Can You Improve?
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I am currently changing/working on fundamentals. Sadly I only get maybe 3-4 hours a week practice time. I'm proud of my game all things considered and really feel I could be a top amateur/low level pro if only I had the time. I suppose many feel the same about their game. However at 44 yrs old I recognize it's too late to get to an SVB type level plus family is priority. Otherwise I literally would practice 8-10 hrs a day. That's how crazy/obsessed I am about this game 
All 3 of those things require time, so that should be everyones answer. Being financially secure where they can do all of the above.
I will say (in light of this thread, cause i was gonna maybe start one about this) over the past few weeks I have grown as player and gained a lot of heart. I have grind out in some tough 14.1 matches "winning one tonight by 2 ball giving up 35 and being tied almost all the way to like 75 or so with only a few balls separating us" stuck with it and come out with the win.
I'd say everybody has different amounts of all three, obviously favoring one style over the other two.
As I've refined my fundamentals I started to play much better because I was hitting the CB how I wanted with confidence. Even rail shots, bridging over a ball, etc. is no biggie to me anymore because I have confidence that I will stroke along a straight line to the contact point of the OB.
However, I also benefit from playing much better players because it forces me to focus so I pick up things from watching them or from my enhanced focus.
I'd classify myself mostly as a table time improver. I've been told my entire pool playing life that I was an excellent ball-pocketer so if I could pick up patterns, CB control, overall knowledge about controlling the CB then I'd jump up skill levels fast. I can say that because I've refined my stroke, the table time over the past few months is what has significantly improved my game.
-Richard
But what's it going to take to improve further? I've seen you come on leaps since we first started chatting on here. I feel like a proud farther lolI know I've improved and got video evidence to support it
Number 1 doesn't need table time... It needs time, but not much table time. Things like trying to make your stance feel comfortable could be done at the kitchen table.
Number 2 depending on where you live and how good you actually are can be tricky, expensive and time consuming. If you're the best in your area or if your area isn't packed with decent players you may have to travel to a bigger city to play better players. I had to do that as a kid. I had to travel to Essex every weekend to match up with better players. It was expensive but worth it. In America my trip to Essex is nothing. Players have to travel across several states in some cases. But yeah, it does require time.
Number 3 is the most time consuming though. Every day, hours on end just playing. Mostly by your self. It's boring but it keeps your fingers in the cookie jar. That's where I'm at. I probably play pool and especially 8 ball to a weak pro level. I have it in me to compete at the top level but I just need to play every day. I play every day but mostly snooker and UK 8 ball. I would have to knock UK 8 ball on the head and give it up... For me it isn't a problem I don't enjoy the game. Snooker I couldn't give up. But with step 3 comes the big decisions. In order to play that much you need to be financially stable and give up working full time. I can't do that, my Mrs would have my balls on the chopping board! You have to be extremely committed and addicted to the game to make the transition from top amateur/we pro to being a top pro that can make money from the sport. I'm not that committed or addicted.
Cue ball control is really easy to pick up. Patterns are really easy to spot. It just requires paying attention. What you see on TV for example with the various views isn't what you see when stood at the table. You get a different view. If you could have a bird's-eye view all the time then you'd be fine and spot the trickiest of paths. Watching better players and world class players in person gives you that view that you see when at the table. That's when you notice cue ball paths and they stick in your memory.
Taking extra time also helps. Walk around the table and assess the situation when in doubt. Pick a specific spot to land the cue ball in a larger area on the right side of the ball. The problem I had when taking up pool was playing for a larger area in general without being specific. I could get away with it most times in snooker but in rotation it can end a run. Be specific and give your self the most margin of error. It takes time and will slow you down at first buy it starts becoming automatic the more you play.
I meant to quote JoeyA's post here, but missed the quote button. Yikes.
Every time I go to the DCC, I try hard to pick up at least one thing or two (or 20) that I can practice to improve. Last year it seemed to me that "champion" players did not use a lot of side spin.
I have incorporated this into my game, and I am very happy with it. Moreover, once I started to use less spin, to me, it seemed like even when I needed it, I needed less of it, which makes the shot easier (obviously) than when I am way at the edge of the ball.
A long post to say, I agree with you.
In response to the OP, there is no doubt in my mind that a player can improve in all the ways he suggests, even if they already play o.k. This last year, I have dedicated a lot of time to long shots, and it this has helped me to produce a more precise stroke on all shots.
Just my 0.02
kollegedave
Every time I go to the DCC, I try hard to pick up at least one thing or two (or 20) that I can practice to improve. Last year it seemed to me that "champion" players did not use a lot of side spin.
I have incorporated this into my game, and I am very happy with it. Moreover, once I started to use less spin, to me, it seemed like even when I needed it, I needed less of it, which makes the shot easier (obviously) than when I am way at the edge of the ball.
A long post to say, I agree with you.
In response to the OP, there is no doubt in my mind that a player can improve in all the ways he suggests, even if they already play o.k. This last year, I have dedicated a lot of time to long shots, and it this has helped me to produce a more precise stroke on all shots.
Just my 0.02
kollegedave
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Great point about the side spin. The great players tend to mix side spin with either top or follow. This way they tend to only need a little bit of side spin. It's rare I see a top player stun the ball in and use max side spin to gain position.
I practice a lot of long shots too, especially off the rail as it seems I always come to the table glued to the cushion with a long cut. I start progressively with the object ball only a foot away and move the object ball half a diamond away each shot whilst keeping the potting angle the same. I find the angles tend to stick in my memory more this way.
Considering I've improved despite only playing 2-3 times a week, I would say adding more table time.
I think you would be best served by seeking out a qualified instructor and take a lesson. have the instructor give you some drills to work on and if you can afford it take more than one lesson. keep in mind that just because someone may be a great local player dose not necessarily mean they know how to teach. you can go to the PBIA website ( professional billiards instructors association ) it is www.playbetterbilliards.com and find an instructor in your area. you also need competition in order to get better. play in the weekly tournaments at your local establishments.
For those interested, here's an excerpt from the latest version of my "how to improve" resource page:
The best way to improve is through smart and focussed practice, especially if you work on your trouble areas during that practice. Excellent practice (pool workout) routines include the Billiard University (BU) Exams and the sets of games and drills in the Video Encyclopedia of Pool Practice (VEPP). Many other useful drills can be found on the drill resources page. As illustrated in my Pyramid of Progress and Rack of Skills illustrations, to be a good pool player you need to have solid fundamentals, be a good shot maker, have good cue ball control, have complete and sound game knowledge and strategy, and have the confidence, focus, and desire necessary to improve and win. Also, see: what it takes to play like a pro.
It might also help you to see an experienced and qualified instructor or sign up for a multiple-day intensive course (e.g., the BU Summer School Boot Camp). A good instructor can often see problems or deficiencies with your mechanics and game that you might not know are there. They can also provide good advice for how to improve. Finally, if you haven't done so yet, you should read some books and watch instructional videos dealing with pool. Improving your knowledge and understanding of the game might give you a wider arsenal of shots, help you be more creative at the table, help you be more aware of important factors for different types of shots, and help you improve with less practice. The following resources might be helpful in this regard:
Top 100 Pool and Billiards Tips, "Secrets," and "Gems"
recommended pool instructional books
Regards,
Dave
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Yes!
I know I am capable of improving. But, I try to be honest about it. I am 65 and the nearest decent pool hall that runs the state tournaments on good 9' Diamond tables is 150 miles away.
I live in a little Alaskan hick town and the pool scene consists of poorly kept bar boxs where folks meet to drink beer and bang away on a table. Heck, they are having fun, but I don't really enjoy playing on the tables or the bar scene.
I have a good 9" table in my garage and usually play a little every day. The problem is competition. I need to shoot against players that are as good or better then me. I also need to dedicate several hours a day to serious practice and I am not willing to do that as I have other things in life that are higher on my priority list.
So even though I could get better, given my age, location and opportunities to compete in tournaments and competition on a regular basis I probably won't improve much.
I just don't have the "fire in the belly" and play for fun.
I know I am capable of improving. But, I try to be honest about it. I am 65 and the nearest decent pool hall that runs the state tournaments on good 9' Diamond tables is 150 miles away.
I live in a little Alaskan hick town and the pool scene consists of poorly kept bar boxs where folks meet to drink beer and bang away on a table. Heck, they are having fun, but I don't really enjoy playing on the tables or the bar scene.
I have a good 9" table in my garage and usually play a little every day. The problem is competition. I need to shoot against players that are as good or better then me. I also need to dedicate several hours a day to serious practice and I am not willing to do that as I have other things in life that are higher on my priority list.
So even though I could get better, given my age, location and opportunities to compete in tournaments and competition on a regular basis I probably won't improve much.
I just don't have the "fire in the belly" and play for fun.
Video is very good
Did you video yourself or get someone else to do it for you...?
I use video on a weekly basis... dialing in is easier when you know what the problem is & can see your improvement real quick.
Bob Jones Stroke Analyzer is great for a home video analysis program $100.00 plus a couple webcams...
I think Video is a GIVEN for quick learning...
I know I've improved and got video evidence to support it
Did you video yourself or get someone else to do it for you...?
I use video on a weekly basis... dialing in is easier when you know what the problem is & can see your improvement real quick.
Bob Jones Stroke Analyzer is great for a home video analysis program $100.00 plus a couple webcams...
I think Video is a GIVEN for quick learning...
If there is one thing I learned throughout the years is that the video does not lie. I remember seeing myself from the side view from one of the pool schools and I had a lot of fundamental issues. I was amazed I could even shoot like I did considering how bad my fundamentals were. Once I learned how to correct and check those, it helped a lot. Still, every once in a while a video is a great way to see yourself shoot and pick out things you can improve on whether it is your stance, patterns on the table you take on the runout, your eyes, how fast you shoot (if you are hurrying too much) etc...just a ton of things that show up on the video.
I agree with this. I wasn't saying it's what I needed anymore - I have significantly improved my cue ball control and patterns. Obviously, I'm always looking to improve but it's so much better than it used to be just a few months ago.
I'd say the thing I'm happiest with is almost always coming into the line of the shot on 2 and 3 rail position shots. I'm incredibly happy with my ability to use the rails accurately. Moving around the table is much easier as well.
I really feel like what I need to work on most now is picking patterns in 8-ball. Of 8, 9, and 10 ball I'd say 8-ball is my weakest game.
The thinking in 8 ball is different. I can't stress enough how important it is to plan the entire rack out in advance. Pick a key ball, then work backwards until you end up at the first ball to shoot. You barely need to move the white more than 6" for the first few shots, and if you're lucky then the entire rack. Gareth Potts and Jimmy Reid have some great videos on 8 ball patterns on YouTube.
I'm the opposite, 9 and 10 ball are my worst games. My 14.1 game and 8 ball game are miles ahead.