How Did You Jump To The next level?

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
What do you feel was the major reason your game jumped up a level? Like from "D" to "C", "C" to "B", "B" to "A", "A" to "Shortstop, or "SP" to "pro". Whatever level you are at right now.

Of course better shotmaking and postiion are the two big ones, but for me after that my game took off from "C" to "B+" when I started using what I learned from 3-cushion. I started playing a lot more caroms, kiss shots, and combos. I find myself setting the 9-ball up by nudging it for a carom, kiss, or combo shot later in the run. Johnnyt
 
The last significant improvement in my skill level basically came when I really began to focus on every shot. You know, having a very specific spot on the OB to aim at and being very specific on where I'm playing position to. When I get over the shot I really get focused on the target before pulling the trigger. When I'm focused I just see the ghost ball really well.

And I have to say the improvement was significant.

I still backslide at times and don't play as well, but generally it is because of a lack of focus. I get vague about what I'm trying to do on a shot, you might say.

Sorry, no golden tip, book or DVD to refer anyone to.
 
Someone recommended a little game that I've been playing for the last couple of months and I can already see results.

I break 3 balls and take BIH and run them out in rotation. Each time I am succesful, I get 1 point. Each time I fail, I lose a point. When I get to 5 points, I break 4 balls and repeat the process.

When I started a few months ago, I could regularly get to 6 balls before the wheels came off. Now I can get to 7 everytime and peak at 8 balls.

This little game, combined with looking at each positional zone from 2 different places on the table, has improved my confidence and consistency at the table.

If you are honest in your self-evaluations at the table during practice, you will see progress.
 
I met an old man in a bar / pool room one night that helped my game tremendously. This particular establishment had free pool mon-thur from 6pm-2am as long as you purchased one drink per hour, which has never been a problem for me. The guys name was Les and man could he run some balls. Looked like somebodys favorite uncle and had no real stroke or style to speak of but would just run out from everywhere. Anyway, he befriended me basically because we seemed to be the only 2 people that were ever there to take advantage of the free pool. We would play races to 18 for a beer. At the start of that summer i was consistently losing 18-2 or 18-3 and by the time fall hit I was making a much more challenging game of things losing sets like 18-15 or the occasional 18-17. While I never did beat him in one of those sets and he never really offered up any real instruction to speak of I learned a wealth of information just watching his patterns in 9 ball. I remember I would watch his face as he examined the table and follow his eyes around. It only took him about 5 seconds to plan out his whole run.

When you improve that dramatically over a short time I think its natural to hit a plateau and level off a bit, which I did. Now, about 6 years later I am 30 and playing the best pool of my life. I have become very aware of the way that I play and what my strengths and weaknesses are. Lately I have been focusing on visualizing the shot I want to execute and making sure that I absolutely commit to it. I even spend time practicing shots that I struggle with if you can imagine that. I spend at least a couple hours a week hitting full table rail shots and things like that. Having a method to my practice sessions I think has really helped over the last few months. It just doesnt do me any good to knock balls around, and I hate to do drills, but I dont have a problem shooting 100 spot shots in an afternoon.

I guess to sum it up. In my begining days I learned more from others. Now I learn more from myself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Siz
My biggest problem, that I'm sure if I get I will go to the next level, is consistency. One day, I can't miss, I get perfect position, and I put together multiple racks, and the the next day I can't make a ball. But becoming consistent is going to be hard for me, because I'm at school 10 months out of the year, and I have so much school work I don't have time to really play at all. I have my stroke down, but I'm just not consistent... and I get really aggravated because of it :angry: I am working on my mental game to try and not get upset with myself easily, though... so I hope that will help take my game to the next level.
 
Using a vertical leap. I found the long jump to be useless for going up levels;)
 
Actually I made a big jump just from playing a LOT! I was out of a job for a 5 month period and practiced very seriously for 5-8 hours EVERY day for the whole 5 months. I had only been playing for 2 years at this time and my high run in 14.1 was about 28 balls, at the end of the 5 months it was 71, plus I had a few in the 50's and 60's. I was easily stringing racks of 9 ball together whereas before I think I may have had one break and runout in my life. I was still improving rapidly at that point but I ran out of money and couldn't pay table time anymore so I stopped and it was agonizing for me! I eventually got a job but couldn't play as much anyway and stopped the zealous practicing, but I swear that practicing an insane amount will do wonders for your game as long as you don't get bored which happens to some people.
 
Last edited:
CB speed was my last be jump. I could get the CB going in the right area, but it just finished in the wrong side, little too close or too far. This had the biggest impact on my off game. I find that I can shoot out of it quicker.
 
After a bit of thought, I think my 9 ball game jumped considerably when I started using less english and more center, high, low, follow, and draw. I began missing less and while using next to no side spin, I still could get around the table quite well, much better than when using more english. My game took another jump when following George Fels's advice in Mastering Pool about watching the cue ball after the shot was on it's way. This, unfortunately, is something I still have trouble remembering to do all the time, but when I do, it improves my position play greatly. Last, and most recently, being taught an aiming system that works better for me than anything previously tried.
Also agree with playing a lot!!!
 
Watching the pros play on DVDs all the time. Predicting what they will do then recognizing that their way was better. Then learning to do it their way.
 
For me, it was all about trusting my shot making skills and settling for a tougher shot on the correct side of an ob, rather than an easier shot on the wrong side of an ob. Just the elimination of constantly having to fight the table 'cause of being on the wrong side of a particular shot was enough to make a significant difference in my out percentage.
dave
 
The big jump in my pool game came from learning a good aiming system. I played for many years shooting cut shots by feel and I didn't have a specific point on the object ball/cue ball to shoot at. The aiming system I use today has given me confidence and has allowed me to play at a faster pace since I know the points of aim more quickly. I also switched to LD shafts.

James
 
Table time.............

Johnnyt said:
What do you feel was the major reason your game jumped up a level? Like from "D" to "C", "C" to "B", "B" to "A", "A" to "Shortstop, or "SP" to "pro". Whatever level you are at right now.

Of course better shotmaking and postiion are the two big ones, but for me after that my game took off from "C" to "B+" when I started using what I learned from 3-cushion. I started playing a lot more caroms, kiss shots, and combos. I find myself setting the 9-ball up by nudging it for a carom, kiss, or combo shot later in the run. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

and LOTS of it! :D

td
 
I use certain players or giving up certain "spots" and winning them. In other words, I shoot for being able to give "Player B" the seven and winning. Or... beating a guy who is considered slightly above me. Once I do, I move on to another player and or spot. I hope this makes sense.
 
Trusting my pre-shot setup and trusting that how I've aimed is going to produce the result I wanted.

Learning to NOT change anything at the last second has made my game jump.
 
IMO there are only a couple of ways to really get better.

1. Practice what you already know in order to become more consistent.

2. Learn something that you didnt know.
This could be mechanics, aiming systems, pattern play, or a number of other things.

One of my favorite sayings is "you dont know what you dont know". Read books, take lessons, watch and play with better players.

There is no magic pill to make someone play better, but they can gain knowledge and then practice to make it part of their game.

Woody
 
Neil said:
I would have to say consistency. Having a routine that you follow on every shot. Knowing what you are going to do before you get down to shoot. Having already visualized it in your mind like it already happened. Paying attention to details. Like, exactly where you did hit the cb and ob, and what happened. Without doing that, you cannot possibly adjust because you don't know what you are adjusting from. And, if you don't really know what you did, you can't repeat it.
Click to expand...

Great advice...if that makes sense to you, study the way Ralf Souquet plays...they'll go hand in hand...He's the most analytical, focused, routine player out there...never taking even the easiest shots for granted, and always playing the table, not the opponent.

All elements that I strive to employ, which have helped me improve greatly.
-Aaron Silva
 
Next Level

I think one of the biggest things for me was working on my kicking. Mark Coats told me one time that for a player at my level (at the time I was a C+ or better) in a race to 9 if I don't give up ball in hand it was worth about 5- 6 games. Well you know what? I believe he was absolutely correct!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top