i have been playing pool since i was little. my family owned a bar and thats where i learned how to shoot, i am no bar banger by any means there were 2 bar tables and a snooker table. i have always been a pretty good shot. about 3 years ago i decided to take the game much more seriosly got a table and started putting in 3-4 hours a day in actual practice (not just throwing up balls and shooting them) numerous drills i watched my game improve tremondously i was already a 7 in 8ball and a 9 in 9ball but on the grand scale still pretty weak now i consider myself one of the stronger players around (my Area not world wide) the people that beat me generally own the pool hall or live there. the problem is i am not getting better i have hit a wall so in some of your own exp how do i break through it there is still room for improvement as far as i am concerned there always is.
some advice please
- Thread starter 8onthesnap
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Well, how do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice...
But seriously, I find it to be true with most things that at some point you will plateau, and that may last a while. Some things that were suggested to me (and by god, for the most part they worked out very nicely) was to switch up my game. By that I mean that all I was playing was 8 and 9 ball, it was suggested to me that along with my regular practice routine I work in some Straight Pool, some One Pocket, even 3 Cushion, Snooker, and Pyramid if I could find a place to do it. Also, I know it can be tough unless you're willing to put up money but play better players than you, and maybe take a lesson. A different perspective can be very helpful.
But seriously, I find it to be true with most things that at some point you will plateau, and that may last a while. Some things that were suggested to me (and by god, for the most part they worked out very nicely) was to switch up my game. By that I mean that all I was playing was 8 and 9 ball, it was suggested to me that along with my regular practice routine I work in some Straight Pool, some One Pocket, even 3 Cushion, Snooker, and Pyramid if I could find a place to do it. Also, I know it can be tough unless you're willing to put up money but play better players than you, and maybe take a lesson. A different perspective can be very helpful.
Your question is hard to answer until you determine why you lose. Until you know that, everything is just guesswork.
Do you miss shots? Take shots you shouldn't have taken? Miss position? Dry breaks? The list goes on and on; but there's no way to practice-to-improve until you know what to improve upon.
Do you miss shots? Take shots you shouldn't have taken? Miss position? Dry breaks? The list goes on and on; but there's no way to practice-to-improve until you know what to improve upon.
You may need to ask yourself what it is specifically that you want to improve and why you are not winning games you should.
Pocketing balls
Cue Ball control
Safeties
Strategies
Shot selection
The break
Mental
Go back and review why you lost and work on the selected areas, sometimes having an experienced player watching your matches can give you a more balanced view.
Pocketing balls
Cue Ball control
Safeties
Strategies
Shot selection
The break
Mental
Go back and review why you lost and work on the selected areas, sometimes having an experienced player watching your matches can give you a more balanced view.
Terrific answer ... I was going to say about the same thing stated thusly,
We don't know what you don't know or what area of your game needs honing. It's not difficult to find an instructor. One lesson (a small investment) should tell you if he/she is worth the price. Good luck.
Really, you can't expect to maintain a similar learning curve as when you started. In the beginning, everybody stinks. They learn draw and they're 200% better. They learn banks and they're another 200% better. Everything you learn makes you twice as good as you were before. Then, after a while, the improvements mean less. The cut shot you made 70% of the time is now 90% which gives you an overall improvement of 5%. That position route you succeeded in nailing 90% is now 98% which comes up only once every 400 shots. Unless you're dying, you're probably improving. You just don't know it.
You might want to get a list of instructors for your area, you can probably get feedback on them here
Thanks everybody. Yeah I live in Connecticut anyone know any instructors in ct?
It could be that you are progressing, but that it is at a much slower pace compared to when you first started. Kind of like losing weight....you don't see much difference as it is coming off slowly, but meet someone you haven't seen in quite a while and they notice immediately.:smile:
One thing I've found is playing folks that can beat me is much more beneficial that playing weaker players. I learn from those that play better than myself, if I'm watching. I learn new moves and tactics. Of course seeing these is one thing, executing them is another.
Looking for someone like an instructor probably is a very good idea. I took some instruction in the past from an instructor and a pro, and it made a difference.
One thing I've found is playing folks that can beat me is much more beneficial that playing weaker players. I learn from those that play better than myself, if I'm watching. I learn new moves and tactics. Of course seeing these is one thing, executing them is another.
Looking for someone like an instructor probably is a very good idea. I took some instruction in the past from an instructor and a pro, and it made a difference.
i am going to bring a note book when i actually play matches and get into some local tourneys over the next month. i will write down why i lose shots i miss so on and so fourth so i can give a more accurate descripion then repost this with more acurate honest details of my game. in the mean time i am going to seek out an instructor and as i mentioned before if anyone has any suggestions for in instructor in ct please let me know.
I can't imagine taking notes while I'm playing any way 1/2 seriously. If possible, I would suggest that you get someone else to take the notes so you can fully focus. Or, make the notes after the whole deal is done. The shots you missed that truely ciost you should be burning in your mind.
Mind, an interersting word. If you have trained your stroke, etc. the mental & mind might be from where your next growth spurt come.
Best Wishes & Good Luck with it,
You may want to take a trip to New York.
I work in Ny right over the tz. may i ask why?