getting to the next level

Discipline. Continue to develop your stroke. Take lessons for this.

Recognize that the game has several components and that all the associated skills must be developed. Let's simplify things and say that being a great player requires mastery of six things

Pocketing
Position play
Defense
Two way shots
Kicking
The break

Are you working on improvement in all six areas? If so, stay the course. If not, modify your practice routine to make sure that you are addressing all of them. Finally, there is strategy, and the best way to learn that is by watching better players and see how they go about their business.

Assume you're saying you beat the ghost 1-2 racks out of 10. That's very impressive for a newbie, probably a strong "C" level player. Now practice the whole game and you'll be n your way.
 
I would ask where you're located. Many people here on the site can recommend someone near you that can help get you to the next level. It's tough to make a recommendation on what to work on with out seeing you play. If you were even within an hour of me, Sioux Falls, SD, I would gladly help you.

The biggest thing is taking advice from people that can ACTUALLY help. Everyone and there mom will tell you what you're doing wrong and how to fix it, but seldom are they right.

Sounds like you have some good natural talent. Stick with it, there is no substitute for hitting balls.

all the best,
 
Pidge said:
10-20% B&R after 3 months is outstanding IMO. Well done on that. It would really help to know why you don't B&R more though. Why do you not run out a certain rack? Is it because you miss an easy shot, screw up position, play the wrong position?

I'm going to take a stab in the dark and put it down to a fundamental issue firstly. Since you've been playing for no time at all, your body will still be learning and trying to memorise how to stroke and stand and align. You likely don't have much of a subconcious to fall back on if a shot doesn't look right. This all comes with time and repetition, so there isn't a quick fix for it. Reading books on mechanics, watching instructional videos and having a few lessons purely on fundamentals will help you out quicker than anything else. Having a solid base to work on will also help you with consistency. If you play lights out one rack then play like you've never held a cue before the next (which we all do) is easily fixed by having a solid base to work from.

Secondly I'd put it down to a lack of experience. Not knowing the right CB path to take, when a run out is on or off, when to play safe, what the right safe would be. All this kinda stuff is learned through playing. You can become competent at beating the ghost, but its no substitute for playing a real person.

Lastly I'd work on the break. Having a good break makes increasing your B&R percentage that much easier. In 9 ball there are 2 balls you have any kind of control over. The cue ball and the 1. I avoid trying to make the 1 at all costs unless I can't make any other ball. If you can develop a break that makes the CB stay mid table and the 1 ball float up past the centre pocket, whilst making a wing ball then those 1 or 2 out of 10 run outs will become 5 or 6 out of 10 in no time.

First things first though. I'd get some lessons with a respected instructor. I'm sure there are countless instructors on here that would love to work with someone who clearly has a nack for the game and a lot of promise.
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when I don't run out it is usually do to me not knowing the path to take to the next object ball. im sure the way to fix this is just getting on the table and learning the paths with certain English, correct? sometimes ill just miss an easy shot from not taking my time or lifting my head up too early. I noticed(and a lot of people have told me this) the closer I get to running a rack the more I rush. I still get excited when I run out and its a big deal for me. sometimes ill get down to 2 balls on the table with a very easy shot on the next and miss it because I don't stay down. ill have a table at my house in the next 2 weeks so things are about to get serious for me
 
jhanso18 said:
I would ask where you're located. Many people here on the site can recommend someone near you that can help get you to the next level. It's tough to make a recommendation on what to work on with out seeing you play. If you were even within an hour of me, Sioux Falls, SD, I would gladly help you.

The biggest thing is taking advice from people that can ACTUALLY help. Everyone and there mom will tell you what you're doing wrong and how to fix it, but seldom are they right.

Sounds like you have some good natural talent. Stick with it, there is no substitute for hitting balls.

all the best,
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I live in Dothan Alabama if you're familiar with that area? and yes everyone will try to give advice at my pool hall...most of them cant even make a 2 ball run. I really do appreciate when a good player will try to help me. and I do appreciate yall takin the time to reply back to me
 
and yes the break KILLS me. I can most always put a good spread on them but I almost always can never see the one after the break. I always have to push or kick at the one after the break. this would probably be the weakest point in my game
 
zach12345 said:
what helped you break the barrier in order to jump to the next level in playing pool?
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1.) Learning and following a purposeful and consistent pre-shot routine
2.) Learning and following all of the stroke "best practices."
3.) Learning and practicing the Top 100 Secrets of Pool.
4.) Running through the Billiard University (BU) playing-ability Exams and individual drills a ridiculous number of times.
5.) Practicing (and not just playing) as much as possible.

Good luck,
Dave
 
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zach12345 said:
when I don't run out it is usually do to me not knowing the path to take to the next object ball. im sure the way to fix this is just getting on the table and learning the paths with certain English, correct?
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Hey Zach, It is absolutely important to know the path of the cue ball with what ever english you introduce to it. In my humble opinion its more important to learn the natural path of the cue ball and use it to your advantage.
 
zach12345 said:
when I don't run out it is usually do to me not knowing the path to take to the next object ball. im sure the way to fix this is just getting on the table and learning the paths with certain English, correct?
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In my opinion, no.

It is better to watch champion players play and try to replicate their patterns (whilst noting that they stay pretty close to center ball), than to get on the table and "experiment".

After you start learning the patterns, you need to start watching with an "active mind". That means.. Imagine where the pro's tip placement is.. Imagine what the stroke will look/feel like. Imagine the EXACT spot the CB will go. And WHY.

I say this because if you can learn enough from watch a top player that you can accurately predict CB placement on the majority of shots, then all you have to do is work on execution/speed to make it happen.

And you want to be extremely PRECISE when predicting CB movement, and make sure to associate the appropriate tip placement in your head while making the prediction.

In my opinion... This form of mental practice can be one of the most effective things to improve your game. I was deployed to Iraq for two years and watched Accu-Stats videos for at least an hour a day. It did a lot for my game.. Brought me up at least a skill level, from D to C-level play.

Short Bus Russ
 
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