How much better could you get...
- Thread starter DrGonzo
- Start date
If you had no other responsibilities than work and play pool for 60 days?
My wife will be out of town on a business trip for the next 60 days. I've got a 9 ft table in my basement, and nothing else to do than shoot pool. Hoping to see a major improvement in my game...we'll see...
I need more than time, I need a reason to put that time in.
Practice alone will not take my game to the highest level it can go, but competition, motivation, and practice will.
What would be a more reasonable goal for the time frame?
From a D to C, C+, B, or A?
For a C, going up to a C+,B,B+ or A?
For B player, and for A players?
For the sub D level, say APA 2 improve to a APA 4, or APA 6?
From a D to C, C+, B, or A?
For a C, going up to a C+,B,B+ or A?
For B player, and for A players?
For the sub D level, say APA 2 improve to a APA 4, or APA 6?
All of this depends upon where the individual is starting and instruction given.
If the starting point is C player with no instruction, they may not improve at all.
C player with quality instruction and reinforcement may reach B in 60 days.
Sub D level players could conceivably reach C status.
The law of diminishing returns applies as your game improves. It is much harder to go from B to A then D to C.
In my opinion you need concrete results in which to measure your improvement. All of these letters and apa ratings are arbitrary.
I currently use a variation of the Joe Tucker 10ball ghost drill. I have results on myself for the past 5 or 6 years.
Realistically, if you currently beat the 5 ball ghost consistently and spend 60 days practicing, my expectations or goal would be to beat the 7 ball ghost consistently.
Just my opinion.
I plan to use Dr. Dave's Billiards University test as my measurement criteria. I will take this test on Monday (Day 1) and see where I end up after Day 60 when I take it again after two months of practice.
I'm glad to hear it. Please post your results (and videos if available) both times on the BU thread. I'm sure everybody would be interested to see how much you can improve with dedicated practice over two months. I, for one, look forward to seeing your results.
Catch you later,
Dave
Using golf as a example, its easy to go from shooting in the 90's to shooting in the 80's, but it's much tougher to get from the 80's to the 70's. I sure understand this. I have known hundreds of players and from what I've witnessed, if a player has been playing pool for over 5 years on a regular basis, it would be tough for the majority to go from a B to a A. in 60 days. I don't believe many people after playing 5 years, can go from C to a B in 60 days. After playing for 10 years, I have seen very few jump another level. I have also noticed people who have played golf, pool or whatever for many years, seem to play all at the same level.
Invest in a breakRak
You're gonna get bored of playing...and you'll have the time, but not the drive, so you'll need variety to keep your attention...I would definately invest into a BreakRak and start working on your break also. The break is the toughest shot in the game, and it's the least practiced. The window of time is so valuable, use it as wisely as you can...try to get +2 mph on your break and start squatting the cueball...a good player with a great break is really hard to beat. Just my .02
Also, I would jump on league teams 3 nights a week if u can, again, to keep your attention, your gonna get bored, complacent and otherwise waste your window of opportunity. You'll need interaction. Table at home not gonna hold attention for long.
Post your goals and numbers initially, then daily and ask forum to keep you accountable. PRE-authorize us to beat on you, lol, if you aren't able to post improving scores,lmao.
But seriously, accountability is the answer.
Good luck my friend, you're gonna be a monster in a couple months
You're gonna get bored of playing...and you'll have the time, but not the drive, so you'll need variety to keep your attention...I would definately invest into a BreakRak and start working on your break also. The break is the toughest shot in the game, and it's the least practiced. The window of time is so valuable, use it as wisely as you can...try to get +2 mph on your break and start squatting the cueball...a good player with a great break is really hard to beat. Just my .02
Also, I would jump on league teams 3 nights a week if u can, again, to keep your attention, your gonna get bored, complacent and otherwise waste your window of opportunity. You'll need interaction. Table at home not gonna hold attention for long.
Post your goals and numbers initially, then daily and ask forum to keep you accountable. PRE-authorize us to beat on you, lol, if you aren't able to post improving scores,lmao.
But seriously, accountability is the answer.
Good luck my friend, you're gonna be a monster in a couple months
If you had no other responsibilities than work and play pool for 60 days?
My wife will be out of town on a business trip for the next 60 days. I've got a 9 ft table in my basement, and nothing else to do than shoot pool. Hoping to see a major improvement in my game...we'll see...
I don't have the motavation to get much better..I own a decent table an practice a couple hours a week..once in a while I'll practice a couple hours a day every three
weeks or so..At this time I'm not working an I can play 24/7 if I wanted to..my wife
doesn't care how much time I put into my game..
when I'm bored I practice banks an kicking alot.I'll never be a decent player nationally,
but locally I'm okay..just a decent C plus player in my mind..others make me play as
a B player..I think if you had the money an worked with an instuctor every day for eight hours like a job you should improve..if not then you should be fired..kidding..
I really believe it comes down to how much your willing to put into the game..if you can
grind on drills..patterns..racking an breaking over an over an over an over..until well until you meet your goal..which is never in the life of the game..theres always some thing ti work on..so where can I buy some motavation..lol.
I think it depends on the situation as well.
Last year, I spent a couple months on a business trip away from home and ended up at the local hall virtually every night. There were plenty of great players around and I had to really be at my best to keep up with them. I think having a lot of time to play wasn't what brought my game up, it was the fact that I had to play my best all the time or get beat down. They would take full advantage of my weaknesses, like my 10-ball break and jump shots, so I had to practice them until there were no longer a liability. It gave me the necessity and the drive to practice those skills that I never took seriously enough to practice. After the two months, my game was definitely more solid, and I came back mentally stronger as well.
On the other had, if I had just spent two months on a home table and I might have sharpened up my game a little and got in stroke, but I doubt I would have improved as much.
Last year, I spent a couple months on a business trip away from home and ended up at the local hall virtually every night. There were plenty of great players around and I had to really be at my best to keep up with them. I think having a lot of time to play wasn't what brought my game up, it was the fact that I had to play my best all the time or get beat down. They would take full advantage of my weaknesses, like my 10-ball break and jump shots, so I had to practice them until there were no longer a liability. It gave me the necessity and the drive to practice those skills that I never took seriously enough to practice. After the two months, my game was definitely more solid, and I came back mentally stronger as well.
On the other had, if I had just spent two months on a home table and I might have sharpened up my game a little and got in stroke, but I doubt I would have improved as much.
Find a pool tournament to challenge your skill level at the end of the 60 day period and sign up.. Then during the 60 days, wake up at 7am, eat breakfast, shoot 9ball, 10ball alone loosely until noon, then eat lunch, do drills from noon to 4pm, then from 4pm on, shoot until midnight, until you are exhausted. The most important part is how well you play when you are exhausted. When you are exhausted and tired, then watch a video of top pool players via Accu-Stats or YouTube. Always study before sleeping, this along with your habits allows you to dream about pool while your sleeping. It helps.
The way you train for playing under stressful circumstances like gambling is to put yourself under duress or strain. Fight through the pain, challenge, and difficulty of being tired or exhausted. Only in these moment will you find the inner peace to play your true calm game in the face of adversity.
Every day, think of yourself winning the tournament or event you signed up for. Mentally say to yourself you will win, and do anything and everything to back up your own words to yourself. Then back those words up.
Win first place, then spend the prize money on your woman.
The way you train for playing under stressful circumstances like gambling is to put yourself under duress or strain. Fight through the pain, challenge, and difficulty of being tired or exhausted. Only in these moment will you find the inner peace to play your true calm game in the face of adversity.
Every day, think of yourself winning the tournament or event you signed up for. Mentally say to yourself you will win, and do anything and everything to back up your own words to yourself. Then back those words up.
Win first place, then spend the prize money on your woman.
Ctyhntr, are you getting your own table ?
If you had no other responsibilities than work and play pool for 60 days?
My wife will be out of town on a business trip for the next 60 days. I've got a 9 ft table in my basement, and nothing else to do than shoot pool. Hoping to see a major improvement in my game...we'll see...
Maybe someone already suggested this, but print out a few sheets of the Dr Dave Billiard University tests and go though them, recording progess (if any). Then you can see the scores now vs. in 2 months.
That is something you will need to analyze and determine for yourself or ask someone who knows you for some input.
What level do you currently play at? I believe there is a advantagous order in which to learn the basics and if you are looking for major improvement then you likely dont have all of the basics down. For example it is better to focus on pocketing balls once you have a solid stroke.
If you are advanced then you can improve by focusing on weaknesses or knowledge or specialty areas.
1) Determine what you need.
2) Set a goal that is measurable. For example: It is not good enough to say "I want to straighten my stroke" you need to say "I am able to consistantly perform the field goal drill x amount of times in a row by x date."
3) Devise a plan that you will use to reach your goal.
4) Work the plan.
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FYI, we have score sheets, log sheets, and an automated spreadsheet program for helping with this. All of the files and forms are on the BU Exam Resource Page.
Enjoy,
Dave
Yeah, these are great, Dave. I printed out 10 copies of each, and plan to work through them all many times to track my progress.
FYI, this is what the Billiard University (BU) system is all about:
1.) The BU Exams provide an assessment to determine where you need work.
2.) A BU diploma or chosen BU score/rating is a good goal.
3.) The BU Exam Drills and supporting BU Learning Resources provide a structured plan to reach your goals.
4.) The work is up to the student.
Regards,
Dave
I look forward to seeing your scores (and videos if available) on the BU thread, both after your initial assessment and after your two months of dedicated practice.
Catch you later,
Dave