Draw this line to complete more runs

mikemosconi said:
Well. I look at this video and I think the big issue here is WHY DO folks feel they have to get so good on the last money ball. In other words, the best pros have all the confidence that they can pocket ( even on smaller pockets) the money ball from 4 or 5 feet away And at far less than straight in position. I see them do it all the time.
So I think the first lesson should be to build more confidence in your ball pocketing by getting down cold your PSR/alignment/stroke mechanics/ strong final focus/ well timed final release of the cue. All of these factors, when you have 100% confidence in them, remove the fear factor of perhaps not getting perfect shape on that last ball.
Focusing on the performance factors and not on the external ( mind driven) fear factors is what all great champions do most consistently. It is also the reason they succeed most often.

I just think that the best approach, if one has a problem with pocketing game balls, is to go to the root cause of why they mess up getting even decent shape on the final ball- it is all about confidence, and confidence is all about consistent success, and in pool that is all about everything you do from the table approach to the cue release - as Mosconi said: "every time that I pull the trigger I believe that I can't miss!"
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I don’t think a lot of players realize to get the great position on the money ball you’ll usually need to make a harder shot somewhere. In 9 ball that doesn’t always mean the 8. Could be the 6 ball. Take it easy or take it hard for an easy 9.

They aren’t thinking that far ahead. Then when they get to the 9 they freak out.
The pros are though. Theyll pass up the hard-hard one and take the more difficult out a lot of times.

I had this dilemma in 8 the other day shooting around with a solid APA 4/5. That will make sense in a minute. I only had the 7 and 8 left to go. He left me a hard cut on the 7 by bottom rail. He had a ball hanging in the top corner. A few other balls 2 of which were in my lanes. If I would’ve made the 7 would’ve had to play a carom off the rail off one of his balls to get any shape and the 8 would’ve still been hard. And if I missed the 7 he had a shot.

So I took my 7, banked it into one of his balls to clear it out and froze him on his other ball where he had no shot and no combo on the hanger. He asked me why I didn’t just make the 7. I didn’t know what to tell him except it was the right thing to do. It was waay too advanced to explain why. If he would’ve had some of the knowledge he would’ve never asked.

Point being that safe I played wasn’t easy, but getting out would’ve been a lot harder.
 
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Well, as a competitor in pool you have to think of the match in terms of what you can control and what you cannot control. Since many non- pros mess up end patterns, then it stands to reason that many times one will be handed an end pattern that they themselves did not fall on, just that the opponent missed.

So that is also where shotmaking sometimes supersedes position play and pattern play. Higher level amateur players many times will be handed a more difficult last ball shot or last few balls pattern simply bc the opponent messed up as previously discussed. You have to be ready to get up, come with a shot or shots and end the game- that is the confidence factor that helps make one a true closer.
 
Tin Man said:
I agree Stu.

Many instructors talk about the pre-shot routine and focus mostly on the physical steps of getting down on the ball consistently. This is all true, but for me my focus is primarily on the mental benefits of quieting the mind. I am more concerned with creating a rhythm in which we shut our brains down as we get onto the ball so that we are quiet and focused. Thinking, pre-shot (brain goes to sleep), shoot. Think, psr, shoot. Think, psr, shoot. Players use different tempos but that rhythm is visible in all great shooters.
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Yes, well said.
 
Great video. I've made all these mistakes. I feel I tend to make them less as I've gotten more seasoned and hopefully, will now make them even less.
 
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Tin Man said:
This came up in my last bootcamp and I thought I'd share. A lot of people speed up and skip a step leading up to a choke, but what step are they skipping? I break it down in this video. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlbo5KsbBKA
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Have not watched beyond 1st shot. But, I find the bottom outside 2 rail shape on the 9 to be simple. Plenty of room before the side pocket and going on the line.
 
gregcantrall said:
Have not watched beyond 1st shot. But, I find the bottom outside 2 rail shape on the 9 to be simple. Plenty of room before the side pocket and going on the line.
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You are referencing the first shot? If so the cue ball is very close to the side rail. To use backspin would require a lot of elevation, and combined with sidespin that would make this a very difficult shot to pocket and control. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but rolling this ball in with center has got to be the choice here.
 
Personally I thought the length of the video was fine. I hope I get a chance to play 1P with the folks who skipped ahead. ;) :)

I usually skip around in videos but since I've been fighting this problem, make 6 balls perfectly and F### up potting the 8 and getting shape on the 9, I watched the whole thing, totally engrossed. It's literally the problem I've been having. I've been fighting it and the repetition with the examples really drove the point home.

The great player that I'm practicing with/getting coached by tells me to just make the shot. Figure out the extreme that I'm wanting to do and back it off by enough to make the shot. Make the shot is the priority. He's gave me good advice, but you know how it is. Little billiard angel on one shoulder saying "just make the shot" and a little billiard devil on the other saying "get pinpoint position so you could make the money ball in your sleep." Having the "line" makes is more tangible. Getting a zone instead of pinpoint is a concept most good players know, but it's really easy for that to fall apart when you're excited to finally get the run finished.

This video... I said it before, but thank you. It really is something I struggle with and it might be the thing that takes me from a 5 ball runner to a 6 or 7 ball runner. I'm not quite running packages but it would be great to get out even 30% more than keep doing what I'm doing now. Nothing more frustrating than running the majority of the balls and messing up the last 2.

This game can be infuriating at times but that's what makes it interesting.
 
Thanks for posting. Have been in the End of Game whatever’s 100x’s. Still working on relaxing. Concentrating. Map out the pattern.
 
Tin Man said:
You are referencing the first shot? If so the cue ball is very close to the side rail. To use backspin would require a lot of elevation, and combined with sidespin that would make this a very difficult shot to pocket and control. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but rolling this ball in with center has got to be the choice here.
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I see. In my recreation of the shot I must have the cue ball too far off the rail. I avoid side, usually I am in the realm of a "touch". Most often ooking to eliminate the skid possibly.
You are spot on with the analysis regarding the rush/breaking the rythem. I have noticed that even in top players.(Self included 😉).
My use of the line is similar to what you teach. My first look is to find the perfect angle on the next ball. Then I determine which side of perfect is still doable. Sometimes the wrong side is a show stopper. Then the decision process that you describe comes in. I play for good on the safe side of perfect.
Good Stuff. I concur 😉
 
Good advice.

I think the real issue is total control of the cue ball and stroke technique to move the cue ball at will.
When you have control of your cue ball there is not much brain confusion or hesitation, just selection and execution.
Your game goes from a confused nervous brain, to a calm, quiet, confident demeanor, in every situation.
It's a major jump in level of play. MAJOR

A player who understands the cue ball and stroke can see all the routes, options, choices, in 15-20 seconds, along with any negatives that may be connected to to them. With 2 balls left on the table and no traffic what's the dilemma?
There may be 1 or 5 routes to move the cue ball into position just as there were on balls 1-7.
Select the route and speed required to get to the shot, shift total focus on the object ball, rinse and repeat.

You decide on your route and speed in seconds, the mental work is complete, pocketing the ball is now king.
Go through your normal preshot dance, pocket the balls and close out the rack.
You're never terrified or overwhelmed by a situation. Your confidence in the cue ball and all the hours invested in learning the cue ball become normal, routes and zones become simplified and easily recognized.

If you don't have control of the cue ball getting through 4 balls is a struggle, nevermind a full rack.
If you get to the 8 ball you're jumping out of your shoes because you mangaled your brain and probably made a good shot or 3 to get through 7 balls.


The best in the world will lose their cue ball but none will ever be terrified or confused.
Cue Ball IQ, stroke, and execution is the name of the game, everything else is easy when compared.
The doubt that once was becomes just that, once was.
 
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