Do Aha Moments exist in pool?

Zphix

Zphix

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Alright, so, I know I've written these posts in the past about me thinking I've gotten better but this time is just a little bit different. Recently, I was struggling with power draws and put up a post about it on here. Before a few people posted about the answer I had found myself the game became much clearer.

It's not very easy for me to play shape and position with forcing the cue. Stroking is now a simple task and I'm now fully able to shoot long shots, and power shots without jerking my hand at the last second (the jerk itself was the result of my hand tightening as I was about to hit the CB). Anyway, this realization and this AHA moment has substantially improved my game.

I'm not somebody who heavily believes in the words of others and I much prefer to show something instead of tell it but no word of a liar, since I've been back on campus since I've had this AHA moment I've ran 11 racks in counting (though I do play about 4 hours a day over 10 days so far).

Furthermore, I'm actually thinking about patterns and shots better. I'd developed the habit before of just shooting and moving from ball to ball but this is no longer the case and I love how the mental side of my game is in congruency with my physical game now.

For guys who are more experienced, this ease and mental aspect of my current, is this something that you develop at a certain level? Does it ever go away? I just hope that how I feel isn't a fluke, or some pseudo-reassurance or confidence.

Thanks for reading everybody, I hope to play with many of you through my years.

-Richard
 
Yes. I didn't even bother reading your post, but I will . For an amateur I've had 7 aha moments. I figure as amateurs once you have 8 or so, you can now start learning this game.

The biggest aha moment for me were squirt (thank you Grady) and backhand english (thank you Hal).
 
Cornerman said:
Yes. I didn't even bother reading your post, but I will . For an amateur I've had 7 aha moments. I figure as amateurs once you have 8 or so, you can now start learning this game.

The biggest aha moment for me were squirt (thank you Grady) and backhand english (thank you Hal).
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I agree with Fred. Backhand english was the single biggest aha moment for me in pool. Freddy's banking systems were a close second.
 
this game requires a journey, and it's always prudent to have have a map.

Zphix said:
Alright, so, I know I've written these posts in the past about me thinking I've gotten better but this time is just a little bit different. Recently, I was struggling with power draws and put up a post about it on here. Before a few people posted about the answer I had found myself the game became much clearer.

It's not very easy for me to play shape and position with forcing the cue. Stroking is now a simple task and I'm now fully able to shoot long shots, and power shots without jerking my hand at the last second (the jerk itself was the result of my hand tightening as I was about to hit the CB). Anyway, this realization and this AHA moment has substantially improved my game.

I'm not somebody who heavily believes in the words of others and I much prefer to show something instead of tell it but no word of a liar, since I've been back on campus since I've had this AHA moment I've ran 11 racks in counting (though I do play about 4 hours a day over 10 days so far).

Furthermore, I'm actually thinking about patterns and shots better. I'd developed the habit before of just shooting and moving from ball to ball but this is no longer the case and I love how the mental side of my game is in congruency with my physical game now.

For guys who are more experienced, this ease and mental aspect of my current, is this something that you develop at a certain level? Does it ever go away? I just hope that how I feel isn't a fluke, or some pseudo-reassurance or confidence.

Thanks for reading everybody, I hope to play with many of you through my years.

-Richard
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You can have these on a weekly basis staying in a state of curiosity, powered by enthusiasm and dedication. My experience tells me if I'm not getting better I'm getting worse, nothing in this entire universe stays the same.

I've learned to teach and play at a level at a level I'd not have imagined as a young, striving player. This didn't come all at once, it has been one piece at a time, like putting together a jig-saw puzzle. With every piece in the right place you start to see clearer what's possible, and expand on this accordingly.

The Game is the Teacher - and when players learn how to pay attention, (to signs and feedback) every shot will be a lesson. Let me know by PM if I can be of any assistance, this game requires a journey, and it's always prudent to have have a map.
 
Youbetcha!

I get them every few days when I am practicing on my table. It's like, ahaw! I really ain't ever gonna be real good at this. I hate them moments, but I keep trying.
 
One I had recently where I had some hole reinforcements set up on my table for full table length cut shots. I was making 5 out of 6 on left cuts but only 1 or 2 out of 6 on right cuts. It turned out to be my stance that fixed the problem. Had I not been doing this cut on left and right at the same time I probably would never have noticed what was causing me to miss. Whenever I set up to practice a shot I set up to go left and right, I think when practicing a shot you just can not do the same shot over and over, you need to break the rhythm then come back to that shot again and try to make it.
 
In many pool halls all over the world "Take on me" is a staple track on the playlist, played nightly.
 
aha!

Zphix said:
Alright, so, I know I've written these posts in the past about me thinking I've gotten better but this time is just a little bit different. Recently, I was struggling with power draws and put up a post about it on here. Before a few people posted about the answer I had found myself the game became much clearer.

It's not very easy for me to play shape and position with forcing the cue. Stroking is now a simple task and I'm now fully able to shoot long shots, and power shots without jerking my hand at the last second (the jerk itself was the result of my hand tightening as I was about to hit the CB). Anyway, this realization and this AHA moment has substantially improved my game.

I'm not somebody who heavily believes in the words of others and I much prefer to show something instead of tell it but no word of a liar, since I've been back on campus since I've had this AHA moment I've ran 11 racks in counting (though I do play about 4 hours a day over 10 days so far).

Furthermore, I'm actually thinking about patterns and shots better. I'd developed the habit before of just shooting and moving from ball to ball but this is no longer the case and I love how the mental side of my game is in congruency with my physical game now.

For guys who are more experienced, this ease and mental aspect of my current, is this something that you develop at a certain level? Does it ever go away? I just hope that how I feel isn't a fluke, or some pseudo-reassurance or confidence.

Thanks for reading everybody, I hope to play with many of you through my years.

-Richard
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I've had such moments when practicing. But I've had more of them while watching top level players and as "gifts" from instructors.

I've had people actually say "Aha!" on numerous occasions while giving lessons...
 
The biggest aha! moments come when you don't have to think about things.

My biggest aha! moment was realising less is more.
 
Had three so far:

Look at object ball when I play my shot
Keep my pinky on the cue when I make my shot
Stand a yard back from the table before playing a long shot

All three gave me good jumps forward in my game, and I wish I had been told all three back at the start...
 
Grantstew said:
Had three so far:

Look at object ball when I play my shot
Keep my pinky on the cue when I make my shot
Stand a yard back from the table before playing a long shot

All three gave me good jumps forward in my game, and I wish I had been told all three back at the start...
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Those are pretty much the exact same the AHA moments that I was going to post. The most recent was keeping my pinky on the cue. I feel much more consistent since I've started doing that.
 
Pidge said:
The biggest aha! moments come when you don't have to think about things.

My biggest aha! moment was realising less is more.
Click to expand...

Same here. I find that just doing trumps over thinking but some sort of pre shot routine is required for non thinking mode and it's best when your not thinking about the pre shot routine and just doing it. That's when I get loose.
 
Zphix said:
Alright, so, I know I've written these posts in the past about me thinking I've gotten better but this time is just a little bit different. Recently, I was struggling with power draws and put up a post about it on here. Before a few people posted about the answer I had found myself the game became much clearer.

It's not very easy for me to play shape and position with forcing the cue. Stroking is now a simple task and I'm now fully able to shoot long shots, and power shots without jerking my hand at the last second (the jerk itself was the result of my hand tightening as I was about to hit the CB). Anyway, this realization and this AHA moment has substantially improved my game.

I'm not somebody who heavily believes in the words of others and I much prefer to show something instead of tell it but no word of a liar, since I've been back on campus since I've had this AHA moment I've ran 11 racks in counting (though I do play about 4 hours a day over 10 days so far).

Furthermore, I'm actually thinking about patterns and shots better. I'd developed the habit before of just shooting and moving from ball to ball but this is no longer the case and I love how the mental side of my game is in congruency with my physical game now.

For guys who are more experienced, this ease and mental aspect of my current, is this something that you develop at a certain level? Does it ever go away? I just hope that how I feel isn't a fluke, or some pseudo-reassurance or confidence.

Thanks for reading everybody, I hope to play with many of you through my years.

-Richard
Click to expand...
Check out the Top 100 Pool and Billiards Tips, Tricks, "Secrets," and "Gems". Many of them have been "aha" moments for me in the past. Based on your post, you might be particularly interested in the draw, cue ball control, and position control sections.

Enjoy,
Dave
 
The biggest for me was when I learned insurance position and multiple pocket options, how to recognize it and when it's best to use it.

Having the confidence in my cue ball control to move the cue ball up to12 ft in distance and more, leaving me multiple pockets and a multitude of options for position on the next ball, no matter where you land you are in good shape.
Of course minimal cue ball movement is always better.
In this case more is less, and is a key ingredient in high runs and multiple racks when used properly.

Sometimes moving the cue ball 2 inches or 12 inches and being safe can end your run at the table when playing single pocket.
Let it go , send it, open yourself to 3 more options instead of having to thread the needle.

It's all about the cue ball, always was always will be.
 
I love the "aha" moments.

I do think you can hear and read something a hundred times and it will not mean a thing to you until your game is ready for it.

My biggest "aha" moment was when I realized I worried way too much about the balls and not enough about me. This game can be so distracting. It's really easy to get caught up in what the balls are doing, but focusing on what your body is doing is the key to the whole thing I think.

"I need to hit this ball here, with this much english. Here's the exact spot on the ball that I need to focus on to make it in that pocket and I need this ball over here to hit the rail and land over here and then I can hit this ball into that pocket."

It's easy to get lost in this sort of thinking.
 
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