Don't Make The Game So Hard To Learn

[Johnnyt]

Too many new player's (and some not so new) are making it way too hard on themselves to learn the game. Today there is a ton of info on pool basics out there. They can buy a few dvd's to watch to learn all they need to know to show them how to do it and how to practice right.

IMO if a new player watches a few dvd's of the pre-shot routine and picks the one they are most comfortable with, that is more than half the battle. Knowing what you want to do, speed, where to strike CB, all should be known BEFORE you get down on the shot. If anymore than a minor adjustment is needed after your down...get back up, something is probably not lined up right. I believe someone with average talent can become a "B" player in a year with just books, dvd's, and watching streams and videos of good players, and of course a good practice routine. Johnnyt

 

[JoeyA]

Too many new player's (and some not so new) are making it way too hard on themselves to learn the game. Today there is a ton of info on pool basics out there. They can buy a few dvd's to watch to learn all they need to know to show them how to do it and how to practice right.

IMO if a new player watches a few dvd's of the pre-shot routine and picks the one they are most comfortable with, that is more than half the battle. Knowing what you want to do, speed, where to strike CB, all should be known BEFORE you get down on the shot. If anymore than a minor adjustment is needed after your down...get back up, something is probably not lined up right. I believe someone with average talent can become a "B" player in a year with just books, dvd's, and watching streams and videos of good players, and of course a good practice routine. Johnnyt

What happens if you want to be an A player? Will that take a couple of months more?

From the players that I have seen over the years it is the RARE EXCEPTION that can become a B player in a year, "with just books, dvd's and watching stream and videos of good players, and of course, a good practice routine".

In fact, I can't EVER recall seeing ANYONE becoming a B player in a year. Sure, you hear stories about how this pro or that pro went from A to Z in a short period of time but those stories are RARE.

 

[TorranceChris]

What happens if you want to be an A player? Will that take a couple of months more?

From the players that I have seen over the years it is the RARE EXCEPTION that can become a B player in a year, "with just books, dvd's and watching stream and videos of good players, and of course, a good practice routine".

In fact, I can't EVER recall seeing ANYONE becoming a B player in a year. Sure, you hear stories about how this pro or that pro went from A to Z in a short period of time but those stories are RARE.

Don't you mean Z to A ?

 

[sjm]

What happens if you want to be an A player? Will that take a couple of months more?

From the players that I have seen over the years it is the RARE EXCEPTION that can become a B player in a year, "with just books, dvd's and watching stream and videos of good players, and of course, a good practice routine".

In fact, I can't EVER recall seeing ANYONE becoming a B player in a year. Sure, you hear stories about how this pro or that pro went from A to Z in a short period of time but those stories are RARE.

I've never seen a player reach "B" speed in less than three years, and I can't even recall seeing a player reach "C" speed in a year.

I think the premise of the original post is mistaken. Even if one develops some decent habits such as a good pre-shot routine and a passable stroke, shot design is a difficult egg to crack, involving selection of an approach, an aim, a speed, and a stroke choice, all of which are intertwined with one another.

In my experience, although books and DVD's can supplement the learning process, shot design is learned chiefly from experience and from watching good players.

To reach "B" speed requires reasonably solid shot design and reasonably solid shot execution. It's a pretty long path to get there, and I'd suggest that any player that gets there within five years of picking up the game has much to be proud of.

 

[JoeyA]

don't you mean z to a ?

.............

 

[JoeyA]

I've never seen a player reach "B" speed in less than three years, and I can't even recall seeing a player reach "C" speed in a year.

I think the premise of the original post is mistaken. Even if one develops some decent habits such as a good pre-shot routine and a passable stroke, shot design is a difficult egg to crack, involving selection of an approach, an aim, a speed, and a stroke choice, all of which are intertwined with one another.

In my experience, although books and DVD's can supplement the learning process, shot design is learned chiefly from experience and from watching good players.

To reach "B" speed requires reasonably solid shot design and reasonably solid shot execution. It's a pretty long path to get there, and I'd suggest that any player that gets there within five years of picking up the game has much to be proud of.

This is more in line with what I have observed.

 

[Renegade_56]

Too many new player's (and some not so new) are making it way too hard on themselves to learn the game. Today there is a ton of info on pool basics out there. They can buy a few dvd's to watch to learn all they need to know to show them how to do it and how to practice right.

IMO if a new player watches a few dvd's of the pre-shot routine and picks the one they are most comfortable with, that is more than half the battle. Knowing what you want to do, speed, where to strike CB, all should be known BEFORE you get down on the shot. If anymore than a minor adjustment is needed after your down...get back up, something is probably not lined up right. I believe someone with average talent can become a "B" player in a year with just books, dvd's, and watching streams and videos of good players, and of course a good practice routine. Johnnyt

I've seen a few players who start out making some cutshots, and occasionally a bank,,,generally shooting too hard, and sometimes getting lucky rolls and locking up the cue ball after an obvious miss,,,,,,then standing back acting like they intended to do it,,,,,but with no consistency on any of it.

I disagree with this post friend,,,,,,it takes more than a year for most players to start realizing what they don't know yet!

 

[ronscuba]

Curious what is the starting point we are talking about ? A new player or beginner means different things to different people.

Many guys have played pool casually or for fun at some point in there life.

 

[mincho]

What happens if you want to be an A player? Will that take a couple of months more?

From the players that I have seen over the years it is the RARE EXCEPTION that can become a B player in a year, "with just books, dvd's and watching stream and videos of good players, and of course, a good practice routine".

In fact, I can't EVER recall seeing ANYONE becoming a B player in a year. Sure, you hear stories about how this pro or that pro went from A to Z in a short period of time but those stories are RARE.

What is a B player (approximately)? What would their proficiency be in 8 ball or 9 ball, or other games?

 

[brandoncook26]

What is a B player (approximately)? What would their proficiency be in 8 ball or 9 ball, or other games?

You live in Arizona. I don't know if you are familiar with the Arizona rating system. If you are, a B player would be somewhere around a high 7 or an 8.

 

[ronscuba]

What is a B player (approximately)? What would their proficiency be in 8 ball or 9 ball, or other games?

Here is a description I found on the net.

"B - Really the beginning of the run out player. If they make a ball on the break and get position on the 1 ball, they should have a reasonable expectation to get out. Any cluster or unusual position play will diminish their chances significantly. Usually, B players possess unusual strength in either pocketing, strategy or position play. Rarely two of three, never all three. Their creativity is usually limited at this level but you may begin to see glimpses of what's to come."

 

[sjm]

In my assessment, a "B" player is about an even match for the seven ball ghost.

 

[JimmyWhite]

I started playing pool seriously with my own cue and a lot of practice time (drills, paying huge attention to fundamentals etc. etc.) about a year ago (was 19 back then :grin. Before that I used to play like 4 or 5 times a year tops. Then I purchased some books, watched a lot of youtube matches and went to an instructor eventually (and still visit him when I have time). According to this "drill"(>link<) which I have done some times I am about at 7 (B), 6 or even 5 on a very bad day and 8 on a good one. Nobody has called me a talent so far. But the fact is that I am definitely not happy with my game and I want MORE.

 

[Majic]

Too many new player's (and some not so new) are making it way too hard on themselves to learn the game. Today there is a ton of info on pool basics out there. They can buy a few dvd's to watch to learn all they need to know to show them how to do it and how to practice right.

IMO if a new player watches a few dvd's of the pre-shot routine and picks the one they are most comfortable with, that is more than half the battle. Knowing what you want to do, speed, where to strike CB, all should be known BEFORE you get down on the shot. If anymore than a minor adjustment is needed after your down...get back up, something is probably not lined up right. I believe someone with average talent can become a "B" player in a year with just books, dvd's, and watching streams and videos of good players, and of course a good practice routine. Johnnyt

Hmmmmmm, Don't agree totally with you Johnny. The player must be practicing hours a day and competing often to become a B player. A year goes by quickly. A good practice routine for beginner is a must and competition is a bigger "must do" to apply what he has learned. Perhaps somebody can do it in a year. Never say never.

 

[justadub]

I've never seen a player reach "B" speed in less than three years, and I can't even recall seeing a player reach "C" speed in a year.

I think the premise of the original post is mistaken. Even if one develops some decent habits such as a good pre-shot routine and a passable stroke, shot design is a difficult egg to crack, involving selection of an approach, an aim, a speed, and a stroke choice, all of which are intertwined with one another.

In my experience, although books and DVD's can supplement the learning process, shot design is learned chiefly from experience and from watching good players.

To reach "B" speed requires reasonably solid shot design and reasonably solid shot execution. It's a pretty long path to get there, and I'd suggest that any player that gets there within five years of picking up the game has much to be proud of.

I'm hoping to prove that theory out. Just over 2 years into it from the get-go. Still a league banger, but starting to hang with the better (league) players, even if just a little.

I played in a tourney yesterday that illustrated the biggest challenge in the learning process, in my severely under-educated opinion. The mental aspect of handling the game, the pressure, and all that goes with it. This was an APA singles tourney (I know, I know.... it's all we have here) and as a SL5, I got to play with the top players in their half of the bracket. (SL5's, SL6's & SL7's) Stiff competition for a beginner like me. I handled myself pretty well in the beginning, winning my first two matches, and handling things mentally pretty well. Then I had to sit for a while. (Mental challenge.) Then I discovered I'd be playing arguably the best player in the tournament. (Another mental challenge.) Sit some more. Eventually play, starting poorly. Many of the players and hangers-on watching, and talking with each other about the match. (More challenge.) I actually catch a break, and get on the hill, in a 3-5 race. I hear friends of mine talking while I'm shooting, asking why I'm doing this, or why aren't I doing that.... Of course I didn't close the deal.

Next match, in the losers bracket, a little more of the same. I got bumped into while down on a shot, and bumped the cue ball, a foul. Giving ball-in-hand. I was never in this match at all.

All in all, it was a long day, with a lot of pressure, especially for a newer player. It's very interesting to think about, in retrospect, and more than a little frustrating. My game was far more affected by the way I handled the mental aspect of the game, than my (still developing) shooting ability and table play. I think that this is the biggest challenge to developing as a better player, from the beginners level. Yes, my stroke still needs plenty of work, and my decision making and table-reading also need to improve. But without the ability to handle the pressure mentally it won't matter a bit.

Of course, how do I get better at that? Gotta get in there and mix it up more often. (Sorry, I'm not in a position to gamble, which I realize is most everyone's standard answer to this issue.)

Sorry to take so long with this. It's been on my mind a bit since yesterday, heh heh.

 

[3andstop]

You guys are talking a foreign language when defining a B player. Could you please translate all that to 14.1 language. :grin:

 

[sjm]

You guys are talking a foreign language when defining a B player. Could you please translate all that to 14.1 language. :grin:

A player whose typical high run in a 100 point game against a comparable opponent is about 20 is a "B" player. A "B" player's high run will likely be in the 50-75 range.

Just my opinion.

 

[JesseAllred]

Here is a description I found on the net.

"B - Really the beginning of the run out player. If they make a ball on the break and get position on the 1 ball, they should have a reasonable expectation to get out. Any cluster or unusual position play will diminish their chances significantly. Usually, B players possess unusual strength in either pocketing, strategy or position play. Rarely two of three, never all three. Their creativity is usually limited at this level but you may begin to see glimpses of what's to come."

wow, that's a higher rating than I've seen anywhere I've lived. The players that are known as B players will only run out maybe 1 in 10 racks and that's on their good days, nowhere close to "reasonable chance to get out." Maybe there's been a change in the rating system and everyone just wants to be known as a B player. An A player will run out about 1 in 3 racks. In a tournament with 40 players usually 6 will be an A, 30 B's and 4 C's and most of those B's won't break and run more than once in 20 tries. I'm talking about on a 9 foot table.

 

[ronscuba]

wow, that's a higher rating than I've seen anywhere I've lived. The players that are known as B players will only run out maybe 1 in 10 racks and that's on their good days, nowhere close to "reasonable chance to get out." Maybe there's been a change in the rating system and everyone just wants to be known as a B player. An A player will run out about 1 in 3 racks. In a tournament with 40 players usually 6 will be an A, 30 B's and 4 C's and most of those B's won't break and run more than once in 20 tries. I'm talking about on a 9 foot table.

I live in NYC. With so many people living in the area, the level of play is pretty high. Here are 2 more descriptions I found. All 3 seem about right for league play in NYC.


Capelle's "Play Your Best Pool" (p.386)
B: A solid, advanced player - these players can run out fairly regularly, but lack a little consistency.


B-Player
Able to run 1 to 3 racks
avg. run is 5-7 balls
with ball in hand will get out form the 5, 2 out of 3 times
most of the time a "B" player will play a "safety" which maybe hit easily 2 out of 3 times
a typical inning will end with a missed shot, a fair safety, or a won game

 

[Bambu]

Too many new player's (and some not so new) are making it way too hard on themselves to learn the game. Today there is a ton of info on pool basics out there. They can buy a few dvd's to watch to learn all they need to know to show them how to do it and how to practice right.

IMO if a new player watches a few dvd's of the pre-shot routine and picks the one they are most comfortable with, that is more than half the battle. Knowing what you want to do, speed, where to strike CB, all should be known BEFORE you get down on the shot. If anymore than a minor adjustment is needed after your down...get back up, something is probably not lined up right. I believe someone with average talent can become a "B" player in a year with just books, dvd's, and watching streams and videos of good players, and of course a good practice routine. Johnnyt

I agree its much easier to learn these days. But a year with books? Might even confuse someone more than necessary, too much to absorb in a year. I think even mr. Spock would suck without years of repetitive muscle memory training.

Every legitimate runout player I've seen has been taught by a far better player. If not taught directly, beaten directly.....barbecued for years.