How Do I Get Better?....................

B

briskx

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
What Does Pratice mean?,..........

Yo Everyone

just got my new cue and im ready to play.

People say to get better you need to practice...

But what does practice mean? Could someone tell me some drills that i can do to make me a better player. I just want to be able to run racks like everyone else :)


Thanks for any reply

Much apppreciated

Ed
 
Last edited:
briskx said:
Yo Everyone

just got my new cue and im ready to play. People say just practice... but what on earth does practice mean? I.E what drills do i do etc etc

I dont know what to do to get better? All i do is just get the balls out of the pockets and just place em randomly and then just try to run out :S

I want to get bettter at running balls and so i can run out!

Thanks for any reply

Much apppreciated

Ed
Click to expand...

Ed, there is nothing wrong with throwing nine balls on the table and trying to run them, one or two hundred times a day. And when you miss a shot, set it up and shoot it again, and again, until you make it.

And the shots that give you the most trouble, shoot them over and over until you begin to get comfortable with them. Also you can practice Straight Pool and running balls. That's how you'll learn cue ball control. When you can run two racks, try for three, etc etc.

One day, shoot all Bank shots for an hour ot two. Another day, shoot combinations for just as long. Every day, practice at least 30-40 minutes with your opposite hand. There's a lot more I could tell you (A LOT), but this is a good place to start.
 
After you are stroking well, set up easy shots and see if you can get the cue ball to go where you want it to. Good for shot making and speed control. Also, still with easy shots cheat the pocket while still making the shot, no rattle in the jaws. This helps with staying down and finishing. If it gets boring set up tougher shots and do the same thing. Feed your brain info.
 
drills

Bert Kinister DVD's will show you all the drills you can handle. 1-800-898-7665
Volume 69 "PROFESSIONAL 8-BALL PATTERNS" The things you have to know to swim with the real guys and how to aquire that knowldge without contributing to your local pro's retirement fund.
Volume 68 "THE LIMIT PART TWO'' It will make you feel small and hopeless to see what is possible. I would have bet no one in the world and I mean no one, could do what Neils does on this video. USE WITH CAUTION.
Volume 67 "THE LIMIT PART ONE" with Neils Feijen. Neils does the impossible and continues to improve. You will begin to realize exactly what you are and are not able to make Mister Cue Ball do.

Volume 66 "THE PROFESSIONAL SHRINKING RECTANGLE OF PAIN" with Neils Feijen. Neils has been ranked number one in the world. This 1 hour and 15 minutes video is hard work, but the payoffs is the ability to use Filipino position routes giving you one more club in your bag.

Volume 65 "THE BEST AND EASIEST 1 RAIL KICKING SYSTEM IN THE WORLD" In only a half an hour you will learn how to never miss a one rail kick again. Absolutely guaranteed to work. It is so easy a rock could learn it!!! This 1 hour and 35 minutes long video is a must have for any serious player.
(60-64) Order 60-64 for $189.95 + $6.00 S&H
Volume 64 "SAFETIES FOR 2005"
Volume 63 "SECRETS OF BANKING BALLS"
Bank that impossible shot and win.
Volume 62 "THE SHRINKING RECTANGLE OF PAIN"
Featuring: Neils Feijen will bring pain to your opponents.

Volume 61 "EIGHTBALL FOR MONEY"
Playing to win every game, not for points.
Volume 60 "THE $100.00 VIDEO"
TWO HOURS!

This is the $500.00 lesson plus more shotmaking, position, and safety knowledge ever put on 1 video before.
(39-59) Videos for people looking to improve their game.
Volume 59 "BANK POOL"
The rules, the strategy, and banking secrets never seen on video!
Volume 58 "SECRETS OF CAROMS AND COMBINATIONS"
You have asked for these for years.

Volume 57 "JUMPSHOTS AND MASSÉS"
The definitive video on how to jump and massé balls by the world's best instructor of pocket billiards.
Volume 56 "SECRETS OF SHOTMAKING"
Never seen before on video!

Volumes 55 & 56 are guaranteed to raise your ability to pocket long and hard shots by 50% within 8 to 10 hours of use or your money back!

Volume 55 "SECRETS OF MAKING LONG HARD SHOTS"
Volume 54 "8-BALL & 9-BALL EXECUTION 202 "
Volume 53 "8-BALL & 9-BALL EXECUTION 101 "
Volume 52 "INTERMEDIATE CUE BALL CONTROL 202"
Volume 51 "CUE BALL CONTROL 101"
Volume 50 "SECRETS OF 8-BALL & 9-BALL PATTERNS"

Volume 49 "BANK YOUR WAY TO IMPROVED CONCENTRATION AND THE 3-MINUTE DIAMOND SYSTEM"
Volume 48 "THE SOFT BREAK IN 9-BALL"
Volume 47 "PROFESSIONAL SHOT MAKING AND POSITION DRILLS - PART 2 AND THE BREAK RACK"
Volume 46 "PROFESSIONAL SHOT MAKING AND POSITION DRILLS - PART 1"
Volume 45 "RECTANGLE OF DOOM"
Volume 44 "8-BALL, THE BREAK, THE PATTERNS, THE STRATEGY"

Volume 43 "ADVANCED SHOTMAKING & PATTERN DRILLS"
Volume 42 "DEVELOPING / THINKING TECHNIQUES DRILLS"
Volume 41 "PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS FOR 8-BALL & 9-BALL"
Volume 40 "RETURNING THE 1 POCKET BREAK"
Volume 39 "ADVANCED ONE POCKET"
(35-38) 4 STEP PROGRAM GUARANTEED TO RAISE
"RUN OUT" ABILITY BY 25%
(Use in order 35 through 38)

Volume 38 "PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER" = Step Four
Volume 37 "THE LONG GAME" = Step Three
Volume 36 "THE MIDDLE GAME" = Step Two
Volume 35 "THE SHORT GAME" = Step One
(9-34) Videos for people looking to improve their game.
Volume 34 "ADVANCED BANK SHOTS"
"Twisting A Ball" teaches the secret used to bank balls that look impossible.
Volume 33 "CLIMBING THE LADDER"
The finishing touch to the "Ladder" if you like the "Star Pattern you will love the ladder.
Volume 32 "THE LADDER"
The most powerful exercise ever created by the worlds master pocket billiard instructor, Bert Kinister.
Volume 31 "SIDE POCKET WINNERS"
Shows how to get back in line when you are forced to shoot a ball into a side pocket.
Volume 30 "ITS A HANGER"
Teaches how to control the cue ball to anywhere on the table with an object ball hanging in the pocket.
Volume 29 "ADVANCED ANGLES AND SPEED - THE GAUNTLET"
Volume 28 "INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED ANGLES & SPEED"
Volume 27 "INTRODUCTION TO ANGLES AND SPEED"
Volume 26 "WINNING ONE POCKET"
Volume 25 "WINNING SAFETIES FOR 1999"
Volume 24 "KICKING FOR CASH"
Volume 23 "INTERMEDIATE ONE POCKET"
Volume 22 "AIM TO WIN AND BASIC ONE POCKET"
Volume 21 "WINNING PATTERNS FOR 9-BALL AND 8-BALL"
Volume 20 "THE ADVANCED 60-MINUTE WORKOUT FOR 9-BALL & 8-BALL"
Volume 19 "THE DEFLECTION VIDEO"
Volume 18 "THE SHOTMAKERS WORKOUT"
Volume 17 "THE SPEED VIDEO"
Volume 16 "BANK SHOTS FOR 8-BALL & 9-BALL"
Volume 15 "THE WINNING SAFETIES FOR 96"
Volume 14 "THE BIG BANG"
Volume 13 "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK"
Volume 12 "THE MIGHTY X"
Volume 11 "ADVANCED FUNDAMENTALS"
Volume 10 "MORE KILLER SAFETIES FOR 8-BALL AND 9-BALL"
Volume 9 "SAFETY PLAY FOR 9-BALL & 8-BALL"
(5-8) THE STAR PATTERNS
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Volume 8 "USING THE 9 POINTED STAR"
Volume 7 "BUILDING THE INTERIOR OF THE STAR"
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Volume 5 "BUILDING THE SIX POINTED STAR"
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Volume 3 "SECRET 9-BALL KNOWLEDGE"
Volume 2 "RUN OUT 9-BALL"
Volume 1 "THE 60 MINUTE WORKOUT FOR 9-BALL AND 8-BALL"
(Named BEST video for 9-Ball & 8-Ball by Pool & Billiard Magazine - 8/94)

The Pro Book by Bob Henning is a good way to practice also.
Other than that, play some competitve pool, either Gamble or Play in some tournaments. I'm sure there are some weekly handicaped tournaments around where you live. Nothing beats playing competitive pool.
Beating around balls in a couple of games of 8-ball w/ your friends is not the way to get better.
 
briskx said:
I just want to be able to run racks like everyone else :)


Thanks for any reply

Much apppreciated

Ed
Click to expand...

Contrary to what you may think, and maybe even contrary to what some people would have you think, everyone else does not run racks as frequently as you may have been lead to believe. Check the break and run stats on the IPT. Even the pros can't do it all the time.

As for how to practice, we give our students a series of drills upon completion of the class, and an individualized homework assignment based on their specific areas of concern. Your practice should be designed to address whatever specific part of your game that is giving you problems. Without seeing you shoot, it's a bit difficult to design a practice plan that will give you the maximum benefit. First, you need to identify the specific problem you want to fix, then work on drills that address that specific area.
Steve
 
Playing the ghost is good practice, but it's not the same as playing another player. People are unpredictable and strange things happen.

When you get tired of racking you will either get serious to learn or quit.

I wish you success in your quest :)
 
Ed your scaring me. Are you intersted in just being cute with the boys. Do you play on bar boxes 7ft? or in a poolhall with nice nine ft tables. Pool takes time to learn someone tell you what to practice is useless if they can't access your basic skills stance, aiming, do you know how to hold a cue correctly? Your best chance is take lessons for yrs. Pool is like going to the olympics Can you dance you need rythum to play. Pool is so mental most people forget to work hard on this area. Read this book Pleasures of small motions Bob Fancher Ph.D. It will take a while to relearn what you have been taught on cue sports. And your instructer should use a video camera to show you what you are doing. goodluck. hollywood 58
 
I don't have much to add. However just remember pool is the easiest game in the world to practice. What I mean is that, you can set up and practice any scenario for as long as you can afford to pay for table time (or at least until the pool room closes, assuming you don't have a table).

Just throw 15 balls on the table and try and run them out in any order. Or you can create an open 8 ball table, and try and run out. Or you can play 9 ball or rotation. Every game teaches skills that carries over to other games. Don't focus on only one pool discipline, learn them ALL.
 
briskx said:
Yo Everyone

just got my new cue and im ready to play.

People say to get better you need to practice...

But what does practice mean? Could someone tell me some drills that i can do to make me a better player. I just want to be able to run racks like everyone else :)


Thanks for any reply

Much apppreciated

Ed
Click to expand...

haha learn to play straight pool
 
Get a video camera and check you mechanics. Look online or get a book to see/read what good mechanics are and look like. I think you can only get to a certain level if your mechanics are bad. If you have a good stroke and you hit the cue ball where you want to then from there all you need is practice and some experience playing good players.

Eric.A.
 
this is great everyone


thanks

well i live in England - 9-ball is no where here, its all this shitty 8-ball on mega small tables and yellow and red balls.

There is a club in london which takes a bout 2 horus to get to, the Rileys - thats where imran majid and raj hundal play i think

so all i do is just play on my 8 ft at home for the time being
 
Play with as many players as you can... and play it untill it makes you sick, than play it again!

love hurts don't it¿ :rolleyes:
 
Drills are great to help with consistency, but to get better I think you also have to play against players that are better than you. This helps you to see better patterns and the use of english.

Southpaw
 
So far as practice, practice what you are not good at. Don't practice what you can do well!

Practice the shots you hate, are not good at, and which are frustrating. This is what you need to work on to improve. If you miss a shot, STOP! Set up the same exact shot and shoot it over and over. 25 - 50 times. Shoot it until you can make the same shot 3 times in a row.

So far as running a table, first learn all you can. Read books and get the videos below. Learn what you can do and what you should be trying to do. Then you can work slowly on trying to do these things.

Suggested videos...

Dr. Dave's DVD...
http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/pool/cd_dvd/dvd_description.html

Jimmy Reids Art of 8 ball...
http://www.freepoollessons.com/video/DVDsindex.html
 
briskx said:
when i put the 9 balls randomly on table. IS the first thing to plan out your run?
Click to expand...

I would suggest thinking 3 balls ahead for now. Place the cueball at a position to where you can get on the two that will allow you to get on the three. After you shoot the one in re-evaluate your next three balls starting with the two. Depending on your skill level it might be wise to only think 2 balls ahead and only think about the third position if the ball is tied up.
 
briskx said:
Yo Everyone

just got my new cue and im ready to play.

People say to get better you need to practice...

But what does practice mean? Could someone tell me some drills that i can do to make me a better player. I just want to be able to run racks like everyone else :)


Thanks for any reply

Much apppreciated

Ed
Click to expand...
One suggestion i'd like to make is to get a good player to explain cue ball deflection to you. I know players who've played for years that don't have a clue about what the cue ball does when it's struck with english. You might also think about a low deflection shaft like a predator to help you. Just my 2 cents.
 
briskx said:
when i put the 9 balls randomly on table. IS the first thing to plan out your run?
Click to expand...


Give yourself Ball In Hand (but not to close to the One) and think two balls ahead. Don't leave any balls tied up when you throw them out there. Usually best to start with a shot at the One in one of the lower corners (where you break from). That is where you will be shooting the One most racks.

One other thing. If possible find yourself a good sparring partner. Someone about your speed or slightly better. Try to play him (or her) a few good races every time you get together. By the way, an 8' table isn't bad to practice on. You will learn how to handle the cue ball. A pretty fair player named Luther Lassiter had an 8' table in his home.
 
practice?

we're talkin' bout practice, man. practice. we're talkin bout practice. not the game, not the game, not the game-- we're talkin bout practice, man.
 
briskx said:
this is great everyone


thanks

well i live in England - 9-ball is no where here, its all this shitty 8-ball on mega small tables and yellow and red balls.

There is a club in london which takes a bout 2 horus to get to, the Rileys - thats where imran majid and raj hundal play i think

so all i do is just play on my 8 ft at home for the time being
Click to expand...

I played for years in England, mostly at my folks pub (my practice table) & in leagues. Yep, 8 ball with the reds & yellows. The best advice I ever got was from a team mate who said I should play in different places against different faces. If you play the same guys too much you get to know their game & at times you'll find yourself relaxing. If you're up against an unknown you tend to be more careful, concentrate more. Once you get that mindset you need to turn it on at all times! Even when I play for fun with my buddy here I go all out to win, every rack. LOL, he wants me to do that!

As Ian Botham once said "If you don't play to win, why bother playing at all?"

Where in England are you?
 
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