I just saw a thread by lewdo25 on the 5 Laws of Practice. So I thought I might share my list. THIS is not new, innovative, or original, but it is the list I wrote for myself. I tried to write it so that it would work with most sports, but I had pool in mind when I compiled it into one list. This was done earlier last year after the subject of lessons came up. I looked through all my notes on stuff liked this and got it down to 6. I guess I should have shared this sooner, but now is better than never.
Donovan's 6 Steps to Improve Your Abilities the Fastest in Most Sports
1. Get regular lessons and drills by a good, quality, and organized instructor.
(Live instructors are a must if you can afford it, rather than books or videos, but not everyone can.)
2. Practice what you are taught and record/chart your progress so that you can see the improvement.
(This helps increase the "quality" of your practice. Charting your progress cannot be stressed enough.)
3. Compete to gain experience and give you a feel of how you play under real pressure.
(Try leagues, tournaments, or even money games. Anything that makes you bare down against an opponent.)
4. Play against or watch better players on a regular basis.
(You will pick up on the things that will make you a better player and many times without realizing it.)
5. Read a little something about the sport everyday, regardless of content.
(This can be fiction, non-fiction, advertising, instructional, it doesn't matter. Disregard this when on Step 6.)
6. Take enough time off this regiment, every so often, to allow your brain to completely let go of the sport and recharge.
("Burnout" kills your ability to learn, perform, and enjoy. This will save you time and frustration in the long run.)
Keep in mind I have taught lots of things like computers, golf, swimming, and so forth (yes I was paid for these), but I have no formal training or scholarly study in the area of pool. This is just what has been working for me over the last couple of years and it is basically the running method when I taught other sports. So I am not claiming to no jack about it, but have fun with it anyway!
Donovan's 6 Steps to Improve Your Abilities the Fastest in Most Sports
1. Get regular lessons and drills by a good, quality, and organized instructor.
(Live instructors are a must if you can afford it, rather than books or videos, but not everyone can.)
2. Practice what you are taught and record/chart your progress so that you can see the improvement.
(This helps increase the "quality" of your practice. Charting your progress cannot be stressed enough.)
3. Compete to gain experience and give you a feel of how you play under real pressure.
(Try leagues, tournaments, or even money games. Anything that makes you bare down against an opponent.)
4. Play against or watch better players on a regular basis.
(You will pick up on the things that will make you a better player and many times without realizing it.)
5. Read a little something about the sport everyday, regardless of content.
(This can be fiction, non-fiction, advertising, instructional, it doesn't matter. Disregard this when on Step 6.)
6. Take enough time off this regiment, every so often, to allow your brain to completely let go of the sport and recharge.
("Burnout" kills your ability to learn, perform, and enjoy. This will save you time and frustration in the long run.)
Keep in mind I have taught lots of things like computers, golf, swimming, and so forth (yes I was paid for these), but I have no formal training or scholarly study in the area of pool. This is just what has been working for me over the last couple of years and it is basically the running method when I taught other sports. So I am not claiming to no jack about it, but have fun with it anyway!