and win. Or, put as many balls in motion as you can-and win.
Repeat.
You will become a B rated player.
Caution: a skewed winning percentage is not the most accurate indicator of one's skillset-but .....progress -real or imagined-none the less.
j/k
but not that much
/on paper-not much difference in I won vs. he lost.
Play in a handicapped league as a C-something. Get substantial ball spots from opponent. Wait for a money ball to rattle. Make your ball , and win. Or, put as many balls in motion as you can-and win.
Repeat.
You will become a B rated player.
Caution: a skewed winning percentage is not the most accurate indicator of one's skillset-but .....progress -real or imagined-none the less.
j/k
but not that much
/on paper-not much difference in I won vs. he lost.
Hi Steve,
Has any of the advice here been useful? Have you incorporated any of it into your game yet?
You need to practice all points of weakness until they are strengths. Play often enough and in enough situations to where there is little conscious effort in your routine. Your unconscious mind can perform far better than consciously "trying". Muscicians just play, they don't think about finger placements ect... it just has to flow. This is what dead stroke is, you just can't force it, but with the correct preparation it is achievable.