How long does it take?

[Badbeat13]

I started playing pool seriously 2012. I played in high school, but didn't continue to do so when I went to college. Any how, in 2012 at 23 I joined the apa and have improved a lot in the last year and a half. I went from SL 3- to a SL 6. Unfortunately I feel like I have hit a plateau. I practice 3-4 times a week and I don't see myself breaking and running the table consistently. I probably do it 1-6 times. How long does it take to turn that corner? Do I need to practice more?

Pool and golf are similar when it comes to improvement.

When you 1st start playing golf you can become a bogey or better golfer in a year or 2. It's at that point that you feel like you're not really improving that fast anymore. You certainly improve at something like pool and golf quicker in the 1st couple of years and then you'll feel like you've hit a plateau. The truth is that you just have to keep playing as much as you can and you will steadily improve.

I got serious about the game when I was 15 and by 17 and 18 I was playing really good pool. Ran my share of racks back then, but was still subject to miss easy shots or have a bad day. I'm 42 now and I still play all of the time. Just keep on keeping on and you'll get to where you want to be.

Practice as much as you can and play better players. You'll get better faster and before you know it you'll be considered the better player than the better ones around you now. Hope I made sense with my rambling. Just remember that with the will, the drive, and the determination there's no way you won't get there. It'll happen in time, just not as quick as you'd like it to.

Keep playin', Jerry

 

[justadub]

Lol truth is I often wish I had 4-5 hours a day I can put in, but with a 2 year old and a full time job, there is just no way. Hopefully it starts to make sense for me sooner rather than later!

Let me tell you, live in the moment and really enjoy your little one while he (or she) is little.

It seems like a long time, but trust me when I say it goes really fast....too fast.

Don't blink

 

[Scott Lee]

ByronJr...I am coming to the midwest early Feb. If you would like to get a lesson in Columbus, I would be happy to come work with you. Another fine instructor in Ohio is Denny Stewart, who has the Ohio Billiard Academy. He posts here too!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Absolutely! I would definitely appreciate any help I can get. I know Chris Bartram is around. I do not know if he does private lessons, but I will definitely see if Scott Lee is or will be around the area. Thanks a lot, can't wait to give your practice regimen a try!

 

[crappiecrazy]

Well you hit the jackpot. Having a full time job makes you the perfect candidate for Mark Wilson's book "play great pool" and Jerry Breiseth's videos "A pool lesson with Jerry Breiseth"

I wish I would have had this information available 40 years ago when I fell in love with pool.

JC

JC, what do you mean by this post? Do you think this particular book "goes together well" with the videos? The reason I am asking is because my wife got me Jerrry's DVDs for Christmas. I know that Mark helped Jerry in the DVDs.

 

[Scott Lee]

crappiecrazy...The book and video are excellent. However, ask your video or book a question pertaining to you personally, and tell me what answer you get.
They are great complements to, but no sustitute for a one-on-one private lesson.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

JC, what do you mean by this post? Do you think this particular book "goes together well" with the videos? The reason I am asking is because my wife got me Jerrry's DVDs for Christmas. I know that Mark helped Jerry in the DVDs.

 

[(((Satori)))]

Do you have a SPECIFIC goal?

It's not good enough to say I want to get better or even I want to play "pro speed".

You need a clear picture in your head of what you are going to be.


Your goal needs to be measurable. HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESIRE?

You also need a specific course of action that you TRULY BELIEVE will get you where you want to be then steadily stick to it. Your belief in your plan will fade at times during the progression towards your goal but keep going and your belief will come back to you. You will no doubt have times when you lose faith that you can do it. DON'T GIVE UP. This is when some people quit or look for shortcuts and abandon their plan. YOU NEED TO STICK TO IT THOUGH. ONCE YOU HAVE MADE A DECISION ON A SPECIFIC GOAL AND COURSE OF ACTION CARRY IT OUT.

So you have a specific goal that is measurable with a detailed action plan for achieving it. Now set a realistic date that you expect to achieve it. Like I said once you do this stick to it. Consistency in your action and the clarity of your goal will get you where you want to be.

 

[The Renfro]

it takes... however long it takes... This is not some neanderthal sport where physical prowess rules but something way more subtle... Visual Intelligence and spatial intelligence rule in the pool world.. Both are relatively new concepts that leave lots of league players and Chicago-ans thinking all you need to do is practice... in the dust...

http://psych.io/spatial/

Average score is just over 3..... No cheating allowed.. Take the test only with you imagination and see how you really do....

Chris

 

[Badbeat13]

Let me tell you, live in the moment and really enjoy your little one while he (or she) is little.

It seems like a long time, but trust me when I say it goes really fast....too fast.

Don't blink

You said that straight!!! Time sure does go by fast, about twice as quick as it seems it should. My daughter is 22 now and it seems like she should be 11. Can't stop 'Father Time'.

Great advice you gave to the OP. Enjoy the moments, they'll go by fast and you can't get them back.

Damn, I feel shitty all the sudden.

 

[(((Satori)))]

it takes... however long it takes... This is not some neanderthal sport where physical prowess rules but something way more subtle... Visual Intelligence and spatial intelligence rule in the pool world.. Both are relatively new concepts that leave lots of league players and Chicago-ans thinking all you need to do is practice... in the dust...

http://psych.io/spatial/

Average score is just over 3..... No cheating allowed.. Take the test only with you imagination and see how you really do....

Chris

1) b
2) b
3) a
4) c
5) c
6) a
7) d
8) a
9) a

 

[fathomblue]

it takes... however long it takes... This is not some neanderthal sport where physical prowess rules but something way more subtle... Visual Intelligence and spatial intelligence rule in the pool world.. Both are relatively new concepts that leave lots of league players and Chicago-ans thinking all you need to do is practice... in the dust...

http://psych.io/spatial/

Average score is just over 3..... No cheating allowed.. Take the test only with you imagination and see how you really do....

Chris

Ouch. 4 out of 9.

Thought I was gonna do better than that.

 

[RFranklin]

Test

Not quite sure what this has to do with pool but I like these kinds of tests. 8 of 9 but they dont tell you which one you missed? I think it was 5, where they duplicated the shapes on each cube.

 

[CreeDo]

That link was fun. 7 out of 9 but I kind of ran out of patience at the last two.
Think that reflects on my pool game too. No patience and eventually start missing out of boredom.

 

[pogmothoin]

I started playing pool seriously 2012. I played in high school, but didn't continue to do so when I went to college. Any how, in 2012 at 23 I joined the apa and have improved a lot in the last year and a half. I went from SL 3- to a SL 6. Unfortunately I feel like I have hit a plateau. I practice 3-4 times a week and I don't see myself breaking and running the table consistently. I probably do it 1-6 times. How long does it take to turn that corner? Do I need to practice more?

If that doesn't sound exactly like what I'm going through right now, except I'm a little older, ok 30 years older, haha.

This thread is exactly the type that are so helpful to many of us trying to improve our raggedy game. Thanks to all who take the time to post constructive thoughts and suggestions.

I'm going to take a few lessons with a local pro player in an attempt to get to that next level. Trying to get find some consistency, still much to learn. Good luck.

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

Turning corners.

I started playing pool seriously 2012. I played in high school, but didn't continue to do so when I went to college. Any how, in 2012 at 23 I joined the apa and have improved a lot in the last year and a half. I went from SL 3- to a SL 6. Unfortunately I feel like I have hit a plateau. I practice 3-4 times a week and I don't see myself breaking and running the table consistently. I probably do it 1-6 times. How long does it take to turn that corner? Do I need to practice more?

I began turning those corners in 1965! Be advised there are many corners to turn, not just a few. Reminds me of the kid I was steamrolling one time and he says, your way better than me right now, but I'm going to MASTER this game someday! I said no you are not! No one ever has! Of course I had to explain it to him before he finally got it. I saw him several years later and I didn't remember him but he told me the story of the mastering thing and then I remembered. He said that was a turning point in his path to being a better player. Many turning points are physical skills, but some are mental. It's not a race, it's a journey. I never took a lesson in my life. Such things just did not exist in those days. Maybe a book or two, maybe. Now days the world is your oyster. Take lessons, read books search the web. But none of that matters if you don't use the HAMB method! Hit A Million Balls! Hurry up, you only have maybe fifty years to figure it out.