Can people learn to think ahead?

Billy_Bob

Billy_Bob

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A common sight in a bar: Someone playing 8-ball, they shoot in their last ball with a stop shot, then turn their attention towards the 8-ball and suddenly notice that it is at the other end of the table. Bank shot! Hummm...

So they are not thinking ahead. Not even thinking about the 8-ball until they have finished shooting in their last ball.

But better players will think about the 8-ball BEFORE shooting their last ball in and try to leave the cue ball in a position where they will have an easy shot on the 8.

So the question is: Can someone learn to think ahead or do some people just have this ability and others don't?

Or does thinking ahead come with age? You learn to think ahead more as you get older and gain more experience?

Perhaps this is an I.Q. thing? Maybe more intelligent people can think ahead, but less intelligent people can't?

If people can learn to think ahead, how could they learn to do this?

Are there mental exercises which would develop this ability?
 
Billy_Bob said:
A common sight in a bar: Someone playing 8-ball, they shoot in their last ball with a stop shot, then turn their attention towards the 8-ball and suddenly notice that it is at the other end of the table. Bank shot! Hummm...

So they are not thinking ahead. Not even thinking about the 8-ball until they have finished shooting in their last ball.

But better players will think about the 8-ball BEFORE shooting their last ball in and try to leave the cue ball in a position where they will have an easy shot on the 8.

So the question is: Can someone learn to think ahead or do some people just have this ability and others don't? They can all learn if they want to. It just takes more effort for some to learn it.

Or does thinking ahead come with age? Yes, maybe that helps.You learn to think ahead more as you get older and gain more experience? Yes, maybe that helps.

Perhaps this is an I.Q. thing? Maybe more intelligent people can think ahead, but less intelligent people can't? Yes, that could be part of it, but some people with a high IQ have little common sense. It could be just the inability to multitask.

If people can learn to think ahead, how could they learn to do this?

Are there mental exercises which would develop this ability?
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In the strict dojo, this would be the guy who keeps getting whacked with a stick because of bad form or failing to pay attention. He finally either quits or gets tired of being whacked/bruised and learns to pay attention. I have seen people at the level you are talking about who are trying hard for each shot, and they get to the eight ball and they are left what you describe, and they realize then they needed to deal with that before hand. You can tell by their expression, and they can be easily worked with. The others that seem to accept their fate with no revelation that they could have something better need a lot more work and patience. But if "they just play for fun" (I hate that comment), they either don't really care or it is an excuse to not put forth any effort (or both).

Kelly
 
think ahead

When i was teaching my grandson,when he got to the point of a good stroke, i started on making ball, then the three ball drill as to rack 3 ball and shoot in order, showing him how to get from one to the other, it worked insteal in them that this is a lesson and they will have a test next week on what they have learned, that is my way of teaching, and i have improved quit a few of young boys&girls games!!!:D :D :D :D
 
I think you answered your question with your first sentence...a common sight in a bar...
Beer makes it very hard to think ahead.
I think playing in bars is all in fun and banging balls, why bother to think ahead. It's not really about pool, it's the whole atmosphere.
Sounds like you should head to your local poolroom where I can assure you (all level) of the players are thinking ahead.
 
Don't forget most people aren't good enough to both make a shot and get shape. It's not always about thinking ahead, sometimes it's just a lack of pool skill... I know if I'm having an awful night the first thing I do is stop thinking ahead and just focus on making shots, then I bring shape back into my game.
 
People just don't want to think ahead. They just want to have fun.

The only real cure for this is to have them play for money.

The next cure, if you want to call it that, is competition. The APA and leagues have the atmosphere there some some players, but again most just want to have a good time.
 
Anyone that is actually learning to play would learn that position is key, soon as a player advanced past a novice or a D. I don't think it's not planning ahead but it's not even knowing that you can play for more than one shot at a time.
 
Billy_Bob said:
A common sight in a bar: Someone playing 8-ball, they shoot in their last ball with a stop shot, then turn their attention towards the 8-ball and suddenly notice that it is at the other end of the table. Bank shot! Hummm...

So they are not thinking ahead. Not even thinking about the 8-ball until they have finished shooting in their last ball.

But better players will think about the 8-ball BEFORE shooting their last ball in and try to leave the cue ball in a position where they will have an easy shot on the 8.

So the question is: Can someone learn to think ahead or do some people just have this ability and others don't?

Or does thinking ahead come with age? You learn to think ahead more as you get older and gain more experience?

Perhaps this is an I.Q. thing? Maybe more intelligent people can think ahead, but less intelligent people can't?

If people can learn to think ahead, how could they learn to do this?

Are there mental exercises which would develop this ability?
Click to expand...


I think Billy Bob might B the NEXT DCP:eek: :( :rolleyes:

Brian
 
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APA7 said:
I think Billy Bob might B the NEXT DCP:eek: :( :rolleyes:

Brian
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Not to highjack your thread but...speaking of DCP...what happened to DCP in disguise Carl???? Haven't seen anything by him lately.
 
hang-the-9 said:
I don't think it's not planning ahead but it's not even knowing that you can play for more than one shot at a time.
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I once showed a pool tape to a non-playing friend of mine, but who had seen pool on ESPN before. At one point I explained how the shooter was about to make a great shot to reposition the cueball for the next shot, and my friend says, "You mean he's trying to move the cueball around for each shot? I thought they just had to shoot from wherever the cueball happened to end up each time!"
 
To Think Ahead you must plan ahead... People who play 8 ball, useualy just pot available balls, not really planning or thinking ahead.. This also halts easy runouts.. Reading the table and planning routes is cridical if your going to become a serious player.

SPINDOKTOR
 
I like the comments some people make when you look at the 8 ball first to see where it will go before shooting the first shot.

My response to "I play for fun"... "I do too, winning is more fun than losing"
 
Then you have the guys who get down to the ball before the 8 and because they have the wrong angle to get shape blast the cue ball 5 rails. They then "coach" the cue ball when it enters an area that is acceptable for them to play the next shot from, considering the angle of course, and become disgusted when the shape is missed. After this wonderfully fun to watch show of body english, the shooter then feels the need to explain how they ment to hit that area and misplayed the shot when you know for a fact they were lucky not to have scratched and to have had the cue ball even pass through an area a shot could be made from.

I'm not saying I don't lay back and pray for shape now and then, I do, but I will tell you when I get lucky. Generally I try not to have to use this method but I think on occasion most of us do. I think we just have a better feel for where that crazy 4 rail will roll then the banger does. jmo.
 
SPINDOKTOR said:
To Think Ahead you must plan ahead... People who play 8 ball, useualy just pot available balls, not really planning or thinking ahead.. This also halts easy runouts.. Reading the table and planning routes is cridical if your going to become a serious player.

SPINDOKTOR
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Pretty broad brush stroke there SPIN. Maybe your average "barfly" falls into this category, but playing high level 8 ball is more difficult than 9 ball due to more "traffic".
 
I am not a pro pool player, but I am a big fan. played this game for so long, and by the time I got beaten alot now it happened that I learned to think ahead of two shots, maye three shots. but It's difficult for new players as I can imagine.
 
poolhall maven said:
I think you answered your question with your first sentence...a common sight in a bar...
Beer makes it very hard to think ahead.
I think playing in bars is all in fun and banging balls, why bother to think ahead. It's not really about pool, it's the whole atmosphere.
Sounds like you should head to your local poolroom where I can assure you (all level) of the players are thinking ahead.
Click to expand...

That sums it up rather proficiently. :)
 
The cure is losing and feeling like a real dumb as$. Makes a guy want to get better.
 
Inaction said:
I like the comments some people make when you look at the 8 ball first to see where it will go before shooting the first shot.

My response to "I play for fun"... "I do too, winning is more fun than losing"
Click to expand...

I usually do the same thing, and people complain that I shoot a bit slow. After the break, I'd spend a minute looking over the layout and planning every shot, down to were I would have to duck if I missed a cluster break-out. Too many people just get down and shoot, then comlain they can't run out.
 
Billy_Bob said:
A common sight in a bar: Someone playing 8-ball, they shoot in their last ball with a stop shot, then turn their attention towards the 8-ball and suddenly notice that it is at the other end of the table. Bank shot! Hummm...

So they are not thinking ahead. Not even thinking about the 8-ball until they have finished shooting in their last ball.

But better players will think about the 8-ball BEFORE shooting their last ball in and try to leave the cue ball in a position where they will have an easy shot on the 8.

So the question is: Can someone learn to think ahead or do some people just have this ability and others don't?

Or does thinking ahead come with age? You learn to think ahead more as you get older and gain more experience?

Perhaps this is an I.Q. thing? Maybe more intelligent people can think ahead, but less intelligent people can't?

If people can learn to think ahead, how could they learn to do this?

Are there mental exercises which would develop this ability?
Click to expand...

IMHO - anyone of marginally normal I.Q points can learn to think ahead.

The difficult part is convincing them it is necessary.
Coupled with the seemingly pandemic level of AADD roaring thru
our culture, it's an uphill battle.

There is an excellent way to learn to think ahead,
it's called Straight Pool.

Dale
 
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