Looking to improve

THam

THam

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm not sure if this is a question for the ask an instructor area or not. But here's some background about me. I have been playing pool for around 6-7 years and I feel I have improved very slowly, but I also don't put in much time at all into practice, I mostly go out to hang out with my friends. Well, last weekend I went to my biggest tournament and could not perform under the pressure, but it got me really wanting to get better and practice more.

So my question that I just can't seem to understand is, the difference in 'power' and 'putting more stroke on a ball' I struggle to understand how you can stroke through the ball more without hitting it harder and still complete a stroke through the ball without decelerating. I'm also having issues stroking completely through the ball every time, is this just something I just need to practice?

My second question is should I try to find an instructor or look to get a good DVD set? Who are some good instructors in Utah or what is a really good DVD set to help me learn drills and how to improve, or how about an online instructor like Sharivari? I subscribe to his patreon and he offers to send him a 10 minute video and he'll give you drills to improve. I just want to get better.
 
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Instructor would likely be a good shortcut. There's really no substitute for observation of what you're doing and specific application of best practices you might be missing out on.

The comfort in tournaments is a different matter though. The more you do them the more your comfort and execution will improve. Not sure there's any other way than time and participation.
 
Black-Balled said:
Instructor would likely be a good shortcut. There's really no substitute for observation of what you're doing and specific application of best practices you might be missing out on.

The comfort in tournaments is a different matter though. The more you do them the more your comfort and execution will improve. Not sure there's any other way than time and participation.
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That's what I was kind of figuring. That I need to put in more time at the table and more time in bigger tournaments. I play weekly tournaments almost every night but not ones that were that big on tough tables.

With the observation of what I'm doing I have friends that help me a lot and offer suggestions on what to do with my stroke to help get better results.
 
I'd also suggest you take a day or two occasionally and play on the big table alone.

And to comment on online instruction, I don't like it. Easy to convey the how but not the when and why, and it is the when and why that makes a player good...making the right choices at the right time.
 
THam...While online instruction can work, provided it's interactive, as opposed to strictly observational, it cannot replace the value of one-to-one hands on teaching used by the world's foremost professional instructors. The best instructors use video analysis to assess a player's strengths and weaknesses, and then provide methods of helping the student teach themselves how to play better, using specific disciplined practice that can be measured. That way you can chart your own progress, and measure your own improvement. As Black Balled noted, once you have a strong foundation, you must test yourself in competition. There is no substitute to defeat the 'butterflies', 'yips', or nervousness, other than more and tougher competition! Confidence in your stroke is the key! There are certified instructors in UT that you can find through the PBIA and ACS (American Cue Sports) websites. There are also touring instructors like myself, who will come work with you in your home. If you're interested, you can PM me with your contact information.

Scott Lee
2019 PBIA Instructor of the Year
Director, SPF National Pool School Tour
 
THam, your post hits close to home. One thing I can add. There is no substitute, for in person observation, of a really good stroke. Video is not the same as standing next to the table, and seeing what can be done.
 
"Power" and "Maximum stroke" are limited by the table you play on and by the shaft you use. Show me someone that uses lots of power and speed on the ball and I'll show you a pool victim. It's a game of knowing how much power and how much speed to use. If you go over the thresh-hold of controlling the speed of both balls, you'll tend to perform rather poorly. Practice 14.1 and the basics of holding your head still and not jumping up on shots. 14.1 teaches discipline for the basic fundamentals, all the while you're learning what a medium stroke will do. Pool is more about "self control" than cue ball power. Decide when you're chalking "This shot requires medium speed." If you want to increase your skill level 20%, learn 3 cushion billiards.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, I’ll have to look into an instructor and learning to play 14.1, I’ve never played it.
 
One of the drills someone had me do when i was starting to work on my follow through was to bridge closer to the ball, and stroke so that my cue went 2 to 3 times past where the ball was, and wait for the ball to go to the end of the table. it was to help me understand the follow through and get use to not jumping up as i shot. I will still do this now and then without an object ball to dial in my stroke when i am feeling off. no need for an object ball either, if you are just practicing your stroke.

it was a simple way to get me to make some good habits and break bad ones. I still have a lot of bad habits :P
 
Black-Balled said:
Instructor would likely be a good shortcut. There's really no substitute for observation of what you're doing and specific application of best practices you might be missing out on.

The comfort in tournaments is a different matter though. The more you do them the more your comfort and execution will improve. Not sure there's any other way than time and participation.
Click to expand...
No substitute for hitting a million balls.
No substitute for getting better at tournament play than playing in tournaments.
 
Buckzapper said:
"Power" and "Maximum stroke" are limited by the table you play on and by the shaft you use. Show me someone that uses lots of power and speed on the ball and I'll show you a pool victim. It's a game of knowing how much power and how much speed to use. If you go over the thresh-hold of controlling the speed of both balls, you'll tend to perform rather poorly. Practice 14.1 and the basics of holding your head still and not jumping up on shots. 14.1 teaches discipline for the basic fundamentals, all the while you're learning what a medium stroke will do. Pool is more about "self control" than cue ball power. Decide when you're chalking "This shot requires medium speed." If you want to increase your skill level 20%, learn 3 cushion billiards.
Click to expand...
I agree.
3 cushion teaches you that the cushions are your friends.
Use them.
The cushions allow you to control most shots as far as direction and speed.
 
THam said:
I'm not sure if this is a question for the ask an instructor area or not. But here's some background about me. I have been playing pool for around 6-7 years and I feel I have improved very slowly, but I also don't put in much time at all into practice, I mostly go out to hang out with my friends. Well, last weekend I went to my biggest tournament and could not perform under the pressure, but it got me really wanting to get better and practice more.
Click to expand...

THam said:
So my question that I just can't seem to understand is, the difference in 'power' and 'putting more stroke on a ball'

I struggle to understand how you can stroke through the ball more without hitting it harder and still complete a stroke through the ball without decelerating. I'm also having issues stroking completely through the ball every time, is this just something I just need to practice?

My second question is should I try to find an instructor or look to get a good DVD set? Who are some good instructors in Utah or what is a really good DVD set to help me learn drills and how to improve, or how about an online instructor like Sharivari? I subscribe to his patreon and he offers to send him a 10 minute video and he'll give you drills to improve. I just want to get better.
Click to expand...
My interpretation of your question phrased differently might be..... I sometimes see certain players get more action/distance on the cueball while hitting it softer than I'd need to, to achieve the same result. Would that be accurate?
 
Buckzapper said:
"Power" and "Maximum stroke" are limited by the table you play on and by the shaft you use. Show me someone that uses lots of power and speed on the ball and I'll show you a pool victim. It's a game of knowing how much power and how much speed to use. If you go over the thresh-hold of controlling the speed of both balls, you'll tend to perform rather poorly. Practice 14.1 and the basics of holding your head still and not jumping up on shots. 14.1 teaches discipline for the basic fundamentals, all the while you're learning what a medium stroke will do. Pool is more about "self control" than cue ball power. Decide when you're chalking "This shot requires medium speed." If you want to increase your skill level 20%, learn 3 cushion billiards.
Click to expand...
What benefit do you think 3c would provide to a player that is early on the learning curve?

I think the additional benefit really only reveals itself to relatively accomplished players.
 
sparkle84 said:
My interpretation of your question phrased differently might be..... I sometimes see certain players get more action/distance on the cueball while hitting it softer than I'd need to, to achieve the same result. Would that be accurate?
Click to expand...
Yes very accurate to what I’m asking.
 
Some others have mentioned the same and I will also do so.... I would recommend you seek out a "qualified" person whether in person or online to do a stroke analysis, test your vision center, and evaluate your preshot routine. I know this is the basics, but this platform is what hinders many on their ladder of improvement.

Some spend so much time later trying to fix things once they realize its a roadblock to success. Others, after a couple days, give up and go back to their old ways instead of grinding through it. Once your past this, there are so many ways to slice that pie on the road to success.
 
philly said:
No substitute for hitting a million balls.
No substitute for getting better at tournament play than playing in tournaments.
Click to expand...
^^^ This ^^^

I‘ll also add that playing in a weekly $10 tournament in your home room, against people you know and see every day, is completely different than playing in larger tournaments, on different equipment, against somebody you’ve never met before knowing that all he wants to do is stomp on your throat and be done with you.

You gotta get in that box even if you know that you’re gonna get your teeth kicked in most of the time...
 
THam said:
Yes very accurate to what I’m asking.
Click to expand...
philly said:
I agree.
3 cushion teaches you that the cushions are your friends.
Use them.
The cushions allow you to control most shots as far as direction and speed.
Click to expand...
Agree with billiards. Yet, I believe straight rail billiards develops more skills that directly apply to improvment in pool than 3 cushion. When I was playing a lot of straight rail, I could really see its contributions to my pocket game.
 
THam said:
I'm not sure if this is a question for the ask an instructor area or not. But here's some background about me. I have been playing pool for around 6-7 years and I feel I have improved very slowly, but I also don't put in much time at all into practice, I mostly go out to hang out with my friends. Well, last weekend I went to my biggest tournament and could not perform under the pressure, but it got me really wanting to get better and practice more.

So my question that I just can't seem to understand is, the difference in 'power' and 'putting more stroke on a ball' I struggle to understand how you can stroke through the ball more without hitting it harder and still complete a stroke through the ball without decelerating. I'm also having issues stroking completely through the ball every time, is this just something I just need to practice?

My second question is should I try to find an instructor or look to get a good DVD set? Who are some good instructors in Utah or what is a really good DVD set to help me learn drills and how to improve, or how about an online instructor like Sharivari? I subscribe to his patreon and he offers to send him a 10 minute video and he'll give you drills to improve. I just want to get better.
Click to expand...
THam said:
I'm not sure if this is a question for the ask an instructor area or not. But here's some background about me. I have been playing pool for around 6-7 years and I feel I have improved very slowly, but I also don't put in much time at all into practice, I mostly go out to hang out with my friends. Well, last weekend I went to my biggest tournament and could not perform under the pressure, but it got me really wanting to get better and practice more.

So my question that I just can't seem to understand is, the difference in 'power' and 'putting more stroke on a ball' I struggle to understand how you can stroke through the ball more without hitting it harder and still complete a stroke through the ball without decelerating. I'm also having issues stroking completely through the ball every time, is this just something I just need to practice?

My second question is should I try to find an instructor or look to get a good DVD set? Who are some good instructors in Utah or what is a really good DVD set to help me learn drills and how to improve, or how about an online instructor like Sharivari? I subscribe to his patreon and he offers to send him a 10 minute video and he'll give you drills to improve. I just want to get better.
Click to expand...


1). So getting instruction is huge.
2). Practice the basics until basic shots are automatic.
3). Play to your strengths (play your best game). What do I mean by play your best game? If you do not have a powerful stroke yet play position that gives you your best chance to win.
4). Enjoy yourself (and you will feel less pressure). Cheers!
 
THam said:
So my question that I just can't seem to understand is, the difference in 'power' and 'putting more stroke on a ball'
Click to expand...

Power is, in effect, the velocity of the cue tip upon impact.

The amount of stroke one puts on the CB is, in effect, the power AND exactly where you make contact with the CB.
 
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