Is practicing alone sufficient?

Kerry Impson

Kerry Impson

Former player
Silver Member
I know that practicing alone doing drills for shotmaking and position is excellent practice and very important, but is that enough? I have two small children at home and a busy husband, so I can't get out and play small tournaments (like on weeknights or weekends), or play other people unless it's my husband or someone comes over. So I'm wondering if just practicing alone, no matter how diligently or devotedly, is enough to truly excel by itself. In particular, is it enough to prepare for competition in bigger tournaments, such as regional women's events like the NWPA? I tend to think that one also needs experience handling the pressure of competition and other nuances of tournament play before actually playing in the important tournaments. Thanks to all for any insight!! :)
 
runmout said:
I know that practicing alone doing drills for shotmaking and position is excellent practice and very important, but is that enough? I have two small children at home and a busy husband, so I can't get out and play small tournaments (like on weeknights or weekends), or play other people unless it's my husband or someone comes over. So I'm wondering if just practicing alone, no matter how diligently or devotedly, is enough to truly excel by itself. In particular, is it enough to prepare for competition in bigger tournaments, such as regional women's events like the NWPA? I tend to think that one also needs experience handling the pressure of competition and other nuances of tournament play before actually playing in the important tournaments. Thanks to all for any insight!! :)
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Another way to look at it, Runmout, is if it's all you can do. Certainly it is better than not hitting balls. Another thing is the speed of your compitition when you do play other people. If you play the 5 ball over the other person you are playing, you might as well be playing by yourself. Don't make the mistake of letting pool come between you and your family. I'm sure you don't. I made that mistake many years ago and if I didn't have a saint of a wife for 35 years and counting, it could have ruined everything truly important.

Practice when and where you can and,,,,,,,,,best of luck in all your endeavors............................$Bill
 
runmout said:
I know that practicing alone doing drills for shotmaking and position is excellent practice and very important, but is that enough? I have two small children at home and a busy husband, so I can't get out and play small tournaments (like on weeknights or weekends), or play other people unless it's my husband or someone comes over. So I'm wondering if just practicing alone, no matter how diligently or devotedly, is enough to truly excel by itself. In particular, is it enough to prepare for competition in bigger tournaments, such as regional women's events like the NWPA? I tend to think that one also needs experience handling the pressure of competition and other nuances of tournament play before actually playing in the important tournaments. Thanks to all for any insight!! :)
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Practicing is not enough, runmout. You can practice enough to keep your fundamentals in order, and to keep your most basic skills fairly sharp.

Competition, however, involves more than the traditional practice skills. Ducking, safety play, kicking, two-way shots, and all strategic aspects of your play will suffer if you don't match up against other players. You need an opponent to help you develop your skills as a strategist.

The other thing is that you need to learn to compete, to stay patient and disciplined in your play, to keep cool and composed in the heat of battle, and to deal calmly with the inevitable ebbs and flows in both your own and your opponent's luck and performance. This kind of competitive toughness can only be attained by matching up with other players.
 
What SJM said. Practice and competition are complementary. Of interest, I firmly believe that competition can be practiced to some degree. Pick up a copy of Jeanette Lee's "Black Widow's Guide to Killer Pool" for a description of "competitive practice" which attempts to recreate the conditions of playing in competition (which are much different than when banging balls alone). In this way the competition feels much more familiar.
 
Thanks you guys. I guess I should have mentioned my skill level, since that probably matters (I'm a "pro player" only in the loosest sense of the word, since I haven't played professionally in four years). But my reasoning is that since the WPBA still classifies me as a pro (and charges me pro dues!), I will too. :p Anyway, way back in 1999 when the pro tour was easier, I was ranked 18th.

Hemicudas, you are right; I definitely won't let it interfere with my family. I quit the WPBA to focus on raising my girls, and that won't change now that they're older and I'm getting back into it. My family is my top priority. (I'm glad your wife stuck it out!!) :)

sjm, I agree with you, too. Hopefully playing my husband (a darn good player) will be enough for now because I can't make the smaller tournaments; it's hard enough for me to get to the regional tournaments! But the pressure of playing the same person all the time is still entirely different than the pressure of a tournament (which also involves playing many different players). I've already noticed those weaknesses you pointed out when playing the regional tour stops here, and they have hurt my game. Guess I'll have to wait till my younger child is in preschool next year to go at it full throttle!! :(

Williebetmore, thanks for the tip - if the book has a way to duplicate tournament conditions in solitary practice that's worth the price of the book alone. Plus, buying a copy helps a fellow player! :)
 
I'm a practice junkie.I practice pool a way more than I play.I find practice very relaxing and meditating.On two of my days off Friday and Saturday I practice for 6 hrs each day setting up various drills for 9 ball.I also practice after work for 1-2 hrs at least 4 days a week.

Here is one drill I set up for nine ball.

START(
%Ag6Z2%BN9D4%Cg6X4%DN9F3%Eg5V3%FN9H1%Gg4D2%HO4Z5%Ig5F0%JO3X3
%Kg6H1%LO3V2%MB5\4%NB9\2%OB5\6%PZ0U9
)END


I take ball in hand and try to run the balls out in order from 1-12. When(if ?) I succesfully make all 12, I try to get shape on the one ball (after making the 12) and try to run them off again. My record is 38 balls in a row and I've done in the 30's at least 1/2 dozen other times.

What I'm trying to say is that during practice I do pretty well.I'm not a pro or A+, however, I feel that I can shoot like a solid A during practice.

The problem for me is that on only on a small quantity occasions can I bring the quality of my practice game to a pressure match. I've only won our weekly Sunday tournament once(past 2 years) and finished second 4 times because of not quite having enough to offer under pressure.Second place although commendable is not what I'm after...LOL.I'm going to work on that from now on by competeing in 2-3 tourneys a week and setting some cash aside for a money match or two a week.

The practice is definitly developing my knowledge and skill, however, everyone tells me that I have to start playing more pressure pool to get better.I'm convinced that they are 100 per cent right.I find it dissapointing not being able to bring my shooting capabilities to the pressure games on a more consistent basis.

In summary practice is a good and essential (I think)thing, however, nothing replaces good competition. RJ
 
i would think that there are too many variables in tournamnet pool that practises could never duplicate. no matter how you set up your practices, you will never face the same kinds of situations that occur in pool,,,both mentally and physically.

i'd think, though, that intense practice helps that great players more since they've already faced competition, and the practices just hone their game.
 
Apparently you are competitive, and want to win, or place in the local tournaments you play in.

Practicing alone is better than no practice at all. But nothing beats practicing with someone as good, as you or better than you.

Also that practice partner can critique what you are doing right, and what you are doing wrong. ;)
 
Husband = Familiarity = Comfort = Relaxed = Loose = Complacency =
Fearless = Loss Of Killer Instinct


Professional
Stranger = Unknown = Anxiety = Nerves = Tight = Mistakes = Fear Of
Loss Or Getting Trounced = Kill Or Be Killed
 
runmout said:
Thanks you guys. I guess I should have mentioned my skill level, since that probably matters (I'm a "pro player" only in the loosest sense of the word, since I haven't played professionally in four years). But my reasoning is that since the WPBA still classifies me as a pro (and charges me pro dues!), I will too. :p Anyway, way back in 1999 when the pro tour was easier, I was ranked 18th.

Hemicudas, you are right; I definitely won't let it interfere with my family. I quit the WPBA to focus on raising my girls, and that won't change now that they're older and I'm getting back into it. My family is my top priority. (I'm glad your wife stuck it out!!) :)

sjm, I agree with you, too. Hopefully playing my husband (a darn good player) will be enough for now because I can't make the smaller tournaments; it's hard enough for me to get to the regional tournaments! But the pressure of playing the same person all the time is still entirely different than the pressure of a tournament (which also involves playing many different players). I've already noticed those weaknesses you pointed out when playing the regional tour stops here, and they have hurt my game. Guess I'll have to wait till my younger child is in preschool next year to go at it full throttle!! :(

Williebetmore, thanks for the tip - if the book has a way to duplicate tournament conditions in solitary practice that's worth the price of the book alone. Plus, buying a copy helps a fellow player! :)
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I know where you are coming from with the family!!! I have 7 (yes, seven) kids. When my oldest ones were small, my husband and I went to the pool room on weekends together. The kids would watch and eat french fries, maybe play with the pocketed balls on another table etc.. It wasn't the best of practice but it was competition of sorts and a challenge to keep concentration on a shot when my son was tangling himself around my legs!!

Playing with others gives you opportunity to try or make shots that you may never think of while practicing alone or doing drills. That would include playing safes in certain situations as well.

When some of my kids were in school and I still had a little one home (or 2); I would go to the pool room during the day. Some of the retired players go in to play at lunch time and it wasn't too hard to find a fairly competitive game. The room wasn't crowded and I only had to think about whether my kid(s) were bothering anyone - which they usually weren't.

You may also consider inviting a few people over to shoot at your home. Kids tend to be a little less wild in the home setting. My husband and I would take turns watching the kids sometimes too. You need to have a break from them at times no matter what you decide to do with that time.

Phyllis Gumphrey
 
runmout said:
I know that practicing alone doing drills for shotmaking and position is excellent practice and very important, but is that enough? I have two small children at home and a busy husband, so I can't get out and play small tournaments (like on weeknights or weekends), or play other people unless it's my husband or someone comes over. So I'm wondering if just practicing alone, no matter how diligently or devotedly, is enough to truly excel by itself. In particular, is it enough to prepare for competition in bigger tournaments, such as regional women's events like the NWPA? I tend to think that one also needs experience handling the pressure of competition and other nuances of tournament play before actually playing in the important tournaments. Thanks to all for any insight!! :)
Click to expand...

Practicing alone can make you way better, especially if you've already developed your competive game to the level you have, and you can get out and compete reasonably often enough - maybe once a month.

In fact, intelligent practice is the fastest way to improvement. I think getting out and playing is important to measure your all around skills and improvement. It also conditions you to the competition of another human at the table, the distractions, emotions, and nerves. It's nice to find people who you find difficult to beat and play them every few months. If you're improving the game seems easier and easier.

One word of caution, when you practice a lot at home you want your table to be set up on the difficult side. For example, I am having my rails replaced right now with Artemis and cut down to 4" (corner) pockets. That way, when I play on similar equipment I will be adjusted to it. They were previously 4 1/2 inch pockets but I found I was missing too much on more difficult equipment.

Chris
 
RJ, sounds like a good practice routine. My husband does just as you, he plays to relax. I get too upset when I miss to find it relaxing! :(

bruin70 and azbicyclis85376, that sounds like what I've been suspecting; thanks.

drivermaker, as usual you hit the nail on the head!! Astute and pithy to boot. :cool:

Phyllis: WOW, seven kids! How are you sane? Two is about all I can handle! I can definitely relate to the kid tangling himself around your leg when you're trying to shoot. Ugh!!

Chris, that's a good point about the table having tight pockets; my table is double-shimmed (two balls won't go in simultaneously), so it's pretty unforgiving. I should be able to find a way to get out and play others once a month.

Thanks for the input from everyone so far. It seems the consensus here is that one really needs the competition of playing others, so I will find a way to do that, somehow.

Thanks again! :)
 
Thanks, WW, I will give those things a try. It sounds very interesting! And when we recover the table perhaps we will make the pockets even tighter. (An added bonus is that it will probably discourage the kids from ever wanting to play! LOL)

Good luck to you also. :)
 
Practicing alone is how I get better at specific shots because I can practice *only* those shots again and again, whereas the shot may only come up once or twice during and evening of play.

Playing other people is when the things I need to work on in my game are exposed. I also find additional shots from time to time which I need to add to my practice routine. And I can try out the shots I have been practicing.

For example I recently added 2 rail kick shots to my practice. I play 9-ball 2 rail kick shots only by myself and every shot must be a 2 rail kick shot. I've been practicing this quite a bit. So last night I played 9-ball with my friend and a couple of 2 rail kick shots were needed. I hit my ball each time! (Thanks again to everyone here for the aiming suggestions!) Three weeks ago, there is no way I would have come anywhere near the ball let alone hit it.

Then playing in tournaments with the best players teaches me to never miss a shot and to think about each and every shot. But I sit around most of the night not playing. I would like to play tournaments every night, but then I'm not practicing or playing much. I guess I need to find a balance between tournaments, playing with friends, and practice alone.

FYI, there is too much stuff to practice all in one day, so I have a daily schedule (below). The drills I use are whatever I have found in various books, drills/games I made up myself. (Games where you only shoot shots of a specific type like 2 rail kick shot 9-ball.), and all the shots I have frequently missed in the past. i.e. The most difficult shots, and the most frustrating shots. (After I practice some these for a few months, they are no longer frustrating, but fun!) My practice list...

Monday - Long Shots
Tuesday - Position
Wednesday - Bank, Kick & Jump Shots
Thursday - Carom, Cluster, Combo Shots, & Scratch Shots
Friday - Cut shots
Saturday - Straight & Masse' shots
Sunday - Frozen balls & Break Shots
 
Practice is great, competition is better. Both are best. When playing with your husband, up the ante. Play for something you'd enjoy winning and feel bad about losing. Use your imagination! It'll make him play better, too. Join a league and have a night out every week...pick one with a good handicap system so you're challenged every week. Challenge yourself when practicing. What are your goals? Are you going back on tour? Enjoy...
rayjay :cool:
 
runmout said:
Thanks, WW, I will give those things a try. It sounds very interesting! And when we recover the table perhaps we will make the pockets even tighter. (An added bonus is that it will probably discourage the kids from ever wanting to play! LOL)

Good luck to you also. :)
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If you are planning to play against the women pro's again I wouldn't make the pockets tighter. It is better to practice similar to what you will be playing. I wouldn't get into right brain/left brain mumbo jumbo either. If it is possible I would get things to work on from a professional or a professional instructor, if this isnt possible then figure out your weaknesses and explain them on here and get information on how to practice to overcome them.

Wayne
 
Practice alone is it sufficient

runmout said:
I know that practicing alone doing drills for shotmaking and position is excellent practice and very important, but is that enough? I have two small children at home and a busy husband, so I can't get out and play small tournaments (like on weeknights or weekends), or play other people unless it's my husband or someone comes over. So I'm wondering if just practicing alone, no matter how diligently or devotedly, is enough to truly excel by itself. In particular, is it enough to prepare for competition in bigger tournaments, such as regional women's events like the NWPA? I tend to think that one also needs experience handling the pressure of competition and other nuances of tournament play before actually playing in the important tournaments. Thanks to all for any insight!! :)
Click to expand...

I really appreciate someone at your level of play, being willing to ask questions and share with us in this forum.

I also am pleased with the priority that you put on your family :-)

I have took off league play for the summer months. I still practice alone, but find it hard to stay focused and challenged.

Sometimes I will practice 9-ball, and will not allow myself a missed shot or bad position. I will reset up the same shot until I make it, and get good position for the next shot. So ultimately I run the rack, it just takes repeating some shots over and over. :-)

I find I need other players to challenge me and make me better.

My wife plays (rarely), which I enjoy, but it is not the challenge I need.

So once a month I do a Saturday local tournament just to help my game and challenge me. I like playing the best players, even if they beat me, I find I play better being beat by a good player, than beating a less skilled player than myself. It also helps me gage if I'm improving or not.

I will start league play once a week this fall. That usually helps my game too.
But again I want to play a player at my level or better.

Thanks again for your question and input.

Jim "preacherman"
www.christianpoolplayers.com
 
Call Steve Lingelbach at the Oregon Billiard Academy 503-674-8300 he will answer your questions honestly.
 
rayjay said:
What are your goals? Are you going back on tour? Enjoy...
rayjay :cool:
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Thanks, rayjay. I am planning on going back on tour - if I can qualify, that is! It's a lot tougher than it was before. Plus I don't know how much time I'll be able to devote to practicing for (or playing in) pro tournaments right now with my children so small. I'm writing a column on AZB about my efforts to return to the pro tour, if you're interested in more about this. :D
 
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