just wondering how much work is it to move from a 5 handicap to a seven. How much practice a week? Lessons? TX
how do you move your handicap up
- Thread starter ballbanger
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I'll ditto those remarks. Knowledge is a big plus in the game of pool. Do you know where the cue ball is going, after you make a ball (1 rail, 2 rails, 3 rails). Do you understand the drag draw, throw, use of english to slow the cue ball or make it run?
ROTE is the traditional way of learning, but it can fall short of the target. Thre are some great books you can read (99 Crtical Shots or Byrne's complete book of pool shots) that will give you a better understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.
There are some great Videos out there, too. Quality teaching is out there for you to grasp. I've played for 50 years, but I am just ordering Freddy's banking video (you can never know too much).
Having said all that, my true belief is that a good instructor or COACH can get you there faster.
If Tiger Woods uses a coach, that is all the proof I need. His COACH may only be able to bolster Tiger's confidence. Whatever the man gives Tiger is "sure nuff" enough
Good Luck to you...
ROTE is the traditional way of learning, but it can fall short of the target. Thre are some great books you can read (99 Crtical Shots or Byrne's complete book of pool shots) that will give you a better understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.
There are some great Videos out there, too. Quality teaching is out there for you to grasp. I've played for 50 years, but I am just ordering Freddy's banking video (you can never know too much).
Having said all that, my true belief is that a good instructor or COACH can get you there faster.
If Tiger Woods uses a coach, that is all the proof I need. His COACH may only be able to bolster Tiger's confidence. Whatever the man gives Tiger is "sure nuff" enough
Good Luck to you...
ballbanger said:
It is never about "how much practice" or "lessons" although both are very valuable, but more about your own learning ability.
Some players never get over a skill level 5 in their entire pool career, even with lots and lots or experience, practice and lessons. Some players just simply have more natural ability.
That being said, everyone has the ability to improve and that should be your goal. Study the game, practice fundamentals, learn from others and lastly be serious about improving.
Remember one thing about the game...it's just physics and the laws of physics never change.
ballbanger said:
I'm not sure what what a 5 or a 7 relates to but, the best way to improve is to identify aspects of your game which need to be worked on and take the appropriate steps meet your goals.
I would first solicit an instructor to have a look at your fundamentals, your stroke and alignement in paticular. As others have mentioned it is all about execution and your fundamentals are the key to effective execution. You may want to work on your shot making (which is tied to your basics), safeties, kicking, strategy, break etc. All of which have will have profound impact on your win/lose column.
I see many people practicing at the pool room who use the same fundamentals and style of play for years hoping they will improve through repetition. Little progress can be made this way. Many eventually give up unfortunately
Improvement
1 thing 7 speed players have that 5 speed players don't is touch. On this page is some of the basic and fairly accurate definitions of the rating system I've seen on the internet. http://www.azpoolscene.com/RatingsDefinitions.html?RatingsForm=7&Safes=10&Kicks=10
5's and 6's just know how to pocket balls, and therefore, often times hit the ball way too hard. Sometimes they do this, because they want that reassuring feeling that they are a 'good player'. Other times, they are just plain showing off for whomever may be watching them.
If you want to move up, there is not other way to do it than to practice, and match up. You must have all the understandings of all the solid fundamentals. If you don't, you will just be practicing mistakes over and over, and therefore will be getting no where.
Someone told me once before, that if you want to be a 10 speed, there are just some things that someone who's been there has to tell you. It has to be the right person too. You will find that the wrong person will only steer you in the wrong direction. Find a reliable pro, or even a BCA Certified Instructor. Don't take instruction from this guy and that guy. Decide to listen to one person and stick with one method. Also, model yourself after one favorite pro. I seriously don't recommend the filipinos (loose & wristy with a long bridge) because that goes against the American style (think Buddy Hall), and besides if you get stuck on Busti's style, you could end up with all the wrong fundamentals.
Good Luck to you, if you want it bad enough, you will get there.
1 thing 7 speed players have that 5 speed players don't is touch. On this page is some of the basic and fairly accurate definitions of the rating system I've seen on the internet. http://www.azpoolscene.com/RatingsDefinitions.html?RatingsForm=7&Safes=10&Kicks=10
5's and 6's just know how to pocket balls, and therefore, often times hit the ball way too hard. Sometimes they do this, because they want that reassuring feeling that they are a 'good player'. Other times, they are just plain showing off for whomever may be watching them.
If you want to move up, there is not other way to do it than to practice, and match up. You must have all the understandings of all the solid fundamentals. If you don't, you will just be practicing mistakes over and over, and therefore will be getting no where.
Someone told me once before, that if you want to be a 10 speed, there are just some things that someone who's been there has to tell you. It has to be the right person too. You will find that the wrong person will only steer you in the wrong direction. Find a reliable pro, or even a BCA Certified Instructor. Don't take instruction from this guy and that guy. Decide to listen to one person and stick with one method. Also, model yourself after one favorite pro. I seriously don't recommend the filipinos (loose & wristy with a long bridge) because that goes against the American style (think Buddy Hall), and besides if you get stuck on Busti's style, you could end up with all the wrong fundamentals.
Good Luck to you, if you want it bad enough, you will get there.
sounds good all thx:thumbup:
ballbanger said:
Seek out a qualified instructor to point out your flaws or video yourself. Watch accu-stats matches and learn as much as you can by watching. I like to set the balls up like the pattern in any given pro match run out a few times then see how Archer or Reyes ran the balls. You can learn a ton just by watching these tapes and listening to the commentation. Most top players work one side of the table at a time always leaving a key ball for the eight. Always going for the breakouts early. You have to study the rack and see the out. You must have a plan. I love the quote from Bert Kinister in his 60min workout video. "I don't care who you are you're hitting the balls too hard". You won't see good players scratch often because they have learned you have more control over your potting and cue ball control if you put the balls in at pocket speed. It's alot of little things put together that make a good player.
The best way that I know of to move from a SL5 to an SL7 is to play SL7 players, and beat them, preferably in low innings or with many safeties.
First, the league operator/computer will catch up with the fact that you are beating SL7s. Secondly, if you beat the SL7s, they will write you up as sandbagging, and you will move up.
If you can't beat the SL7s, then you don't need to move up because then your artificially high skill level would be a detriment to your team.
Joe
First, the league operator/computer will catch up with the fact that you are beating SL7s. Secondly, if you beat the SL7s, they will write you up as sandbagging, and you will move up.
If you can't beat the SL7s, then you don't need to move up because then your artificially high skill level would be a detriment to your team.
Joe
If you are talking APA, a lot of it is a numbers game. Innings, safetys, win/loss ratio.
It does seem to me that playing and winning in a singles regional and doing well is a sure fire way to get noticed and moved up.
Work on your weak areas. Be a well rounded player running when you can and enploying good defensive play when you can't. Consistency is the big difference between a 5 and a 7. The 7 can more consistently put the ball in the pocket and get whitey where it needs to be. Consistency comes through repetition.
It does seem to me that playing and winning in a singles regional and doing well is a sure fire way to get noticed and moved up.
Work on your weak areas. Be a well rounded player running when you can and enploying good defensive play when you can't. Consistency is the big difference between a 5 and a 7. The 7 can more consistently put the ball in the pocket and get whitey where it needs to be. Consistency comes through repetition.
Everyone is different obviously.ballbanger said:
From a hand-waving perspective and assuming something about your game today, then 2-4 hours of practice a week will get you to a SL-6 in about 6 months. I find that all of my level 5 players have enough talent to be better than average, and put zero ours in practicing. And they wonder why they're not consistent!
From there to move up, you have to see better players and try to do what they do. Without understanding what a better player looks like and does, there's no goal to achieve.
For me a million years ago, it was an hour or two a day of serious practice for about 6 months to go from a SL-6 to an SL-7. In league play, that seemingly small amount of practice time is rarely seen. You can gamble once in a while (keep it small) as that will show you where you mental game is, where your best game is (hopefully) and how you really stack up under that type of pressure. And of course, play tournaments. If you're going to be a player, you've got to play.
If you already do that amount of time, then you might never get to an SL-7 level without a ton more work. Is it worth it?
Fred
srs314
shooterville.com
I have done many lessons and the biggest thing most mid level CPA players need to learn is smart patterns.
Do you always sit back and say "the 7's make it look so effortless, like they never need to make a hard shot!"
Well patterns my friend.
Execution and competitve speed will come with practice and challenging yourself like many said but patterns is a good place to start and is something a little information will improve.
PM me if you want more information on this.
Make friends with your favourite 7 in your league, get under his wing, ask lots of questions.
Best of luck!
Do you always sit back and say "the 7's make it look so effortless, like they never need to make a hard shot!"
Well patterns my friend.
Execution and competitve speed will come with practice and challenging yourself like many said but patterns is a good place to start and is something a little information will improve.
PM me if you want more information on this.
Make friends with your favourite 7 in your league, get under his wing, ask lots of questions.
Best of luck!
If you're near Raleigh, pm me. Give me three weeks, two days a week at a minumum and I'll get you there. No charge. I'm not a champion (although after a couple of beers I'll tell you I am), but I gauge people well. Maximize your good characteristics, minimize and practice your shortcomings. The thing is.... know your shortcomings.
