How can players learn to "think ahead"?

Billy_Bob

Billy_Bob

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Good players "think ahead". They think about their next shot before shooting this shot. They think about where they want to leave the cue ball so they can make their next shot. Very good players think many balls ahead.

Other players can't or will not think ahead. They shoot their shot, THEN suddenly notice they have a difficult shot on their next ball and go "Hummmmm!" Then they stare at the shot wondering what to do.

These same people will go and gamble away their rent money, then wonder what to do when it is time to pay the rent. Or maybe they will go punch someone in the nose and not think about the legal and medical problems this will cause. They don't think about it until *after* they punch the guy in the nose!

So the question is...

How can people learn to "think ahead"?

Is this something someone can learn? Or are some people just this way and others are not? Maybe something you learn with age and maturity?
 
Billy_Bob said:
Good players "think ahead". They think about their next shot before shooting this shot. They think about where they want to leave the cue ball so they can make their next shot. Very good players think many balls ahead.

Other players can't or will not think ahead. They shoot their shot, THEN suddenly notice they have a difficult shot on their next ball and go "Hummmmm!" Then they stare at the shot wondering what to do.

These same people will go and gamble away their rent money, then wonder what to do when it is time to pay the rent. Or maybe they will go punch someone in the nose and not think about the legal and medical problems this will cause. They don't think about it until *after* they punch the guy in the nose!

So the question is...

How can people learn to "think ahead"?

Is this something someone can learn? Or are some people just this way and others are not? Maybe something you learn with age and maturity?
Click to expand...

It's always a mystery to me why someone wouldn't think ahead to how they can get out or at least to make the next two or three balls. If you've got someone like that and you can't figure out what to do with him, just send him down to St. Thomas and let him know there's a guy down there called the Professor who can't really play but likes to gamble. I guarantee you that he will learn eventually. I don't know how many times he'll come back broke before he gets it, but he will learn!:cool:

Edit: Seriously though, spread three balls, including the game ball, on the table and have the person take ball in hand to run out. Based on your description, the individual would probably line up dead straight on the first shot regardless of whether this will help them run out. Let them wallow in futility for a few attempts, and then demonstrate to them how the proper angle on the first shot would lead to the proper angle on the second, and so on. It is also highly probable, however, that people who have no concept of getting position obviously have no concept of cue ball control. If you've got someone like this for a student or protege you've got to go back to the very beginning.
 
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Billy_Bob said:
Good players "think ahead". They think about their next shot before shooting this shot. They think about where they want to leave the cue ball so they can make their next shot. Very good players think many balls ahead.

Other players can't or will not think ahead. They shoot their shot, THEN suddenly notice they have a difficult shot on their next ball and go "Hummmmm!" Then they stare at the shot wondering what to do.

These same people will go and gamble away their rent money, then wonder what to do when it is time to pay the rent. Or maybe they will go punch someone in the nose and not think about the legal and medical problems this will cause. They don't think about it until *after* they punch the guy in the nose!

So the question is...

How can people learn to "think ahead"?

Is this something someone can learn? Or are some people just this way and others are not? Maybe something you learn with age and maturity?
Click to expand...

You have to force yourself to do it. One problem I see with a lot of beginners is that they all seem to want to play fast, so they shoot without even knowing what they are doing with the cue ball. Slow down and decide where you want to be on the next few shots.

Another approach, what I prefer to do, is to plot out the table at the beginning of each turn, in other words think nine balls ahead, not three.

Eventually you will recognize the patterns and things will come easier.
 
I thought it was so funny in Pool Hall Junkies when he is in the last game for all the cash and shoots the 7 with a stop shot and doesnt roll forward for the 8,not even a D player would do that,lol.
 
VIProfessor said:
It's always a mystery to me why someone wouldn't think ahead to how they can get out or at least to make the next two or three balls. If you've got someone like that and you can't figure out what to do with him, just send him down to St. Thomas and let him know there's a guy down there called the Professor who can't really play but likes to gamble. I guarantee you that he will learn eventually. I don't know how many times he'll come back broke before he gets it, but he will learn!:cool:
Click to expand...
Beat me to it, I was wondering if he wanted to see Alaska........ :D
Some people wont learn, I have tried to coach some people over the years, and impart knowledge into them...... but it goes in one ear and out the other. I think some people may like to play, but dont care about playing well, and some think they know it all. Its just a question of what truely interests them. Brings up the question of is the game or the image to their friends of being a "pool player" that draws those folks to it?
Chuck
 
RiverCity said:
Beat me to it, I was wondering if he wanted to see Alaska........ :D

Chuck
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LOL! Man, you're cruel, Chuck! Alaska in the winter?! We both know he's going home broke, but at least if he comes to St. Thomas he'll get some sun and beach time in for his money and trouble!

Peace,

VIProfessor
 
Fast Lenny said:
I thought it was so funny in Pool Hall Junkies when he is in the last game for all the cash and shoots the 7 with a stop shot and doesnt roll forward for the 8,not even a D player would do that,lol.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I thought when I saw it. One of my friends from work had brought it in for me to watch, and I pointed out to him how stupid a mistake that would have been for someone of his supposed ability to play that shot the way he did.
 
VIProfessor said:
Edit: Seriously though, spread three balls, including the game ball, on the table and have the person take ball in hand to run out. Based on your description, the individual would probably line up dead straight on the first shot regardless of whether this will help them run out. Let them wallow in futility for a few attempts, and then demonstrate to them how the proper angle on the first shot would lead to the proper angle on the second, and so on. It is also highly probable, however, that people who have no concept of getting position obviously have no concept of cue ball control. If you've got someone like this for a student or protege you've got to go back to the very beginning.
Click to expand...

This is excellent advice, and exactly the same thing I would say or teach...with the exception of letting them "wallow in futility". That doesn't facilitate the learning process. One added variable, is that the 'student' must understand the necessity of a repeatable stroke, and how to pinpoint aiming on the CB (high, middle, low, right, left, etc.), to deliver the proper angle. Connect that with some speed control practice, and now the player can begin learning how to "think ahead" by playing proper position on each of the three shots, beginning with ball in hand.

Side note to Cameron...It's ridiculous to think that they're capable of "thinking" nine balls ahead. The majority of players (even many 'experts') rarely think even three ahead, on a consistent basis.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
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Cameron Smith said:
Another approach, what I prefer to do, is to plot out the table at the beginning of each turn, in other words think nine balls ahead, not three.

Eventually you will recognize the patterns and things will come easier.
Click to expand...

Excellent post, Cameron! This is exactly what I would have said. Learning and incorporating 'pattern play' into your game is essential, IMHO. Once you learn to recognize the patterns, it becomes quite easy to plan/think ahead for your shots. I like to think of it as a connect-the-dots type thing. Once you see what order you need to shoot the balls in, there really is no thinking, just CB speed and control.

Once one learns to incorporate 'pattern play' into their game...it becomes practically automatic...often established in a moment's thought upon first approaching the table.

Lisa
 
Scott Lee said:
This is excellent advice, and exactly the same thing I would say or teach...with the exception of letting them "wallow in futility". That doesn't facilitate the learning process. One added variable, is that the 'student' must understand the necessity of a repeatable stroke, and how to pinpoint aiming on the CB (high, middle, low, right, left, etc.), to deliver the proper angle. Connect that with some speed control practice, and now the player can begin learning how to "think ahead" by playing proper position on each of the three shots, beginning with ball in hand.

Side note to Cameron...It's ridiculous to think that they're capable of "thinking" nine balls ahead. The majority of players (even many 'experts') rarely think even three ahead, on a consistent basis.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Dear Scott,

Thanks for the advice! I used the "wallow in futility" part because I am envisioning someone who "don't know that he don't know". Your approach, however, having been tried and proven with countless students, is beyond reproach, and I will certainly try to adopt it.

BTW, do you plan to come to St. Thomas on vacation anytime in the forseeable future? There are not enough interested players to make it worthwhile as a business trip, but if you include Puerto Rico in your trip, PR can provide you with more than enough people for a clinic, and St. Thomas would be a nice getaway with only one or two students to take you away from fun and relaxation.

Thanks again,
VIProfessor
 
i think its a natural progression as someone gets better. When youre just starting to get a handle on your game, youre still doing youre best to just make the ball, groove your stroke, stance, etc etc etc. I think once you get to where all that stuff is automatic and you have confidence in your game.......that frees up your mind to look at the table and plan.
 
Scott Lee said:
Side note to Cameron...It's ridiculous to think that they're capable of "thinking" nine balls ahead. The majority of players (even many 'experts') rarely think even three ahead, on a consistent basis.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

I suppose it would be out of the question for a beginner to try and think nine balls ahead in a match, it would just take too long for them to plot out the table.

However don't you think it would be a good excersise to plot out the table at the beginning of each game (during practice)? Force them to look ahead find the key balls, where they want to be. Eventually they will get the hang of it and recognize the patterns quickly enough that they can plan their entire run out within a few seconds.

Sometimes I am too lazy to do this, or I am just messing around and don't care. But when I think this far ahead I usually run more tables, and get out from more difficult positions.
 
Ya know BB I think that with some players who have limited potting and cueball control abilities (and don't we all to some extent) have difficulting planning on the outcome of some shots. Those with higher skills can plan, then execute, but a typical banger may not yet have the skills where planning helps them too much. I think that the ability to plan and the ability to play shape are developed together, so don't expect one without the other. There is no way a player will see a pattern if they do not know and understand the strokes needed to get the through the pattern ... so teaching them the planning on it's own is fruitless. Of course I could be crazy.

Dave
 
It's easy to learn to plan ahead. You just get sick and tired of getting beat by your own incredibly stupid mistakes!

It's more than just a general plan. It's about making and precisely visualizing a plan of the exact, pin-point spot were you want the cb to stop.

It's dammed hard to get the cb to stop anywhere near that exact precise spot but it'll NEVER happen if you don't plan it and visualize it moving from the object ball and hitting the rail and rolling to a stop exactly where you want it so you'll have the perfect angle for the next shot, so the cb will go exactly where it needs to be to have a perfect angle to get to the next shot.

Just lose a few bucks or cost your league team the match a few times from not planning and you'll either sell your dammed cue and case cheap and get out of the game or you'll start thinking about what might happen next.
 
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VIProfessor said:
Dear Scott,

Thanks for the advice! I used the "wallow in futility" part because I am envisioning someone who "don't know that he don't know". Your approach, however, having been tried and proven with countless students, is beyond reproach, and I will certainly try to adopt it.

BTW, do you plan to come to St. Thomas on vacation anytime in the forseeable future? There are not enough interested players to make it worthwhile as a business trip, but if you include Puerto Rico in your trip, PR can provide you with more than enough people for a clinic, and St. Thomas would be a nice getaway with only one or two students to take you away from fun and relaxation.

Thanks again,
VIProfessor
Click to expand...

It does work well, for the majority of students who try this type of learning!
Positive self-reinforcement is critical part of the successful learning process. I'd love to come to PR, to do a clinic, and come visit St. Thomas at the same time! I know we have several posters here from PR, so we'll see if there's any interest!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Cameron Smith said:
I suppose it would be out of the question for a beginner to try and think nine balls ahead in a match, it would just take too long for them to plot out the table.

However don't you think it would be a good excersise to plot out the table at the beginning of each game (during practice)? Force them to look ahead find the key balls, where they want to be. Eventually they will get the hang of it and recognize the patterns quickly enough that they can plan their entire run out within a few seconds.

Sometimes I am too lazy to do this, or I am just messing around and don't care. But when I think this far ahead I usually run more tables, and get out from more difficult positions.
Click to expand...

I agree with you in principle, Cameron. However, 'forcing' this type of behavior on the new student, is usually an exercise in frustration, because they can't accomplish what they believe they are able to "see", or think of. Concentrate on the quality of stroke, and timing. Strategy and pattern play are much easier with a repeatable stroke.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Because

some of us paid attention in class, and others did not.

Most people that play Pool would benefit their game more by taking
a 'Logic' class than by mindlessly potting balls.

I was a good player before I went to a technical school to crosstrain into
the Data Processing area, which was after college and a year of grad school, but the 'Systems Design' and 'Programming' classes also helped me in Pool
on problem solving for running out racks, but mostly you have to 'apply' what you know to your game, and that means thinking about it, a lot.

Every good player has probably thought about Pool 4 times as much as the time he/she actually spends playing.
 
JimS said:
It's easy to learn to plan ahead. You just get sick and tired of getting beat by your own incredibly stupid mistakes!

It's more than just a general plan. It's about making and precisely visualizing a plan of the exact, pin-point spot were you want the cb to stop.

It's dammed hard to get the cb to stop anywhere near that exact precise spot but it'll NEVER happen if you don't plan it and visualize it moving from the object ball and hitting the rail and rolling to a stop exactly where you want it so you'll have the perfect angle for the next shot, so the cb will go exactly where it needs to be to have a perfect angle to get to the next shot.

Just lose a few bucks or cost your league team the match a few times from not planning and you'll either sell your dammed cue and case cheap and get out of the game or you'll start thinking about what might happen next.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
Why play the ball with no shape? Not only that, but countless times the house attendant keeps reminding me to make it easy for myself during my practice routines (which I know he is only being nice, instead of saying something like "Keep It Simple Stupid"). The whole idea of practice routines is to make it ideally easier. Complicating it defeats the purpose.
And when it comes to making shape, that's the idea... make it easier on yourself.
Sure, I've seen people who don't play shape, but they find themselves with an unfamiliar shot to make or a difficult shot to make as they run the rest of the rack (that's if they can even get past pocketing the first ball).
 
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