Dumb question on practice vs play

No, it's not rude to spend your time doing what you want to do.

If they know you or care about pool in any way, they should respect the fact that you're practicing. I started to make it a habit of telling people no and soon enough, people were telling me "How much longer are you on your drills?" or "You playing later?". Then I'd respond and said I'll be done in an hour or two and they'd be right on the table when I was ready. Keep doing what you're doing.

One of the most productive practice sessions I ever had, included a practice buddy.

Setting up the shots for the drills takes time and if you practice buddy is doing the 'set up' while you are preparing to shoot, you get to 'feel' the shot better and learn it quicker.

After you do a short session at drills, reverse positions with your practice buddy.

It also keeps players from coming over and butting in and asking to play.

All the players that aren't blind... you'll still get the 'blind players' that just cannot see your practice buddy..

to thine ownself be true ... Seems I heard this somewhere. If for some reason that's not possible; practice during a slow time.

No, you're not an ass...you're paying for the table, it's yours to do with as you want. I can't tell you how many times I've let a guy knock some around with me, only to be stuck with extra charges when they disappear and I pay out the table.

If you want to wander off and eat a hamburger while the clock's ticking, that's your call. Like others have said, you don't have to be rude about it, just say thanks, but no, I'm working on something. The ear buds trick mentioned above is great, works for me, too...no one wants to bother with you if you're rocking an iPod...plus it can help you drown out the noise and focus on your drills. I also try and go to the room during slow hours, so I'm less likely to run into guys who want to play me (friends and stangers alike). That way, I get a couple of hours in alone just when it starts to heat up and maybe I want company by then....

Yep, Just say it as it is. You're practicing and may or may play later...I find nothing wrong with that. If they do, there's something wrong with them...

I should think any serious player would understand. No matter how good you get in your development, it's always a good idea to devote a significant amount of time to solo practice. Especially after a couple bad nights where you need to build that confidence back up.

Honesty is the best policy, scottjen. Tell them you're practicing for the World's Snooker Championships, and you've only got five days before you have to leave for Copenhagen.
When they look at your table and notice you've been playing Eight-Ball, tell them that's why you need to practice. Have a good time in Copenhagen.

I practice at the pool frequently. Soon they will be saying "I wish I could practice like that. I just can't figure out how to do it, it bores me." I also shoot with buddies. Not ussually at the same time. They ussually just want to shoot 9 ball or 8 ball. I need to set up and repeat the shot. I also try to use different tables and use a set routine. I have a long way to go after a 20 year lay off. I will also pay for an occasional lesson. Still having grip issues on draw shots. It is your money, you rented the table, no reason to feel guilty. I do how ever try to go when it is slow. Tournament night probably won't work out for you. John

My standard answer is that I'm working on some things to incorporate into the classes, which obviously doesn't work for everybody. But you could always say you have to finish up some drills before your next session with your coach/instructor. And, as someone suggested, offer to play later. ("If you are still here around 9, I should be finished up and would be glad to shoot some with you")

Steve

I can relate!

Tough situation, just be nice and firm about it when you decline their offers to play some.

When I started doing drills I made it known that I wouldn't be playing ANYONE for six months. Everyone pestered me nonstop in the beginning because I was good action and it was surprising how pissed off it made them, but after a while they stopped. About 9 months later after I had beaten everyone in the pool hall and no one wanted to gamble with me anymore I noticed one day there were five tables with guys doing my drill by themselves. If you're serious about doing drills being the jerk who wants to only practice is a good thing!

thought about this very issue yesterday at the pool hall. i have an upcoming 10 ball match monday and wanted to get in some pracice drills for an hour or so. started my "long shot drills" and a young woman, who is wanting to learn to play better, approched and wanted to know if i wanted to play for a while? first thought was, "i really need to practice because play is NOT practice". then i thought, here is a new student of the game and is more or less asking for some help getting better. i chose the latter and did help her with her bad habit of raising her head just before "firiing". i mean, it is only weds and the match is monday.....i am the only person at the pool hall who practices drills of any kind so it is really difficult to get in more than an hour or so of drills. i hate to be rude but between now and monday night i will have to learn how to say "no"!
good post! :thumbup:

Tell them you are waiting for your friend who told you he would be getting there soon, then when you feel ready to match up go over and tell them it looks like your friend is a no show and we can play some now.

I've wondered if there is a ratio of practice v play that is the best in order to keep ones skills sharp as well as improve. For me, I know its more practice then competiting,right now anyway, but I'm starting to think I'm doing too much practice and not enough real play.

When you feel like playing some games, do you go ask anyone or do you want to be asked?

I know you need competition for alot of reasons, one being that competition does help you see how well you have been practcing and what you need to work on.

To really excel in pool, you need both.

I gotta share this as a way to truely express the importance that practice has on muscle memory. At 54, I had my right thumb in a cast, so basiclly my right hand was useless and I am right handed.

So, I started to have to use my left hand and arm for things it they never had to do in 54 years. Give it a try some time, switch hands. Some can do it easy some not.

Not a big thing right, not until the first time I went #2 and had to use my left hand and arm for the fcleaning up unction that my right arm and hand had been doing for over 50 years.

There was no muscle memory for using my left hand and arm for that. In my mind, sure, I was doing it, but the thought and action just was not there.

But by the end of 4 weeks, using the left arm was almost like using the right arm.

Same thing applies learning a new shot or shooting from a non standard shot position in pool. You have to practice.

FWIW.

duckie said:

I've wondered if there is a ratio of practice v play that is the best in order to keep ones skills sharp as well as improve..

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It depends on what stage of things you are in. If you are in the learning stage, as in trying to incorporate something new into your game, your practice time should be about 80% of your table time. If you are practicing to maintain your game, about 20% does fine. And if you have hit a problem you are trying to fix, shift back to that 80% until you resolve the problem.

Remember that the purpose of practice is to get better. But the purpose of all of it is so you can play the game. That's where the competition comes in. If someone spent a year, locked in their basement practicing, what would be the point? They might get really good at practicing, but so what? If you aren't playing, there is no point in practicing.

Steve

DoubleD said:

Just be honest.

Say, 'I'm really working on something right now, but I'll be ready for some competition later.'

Also, be sure you are at the far end of the hall, in the corner.

...

One thing, tho, if you are messing with your phone while hitting balls, you are NOT practicing. Unless you are in a job which requires you to have constant contact, you should be able to ignore your phone for two hours. If there is a chance of an emergency that you must be notified of, give those people the number of the pool hall.

dld

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I think this is the best answer. Some other good suggestions here too, but I think this is the best.

Ok how about this related situation to what the OP has posted: How do you deal with the guy who goes and gets a table right next to you after you tell them you don't want to play and proceeds to knock balls around loudly in a disruptive manner and interupt you constantly with inane stories about things going on in his life, the pool hall or other places. (this is a regular occurance lately!) This particular guy is a "talker" and where ever he is in the pool hall seems to turn into a mini-circus. This guy always seems to be up there and during the early afternoon when I can play not many people(others for him to go bug! lol) are around he is tough to shake. Man I just wanna practice some or maybe match up at a pool hall I otherwise like without being bothered by this ass clown!!!

PS when I mean he is a talker I mean non-****ing stop like a radio that is on wether you pay attention to it or not!:angry: