if someone told you which ball to hit, how much improvement?
- Thread starter michael4
- Start date
I worked with Grady daily for an entire week in 1995,and later on for 2 weeks. At the time,my high run was 63.
During a practice session,I was already on a run of 42 and was getting ready to shoot a wide open ball,when Grady asked me if I wanted to continue the run,and I said "of course".
He stopped me and told me to look around at the other side of the stack. There was a makeable shot,but a little tougher than the ball I was about to shoot. He pointed out that this might be a tougher shot,BUT this shot was a much better secondary break. I took it,made it,and the rest of the stack scattered. I finish the rack,so I'm on 56.
In the next rack,I was jellied up on top of a ball underneath the stack,and was about to play safe,when he spoke up again. This time,I almost ignored a dead ball in the stack. I make it,and keep going to 70.
This kept going until I was at 114,which I have only come close to once since. It didn't really matter,because he turned around and ran 200 on me
.
What it taught me most was that sometimes,it pays to put your rhythm on pause and look around at the table 3-4 different ways,because you might have missed something.
He said overall,that my shot selection was pretty solid,but added that my stroke and execution was what bailed me out several times during that run.
I'll treasure that night for the rest of my life. Tommy D.
During a practice session,I was already on a run of 42 and was getting ready to shoot a wide open ball,when Grady asked me if I wanted to continue the run,and I said "of course".
He stopped me and told me to look around at the other side of the stack. There was a makeable shot,but a little tougher than the ball I was about to shoot. He pointed out that this might be a tougher shot,BUT this shot was a much better secondary break. I took it,made it,and the rest of the stack scattered. I finish the rack,so I'm on 56.
In the next rack,I was jellied up on top of a ball underneath the stack,and was about to play safe,when he spoke up again. This time,I almost ignored a dead ball in the stack. I make it,and keep going to 70.
This kept going until I was at 114,which I have only come close to once since. It didn't really matter,because he turned around and ran 200 on me
. What it taught me most was that sometimes,it pays to put your rhythm on pause and look around at the table 3-4 different ways,because you might have missed something.
He said overall,that my shot selection was pretty solid,but added that my stroke and execution was what bailed me out several times during that run.
I'll treasure that night for the rest of my life. Tommy D.
I worked with Grady daily for an entire week in 1995,and later on for 2 weeks. At the time,my high run was 63.
During a practice session,I was already on a run of 42 and was getting ready to shoot a wide open ball,when Grady asked me if I wanted to continue the run,and I said "of course".
He stopped me and told me to look around at the other side of the stack. There was a makeable shot,but a little tougher than the ball I was about to shoot. He pointed out that this might be a tougher shot,BUT this shot was a much better secondary break. I took it,made it,and the rest of the stack scattered. I finish the rack,so I'm on 56.
In the next rack,I was jellied up on top of a ball underneath the stack,and was about to play safe,when he spoke up again. This time,I almost ignored a dead ball in the stack. I make it,and keep going to 70.
This kept going until I was at 114,which I have only come close to once since. It didn't really matter,because he turned around and ran 200 on me
What it taught me most was that sometimes,it pays to put your rhythm on pause and look around at the table 3-4 different ways,because you might have missed something.
He said overall,that my shot selection was pretty solid,but added that my stroke and execution was what bailed me out several times during that run.
I'll treasure that night for the rest of my life. Tommy D.
Wow, that's such an awesome memory to have !!!
Very nice shooting !!
-Steve
Stevekur might have some good recommendations. Off the top of my head I'd say Ortmann's player analysis - Sigel's 150 and out vs Zuglan - Cohen vs Immonen.
I recommend any of the Accu-Stats matches that have a Player Review.
my favorite player review is the match between Rempe and Ginky, I forget which tourney it was from though. Sorry
-Steve
I worked with Grady daily for an entire week in 1995,and later on for 2 weeks. At the time,my high run was 63.
During a practice session,I was already on a run of 42 and was getting ready to shoot a wide open ball,when Grady asked me if I wanted to continue the run,and I said "of course".
He stopped me and told me to look around at the other side of the stack. There was a makeable shot,but a little tougher than the ball I was about to shoot. He pointed out that this might be a tougher shot,BUT this shot was a much better secondary break. I took it,made it,and the rest of the stack scattered. I finish the rack,so I'm on 56.
In the next rack,I was jellied up on top of a ball underneath the stack,and was about to play safe,when he spoke up again. This time,I almost ignored a dead ball in the stack. I make it,and keep going to 70.
This kept going until I was at 114,which I have only come close to once since. It didn't really matter,because he turned around and ran 200 on me
What it taught me most was that sometimes,it pays to put your rhythm on pause and look around at the table 3-4 different ways,because you might have missed something.
He said overall,that my shot selection was pretty solid,but added that my stroke and execution was what bailed me out several times during that run.
I'll treasure that night for the rest of my life. Tommy D.
Wow, that is amazing. You went from a high run of 63 solo, to 114 with Grady steering you.
I'll have to check that out. On an old VHS tape that I have, Sigel plays Mizerak to like 150?. Miz gets like one offensive opportunity at the table, runs a couple and barely misses the stack with an inside english highball hit at warp speed. If memory serves me right a safety battle ensues and then Sigel runs a hundred something and out....I know that Ortmann is regarded highly in the straight pool world but haven't watched him play much, I'll see if I can get something with him next time I order some dvd's. Thanks for the recommendations
Rempe played Ginky in the BCA US Open 14.1 in 2000.
Rempe is one of the best pattern players in history, so this recommendation makes perfect sense.
I want to put in another vote for getting as many Rempe matches as you can get your hands on. The guy's patterns are impeccable. It's really incredible to watch if you're really paying attention. When Rempe runs the balls he almost never gambles when it comes to breaking clusters or going into the stack. He has an insurance ball every...single...time. He even used to have a tape you could get from Accu-Stats called "How to Run 100 Balls" and it had a ton of great info, but I'm not sure if it's available any longer.
Gee, I guess I’ve been doing it backwards.
I often play with sjm ... and the only advice that I get is about the shot that I SHOULDN’T have taken ... AFTER I’ve already taken it. Hmmmm.
I often play with sjm ... and the only advice that I get is about the shot that I SHOULDN’T have taken ... AFTER I’ve already taken it. Hmmmm.
Yes, Rempe's "How to Run a Hundred Balls" and "How to Run a Rack in Straight Pool" are both still in the Accu-Stats catalog. They are both DVDs now, for $19.95 each.
I worked with Grady daily for an entire week in 1995,and later on for 2 weeks. At the time,my high run was 63.
During a practice session,I was already on a run of 42 and was getting ready to shoot a wide open ball,when Grady asked me if I wanted to continue the run,and I said "of course".
He stopped me and told me to look around at the other side of the stack. There was a makeable shot,but a little tougher than the ball I was about to shoot. He pointed out that this might be a tougher shot,BUT this shot was a much better secondary break. I took it,made it,and the rest of the stack scattered. I finish the rack,so I'm on 56.
In the next rack,I was jellied up on top of a ball underneath the stack,and was about to play safe,when he spoke up again. This time,I almost ignored a dead ball in the stack. I make it,and keep going to 70.
This kept going until I was at 114,which I have only come close to once since. It didn't really matter,because he turned around and ran 200 on me
What it taught me most was that sometimes,it pays to put your rhythm on pause and look around at the table 3-4 different ways,because you might have missed something.
He said overall,that my shot selection was pretty solid,but added that my stroke and execution was what bailed me out several times during that run.
I'll treasure that night for the rest of my life. Tommy D.
You avatar says that you are the world's best B player. I think anyone that runs a hundred, even with Grady's help (great story), forever surrenders their title as a "B Player". You sir, are an A player.
kollegedave
I just saw that. I think I'm going to order the 100 balls one for my own collection.
I would say that you would be better off asking the great player a more basic question like how do you aim to one side of the pocket - with accuracy. Position play has been easier for me than maybe others and it is a huge asset, however pocketing the ball must come first. Learning about the center of the white is imperative to making leaps and abounds' in your game - this is where the one on '' instruction should be focused. After that your in a good position to watch and learn the way to finding your own way to clear a rack and or many racks.
I did this exact thing back in the day with Grady. My high was 28 at the time. He set up an initial break shot and next thing I know I was finishing the 3rd rack. He told me what ball to hit and what, if any, english to use. My high is 54 now. Unfortunately I haven't played straight pool in a couple of years. No one around my area plays.
Bob
Bob
Move to Racine. Straight pool seems to be enjoying a resurgence here.
We need you.
The Admiral
Danny - How often do you find it advantageous to cheat the pocket? I can run 30 - 50 balls and never even think about cheating it (other than if maybe I only have 1/2 or 3/4 pocket to look at). The only other time I'd consider cheating it is to hold the cue ball from drifting too much sideways. Your comment makes this skill seem more important than I have been thinking.
This also reminds me of the story my dad always likes to mention. Long story short, Lassiter told him that he divides the pocket into 3 sections - left, middle and right, and aims to those sections as needed.
Would you care to say more on the subject, maybe even in a new thread?
I will try this again, my first response was erased as it said I was not logged in - and I am positive I was - must have been a glitch. My aiming system really does not have much to do with cheating the pocket per say, interesting what Luther said about the three sections of a pocket also. I don't really want to try and attempt to explain any aiming system I might have here on this forum. My stroke is not as strong as it once was nor is my nerve as steady
I will say this to my fellow 14.1 players, the center of the cue ball is constantly changing according to where it takes residence. Combine this with some basic knowledge of crooked stroke mechanics and your on your way to learning how to forget it all. Glad to hear 14.1 is alive in Racine - maybe that is where I belong?