How can players learn to "think ahead"?

[seymore15074]

9-Ball requires a player to look 2 balls ahead. Rather than planing pin-point position, plan to get on the "correct side of the ball." Shoot the object ball to get on the next ball to get on the right side of the next ball. Repeat that thought process on each shot, until it is almost second nature and you will then recognize common layouts very quickly... At that point, a game of 9-ball can only be 3 of those small 3 ball patterns...

 

[Billy_Bob]

...the 'Systems Design' and 'Programming' classes also helped me in Pool...

That's it!

I couldn't figure out where I learned to "think ahead", but this is it!

In the past I have done computer programming. I would start "writing the program", then need to "go back" and add something or change something because I did not think about something in advance.

It was less work to think about things in advance than to have to go back and add/re-do something.

Then database design REALLY got me to thinking ahead. Just with something as simple as name and address "forms". If you design the whole thing, but don't research every possible name and address which *could* be entered, then there will be a ton of work to re-do everything. For example addresses outside the U.S. are different. Military addresses are different. Some addresses require two lines.

Less work to think in advance about *everything* which will be needed.

So for years I was in an environment where I received a BIG penalty if I did not think about things in advance.

 

[Johnnyt]

I think six-ball is a good game to learn where you want the QB on your next three shots. Either play the ghost or practice with someone a ball or so better than you. Johnnyt

 

[matcase]

Three balls on the table and ball in hand is excellent for any player. A variation for straight pool is to have that last ball be the breaker, the second to last be the key ball, and the first shot be the key to getting on the key ball.

Three balls ahead is managable for most folks, thats what makes is effective for the masses.

 

[duckie]

Here is a drill that has helped me realize two things: 1) the power of the stop/stun shot and 2) thinking ahead.

Take the 15 balls and spread them in out between the side pockets and corner pockets on one end of the table. No clusters, none on the rail.

The goal is to make as many balls as possible without hitting another ball or a rail. It's really a straight pool drill, but it does help in other games.

 

[DoomCue]

I think instead of calling it "thinking ahead" we should call it "thinking backward."

For example, in 8-ball, you want to plan to keep a key ball (or two) to help you get shape on the 8. Once you determine your key ball, work backward - plot out how to get shape starting with the key ball and working backwards until you get to your first shot. You may have multiple key balls if safety play is going to be involved. In 9-ball, the same applies except the key ball is chosen for you.

Of course, plans can change - execution isn't always flawless. Always be willing to re-evaluate your chosen patterns.

-djb

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I think, in order to think-ahead, you simply need to redefine what proper position actually is. I think a lot of intermediate players simply fail to recognize the correct side of an angle and/or the need to acquire an angle (other than straight). At least, that's what I saw in myself.

The moment I began to see the easy routes in advance, I immediately started to position for them. The more you do, the better you get at it (both recognizing what needs to get done and executing it).

There are occasional racks where thinking way ahead is necessary but it's not something that comes up fairly often. Sometimes, it's necessary to move object-balls, decide to play safe or take an unusual shot because something in the lay-out dictates that conventional methods will not get the job done.

Leaving those racks aside, when you're shooting at the 1-ball, you simply need to ask yourself what would be BIH position for the 2-ball. If you can get there, that's your goal. If you can't, what position would yield a similar result? After a while, you begin to treat certain layouts the same way each time because you just know what you need to do to get the job done.


Please see below:

http://CueTable.com/P/?@4GAvi3HIlv4IIvl4PLYB4QAto3RCoC@


This layout is often misplayed by rather competent players. Many players will feel a need to try and acquire a straight angle on the 8-ball in the corner pocket and occasionally fall short (A), having to send the cue-ball around the table for the 9-ball. The better player will recognize this trap and make sure he hits it with slightly more speed. That way, he never falls short, sometimes falls straight and occasionally has to shoot an angled shot (B) that will keep the cue-ball in the neighborhood. It's subtle but that sort of thinking can make a world of difference.

 

[BillyKoda]

Why do some people run up their credit cards with no hope of paying them off? It's the same principle. Some folks just aren't wired for thinking beyond the here and now.

I'm surrounded by these people. Argh.

BK

 

[tigerallenyim]

Why do some people run up their credit cards with no hope of paying them off? It's the same principle. Some folks just aren't wired for thinking beyond the here and now.

I'm surrounded by these people. Argh.

BK

Right. Even if the next shot is to pull out a safety. If the object is to win the rack, then take the appropriate meassures to achieve it. I do have to admit however, that some of the times I do lack the patience at times, but getting better at it.

As the saying goes, "It's hard to be an eagle when ur surrounded by turkeys"

 

[DaveK]

That's it!

I couldn't figure out where I learned to "think ahead", but this is it!

In the past I have done computer programming.

So there's your answer, enroll these bad thinkers in a programming class. Of course now you'll need to figure out if they should take Fortran, Cobol, Pascal, C, C++, Java, or simply tell them to dive straight into machine language.

Dave

 

[cuetechasaurus]

Great thread BillyBob. When I am in stroke, and thinking clearly, I talk to myself inside my head about each and every shot before I get down. Lets say I have ball in hand in 9ball. I survey the table, look for problems, but realize that I cant deal with the problem until later, or until I get a certain angle to solve the problem, etc. Now, when I address the shot, as an example of how I talk to myself in my head, I might say "I need to get there, and after that I need to get here". I will CONCIOUSLY tell myself how much english I need to use, and focus intently on hitting that spot. Tip accuracy is everything in accurate position play! I look at angles and see how much room I have between balls. From certain parts of the table, position paths can be decieving. It may look easy to play that 2 rail shape, but if you look at it from the second rail's path, you might notice there are two balls at different distances that create a HUGE blocker for that path. Its hard to explain in words. But all I can say is to conciously talk to yourself and make your decisions that way. This helps mental clarity IMO.

 

[ez2h8]

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.

I would have to say the same thing....
Especially in 8ball, when everything falls into place, I am thinking of the next game, not so much the current one. It's getting into the zone but when there, I really don't think about the current game because there is no worries. May sound arrogant, but it really happens.

In non-zone play, I am usually thinking as far ahead as the trouble balls. What ever number ahead that is at the time.

ez

 

[Cameron Smith]

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

I see your point, good post. I agree fundamentals come first.