Good practice techniques for a beginner

Lately I have been randomly putting seven solids on the table plus the eight ball and with ball in hand try to run the table. I am successful about 60 to 70% of the time. When I put them out randomly, it develops my ability to orchestrate the table. I videotaped three run outs and wanted to post the video but I don't know how to upload a video to this forum. Do you have to use youtube?
 
Thank you Tom. You made me take my own advice. I did watch my practice videos now and noticed old habit to move was getting bad again so I took a week and focus that not moving part. 2nd thing i focused was grip pressure. I tried to keep it light through stroke. After a week it started working and I did play 10-ball Ghost match where my focus was always those 2 things just before pulling the trigger.
It came up pretty sweet and stroke looked nice and I kept my stance pretty still. Need to work this more but got back on creating good habits.
 
Poolmanis said:
Thank you Tom. You made me take my own advice. I did watch my practice videos now and noticed old habit to move was getting bad again so I took a week and focus that not moving part. 2nd thing i focused was grip pressure. I tried to keep it light through stroke. After a week it started working and I did play 10-ball Ghost match where my focus was always those 2 things just before pulling the trigger.
It came up pretty sweet and stroke looked nice and I kept my stance pretty still. Need to work this more but got back on creating good habits.
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That last shot you missed, those are very deceivingly simple looking. CB too close to the OB and my normal aiming intuition breaks down and feels like never can make them 100%, just have to avoid having to shoot them.
 
There is alot of techniques to practice and being able to hit the CB straight is the most important. The cue is the conductor of the symphony and you have to be able to follow along in harmony!
 
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Poolmanis said:
Thank you Tom. You made me take my own advice. I did watch my practice videos now and noticed old habit to move was getting bad again so I took a week and focus that not moving part. 2nd thing i focused was grip pressure. I tried to keep it light through stroke. After a week it started working and I did play 10-ball Ghost match where my focus was always those 2 things just before pulling the trigger.
It came up pretty sweet and stroke looked nice and I kept my stance pretty still. Need to work this more but got back on creating good habits.
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You shoot quite well, and move the cue ball around the table very well!
 
SeniorTom said:
Lately I have been randomly putting seven solids on the table plus the eight ball and with ball in hand try to run the table. I am successful about 60 to 70% of the time. When I put them out randomly, it develops my ability to orchestrate the table. I videotaped three run outs and wanted to post the video but I don't know how to upload a video to this forum. Do you have to use youtube?
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YouTube is easiest. You choose setting of video so it wont be public.
Like that video about staying still is "hidden" it wont be found any searches. Only way to find is the link(that I posted here). You can also change settings later so you could make it so only you can see it(private).
You can findf videos from youtube how to upload videos if need.
 
SeniorTom said:
I am a decent player for an individual who has only been playing two years, but I am still not happy with aspects of my game. I have had a couple lessons from a local Pro, but still have difficulty getting parts of his instruction included in my play. One thing that is disappointing is how I have a tendency to stand up too quickly after a shot. I have been told over and over again to stay down after the shot and follow through. I use predominantly and open Bridge, and also have a difficult time incorporating a closed bridge when appropriate. I know this is on me, but I need some practice techniques that will force me to shore up my bridge and my stroke to get to the next level. I am a 470 Fargo and climbing. Any advice on how to practice to reinforce proper technique into my stroke?
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Here is a simple fix……I do this on every shot…..been doing it for 50 years……not doing it is actually now disruptive.


On every shot, even banks. I remain in my shooting stance with my bridge hand still on the cloth with the cue in it.
I stay low on the table still in my original shooting stance and do not lift up away from the table until the cue ball
stops moving. If the cue balls returns right back at me after hitting rails, I just stand up moments before the cue ball
touches the fingers of my bridge hand. You do not get up from your shooting stance until the cue ball stops moving.

Yes, it is that simple and if I don’t do this, I feel like I am lifting up while stroking the cue ball. Nope, for me it’s easier
to observe the cue ball path & subsequent object balls interaction, from the table height viewpoint instead of above it.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Here is a simple fix……I do this on every shot…..been doing it for 50 years……not doing it is actually now disruptive.


On every shot, even banks. I remain in my shooting stance with my bridge hand still on the cloth with the cue in it.
I stay low on the table still in my original shooting stance and do not lift up away from the table until the cue ball
stops moving. If the cue balls returns right back at me after hitting rails, I just stand up moments before the cue ball
touches the fingers of my bridge hand. You do not get up from your shooting stance until the cue ball stops moving.

Yes, it is that simple and if I don’t do this, I feel like I am lifting up while stroking the cue ball. Nope, for me it’s easier
to observe the cue ball path & subsequent object balls interaction, from the table height viewpoint instead of above it.
Click to expand...
I am getting better syaying down, and it seems to have improved my stroke. I am potting balls a bit better.What is also helping is relaxing my back hand on the butt end, as I have the tendency to grip too hard, especially when under pressure. Dang negative thoughts are also destructive, and seem to pop up during shot making🤔.
 
SeniorTom said:
I am getting better syaying down, and it seems to have improved my stroke. I am potting balls a bit better.What is also helping is relaxing my back hand on the butt end, as I have the tendency to grip too hard, especially when under pressure. Dang negative thoughts are also destructive, and seem to pop up during shot making🤔.
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Do not let your grip hand tension become a variable. When you tighten your grip, you create muscle tension. It affects flexibility, smoothness of stroke, the elevation height of the cue versus your aim point and your practice strokes will be different than the actual stroke used to hit the cue ball. Grip tension is a subtle requirement that has to be mastered.
 
BilliardsAbout said:
Do you have any specific objections to the exercise that I have recommended? Have you tried the exercise that I have recommended?
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It is a bit confusing what the intention is in this exercise. Do they mean pocketing the object ball from the kitchen box and returning to the kitchen box ?
 
Bavafongoul said:
Do not let your grip hand tension become a variable. When you tighten your grip, you create muscle tension. It affects flexibility, smoothness of stroke, the elevation height of the cue versus your aim point and your practice strokes will be different than the actual stroke used to hit the cue ball. Grip tension is a subtle requirement that has to be mastered.
Click to expand...
I have been working on this lately and it is working great! You are absolutely right, as I have been pocketing balls much more consistently. Great tip! That and staying down on my stroke.
 
SeniorTom said:
It is a bit confusing what the intention is in this exercise. Do they mean pocketing the object ball from the kitchen box and returning to the kitchen box ?
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Yes, you are returning to the kitchen box (you shoot from the table's head to score the ball on the foot and return the CB to the head again).

When I set the shot in demonstrations and ask, most players want to add topspin and english. The exercise tests center ball strokes (topspin is added by friction against the cloth). No english is needed.

Most players are so intent on pocketing the object ball they stroke incorrectly and fail to return the cue ball "home again" with a soft-medium to medium, relaxed stroke. Others power the shot to smash the cue ball back home (and thus miss the object ball).
 
I'm starting all over again after 20+ years of not playing and being 71 years of age. With health issues the past 1.5 years it's been a bit of an awakening but can't dwell in the past. I spend about 10-15 minutes a couple times per day just hitting balls around just to get the arm moving. It's slowly coming back and no rushing or shortcuts as I'm starting to have fun.
 
Keep at it. Improving needs dedicated practicing or dedicated competition where when you screw up you remember the shot that cost you and then you learn it inside and out.

I personally think repetitive drills are the quickest way to learn shots. Pick a few or make some up, and spend 10 solid minutes on each one every time you get to a table. Do several drills each session.

Joe Tucker’s Guaranteed Improvement workbook has some good drills plus a way to keep score.

Neils Feign YouTube channel also is full of excellent drills. That’s basically his entire channel focus.

The fundamentals will get better as your overall game gets better. Everything seems to come up together in pool. Including pocketing, position, patterns, fundamentals, mental game, etc.
 
iusedtoberich said:
Keep at it. Improving needs dedicated practicing or dedicated competition where when you screw up you remember the shot that cost you and then you learn it inside and out.

I personally think repetitive drills are the quickest way to learn shots. Pick a few or make some up, and spend 10 solid minutes on each one every time you get to a table. Do several drills each session.

Joe Tucker’s Guaranteed Improvement workbook has some good drills plus a way to keep score.

Neils Feign YouTube channel also is full of excellent drills. That’s basically his entire channel focus.

The fundamentals will get better as your overall game gets better. Everything seems to come up together in pool. Including pocketing, position, patterns, fundamentals, mental game, etc.
Click to expand...
I'm starting from scratch perse with my cue alignment being first. I put the CB on the line and a dime about 6-8" on the cloth lined up with CB and black rack spot. I shoot the CB at lag speed to start and gradually pick up the pace. This is letting me know head alignment, stance etc and helping me get down on the cue. It's baby steps and eventually I'll add an OB for stun,follow and draw shots. I hit the CB around 1 to 5 rails at various spins. I was told years ago to go see Joe Tucker and I know I should've to try and get to the next level in my game.
 
SeniorTom said:
I have tried this technique starting with five balls of the same suit and the eight ball, then try to run out. I just throw them on the table randomly and play the cue ball where it lies. I made it through the 5+8ball run out, getting to plus five. Then I threw an extra ball out there and went back and forth for a while before I ended my session, but was at -1. I will pick up on that session next time and see if I can run out six balls plus the 8 ball and make it to plus five. That is a good exercise to attempt. I expect myself to get through all seven balls plus the eight ball eventually.
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Practice 9 ball outs even if your main game is 8 ball, imo. The skills needed in 9 ball are much greater.
 
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