how do you get that extra edge?

Jimbojim

Jimbojim

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Let me explain, I'm somewhat close to move up a class in our ranking system here and I want to get that extra finesse in my game, that extra little thing that I can't get by just playing and practicing. Many people suggest a coach to help me open up my mind to overlooked things or discover new ones but there isnt anyone.

I realize I might not be extra clear but I want to bump up my overall game and HAVING IT STAY THAT WAY. Ive worked very hard to get where I'm at but as I'm about to cross another threshold, I find it hard to get that extra improvement to get through.

I feel like I'm at a point in those old kung fu movies where I need an old retired master to show me ancient techniques and make me train in secret .
 
Jimbojim said:
Let me explain, I'm somewhat close to move up a class in our ranking system here and I want to get that extra finesse in my game, that extra little thing that I can't get by just playing and practicing.

I feel like I'm at a point in those old kung fu movies where I need an old retired master to show me ancient techniques and make me train in secret .
Click to expand...

Ancient Chinese Secret.

hg3.jpg
 
It depends on what level you are and what level you are trying to get to. If you are a C+ trying to become a B-, there is probably something mechanical that you need to work on. If you are trying to get from B+ to A-, you probably need to play under pressure more often. If you are trying to get from A+ to shortstop/pro, you probably need to play pros more often and get used to their style of play.

Of course, those are not set in stone, and there are many other things you could do to gain a level in skill, but its difficult to prescribe something without knowing more about you and what strengths and weaknesses you have.
 
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My confidence is like the Stock Market, when it gets to an all time high, maybe Ill break and run between two to four racks in a race to 9 depending on how my break is that day. Sometimes I'll string two together, rarely three (highest pack is four). But the sad part is that I'm not always that confident but fortunately I have been able to bring that game up in tournament play recently.

My main weaknesses would be that my break isn't good enough to give me more opportunities to run the table but I don't know how to get it better or what I need to change.

My counter safety game is also lacking, i will most often sell out than kick safe.

According to my peers, my strength would be pattern play and decision making

If I were to assess my game, Id probably be a weak B in the states
 
Skiers study videos of themselves in races and training runs, trying to find a way to gain 1/10th of a second .......
 
Jimbojim said:
Let me explain, I'm somewhat close to move up a class in our ranking system here and I want to get that extra finesse in my game, that extra little thing that I can't get by just playing and practicing. Many people suggest a coach to help me open up my mind to overlooked things or discover new ones but there isnt anyone.

I realize I might not be extra clear but I want to bump up my overall game and HAVING IT STAY THAT WAY. Ive worked very hard to get where I'm at but as I'm about to cross another threshold, I find it hard to get that extra improvement to get through.

I feel like I'm at a point in those old kung fu movies where I need an old retired master to show me ancient techniques and make me train in secret .
Click to expand...

There is only one place to find the master you seek.......
 
Jimbojim said:
My main weaknesses would be that my break isn't good enough to give me more opportunities to run the table but I don't know how to get it better or what I need to change.
Click to expand...
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Loosen your grip! This simple change helps the majority of players who consistently incorporate it when breaking.

Arnaldo
 
Jimbojim said:
Let me explain, I'm somewhat close to move up a class in our ranking system here and I want to get that extra finesse in my game, that extra little thing that I can't get by just playing and practicing. Many people suggest a coach to help me open up my mind to overlooked things or discover new ones but there isnt anyone.

I realize I might not be extra clear but I want to bump up my overall game and HAVING IT STAY THAT WAY. Ive worked very hard to get where I'm at but as I'm about to cross another threshold, I find it hard to get that extra improvement to get through.

I feel like I'm at a point in those old kung fu movies where I need an old retired master to show me ancient techniques and make me train in secret .
Click to expand...

Contact Paul Potier of BC, he's taught for years, and if not, he may give you someone closer to home thats good. His website from yrs past was Pool School in Paradise, you can also contact em on facebook. He's currently at DCC at the Horseshoe Casino in IN. Coaching is one thing, but a Good instructor with get you there properly. Spend the money, its worth it.
 
Call me for the free Perfect Aim Phone lesson

Jimbojim said:
Let me explain, I'm somewhat close to move up a class in our ranking system here and I want to get that extra finesse in my game, that extra little thing that I can't get by just playing and practicing. Many people suggest a coach to help me open up my mind to overlooked things or discover new ones but there isnt anyone.

I realize I might not be extra clear but I want to bump up my overall game and HAVING IT STAY THAT WAY. Ive worked very hard to get where I'm at but as I'm about to cross another threshold, I find it hard to get that extra improvement to get through.

I feel like I'm at a point in those old kung fu movies where I need an old retired master to show me ancient techniques and make me train in secret .
Click to expand...

Hi there Jim,

Just give me a call and I'll help you get to that next level real fast.

I will show you how to see this with your own eyes.

At my website there are 100's of testimonials but seeing for yourself is believing.

Just give me a call 715-563-8712 Looking forward to helping you.....
 
Edge

Finesse and having the edge are not necessarily the same thing. Finesse comes from studying, playing, and experience. The edge is a two sided coin, from being able to make any shot on the table, to the mental edge.

The mental edge gives you confidence, helps you to make right decisions when playing. For instance, would you take a 40% shot or an 80% safety? I play the percentages most of the time, depending on who my opponent is.Being an exercise nut when I was younger, plus martial arts, plus my training and work in Computer Programming, plus meditation helped me develop the mental toughness and confidence I needed to play good Pool. Pros train for Pool, and treat it as a sport not a game.

You need to be prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally to play Pool at a high level, especially if you play big tournaments or gamble. I always aim for perfection in my sport. Don't achieve it all the time, but I strive for it all the time. Your attitude towards it makes a big difference.

I like to think of myself as a true sportsman, been playing over 50 years, and still love to play.
 
where you wana go ?

How much better you want to be ? What level you want to reach? Looks like you have a ranking system where you play, so I assume you want to jump to next higher level rank ? And you want to learn how to do it? Or are you talking about getting that "smoothness/perfection" in your game that a lot of pro's have ? You talk about "that extra little thing" in your post but can you explain what it means to you? IMO "you" have to decide where you want to be, clear and cut. Don't use terms like "extra thing" or "finesse", because they don't explain clearly what you want. Its like you are sitting outside of a shopping mall and all you know that you want to buy some shoes, but you don't know what kind, if that's the case you are never going to get your "shoes" no matter how hard you try. Once you have a clear idea what you want all the other "things" (like smoothness, finesse) will follow along.

Jimbojim said:
Let me explain, I'm somewhat close to move up a class in our ranking system here and I want to get that extra finesse in my game, that extra little thing that I can't get by just playing and practicing. Many people suggest a coach to help me open up my mind to overlooked things or discover new ones but there isnt anyone.

I realize I might not be extra clear but I want to bump up my overall game and HAVING IT STAY THAT WAY. Ive worked very hard to get where I'm at but as I'm about to cross another threshold, I find it hard to get that extra improvement to get through.

I feel like I'm at a point in those old kung fu movies where I need an old retired master to show me ancient techniques and make me train in secret .
Click to expand...
 
Jimbojim said:
My confidence is like the Stock Market, when it gets to an all time high, maybe Ill break and run between two to four racks in a race to 9 depending on how my break is that day. Sometimes I'll string two together, rarely three (highest pack is four). But the sad part is that I'm not always that confident but fortunately I have been able to bring that game up in tournament play recently.

My main weaknesses would be that my break isn't good enough to give me more opportunities to run the table but I don't know how to get it better or what I need to change.

My counter safety game is also lacking, i will most often sell out than kick safe.

According to my peers, my strength would be pattern play and decision making

If I were to assess my game, Id probably be a weak B in the states
Click to expand...

In that case work on the parts of your game where you think you are weak.

A little trick I use with kick safeties is to image how the shot will work out before I hit it with the speed I want to hit. If my image is that of a sell out, I will change the speed I use or the thickness of the hit (if possible, sometimes its too difficult to be that accurate) and create a new image. Occasionally you will get a kick where any image you get with just about any speed or thickness seems like a sell out. In that case, hit it at a speed where you don't know what will happen, usually you will get better results than you would if you hit it at a speed that you are pretty sure will sell out.
 
prad said:
How much better you want to be ? What level you want to reach? Looks like you have a ranking system where you play, so I assume you want to jump to next higher level rank ? And you want to learn how to do it? Or are you talking about getting that "smoothness/perfection" in your game that a lot of pro's have ? You talk about "that extra little thing" in your post but can you explain what it means to you? IMO "you" have to decide where you want to be, clear and cut. Don't use terms like "extra thing" or "finesse", because they don't explain clearly what you want. Its like you are sitting outside of a shopping mall and all you know that you want to buy some shoes, but you don't know what kind, if that's the case you are never going to get your "shoes" no matter how hard you try. Once you have a clear idea what you want all the other "things" (like smoothness, finesse) will follow along.
Click to expand...

Well obviously I'd like to be able to play like a pro eventually for personal accomplishment but i always try to break down in steps what is reachable in a near future so its easier to focus on it....at least for me.

How can I say this? I smell blood! Im not too far from becoming a AAA (Ill explain the ranking system at the end of my post). My offensive game is good enough to beat the AAA's on a good day but I want my break to improve so I have all the chances on my side and breeze through that last remaining stretch of AA. I have a good percentage calculating mind for when to duck or go all out but i dont have the fine touch to lock em up for that level because the better you get, the more locked up they need to be.

I know what I need to work on but how, i dont know ...I want my strongest game to be my new regular game so to speak.


Ranking system goes like this: C. B. A. AA. AAA. Semi Pro. PRO.....im currently a AA on the verge of AAA
 
You sound like you're in the same boat as I am, more or less. Given that your buddies said something about your pattern play and decisions (I consider those my strengths too), you may suffer from the same disease.

In a nutshell, I was able to get most of my improvement by thinking, reading, watching dvds, etc. ...maybe you've done that too, and that's how you've become known for being a smart player more than, say, a super straight shooter.

I have very little natural talent and haven't spent enough hours in practice. If anything I'm uncoordinated. Don't throw me your cell phone, I'll drop it. Basically I got to B-something level with brains, friendly games, and maybe a few hours playing the ghost.

So what's left for me (and maybe you)? Practice, practice, practice. We're all out of easy fixes, ah-ha moments, sudden jumps in skill. The difference between you and the AAA probably is just hundreds, maybe thousands of extra hours at the table.

For the break specifically I got some lessons. I also got some good 15 minute pointers from local pros. If there's a pool tour near you, go to it. You'd be surprised at how quick the best players are to give up their secrets and spend a minute with you.
 
Jimbojim said:
Well obviously I'd like to be able to play like a pro eventually for personal accomplishment but i always try to break down in steps what is reachable in a near future so its easier to focus on it....at least for me.

How can I say this? I smell blood! Im not too far from becoming a AAA (Ill explain the ranking system at the end of my post). My offensive game is good enough to beat the AAA's on a good day but I want my break to improve so I have all the chances on my side and breeze through that last remaining stretch of AA. I have a good percentage calculating mind for when to duck or go all out but i dont have the fine touch to lock em up for that level because the better you get, the more locked up they need to be.

I know what I need to work on but how, i dont know ...I want my strongest game to be my new regular game so to speak.


Ranking system goes like this: C. B. A. AA. AAA. Semi Pro. PRO.....im currently a AA on the verge of AAA
Click to expand...

Break is fairly easy to get better at. Search forums, google, and look at videos online for tips or to watch pro players break. Then practice a lot. You could also look into purchasing break rack.

Are you actually practicing your safety shots? I'd post a diagram, but I'm using an iPad, so I can't access the one everyone uses.(if anyone knows how to get a table diagram on iPad that I can post here, PM me) You can set up several types of safety shots and practice them just like you practice normal shots.

Something I like to do is a variation of playing the ghost. When I have no shot, I play a safe. If I get the desired position, then the "ghost" gets to kick or jump. If he(I) either A: makes the ball I lose the rack or B: makes a return safety I get to try to make the ball or return safe.

I keep going until either the ghost makes a shot or I unsuccessfully return safety.

Do this a lot and you'll be kicking like a mule. Also something that will improve your kick safes is not just to kick to hit the ball. Study the shot and decide what safety you would play if you could have ball in hand or see the ball better. Kick at the ball with that shot in mind. You'll be surprised how quickly you start to "get lucky" according to other people with your kicks when you're not leaving them much.
 
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