Having trouble getting into double digit ball runs on my home table, olhausen 9ft w/4.5 inch infamous ball spitting pockets
Even at the Pool hall, a 9ft Brunswick w 5inch pockets
What should I focus on to up my numbers , drills or patterns?
My high this yr is only 15
All time 2yrs ago when I got serious with 14.1 was 27 on my gc2
Before you read the rest of my post, know this: I'd love to help you out. I made a thread about patterns and one about developing breakballs, but I don't think they are any help to you right now. I'm not trying to be mean or condescending.
I'm going to be totally honest with you: If you have trouble getting through a single rack, there is simply no way that just your patterns are at fault. You likely have some sort of fundamentals issue. I'd see a LOCAL instructor (someone you could come back to when needed) and have your fundamentals looked over.
14.1 does seem to expose flaws, because we are sometimes shooting for pinpoint position. This means that there is a lot of focus on tip position and speed, and if you are routinely steering or slopping balls in, you will break down in those situations. Also, if the balls are wide open, there is a tendency to be lacsadaisical about position.
If, for some reason you can't see an instructor (which you should, you really, really REALLY should!), this is what I'd do: Take a 15 ball rack and smash it open like 8 ball. Take a small piece of paper, 1/4 napkin size. Make a bullseye on it in the center if you like. You can use a "magic rack" for 9 ball, that's maybe more practical to place. If the shot doesn't allow you to place a napkin or magic rack, put a small piece of lint down or mark the cloth with a damp finger. Shoot every ball in with two goals in mind: Hitting
exact center pocket and landing
on the center spot of the napkin. It's important to try to hit center pocket, because it will force you to use accurate tip position to get where you need to go. No cheating it in with center ball or whatever english you prefer!
Don't care if it's a hanger or a 2 foot stop shot. Shoot every shot as perfectly as you can. Walk into the shot, stay down, stay still, follow through etc..This will easily show what you are up against. If you are nowhere near the napkin or you miss the shot, set it up again. Don't give up, it will take time to get comfortable with this. The key is to visualize the shot while standing up, in as much detail as possible, in my experience.
Obviously not even great players will be able to do this all the time, the point is that you're trying to do it. You are training your concentration and removing the "14.1-dog factor" that is the reason why so many people struggle with the game. There are no easy shots in pool. Doesn't mean it can't be fun or that you can't enjoy it, but it does mean you need focus and good fundamentals to do well. Even the toughest drills become fun, once you start to master them.
Good luck to you.
