How Do You Practice?

[Pidge]

100 straight in shots
100 draw shots
100 follow shots
100 shots with extreme running side
100 shots with extreme check side

Then a race to 15 with whoever is around

That was my morning session, for my evening session I start out with 100 straight in shots followed by 200 shots from various angles, trying to get the CB to hit a pre-determined spot on the rail. My last drill before compete in any of the nightly tournaments I place an OB on the spot with the CB 1 foot away (straight in) and simply respot the OB after each pot.

200 shots with extreme side? How often do you hit shots in a game with extreme side? I rarely move past a tip of side when playing.

I do like to practice a lot using side though. I'll just put say the 8 ball on the second diamond on the short rail and put another ball at the other end and try get round table for position on the 8. Normally a bit of English is involved to get there. When I first started playing pool I was addicted to hitting shots with Max. English because the rails were completely different to what I was used to, and the CB did weird and wonderful things. I soon realised I was more consistent using less side, sometimes 3 or 4 racks of 14.1 with none at all. But I do get it, smashing a shot with maximum side is fun

 

[dr_dave]

I think the things that help me the most are:
1. A written goal.
2. A set routine.
3. A measureable result.

If people want help with "2" and "3," they might benefit from the Billiard University (BU) Exam work-out routine and player rating system. The Video Encyclopedia of Pool Practice (VEPP) was also developed with goals "2" and "3" in mind.

Regards,
Dave

PS: The way I practice lately is alternating among BU Exam sessions, 15-ball rotation, and 9-ball ghost sets. With the later two, whenever I miss a shot or position, I practice that shot several times before continuing, to the point where I am confident I won't miss it the next time I have a similar situation. I also work on drills (from the BU Exams) that involve skills that I feel are not as strong as they should be (e.g., based on performance, or lack there of, during league play).