Consistency, consistancy, consistincy

P

Plagueis

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Every time I play pool I seem to be a different person. Some nights I'm right on my game and I'm making great shots. Some nights I'm amazed at the decisions I make or the outcomes that should never happen.
I understand that we can all have bad nights but I've always felt that it's consistency that separates the good players from the okay players. So my question is how can I improve consistency? Would a pre shot routine work, or a pre game routine? Something to get myself into the right frame of mind to keep things going smooth.
 
Consistency

Plagueis said:
Every time I play pool I seem to be a different person. Some nights I'm right on my game and I'm making great shots. Some nights I'm amazed at the decisions I make or the outcomes that should never happen.
I understand that we can all have bad nights but I've always felt that it's consistency that separates the good players from the okay players. So my question is how can I improve consistency? Would a pre shot routine work, or a pre game routine? Something to get myself into the right frame of mind to keep things going smooth.
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Consistency is much easier if you understand and acquire sound fundamentals.

It's also very important to learn the game of pool in the proper order and execute your shot routine in the proper order.

For me, the fundamental goals should be Simplicity, Consistency and Imagination.

Have you ever considered taking a lesson?
 
Donny Lutz said:
Have you ever considered taking a lesson?
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I have but the aren't many instructors around here. Also it's an expense I can't afford right now. I improved the areas I was weak in but my stroke instill off (in my opinion) and I didn't like the structured practice very much
 
Consistency comes from doing the same things, the same way, every time. First thing you need is a consistent, repeatable stroke. This is something any qualified instructor can work with you to develop. Once you have the stroke mechanics, you need to build your routines and checklists for the way you approach your shots. Once you have these, you spend your practice time making all these things a natural part of every shot you make.

You can develop these skills on your own, but a good instructor can give you the tools you need, and show you how to make sure you are developing good habits, and avoiding the bad ones. Personally, I spent 20 years doing it on my own. Then I spent 3 days with a great instructor,(Thank you, RandyG) and within a few months was able to achieve significant improvement. Now, I have a road map that allows me to continue to see improvement. At age 62, my game is as good as it's ever been, but not yet as good as it will be. Taking those lessons inspired me to become an instructor myself. I wish I had done it 20 years earlier!

I can't encourage you enough to find a way to get with a qualified instructor. It's the best way to get where you are wanting to go.

Steve
 
Lessons

Plagueis said:
I have but the aren't many instructors around here. Also it's an expense I can't afford right now. I improved the areas I was weak in but my stroke instill off (in my opinion) and I didn't like the structured practice very much
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Not all instructors charge an arm and a leg. People have told me that the $20 they paid me for an hour was the best investment they ever made in their pool game. And I've done many hours of free lessons for people who couldn't even afford $20.

Keep in mind that the longer one plays with poor fundamentals the more difficult it is to correct them...and learning by "trial and error" can be a very slow and tedious process.

There is lots of free instruction on the Internet, You may be able to find some good books at your local library too, but having an instructor watch you and work with you personally is better.

Also, it's rather hard to improve much without at least a little "structured practice". As another poster said, "Repetition leads to consistency".
 
FranCrimi said:
How long have you been playing pool?

How many hours per week do you play?
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I learned to play as a kid but stopped throughout my teenage years, I came back to the game about a year and a half ago and have been doing quite well. My problem isn't understanding the technical points of the game, it's in the execution of those principals
 
Donny Lutz said:
Not all instructors charge an arm and a leg.
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Pool isnt that big up here in ottawa and although it does have a following it's somewhat lacking in instructors. I did have an assessment done with one and it cost me $50 and that was just for him to tell me what needed work. I've since fixed those things to a degree but some nights I'm way off my game and it's frustrating missing shots I know I should be making.
 
Plagueis said:
Pool isnt that big up here in ottawa and although it does have a following it's somewhat lacking in instructors. I did have an assessment done with one and it cost me $50 and that was just for him to tell me what needed work. I've since fixed those things to a degree but some nights I'm way off my game and it's frustrating missing shots I know I should be making.
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Another round about way is to send a video of your game to an instructor. Not as good as being there, but it's a start.

Best,
Mike
 
Plagueis said:
I learned to play as a kid but stopped throughout my teenage years, I came back to the game about a year and a half ago and have been doing quite well. My problem isn't understanding the technical points of the game, it's in the execution of those principals
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There's no shortcuts to developing consistency. A year and a half is not much time unless you're playing 12 hours a day, which I'm guessing that you don't.

If you don't want to miss easy shots, then pay attention to every shot. You can start there. But you have to put in the time. Lots and lots of time.
 
FranCrimi said:
There's no shortcuts to developing consistency. A year and a half is not much time unless you're playing 12 hours a day, which I'm guessing that you don't.

If you don't want to miss easy shots, then pay attention to every shot. You can start there. But you have to put in the time. Lots and lots of time.
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Thank you for the advice. I don't expect to be a pro in three years time or possibly ever and I play because I enjoy the game not because improvement is my only concern. But I don't want my skills to decline or to plateau so I'm looking for ways to improve because it's not always easy to teach yourself :)
 
Plagueis said:
Thank you for the advice. I don't expect to be a pro in three years time or possibly ever and I play because I enjoy the game not because improvement is my only concern. But I don't want my skills to decline or to plateau so I'm looking for ways to improve because it's not always easy to teach yourself :)
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You're right. But just keep playing and have patience.
 
Plagueis said:
Pool isnt that big up here in ottawa and although it does have a following it's somewhat lacking in instructors. I did have an assessment done with one and it cost me $50 and that was just for him to tell me what needed work. I've since fixed those things to a degree but some nights I'm way off my game and it's frustrating missing shots I know I should be making.
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O-town represent!
 
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