Going from B to A

[CantEverWin]

This thread is intended for comments from A players and above. I know that people have different scales, and this thread is not posted to argue what people are rated, but to ask the A players (and higher) what they believe was the most influential thing that got them to the next level. I'm sure that there are multiple thing's, and I would love to hear all. My real question is. What stands out most in your mind as progression, when you made the jump.
I play in the APA, and have a rating of 6 in 8-ball and 7 in nine. By my scale I put myself as a B player.
I will thank you for your comments in advance. (That being if I get any.)

Mike

 

[OldHasBeen]

For me it was............

This thread is intended for comments from A players and above. I know that people have different scales, and this thread is not posted to argue what people are rated, but to ask the A players (and higher) what they believe was the most influential thing that got them to the next level. I'm sure that there are multiple thing's, and I would love to hear all. My real question is. What stands out most in your mind as progression, when you made the jump.
I play in the APA, and have a rating of 6 in 8-ball and 7 in nine. By my scale I put myself as a B player.
I will thank you for your comments in advance. (That being if I get any.)

Mike

For me (at 18) it was EITHER WIN OR GO HUNGRY & SLEEP IN MY CAR.
You would be amazed how much this will improve your concentration and game.

TY & GL

 

[CantEverWin]

ahh, wisdom

For me (at 18) it was EITHER WIN OR GO HUNGRY & SLEEP IN MY CAR.
You would be amazed how much this will improve your concentration and game.

TY & GL

Ahh, wisdom. I believe that could help everyone's game.

 

[sjm]

Although the "A" player executes the offense a little better, I believe that both a "B" player and an "A" player are fairly proficient at running out once a good opportunity is encountered. The biggest difference, though, is that an "A" player creates many more chances to run out. This is a slight oversimplicfication, but, for the most part, there are only four ways you get chances to run out at nine ball.

1. The chances that land in your lap through opponent's failure to execute
2. The chances that land in your lap due to the luck factor
3. The chances you create with your break
4. The chances you create with your moves game (defense/kicking/two-way shots)

There isn't a lot you can do about #1 and #2 above, but if you tidy up your break and your moves game, you'll start to create far more chances to run out than you have in the past. Of course, you'll have to focus on your runout skills, too, but the "A" players do a far better job of creating chances to run out than "B" players.

If you want to get to "A" level, learn to CREATE opportunities to run out at the table. That's what got me to my current tournament rating of A+.

 

[TATE]

This thread is intended for comments from A players and above. I know that people have different scales, and this thread is not posted to argue what people are rated, but to ask the A players (and higher) what they believe was the most influential thing that got them to the next level. I'm sure that there are multiple thing's, and I would love to hear all. My real question is. What stands out most in your mind as progression, when you made the jump.
I play in the APA, and have a rating of 6 in 8-ball and 7 in nine. By my scale I put myself as a B player.
I will thank you for your comments in advance. (That being if I get any.)

Mike

I would say the answer is "Don't stop improving".

Let your training evolve your game to it's maximum level. The harder you train, the better you will play. You will keep improving as your natural talent allows.

Also, I would say be as precise as possible. Always have an exact plan and try hard to execute it. This gives your brain the "feedback" you need to keep improving.

Chris

 

[DaveK]

Ahh, wisdom. I believe that could help everyone's game.

For those stupid enough to quit 5 and 6 figure jobs ... no thanks, I'll stick to practicing, reading, and experimenting ...

Dave

 

[MAGGNET]

I Think What All The Posts Mean Is Knowledge, Study The Pros Figure Out Why They Play The Shot The Way They Do.

 

[CantEverWin]

For those stupid enough to quit 5 and 6 figure jobs ... no thanks, I'll stick to practicing, reading, and experimenting ...

Dave

You know, i'm glad you made me think about that. I was just on the phone calling my boss to inform him that I was no longer going to be able to work for him. When I saw your message and re thought what I was about to do. Thank you for saying something. I was almost stupid.

If you have a 7 figure job is it okay to quit Mr. Wisdom? Just wondering cause you left it out...

 

[vagabond]

This thread is intended for comments from A players and above. I know that people have different scales, and this thread is not posted to argue what people are rated, but to ask the A players (and higher) what they believe was the most influential thing that got them to the next level. I'm sure that there are multiple thing's, and I would love to hear all. My real question is. What stands out most in your mind as progression, when you made the jump.
I play in the APA, and have a rating of 6 in 8-ball and 7 in nine. By my scale I put myself as a B player.
I will thank you for your comments in advance. (That being if I get any.)

Mike

Hi,
Chasing my dreams with determination.
vagabond

 

[vagabond]

My real question is. What stands out most in your mind as progression, when you made the jump.


Mike

.

Hi,
I felt that I attained/ achieved my goal.
Vagabond

 

[vagabond]

.

Hi,
I felt that I attained/ achieved my goal.
Vagabond

Then u plan/aspire for the next level.
Vagabond

 

[chefjeff]

Then u plan/aspire for the next level.
Vagabond

That's interesting that you say that, Vagabond. I'd make a slight correction on that, though. It is not "THEN" you plan, it is BEFORE THEN you plan for the next goal.

One reason I say this is because a new member of our team played lights-out pool all year and right through the state tourney (he got 5th in the Open, excellent for his first attempt). Then he collasped and has played like crap since. He's figured it out: He had a goal up to the state tourney, but that was it. He's now working on a new goal, but in the meantime, he was goalless (hey, a new word!) and it kept him from playing at his previously high level.

So my advice, fwiw, is get another goal JUST BEFORE you accomplish this one so your momentum stays. If you wait, you'll lapse.

Jeff Livingston

 

[DaveK]

You know, i'm glad you made me think about that. I was just on the phone calling my boss to inform him that I was no longer going to be able to work for him. When I saw your message and re thought what I was about to do. Thank you for saying something. I was almost stupid.

If you have a 7 figure job is it okay to quit Mr. Wisdom? Just wondering cause you left it out...

Hey dude, don't let me stop you, go for it. Quit your job and go on the road. Let me know your boss's number, I'll call him while you pack. You'll get to be a great player absolutely ! It is well known that all you have to do is 'go on the road' and next thing you know ... poof.... you will be a world champion. Watch out for traffic though.

Oh, and I don't think you're 'almost stupid'.

Dave, Mr Wisdom (and occassionaly Mr Sarcasm)

 

[hustlefinger]

This thread is intended for comments from A players and above. I know that people have different scales, and this thread is not posted to argue what people are rated, but to ask the A players (and higher) what they believe was the most influential thing that got them to the next level. I'm sure that there are multiple thing's, and I would love to hear all. My real question is. What stands out most in your mind as progression, when you made the jump.
I play in the APA, and have a rating of 6 in 8-ball and 7 in nine. By my scale I put myself as a B player.
I will thank you for your comments in advance. (That being if I get any.)

Mike

Consistency. That’s it, that’s all you have to do is be consistent.

You need to be consistent in playing the right shot, pocketing balls, and playing the right shape. And doing the same thing over and over, until it’s harder to screw up than play the right shot. Anybody can miss a tough shot, but the key is making all the makable ones and getting shape. If you never missed, let’s say an 80% probability shot and left position of the same, how good do you think you’d be?

Rick