Starting again after 20 years - where to start, please?

funny thing I noticed today. I went to practice and after about 45 mins doing stop shots I decided to play against myself but after few racks I was messing about and started doing 'speed' pool. I noticed one consistent thing - that the fact that I was going faster 'on clock' I realised I was way more consistent and accurate and was able to pocket way more balls then when I was taking more time and lot of pre stroke. That kinda tell me that maybe my muscle memory is there but I perhaps mess more shots because of my mental state (overthinking).

Anyway, today was fun. I was able to do stop shot from almost any distance so that was good practice.

I'll check the above videos tomorrow, thank you so much.
 
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I only read the first post, so it may have been mentioned...
I'd recommend to play in weekly local tournaments if any are in your area, especially if they report to FargoRate. You can get an actual number of where you stand in the pool world based on your actual performance. Its a powerful tool to watch your game improve with numbers to quantify it.

I'd stay away from leagues. Only do individual tournaments. You want playing time, not watching 5 of your teammates play all night while sitting in a chair. Also as a generalization, the better local players are more likely to play in individual tournaments. So you can watch their tournament matches and learn from them.
 
Gloor said:
... Back then I believed that pool should be 'clean' so I never practiced or learnt english as I felt I should be able to do all with stop shots, draws and follow shots. Now the game changed and I see that english shots became crucial (or so I was told). ...
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Have you started to use side spin yet? Does it seem to be working for you?
 
iusedtoberich said:
I only read the first post, so it may have been mentioned...
I'd recommend to play in weekly local tournaments if any are in your area, especially if they report to FargoRate. You can get an actual number of where you stand in the pool world based on your actual performance. Its a powerful tool to watch your game improve with numbers to quantify it.

I'd stay away from leagues. Only do individual tournaments. You want playing time, not watching 5 of your teammates play all night while sitting in a chair. Also as a generalization, the better local players are more likely to play in individual tournaments. So you can watch their tournament matches and learn from them.
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Some of the better players in my area play just enough in our dual sanctioned VNEA / BCAPL leagues to make them eligible for the individual tournaments.

Every one of those league games are reported to Fargo.
 
Gloor said:
I don't want to get an instructor. Maybe it would accelerate my learning a bit but in return it would also cost a lot so that option is out.
I played with one guy at the pool hall who decimated me even with one handed play and all his advice was basically the same. Practice shots and with time you will improve. I managed to beat him only 3 times (score was 9:3 for him) but I doubt I would get the same score if he focused 100% on serious. His positioning for next ball was almost text book accurate (within few cms).

Anyway, instructor is out. An instructor can't really put in the hours for you and he/she will only shave off some time but mostly it will not be worth it for me. I prefer to do camera on me, drills and then analyze later.

Thank you

P.s.: I do agree with the statement that a good player doesn't necessarily mean good teacher and in my life I've learnt that its very hard to find an actual good teacher (for anything) these days. Thats why I don't want to gamble this and save money.
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All do respect... Sounds like you're setting yourself up for a long road to possible low level mediocrity.

Based on the description you gave in your first post, pointing a camera at yourself isn't going to accomplish much. You're probably stuck being batted around like a cat toy for the next handful of years.

Nothing wrong with the school of hard knocks. That said, your time responding on here would be better suited trying to miss rails on the table.

Enjoy
 
Fore Rail said:
Some of the better players in my area play just enough in our dual sanctioned VNEA / BCAPL leagues to make them eligible for the individual tournaments.

Every one of those league games are reported to Fargo.
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My approach to APA. 12 matches a year to get into the singles Vegas qualifying tourney.
 
Gloor said:
Not yet. Too early for that. Stop shots, follow and then draw. After I get those in good position then I will experiment with English.
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In a way it's good that you don't use any sidespin yet because your old cue is probably very different from your new cue (Predator Revo). The cue ball deflection, which happens on sidespin shots, is generally a lot less with a Predator compared to older cues, so you won't have to unlearn your previous aiming compensation.
 
What area are you in? Somebody on here either knows someone that can help you out with learning to play properly, or is that person LOL

Solid fundamentals are the number one things to work on, making a longer shot without any spin on the cue ball so you know you're hitting the right spot, lining up properly on the shot without adjusting it in your stance, smooth stroke and follow through. One of the first practice drills you should work on is a simple three ball run out where you shoot them in order in the pocket that you planned at the start to learn angles and speed control. Just put three balls in random spots on the table and plan the position to play to them. It's extremely beneficial to do that with a good player helping you so they can explain the best paths to take to get to each ball, and why you would play certain layouts in the specific way versus some other way that can lead to more trouble and harder shots.
 
I'm based in Montreal, QC.

hang-the-9 said:
What area are you in? Somebody on here either knows someone that can help you out with learning to play properly, or is that person LOL

Solid fundamentals are the number one things to work on, making a longer shot without any spin on the cue ball so you know you're hitting the right spot, lining up properly on the shot without adjusting it in your stance, smooth stroke and follow through. One of the first practice drills you should work on is a simple three ball run out where you shoot them in order in the pocket that you planned at the start to learn angles and speed control. Just put three balls in random spots on the table and plan the position to play to them. It's extremely beneficial to do that with a good player helping you so they can explain the best paths to take to get to each ball, and why you would play certain layouts in the specific way versus some other way that can lead to more trouble and harder shots.
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Would you agree that if my stance is correct and my stroke just needs a little revival then the rest is just practice?

Because if thats the case then Instructor would probably be good for about 1-2 lessons and then the rest is just practice drills. (which is the main theme of all youtube videos I've seen so far - even Jasmine Ouschan says the same)

I had an instructor when i was 16. The first lesson was that I was doing a stroke inside a Coca Cola bottle on the table. I still remember that day :)

Apparently, now that practice is not very good so I guess its all relevant.

I like the idea of Tor's workshop though. That could be money very well spent it seems. Hard to get a spot though :)


The_JV said:
All do respect... Sounds like you're setting yourself up for a long road to possible low level mediocrity.

Based on the description you gave in your first post, pointing a camera at yourself isn't going to accomplish much. You're probably stuck being batted around like a cat toy for the next handful of years.

Nothing wrong with the school of hard knocks. That said, your time responding on here would be better suited trying to miss rails on the table.

Enjoy
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Gloor said:
... Because if thats the case then Instructor would probably be good for about 1-2 lessons and then the rest is just practice drills. (which is the main theme of all youtube videos I've seen so far - even Jasmine Ouschan says the same) ...
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I think at this point there are a lot of techniques and skills and knowledge that you don't have. An instructor can help with that. I think an instructor will be useful to you long after you run your first rack of nine ball.
 
Gloor said:
Are these forums always so hostile or its just you?
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Mark Wilson, the author of that book I recommended, which you need to order pronto, told a story about the time he asked for advice from an instructor. The instructor evaluated his play, then he succinctly gave his verdict, "Take two weeks off, then quit."

Mark Wilson is a direct descendant of the Jerry Briesath tree of instructors.
 
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Gloor said:
I don't want to get an instructor. Maybe it would accelerate my learning a bit but in return it would also cost a lot so that option is out.
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No, no, it can be cheap and not intrusive. I spent $60 on PoolDawg's video instruction and it helped me---a helluva lot more economical and productive than buying stuff. I told myself I would do the instruction and only then I would buy more stuff.
PoolDawg instruction.jpg
 
Paul_#_ said:
No, no, it can be cheap and not intrusive. I spent $60 on PoolDawg's video instruction and it helped me---a helluva lot more economical and productive than buying stuff. I told myself I would do the instruction and only then I would buy more stuff.
View attachment 816976
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Cheers for this, this does look like a great option. Much appreciated
 
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