ideas for practicing with a partner?

[PKM]

Since playing is not practicing and vice versa, what are some good ways to practice with a partner?

I normally practice alone, but maybe to mix it up a bit if I can convince one of my friends to take it seriously (most people I play with do not really distinguish between play and practice). I suppose the obvious thing would be to set up some challenge shots/position plays with a certain number of tries?

 

[Jack Madden]

30 years ago I practiced at home. My wife would set up the same shot for me until I didn't miss the shot. It cut my practice time in half (since I didn't have to set up the shot). It helped my game immensely. And it gave us a chance to talk after the kids were in bed --- quality time for us both with the added bonus of practice at home without the interruptions from the pool room.

 

[mosconiac]

A quick way to convert a light-hearted "practice session" with a friend into a cut-throat "firing your last barrel" session is to play a set of mum pool for dinner. If you are not allowed to talk jovially with your friend, you will quickly find yourself focused on beating that opponent...friend or not. Mum pool is...utter one word = loss of turn & BIH. The penalty can be raised to loss of game or even loss of set.

 

[Gregg]

I alway felt some light sharking trying to knock your opponent off his game during practice would help when the bright lights of competition show up.

 

[GG11]

Sparring

I think sparring is one of the best ways to improve your game. I try to only spar with people I know who take it seriously. No trash talking, no drinking, no goofing off - just a mutual desire to test the skills we're practicing in a competitive situation.

I personally like to practice with someone I usually can't beat b/c it makes me work that much harder to try and FINALLY win and I learn from just watching them; patterns, shot selection, etc. If you find you can't seem to take it seriously with someone, you might either have to play for something (table time, dinner, $1/rack, etc.) or spar with someone else.

One more thing. I think it's good to play when there are people watching as it forces you to play harder so as not to embarrass yourself anymore than you normally do. So if you have the option to play at a table that might have some spectators, it might help you focus. Course some may argue it's not as easy to focus with people watching, but it's that added pressure that makes you practice better and harder!!

 

[9 Ball Girl]

One more thing. I think it's good to play when there are people watching as it forces you to play harder so as not to embarrass yourself anymore than you normally do. So if you have the option to play at a table that might have some spectators, it might help you focus. Course some may argue it's not as easy to focus with people watching, but it's that added pressure that makes you practice better and harder!!

I have to agree whole heartedly with Double G on this one. There was a time that I used to hate being watched and it would make me screw up more than the usual. Eventually, I started turning that sort of pressure around and it became where when I was being watched, I played my best. I also use to purposely play on the most very front table the room had just so that I can be watched. An mp3 player is a plus as it will drown out any comments from the peanut gallery.

Wendy<---sloooooowly coming out of retirement...

 

[CreeDo]

my friend and I do this occasionally... we do a specific position shot and see who can get there best out of 10 tries. Even if you can't win, you shoot all 10 for the practice. It's also fun to set up a hard drill (stuff like the L drill but maybe not so long or tricky) and see who can be the first to do it alternating tries.