Do I think to much?

[Snorks]

Does anyone have a things that they go through... like a crib sheet that says do all of these things. Here is mine:

• Think above the table
• Think 3 shots ahead and plan where the cue ball has to be in order to get to the third shot
• Get proper side of the next ball
• Pick a contact point on the ball
• Step into the shot
• Get down low so the chin is close to the cue
• Watch the cue ball hit the contact point
• Watch the cue ball into the center of the pocket
•Analyze why it missed (you missed the contact spot) or you didn’t pick the right contact spot)

Anyone else have a better list?

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Does anyone have a things that they go through... like a crib sheet that says do all of these things. Here is mine:

• Think above the table
• Think 3 shots ahead and plan where the cue ball has to be in order to get to the third shot
• Get proper side of the next ball
• Pick a contact point on the ball
• Step into the shot
• Get down low so the chin is close to the cue
• Watch the cue ball hit the contact point
• Watch the cue ball into the center of the pocket
•Analyze why it missed (you missed the contact spot) or you didn’t pick the right contact spot)

Anyone else have a better list?

Yes, you're thinking too much. All of these things are good but it's important to stay in the moment and to try and get comfortable. A lot of these things, if they're not automatic right now, will be in time. Here is my break-out of your list.

1. Yes, it's important to "think above the table". Don't make a move until you've decided on what to do. A lot of intermediate players get down on the shot and change their mind. This is what we often refer to as "rushing".

2. Yes, also important is to think three shots ahead but this begins to get into the realm of automatic-thinking. There are certain position routes which are going to help you attain the proper side of the ball you're positioning for. Many rotation games (including 9-ball) will offer you limited options in terms of routes to take to get on a ball so you may not always attain the necessary angle. It's important to recognize these scenarios and be ready to have a recovery-shot or safety in mind.

3. Honestly, I don't pick a "contact-point". I find much of that to be rather deceptive, especially when you consider that depth-perception will alter what the correct aim-point may be. Aim for what is comfortable. That's usually your subconscious telling you the correct place to hit.

4. Stepping into the shot is good but try not to think too much about it. Let it become part of an automatic approach to each and every shot.

5. I can't get down that low. It hurts my back and inhibits natural movement of my arm. Do what's comfortable and don't rely so much on how you're sighting the cue. Once you're down on a shot, you're pretty much locked in. You can't change much.

6. Stay down on the shot. A lot happens when you move your head. Usually, your whole body moves with it. It's okay to watch what happens but don't get-up to do it.

7. You mean the object-ball I suppose. Yes, watch it go in the pocket. This is feedback. It lets your subconscious know if everything is working.

8. Don't OVER-analyze. Sometimes you just miss and shouldn't change a thing. Stay in the moment and focus on what you need to do the next time you're at the table. Think strategy.

 

[bruin70]

• Think above the table
• Think 3 shots ahead and plan where the cue ball has to be in order to get to the third shot
• Get proper side of the next ball
• Pick a contact point on the ball
• Step into the shot
• Get down low so the chin is close to the cue
• Watch the cue ball hit the contact point
• Watch the cue ball into the center of the pocket
•Analyze why it missed (you missed the contact spot) or you didn’t pick the right contact spot)

Anyone else have a better list?

well,,,,,do you play well? iff'n you do, then you're thinking as much as you need to. but i'mma gessin' that you wouldn't have asked the question unless you thought you did.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

well,,,,,do you play well? iff'n you do, then you're thinking as much as you need to. but i'mma gessin' that you wouldn't have asked the question unless you thought you did.

Yeah, it's pretty obvious that he's not reading the table fluently yet. He's kinda sounding out the words and getting the tone right but still not fluid. You just get to a point where you automatically think about where you want the cue-ball to be and everything else, even if you can pocket the next ball, isn't good enough.

 

[TATE]

Here are tips I can give you that I think are really important.

1. Always play position to a certain exact spot or on an exact line. Even if you can't accomplish this just yet, just trying to do so will give your brain the feedback it needs to learn the movement of the cue ball. I mean on every single shot.

2. Examine all of your options. Until you learn a great many shots, it's hard to figure out exactly what all your options are. I would like to see a player freewheel first and learn self-control and careful planning later.

3. Find your own style. I am kind of a freewheeler and I play best with momentum. Other players like this are Earl Strickland and Franscisco Bustamante. Maybe you are a careful planner, like Ralf Souquet and Fong Pang Chao. Whatever your style is, you have to find it and perfect it.

4. Get in the habit of shooting center pocket. This is really important. Good players not only control the cue ball, but they control the object ball's direction. Center pocket teaches you good aim. Don't be happy just because a ball drops. Make them drop clean, then be happy.

5. Commit to your angle. Play full angles, not just half assed "kind of" angles. If you commit to the correct, full angle and learn the rails, you will learn better shotmaking and build confidence that you can pocket balls from any position, anywhere, plus learn better cue ball control. This is a big part of pool. The best players play plenty of angle and don't have to hit the ball very hard. To do this, you have to plan to make the angle.

Chris

 

[Rattlesnake]

For me, it will be:

1. Serious approach to every shot.
2. Plan your next 3 shots ahead.
3. Get down to that shot with confidence.
4. Chin doesn't have to be right above the chin and sticking to it - Own preference.
5. A slight pause before the pull-back stroke of every shot.
6. Inhale and hold your breathe until you executed every shots.
7. Stay down or every shots, watching the object ball disappears into the pocket before you stand up again - It really helps alot.
8. Remember and recall what mistake or wrong adjustment in your basic foundation, take note of them and never repeat them. A note book might come in handy.