Honestly, I'm REALLY fed up with straightpool.
- Thread starter Sire380
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Danny, thanks for the pointers. You know since I started this post about a week or so ago, I've been to the poolroom 2 or 3 times and had better results. Actually the two things that I worked on were very simple 1)if I missed a shot I just kept shooting so that I may work on setting up a breakball 2) I actually did stop becoming so "High Run Goal Oriented" because it's almost like setting myself up for failure and frustration. However the mental approach that I took that has been helping me a lot has been just setting myself up for one ball ahead(as recommended from a previous poster) I know in the long run I'm going to have to pay more attention to the entire rack and certain key balls but so far it has worked sufficiently.Danny Harriman said:
As far as your sacrifice BELIEVE ME I'm not under an misconception or delusion about just how hard you pros have had to work to get to the level you are at. No one is in awe as much as me when I watch you all play. As far as videos, I have many. I have old accu-stats dvds of players like Miz, Sigel, Dallas, Efren, Rempe. I also have old tapes of Irving Crane running 150, Luther Lassiter, Mosconi, Cisero Murphy. Believe me, if anything I'm watching a little too much 14.1. Then again maybe there's no such thing as watching too many hours of great players running 100's. As far as becoming a student of the game I can honestly say that I try to pick up any little pointer that I can and try to play much better players than myself as often as I can.
One last thing, you mentioned that you must "practice like your gambling". Perhaps that is something that is missing because lately it has gotten to the point that when I play 9-ball, I can't play my best game without gambling. Perhaps there is a competitive nerve in me that brings out my A game. I'm not trying to sound pompous but it really seems that I just can't will myself to play at my best unless I'm playing someone else. Either way, I'll try to practice like I'm playing for money.
Believe me Danny, after watching you play, If I had the money I would definitely make my way out to MO for some instruction. I'm out here is California. Anyway I know I'm a getting a little long winded so let me just say thanks for the advice and I'm try to apply some of your pointers to my game.
Just wanted to clarify a few ideas I was offering you, watching top players run many balls is great however when you can hear what their thinking it's even better. Dallas West has a tape entitled 150 and out, Jim Rempe also has some gems of knowledge to offer -(both of these gentlemen are world champs and class acts in my view) in these videos they are walking you through each rack and explaining what they are fixin' to do. John Shmidt has a video and even though he was rude and made some beligerent remarks to me in our last match, I would still recommend his video to anyone interested in 14.1.
Ohh and one more thing I was referring only to STRAIGHT POOL when I mentioned practice like your gambling, 9 ball is a good game but is a much different rhythm. Just to give you an idea I have probably practiced in the last month maybe 100 hrs and I would estimate that thirty minutes of this was 9 ball, I prefer straight pool and the bank pool for my practice sessions. Ohh and don't forget about my DVD arriving soon!!!!!
ok enough already , Danny Harriman
Ohh and one more thing I was referring only to STRAIGHT POOL when I mentioned practice like your gambling, 9 ball is a good game but is a much different rhythm. Just to give you an idea I have probably practiced in the last month maybe 100 hrs and I would estimate that thirty minutes of this was 9 ball, I prefer straight pool and the bank pool for my practice sessions. Ohh and don't forget about my DVD arriving soon!!!!!
ok enough already , Danny Harriman
Danny, I'm anxiously awaiting your video also. I wonder if you would lend your initial thought and answer to the following question.
What do you believe is the primary stopper for B+ and A players who run 30s 40s or even 50s and just don't seem to find the gear to semi regularly get on cruise control and start hitting high numbers?
I'm curious if you believe there is a commonality.
edit** I thought I'd clarify my thought a tad. I have often thought it was a combination of basically 3 things.
1. Early and concise pattern play
2. Concentration
3. Stroke refinement
If I'm correct, I'm wonder which if any of these is the most lacking. Initially I always thought it was a concentration thing, but now, I'm leaning toward stroke refinement in terms of accurate delivery to the CB. Dunno though, since I'm one of those guys stuck in that gear. Of course I only play about 6 hrs a week these days, and half that time I'm watching my pool partner doing his share of struggling. LOL .... 
(of course this question is open to to all, although I'd love Danny's take )
thanks!
What do you believe is the primary stopper for B+ and A players who run 30s 40s or even 50s and just don't seem to find the gear to semi regularly get on cruise control and start hitting high numbers?
I'm curious if you believe there is a commonality.
edit** I thought I'd clarify my thought a tad. I have often thought it was a combination of basically 3 things.
1. Early and concise pattern play
2. Concentration
3. Stroke refinement
If I'm correct, I'm wonder which if any of these is the most lacking. Initially I always thought it was a concentration thing, but now, I'm leaning toward stroke refinement in terms of accurate delivery to the CB. Dunno though, since I'm one of those guys stuck in that gear.
Of course I only play about 6 hrs a week these days, and half that time I'm watching my pool partner doing his share of struggling. LOL .... (of course this question is open to to all, although I'd love Danny's take )
thanks!
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I'll have to check out West's and Rempe's tapes. I actually have Schmidt's video but I didn't mention it in my last post for that very reason that you mentioned about your history with him. Also, I think I will take your advise and start practicing straight pool exclusively when I'm shooting by myself. Thanks again for the advice. It's awesome that you're willing to share your expertise.Danny Harriman said:Just wanted to clarify a few ideas I was offering you, watching top players run many balls is great however when you can hear what their thinking it's even better. Dallas West has a tape entitled 150 and out, Jim Rempe also has some gems of knowledge to offer -(both of these gentlemen are world champs and class acts in my view) in these videos they are walking you through each rack and explaining what they are fixin' to do. John Shmidt has a video and even though he was rude and made some beligerent remarks to me in our last match, I would still recommend his video to anyone interested in 14.1.
Ohh and one more thing I was referring only to STRAIGHT POOL when I mentioned practice like your gambling, 9 ball is a good game but is a much different rhythm. Just to give you an idea I have probably practiced in the last month maybe 100 hrs and I would estimate that thirty minutes of this was 9 ball, I prefer straight pool and the bank pool for my practice sessions. Ohh and don't forget about my DVD arriving soon!!!!!
ok enough already , Danny Harriman
3andstop said:Danny, I'm anxiously awaiting your video also. I wonder if you would lend your initial thought and answer to the following question.
What do you believe is the primary stopper for B+ and A players who run 30s 40s or even 50s and just don't seem to find the gear to semi regularly get on cruise control and start hitting high numbers?
I'm curious if you believe there is a commonality.
edit** I thought I'd clarify my thought a tad. I have often thought it was a combination of basically 3 things.
1. Early and concise pattern play
2. Concentration
3. Stroke refinement
If I'm correct, I'm wonder which if any of these is the most lacking. Initially I always thought it was a concentration thing, but now, I'm leaning toward stroke refinement in terms of accurate delivery to the CB. Dunno though, since I'm one of those guys stuck in that gear.
(of course this question is open to to all, although I'd love Danny's take )
thanks!
I'm just one of those B-player 30-40 ball runners, but my take on this is that it's mostly cueball control and pattern play. I *can* string a couple of racks together, but I have to work a lot harder to get that run than a consistent 100+ ball runner like Danny. I get out of line all the time, even if only by a few inches. That constantly puts pressure on my shotmaking and makes me move the cue ball more than necessary to get back in line. Also consider the fact that, as a 9-ball player, my ball pocketing is probably better than B players who only play straight pool, but is still far below Danny's.
If I ever get time to practice regularly, one of my goals will be to sharpen my straight pool position play as much as I can. Maybe try some pinpoint position play drills over short distances. For me, I think that will make the biggest difference in opening up higher and more consistent runs.
My guess is that most B-level straight pool players are in the same boat. It gets harder and harder to improve as the learning curve flattens out.
Edit: Just to avoid confusion, I mean that this is what I think it'd take for a 30-40-50 ball runner to break through to the next level and start posting higher numbers. There's obviously still a large difference between that level and professionals like Danny.
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I agree with tsw_521. Those pinpoint position plays allow for a simpler next shot and next position play. If you miss position by a little it means that not only is the next shot harder, but the next position after that shot is harder. It makes sense that the odds are low to get to the next stage without more precision.
For sure getting out of line is what ultimately stops runs, but do us mere mortals get out of line because we simply don't have the ability to play position that closely, or is it because of one of the things I mentioned or some other root cause that may be a common denominator preventing full on cruise control for most of us.
You see, at least for me, and I assume most other players who have broken 50 or 60 more than once, with semi regular 40s, we do get in a rhythm where position falls right on and without effort. So, the ability is in fact within us.
Why it comes and goes, I believe has a more specific root cause. It may be entirely different for each of us, I just wondered if it were possible that some common malady that can be worked on is presenting a block.
I know that for me, when I get up around the half century mark, a little voice sometimes says, "well, you're hittin em good now, aren't ya?" And then..... end of run.
You see, at least for me, and I assume most other players who have broken 50 or 60 more than once, with semi regular 40s, we do get in a rhythm where position falls right on and without effort. So, the ability is in fact within us.
Why it comes and goes, I believe has a more specific root cause. It may be entirely different for each of us, I just wondered if it were possible that some common malady that can be worked on is presenting a block.
I know that for me, when I get up around the half century mark, a little voice sometimes says, "well, you're hittin em good now, aren't ya?" And then..... end of run.
I guess so. What I find interesting is just how fragile a run is, not only for us sub-100 runners, but for the big runners as well. It amazes me that people have been able to run in the multiple hundreds with the luck that's involved. What you end up with after the break shot is just seems too unpredictable to allow for the 300 plus runs. But somehow they're accomplished.
I guess those who can do that are first and foremost extremely confident ball-pocketers. If they have any shot and they're in stroke, they know they'll make it. Then add to that confidence in cueball control. Then add knowledge of 14.1 traps and safety valves. Then add clean balls, clean table, fair pockets and low humidity. Then, on those rare occasions where the balls cooperate for a couple of hours or more, I guess that's when they can run those insane numbers.
But we still see the best out there struggling with a single rack at times. And what are the average shooting-inning runs by these guys in tournaments? 40 or so? Even though we know they are capable of multiple hundreds.
Then there's the possibility that there's even more knowledge that Mosconi and Cranfield had that the best players of today don't.
I guess those who can do that are first and foremost extremely confident ball-pocketers. If they have any shot and they're in stroke, they know they'll make it. Then add to that confidence in cueball control. Then add knowledge of 14.1 traps and safety valves. Then add clean balls, clean table, fair pockets and low humidity. Then, on those rare occasions where the balls cooperate for a couple of hours or more, I guess that's when they can run those insane numbers.
But we still see the best out there struggling with a single rack at times. And what are the average shooting-inning runs by these guys in tournaments? 40 or so? Even though we know they are capable of multiple hundreds.
Then there's the possibility that there's even more knowledge that Mosconi and Cranfield had that the best players of today don't.
Hi 3 and stop, I really do not have all the answers but I do think your on the right track with stroke refinement. Try going to a 6by 12 snooker table, place a ball near the corner pocket maybe a foot away if that, bring whitey (normal pool balls of course) 11 feet down a try to as the snooker players say pot the ball. Pocket Billiard players have a tendency to want cut the object ball in with spin, you will learn very quickly that this is not an option. The reason is because after whitey travels that far the cue ball will begin to arc or ie left english will make the cue ball travel left and eventually way left (no deflectionafter a certain distance.) My point hear is that understanding how to hit the cue ball in the center is not easy, I was ranked in the top ten on the PBT playing 9 ball but had a tough time with the most simple shot on this 12 foot monster. I can't say that I am ready to take on Steve Davis playing snooker but I have a much better understanding of center ball and how to refine my stroke. I will eventually make a DVD on my take of this subject but it will not be available anytime soon, as that Country song says "You've Got To Have An Ace In The Hole." I can promise everyone this - knowone and I do mean Knowone wants to set up long shots against those top fifteen players from the pro snooker tour. Their cuing skills are great when it comes to pocketing or potting a ball eleven or twelve feet down table, and if you were to ask them what spin their using if any it would be the center axis of the cue ball.
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