There are two distinct approaches to pool training I have been exposed to.
1. Drills to develop perfect position coupled with concepts about picking the most forgiving areas of position. Some of these methods involve pre selecting a series of specific pockets to shoot specific ball in before beginning the run. Not much discussion is had about alternative planning if things don't go right. I like this for practice and improvement but don't think the game is actually played this way.
2. Practicing more way the game is played. You have a plan, it can be a full table run, 3-4 balls ahead, figuring out a solution for problem balls, or however you feel the particular table will work out. But then instead of specific position for a specific shot, you plan for contingencies. So maybe something like trying to get perfect on a trouble ball but having an alternate or maybe multiple alternate shots if the position doesn't work out. Or a better way of saying it might be avoiding single ball position attempts unless there is no alternative. Like maybe not going for perfect position on a specific ball when you could choose to have pretty good position on a variety of balls and picking the best opportunity depending on exactly where you end up. Learning to see the game this way appeals to me as I am not sure I will every learn to get perfect all the time. I am not sure anyone can, maybe Shane? But it seems even the best players still look around and change their patterns based on circumstances. I have heard it said "pool is a game of opportunity" and I believe that is true.
Where I end up is striving for perfection, having a full run out plan, trying to perfect my speed and position during practice. But I am also trying to practice seeing options that allow for the largest number of possibilities and to remain open to small and even complete rearranging of my patterns as things develop.
My questions are for Instructors and experienced players alike: Is one method of practice more important than the other? Do you even agree that both are important or do you favor one exclusively? I have had instructors totally dismiss each of the above as being valid things to practice. They seem to be very polarized.
1. Drills to develop perfect position coupled with concepts about picking the most forgiving areas of position. Some of these methods involve pre selecting a series of specific pockets to shoot specific ball in before beginning the run. Not much discussion is had about alternative planning if things don't go right. I like this for practice and improvement but don't think the game is actually played this way.
2. Practicing more way the game is played. You have a plan, it can be a full table run, 3-4 balls ahead, figuring out a solution for problem balls, or however you feel the particular table will work out. But then instead of specific position for a specific shot, you plan for contingencies. So maybe something like trying to get perfect on a trouble ball but having an alternate or maybe multiple alternate shots if the position doesn't work out. Or a better way of saying it might be avoiding single ball position attempts unless there is no alternative. Like maybe not going for perfect position on a specific ball when you could choose to have pretty good position on a variety of balls and picking the best opportunity depending on exactly where you end up. Learning to see the game this way appeals to me as I am not sure I will every learn to get perfect all the time. I am not sure anyone can, maybe Shane? But it seems even the best players still look around and change their patterns based on circumstances. I have heard it said "pool is a game of opportunity" and I believe that is true.
Where I end up is striving for perfection, having a full run out plan, trying to perfect my speed and position during practice. But I am also trying to practice seeing options that allow for the largest number of possibilities and to remain open to small and even complete rearranging of my patterns as things develop.
My questions are for Instructors and experienced players alike: Is one method of practice more important than the other? Do you even agree that both are important or do you favor one exclusively? I have had instructors totally dismiss each of the above as being valid things to practice. They seem to be very polarized.