A rack of 15 8-Balls...

Bill812

Bill812

Bill812
Silver Member
It occurred to me in playing 8 or 9 ball in last week's matches that I have a problem with the 8 in playing 8 ball & the 9 in playing 9 ball. I had a match against another same skill level player on Wednesday (we are both SL7's in APA) in a race to 5. I broke & ran the first rack no problem, then 3 times I got to the 8 ball, all simple shots, and choke on the 8 Ball! The 4th game was almost another break & run too. I ended up winning 5-3, but was very frustrated with my 8 ball opportunities. I did the same thing in my Tuesday night Master's match on the 9 Ball the night before too (Hung up the 9 a few times). So here's what I am thinking of doing when I practice at home. I am considering buying 15 8 Balls & 9 9 Balls to play each game so I can get past this little stumbling block. Does this make any sense or do you think it's a complete waste of time and money?
 
Bill812 said:
It occurred to me in playing 8 or 9 ball in last week's matches that I have a problem with the 8 in playing 8 ball & the 9 in playing 9 ball. I had a match against another same skill level player on Wednesday (we are both SL7's in APA) in a race to 5. I broke & ran the first rack no problem, then 3 times I got to the 8 ball, all simple shots, and choke on the 8 Ball! The 4th game was almost another break & run too. I ended up winning 5-3, but was very frustrated with my 8 ball opportunities. I did the same thing in my Tuesday night Master's match on the 9 Ball the night before too (Hung up the 9 a few times). So here's what I am thinking of doing when I practice at home. I am considering buying 15 8 Balls & 9 9 Balls to play each game so I can get past this little stumbling block. Does this make any sense or do you think it's a complete waste of time and money?
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It might help, but you are missing the shots because of the importance of them, not the color. Try to play under pressure more, that will help.
 
Well it's certainly an idea. I used to have that same problem when I first started playing. But I found that when I started to learn and practice straight pool that that problem disappeared. After all, in straight pool, each ball is seen as the same in terms of game play. There is no "special" ball. They are just all stupid pieces of phenolic shit. So there is no need to mentally give any special significance to one ball over another. Therefore, before you spend the money on the extra 8 & 9 balls, I suggest you trying adjusting your mental thoughts on those balls by practicing straight pool.
 
It's certainly an idea.

I think it makes complete sense. I have considered the same solution myself. At the very least you will determine whether it the color of the ball (hence the knowledge of what it represents) or merely the pressure of what it represents. Either way it is obviously what it represents and you will eventually have to learn to deal with that. I dealt with it by consciously slowing down my game and becoming even more deliberate in my pre-shot routine. Certainly helped me get over the hump.
Tommy
 
It can be that on all other shots you are planning position with the cue ball after the other shots. I started planning position after the eight or nine and the problem vanished immediately. Straight pool helps in that form because you have to play position for the break ball. The theory of this is you are keeping your brain in the same routine as all the other shots you have made.
 
TheGlaze said:
It can be that on all other shots you are planning position with the cue ball after the other shots. I started planning position after the eight or nine and the problem vanished immediately. Straight pool helps in that form because you have to play position for the break ball. The theory of this is you are keeping your brain in the same routine as all the other shots you have made.
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That's an interesting observation. I have thought of all 9's before and don't think it can hurt.

Ultimately, the best thing you can do is spend so much time on the table that you don't even think about the shots. Of course, perfect position is what brings that inner sigh of relief - knowing that you've got an easy shot on the 8 or 9.

I find that watching videos of top players playing helps me a bunch. For example, the Mosconi Cup 2011 was on TV recently and just watching those guys play helped my game.
 
DavidMNienow said:
Well it's certainly an idea. I used to have that same problem when I first started playing. But I found that when I started to learn and practice straight pool that that problem disappeared. After all, in straight pool, each ball is seen as the same in terms of game play. There is no "special" ball. They are just all stupid pieces of phenolic shit. So there is no need to mentally give any special significance to one ball over another. Therefore, before you spend the money on the extra 8 & 9 balls, I suggest you trying adjusting your mental thoughts on those balls by practicing straight pool.
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I love to play straight pool and think this is a great idea, that's what we all played mostly when I was a kid in the 70's. It's just hard to find anyone around here that wants to play anything other than 8 or 9 Ball. Thank you.
 
TheGlaze said:
It can be that on all other shots you are planning position with the cue ball after the other shots. I started planning position after the eight or nine and the problem vanished immediately. Straight pool helps in that form because you have to play position for the break ball. The theory of this is you are keeping your brain in the same routine as all the other shots you have made.
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This is a very interesting observation, indeed. When I practice 8 Ball at home, I usually try to run out the rest of the remaining balls after I shoot the 8 and in retrospect, never have a problem shooting the 8 when I do this. I guess I just have to make sure my opponent has some balls left by the time I get to the 8 come match time! Brilliant! Thank you.
I also think you're right about the straight pool game as well. Have you or anyone else tried playing the game posted by Allen Hopkins, Jr here on A-Z? It's called 10.5 Straight Rotation, has the best of a few different games going for it. You can google it or search for it on facebook for rules.
 
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TheGlaze said:
It can be that on all other shots you are planning position with the cue ball after the other shots. I started planning position after the eight or nine and the problem vanished immediately. Straight pool helps in that form because you have to play position for the break ball. The theory of this is you are keeping your brain in the same routine as all the other shots you have made.
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Just what i was going to say! :thumbup:

Play position for a ghost ball when your shooting the money ball and i'll bet you see a big improvement.

Brian :)
 
nobcitypool said:
How about working on the 6 8 drill and use the 9 instead of the 8 every other set up? It's a great drill period and it will have you shooting the 8 or 9 every other shot.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=282321
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I'm certainly willing to try this. Since I can't access utube from work & my home PC isn't working, maybe you can elaborate on the instructions for me;


It called the 8 6 drill

8 ball spots on the headstring spot. 1 thru 6 balls spotted across the footstring line. You must pocket the 8 ball then the 1, then the 8 then the 2 and so forth. Great positional drill. Variation on this drill is the 1 thru 6 can be spotted in any order across the footstring line, making position a little more tricky, and the 8 can only be made in the headstring corner pockets. Have fun with this... Here is a vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1pvlbbphrQ


Do you start with ball in hand?
If you miss, do you start over again?
What is the recommended method of tracking progress in this drill?
Thanx,
---Bill
 
You start with ball in hand, get position on 1 off of pocketing the 8. Respot 8 on button before shooting 1. Shoot 1, get position on the 8, pocket 8 getting position on 2. Respot 8 before pocketing 2. Repeat through 6 ball. 1 through 6 are evenly spaced on head string with the 1 and 6 about a 1/2 diamond out from the side rail.

I suppose you can make any rules you wish but the drill would be designed to have you start over after a miss. That could serve to put some pressure on sinking the 8 (or 9 when you use it instead of the 8).

I would think another potentially good drill to address your issue would be to throw out 2 or 3 balls at random with the 8 or 9. Run out in order. This would have you shooting the 8 or 9 more often. Keep track of your wins/losses with a win being a complete run out. Again, puts a little pressure on hitting the 8 (or 9).

It seems obvious to me you've created a mental block with the 8 or 9 but are otherwise a very good player. You just need to get your confidence back when shooting the 8 or 9 when under some pressure. I think once you have a few league games where you drill the 8 and 9 center pocket, your problem will likely disappear rather quickly. I'd also check the grip when under these pressure situations to see if you're not tightening up when shooting these shots causing a slight pull or push.
 
I used to have this issue. The solution for me was simple. On any other shot, most of my attention is directed toward position. Making the ball was more feel than aim. I would choke on the 8 or 9 because I was focusing only on making the ball, which took me out of rhythm. My solution was to put the cue ball on a path in the same way I would if I was playing position to a next ball. Problem solved for me. Give it a try.
 
What others have said is that you're focusing more on the importance of the ball, rather than the color. You could try imagining there's one more ball on the table and playing position for that.
 
wontonny said:
What others have said is that you're focusing more on the importance of the ball, rather than the color. You could try imagining there's one more ball on the table and playing position for that.
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Max Eberle advises playing position when shooting the last ball, the idea being that this is what you do on every other shot so it normalizes the money shot, making it more like every other. Pick a spot you want to play to, or play position to leave the CB on a rail so you make it a little tougher on your opponent should you miss. Obviously you don't want to put too much attention on the position or speed at the expense of making the ball, but it does help in making it more "just another shot".
 
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Great practice drill

Here is another great drill to learn position and cue ball control.. Start in the middle of the circle, ball in hand. Pocket all the balls, except the cue ball cant hit a rail. The cue doesnt have to stay inside the circle, but it can not hit a rail.. You can increase the number of ball in the circle till you can run 15 balls. I used to watch The Miz do this drill all the time with 15 balls. Looks easy right??:smile:
 

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8 ball

When practicing for 8ball i like to shoot stripes off like playing eight ball. I usually just leave the 9 where it lies-if i am lazy-if not l'll knock it in and spot in the kitchen somwhere. Knock in 8 get shape on the 1, spot the eight on the footspot, and try to run out 9ball without missing. Helps me get past anxiety of the eight

9ball i just practice rotation-seems to make 9ball easier
 
Got some great pearls of wisdom from this thread, Thank you to all who contributed and keep em coming!
 
Bill812 said:
It occurred to me in playing 8 or 9 ball in last week's matches that I have a problem with the 8 in playing 8 ball & the 9 in playing 9 ball. I had a match against another same skill level player on Wednesday (we are both SL7's in APA) in a race to 5. I broke & ran the first rack no problem, then 3 times I got to the 8 ball, all simple shots, and choke on the 8 Ball! The 4th game was almost another break & run too. I ended up winning 5-3, but was very frustrated with my 8 ball opportunities. I did the same thing in my Tuesday night Master's match on the 9 Ball the night before too (Hung up the 9 a few times). So here's what I am thinking of doing when I practice at home. I am considering buying 15 8 Balls & 9 9 Balls to play each game so I can get past this little stumbling block. Does this make any sense or do you think it's a complete waste of time and money?
Click to expand...

lol. That's what I did. Bought 6 8balls and 6 9balls. Rack 6 of them, break and try and run them out. Seemed to help me by shooting them more often and getting more comfortable shooting at them in matches.

Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2
 
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