Hey RayCharles. Good man for calling us to action!
It is easy to get the feeling that AZB is all talk and no grind. But that is because you only see the people posting. You don't see the people when they are practicing, and you sure don't see the lurkers that are reading through threads for inspiration and instruction and then working hard every day.
I can promise you I am practicing hard and playing the best pool of my life. I have been obsessed the last week with 'diagonal rail bridges', i.e. the cue ball being frozen to the side rail and having to shoot a ball up table so I'm bridged diagonally across the rail but with the cue ball frozen. Like spot shots from the kitchen frozen to the side rail, or full shots that I have to follow to the head rail and back up table with speed. Point is I've probably shot 1-2 hours worth a day for the last week. I found out it was super great for my stroke. I've been shooting off the end rail for 10+ years but shooting from across the rail diagonally has really helped me with my sighting and stroke.
Then when I am done shooting those and I play the ghost or straight pool it feels super, super easy.
I have also been force following balls as a scratch. Set up a straight in shot, shoot it with high ball, and follow it in. I've been shooting these at near break speed. I heard Tyler Styer did this to work on his stroke and wanted to try it. I've done these in the past at normal speed, but I went ahead and took it up to 18mph or so. Man, it feels good when you start waffling them in! And again, it does get you in stroke. I normally like to shoot with a soft touch and it can be uncomfortable when I have to whack a ball like a straight pool break shot, so this helps me get in touch with the higher speed range of my stroke. And it makes the rest of the medium firm shots feel softer. I like it!
Anyway, wanted to represent those of us that are working hard. I'd be up for a ghost challenge as well, you can play the 6 ball ghost and I'll play the 9 ball ghost. We can bet or not bet and just do it for fun. I don't care. I just like the game. Just let me know. Otherwise keep grinding and make it happen!
It is easy to get the feeling that AZB is all talk and no grind. But that is because you only see the people posting. You don't see the people when they are practicing, and you sure don't see the lurkers that are reading through threads for inspiration and instruction and then working hard every day.
I can promise you I am practicing hard and playing the best pool of my life. I have been obsessed the last week with 'diagonal rail bridges', i.e. the cue ball being frozen to the side rail and having to shoot a ball up table so I'm bridged diagonally across the rail but with the cue ball frozen. Like spot shots from the kitchen frozen to the side rail, or full shots that I have to follow to the head rail and back up table with speed. Point is I've probably shot 1-2 hours worth a day for the last week. I found out it was super great for my stroke. I've been shooting off the end rail for 10+ years but shooting from across the rail diagonally has really helped me with my sighting and stroke.
Then when I am done shooting those and I play the ghost or straight pool it feels super, super easy.
I have also been force following balls as a scratch. Set up a straight in shot, shoot it with high ball, and follow it in. I've been shooting these at near break speed. I heard Tyler Styer did this to work on his stroke and wanted to try it. I've done these in the past at normal speed, but I went ahead and took it up to 18mph or so. Man, it feels good when you start waffling them in! And again, it does get you in stroke. I normally like to shoot with a soft touch and it can be uncomfortable when I have to whack a ball like a straight pool break shot, so this helps me get in touch with the higher speed range of my stroke. And it makes the rest of the medium firm shots feel softer. I like it!
Anyway, wanted to represent those of us that are working hard. I'd be up for a ghost challenge as well, you can play the 6 ball ghost and I'll play the 9 ball ghost. We can bet or not bet and just do it for fun. I don't care. I just like the game. Just let me know. Otherwise keep grinding and make it happen!