Am I on track time line wise?

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I have been lurking these forms for a few months read post and what not taking the info that I can use. I have just hit a wall of sorts forcing my hand to register a account to find out if I am on track in my ranking vs time.

I have been shooting for about 2 years but only really going at it every Sunday for 1 and a half years. I play on Sunday at least 8-11 hours nonstop with nothing but mainly high 6-7 APA rank players.

I myself am only a high 4 on the verge of a low 5 I started as a new player low 3. I have a guy I play with every Sunday he just started about a year ago hes a low 4 now but getting better he's the only other 4 in the place.

I beat him at least 7 of 10 games but he seems to be getting better fast then I did but at the same time I think it may be from him having me to play with him compared to being dropped in with nothing but high 6/7 like I was. Where 1 or 2 miss shots and that is it and next guy in line take's winner .


At the same time I am of course getting pushed myself from him since I will be damned if he is going to come take my spot. I hold my own and beat the 6/7 players around 4 of 10 games. But I hit a wall not skill wise of course I am about to get my 5.

I need to know am I where I should be after all this time or am I behind from where I should be after the time I put in. One way or the other I will not stop playing but I need to know.
 
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You should definitley quit.

You should definitely not quit.

Haha...as long as you enjoy it, enjoy it!

Level of play really has little to do with it, IMO. Who cares if you can break/ run a rack or 3 in a row? Not really gonna be good for a whole lotta anything, aside from your own entertainment.
 
The funny thing when people mention APA s/l is that it depends on a lot of things. One is where are you located? APA levels tend to differ from region to region by quite a bit. People here always mention a 6 out in the East might be a 7 or 8 in the West or vice versa. The other thing is that people always tend to leave out what game your rating is in. A 6 or 7 in APA 8-ball is probably going to differ a whole lot more than a 6 or 7 in 9-ball. Remember 9-ball still has 8's and 9's so which game are you talking about? How fast you progress is going to be entirely up to you and how much effort you put into it. I've seen people who have been playing for years stay a 5 and others who just started playing pool shoot up to a 7 in a couple of sessions.
 
LHP5 said:
The funny thing when people mention APA s/l is that it depends on a lot of things. One is where are you located? APA levels tend to differ from region to region by quite a bit. People here always mention a 6 out in the East might be a 7 or 8 in the West or vice versa. The other thing is that people always tend to leave out what game your rating is in. A 6 or 7 in APA 8-ball is probably going to differ a whole lot more than a 6 or 7 in 9-ball. Remember 9-ball still has 8's and 9's so which game are you talking about? How fast you progress is going to be entirely up to you and how much effort you put into it. I've seen people who have been playing for years stay a 5 and others who just started playing pool shoot up to a 7 in a couple of sessions.
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Well where I play we switch back and forth from 8 ball and 9 ball with 10 ball put in every now and then but mainly its about even maybe a tad bit more 9 ball then 8 ball. Since we get to move the ball around and play defense more. As for the area I am 30 min from Chicago so we are mid west. We do have many tournament winners that play here to the point where I can't not look up and see at least 2,
 
IMHO, playing once a week, albeit for 8 hrs or more, is like maintenance. Playing 3-4 times a week for 2-3 hours MAY allow for improvement. Playing every day for a minimum of 2 hours, being totally grounded in great fundamentals, preferably checked by a competent instructor or coach, will yield measureable results in improvement.

Many of us who are not pure natural champions are frustrated with the inability to improve especially when the demands of career and family take most of our time. Some people are satisfied with a weekly league, tournament, or just a night out. Others do whatever it takes to play, and play as much as possible. MANY to the detriment of their career or marriage.

A Champion often does little else but play pool. They are often gifted from the first time they pick up a stick. If you are not one of those people, and can't get to the poolroom as often as you like, maybe a home table, monthly instruction and a tourney, league, or gambling night once a week would suffice. Only you can decide what is right for you, but if you don't pay the dues don't whine ! Good luck !
 
tpdtom said:
IMHO, playing once a week, albeit for 8 hrs or more, is like maintenance. Playing 3-4 times a week for 2-3 hours MAY allow for improvement. Playing every day for a minimum of 2 hours, being totally grounded in great fundamentals, preferably checked by a competent instructor or coach, will yield measureable results in improvement.

Many of us who are not pure natural champions are frustrated with the inability to improve especially when the demands of career and family take most of our time. Some people are satisfied with a weekly league, tournament, or just a night out. Others do whatever it takes to play, and play as much as possible. MANY to the detriment of their career or marriage.

A Champion often does little else but play pool. They are often gifted from the first time they pick up a stick. If you are not one of those people, and can't get to the poolroom as often as you like, maybe a home table, monthly instruction and a tourney, league, or gambling night once a week would suffice. Only you can decide what is right for you, but if you don't pay the dues don't whine ! Good luck !
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Well I will say this I have just got a full piece slate 7ft table for my home 2 weeks ago but it's not the best I need to re felt and bumper the table. But that will be a few months down the road at least 3 since I am tight on cash and Simonis Cloth 860 HR will be $220 and u23 bumpers will be around $35.

All in all I know where I want to be but for now I am playing with dead bumpers.
 
It's popular on AZ to say you get better when you play better players.

Sometimes they make it sound like better players are some kind of skill vending machine... You put in X games with them, and they spit out Improvement.

But really that's not the whole truth. You get better if you watch and learn and ask questions and take advice. If you don't focus on learning, and are just waiting to get back to the table and win the game, you can go several months without learning a single thing.

If you really care about your progress and want to be a good strong player, cut out 1 or 2 hours of playing and replace it with pure practice... kicks, jumps, banks, thin cuts, position drills, whatever.

Also if you feel like you still get surprised by what the cue ball does ("I wanted to leave it here, but it went way over there instead"), do a little homework on Dr. Dave's site to learn how speed, spin, and tip placement all affect your leave. His Billiards Digest articles are a great place to start.

If you really get bored by practice and still want to improve, mix in some new games with friends... 14.1, banks, six pocket, straight pool, even a made-up practice game. My ability to play a lockdown, frozen-to-the-ball safety has jumped 100% since I started playing this goofy game with my friends.
 
Working said:
I have been lurking these forms for a few months read post and what not taking the info that I can use. I have just hit a wall of sorts forcing my hand to register a account to find out if I am on track in my ranking vs time.

I have been shooting for about 2 years but only really going at it every Sunday for 1 and a half years. I play on Sunday at least 8-11 hours nonstop with nothing but mainly high 6-7 APA rank players.

I myself am only a high 4 on the verge of a low 5 I started as a new player low 3. I have a guy I play with every Sunday he just started about a year ago hes a low 4 now but getting better he's the only other 4 in the place.

I beat him at least 7 of 10 games but he seems to be getting better fast then I did but at the same time I think it may be from him having me to play with him compared to being dropped in with nothing but high 6/7 like I was. Where 1 or 2 miss shots and that is it and next guy in line take's winner .


At the same time I am of course getting pushed myself from him since I will be damned if he is going to come take my spot. I hold my own and beat the 6/7 players around 4 of 10 games. But I hit a wall not skill wise of course I am about to get my 5.

I need to know am I where I should be after all this time or am I behind from where I should be after the time I put in. One way or the other I will not stop playing but I need to know.
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Where do you live? If close enough I can help for free, if not I might know someone.
 
Working said:
Well I will say this I have just got a full piece slate 7ft table for my home 2 weeks ago but it's not the best I need to re felt and bumper the table. But that will be a few months down the road at least 3 since I am tight on cash and Simonis Cloth 860 HR will be $220 and u23 bumpers will be around $35.

All in all I know where I want to be but for now I am playing with dead bumpers.
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I've been playing with a dead stick for a few years myself :frown:
 
Working said:
Well where I play we switch back and forth from 8 ball and 9 ball with 10 ball put in every now and then but mainly its about even maybe a tad bit more 9 ball then 8 ball. Since we get to move the ball around and play defense more. As for the area I am 30 min from Chicago so we are mid west. We do have many tournament winners that play here to the point where I can't not look up and see at least 2,
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I see your not anywhere close, and I don't know anyone in your area. Have you watched Jimmy Reid's dvd? The 8 ball dvd will teach you the correct pattern play. You can't go wrong with getting them all. He's one of the best 8 ball players ever, and played all games top notch. Do you ever play the 6 ball ghost? If you have the means to record yourself, it will be very revealing.
 
I have not watched any DVDs but I have watched videos for this shot and that shot and pro games but watching a pro game for more then 15 mins my mind go's else where. As for practice reply I do that as is for an hour or 2 on Sundays. I have started to use my new table the last few days a few hours every day but then I quit after only an hour or 2 since for me it's not as fun as playing people.

As for a record device sadly no out side a family members old vhs camera but its from early 90's and getting it setup and trying to get tiny details will not work.
 
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After 2 years of play, there is no specific skill level where you should be. After 2 years, some people are already winnin everything and beating everyone in their area. Others still barely know what side of the cue to shoot with. Most fall in between.

If you are still an sl4, I would say that you have a GREAT deal of potential for improvement, so don't let any walls stop you. They are certainly only temporary until you reach a much higher level and unless you give up or stop trying.

A 4 should probably just be getting the hang of making easy shots consistently and getting his feet wet in cue ball control. Once you get the basics of cue ball control down, your game will certainly shoot up a level or two.
 
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