14/1 Training Question

[i210mfu]

Hi everybody,

I would like to know how you all practice for straight pool, if you play it at all. Normally I do it that way, that I set up a break shot, break and try to run as many balls as I possibly could. Once I fail, I re-rack and start over. I really have a problem playing by myself and stay focussed like in a contest or just a pleasure game with a friend. Its really hard for me to stay focussed that way.

How do you do it?

I am really interested in you opionion about it. Especially from the "oldtimers" in this forum (meant in years playing not in age!!) like Hemicudas (by the way: The nickname must have something to do with that muscle car, right! As a foreigner muscle car's are not so commen Germany. Especially since the gas price for a liter (which is roughly a little less than a third of a gallon) equals 1.40 $))

Regards,
Markus

 

[Wally in Cincy]

... set up a break shot, break and try to run as many balls as I possibly could. Once I fail, I re-rack and start over......

That's the way I do it. I really don't know any other way. Except I don't rerack after a miss. I keep shooting.

The other thing to do is practice different break shots over and over, side of the rack, back of the rack, and side pocket breaks and note how the balls spread and where the cue ball ends up.

 

[Frank_Glenn]

That's the way I do it. I really don't know any other way. Except I don't rerack after a miss. I keep shooting.

The other thing to do is practice different break shots over and over, side of the rack, back of the rack, and side pocket breaks and note how the balls spread and where the cue ball ends up.

I play equal offense. This lets you keep track of your progress and work on the last 5. I also shoot the drill I have posted before. All 15 balls on a grid and shoot them without touching any ball (other than the one you are shooting at) and no balls hit rails, including the cueball.

 

[Williebetmore]

I play equal offense. This lets you keep track of your progress and work on the last 5. I also shoot the drill I have posted before. All 15 balls on a grid and shoot them without touching any ball (other than the one you are shooting at) and no balls hit rails, including the cueball.

Frank,
I hope you read this, I just wanted to thank you for a suggestion you made on another forum. I often play a weak player that loves straight pool too, we began using your handicap suggestion (add 5 balls to his spot if I win, subtract 5 balls from the spot if he wins) - the games are almost all closely contested (you know that feeling when its 90 to 90 and every ball starts looking hard to make), and there is no more haggling about the handicap.

On to straight pool practice. Equal offense (10 frames) is a great way to start developing your concentration (a rack and a half at a time). I also love the grid drill, but use extra balls and put one on every point where the diamonds intersect. Make all balls without running into a ball. My instructor then adds a ball on the rail next to each diamond (in addition to the regular grid) - I have never completed that drill.

I also practice shots that come up a lot in straight pool. Place about 10 balls on a line parallel to the foot rail, about a diamond and a half away from the foot rail. Then take ball in hand and shoot each ball into a corner pocket at the head of the table, 7 1/2 feet away. Use a rail bridge, or try with the cue ball on the rail. My father saw Willie Mosconi do this drill, but he just started with ball in hand for the first shot, then made all ten balls in sequence, perfect cue ball position every time (he had already had a major stroke, but that drill is still beyond me).

Another regular drill is to shoot 6 1/2 foot shots along the rail. Place the object ball about a ball width or 2 off the rail, and then with cue ball in hand give yourself a 25 to 45 degree cut angle, then shoot. Shoot 5 with center ball, 5 with inside English, 5 with outside English. Then repeat 15 shots on the other side of the table. You can on different days use either heavy English or light English, but always take note of where the cue ball ends up. On the center ball shots either use draw or follow, but make note of where the cue ball ends up.

The best way to develop for me has been to play really good players. There is a local touring pro who loves straight pool. Every so often we play (5 to 8 hour sessions) - I don't get to shoot much, but there is no substitute for watching skilled players play this game.