Is practicing alone sufficient?

[sjm]

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.

I really doubt anyone has ever done a better job of balancing her responsibilities as a mother with her career as a professional pool player than Loree Jon Jones. Don't know if you count LJ as a friend, but if you do, I think you'd be smart to solicit her advice.

 

[Colin Colenso]

I have had quite good tournament results compared to most of similar abilities and I achieved this mostly by practicing alone.

The key is, play the balls, not the opponent, and practice as you play.

Most people get lazy in practice and hit the balls around with total ease. Then when they play, and have to stare at the balls twice as long they start missing.

They only play to their top form in competition when they are 3 games up on an out of form player.

You just need to be honest to yourself in practice. Play every shot with full concentration as if there's $100 riding on it. There are plenty of drills that can simulate and develop necessary match skills such as kicking and safeties. Play all of these drills imagining you are in the world championships final. In other words, pressure yourself to demand your best efforts on every shot.

Do this and you'll get much more value from your practice time and the transition to tournament play won't be so tough.

 

[Colin Colenso]

...another important point for you Runmout.

You mentioned you get angry when you miss.

Missing or playing weak shots should be thought of as a gift, an opportunity to discover and solve your weaknesses. Time wasted in anger, disappointment or complaint is an opportunity to learn lost.

Pay very close attention to your bad shots, even write them down. Think about what caused them, and practice them until you overcome your flaws.

Be honest with yourself. Bad shots are evidence of real flaws. Accept this and use it to learn and improve. If you get angry, be aware that your anger is your real enemy. Sit yourself down and think about what made you angry. You'll find it is just dissappointment caused by not accepting you true abilities.

If you can work to overcome anger, fear and doubt, you will be on the way to becoming a great player.

 

[Kerry Impson]

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

Well, I wasn't a great player or anything - although that is on my to-do list!! Back when I quit playing the tour was easier - Karen had yet to win an event, and Sarah and Kim were still in Great Britain. Not to mention that most of the pros in the "Ask the Pros" section weren't playing yet! Besides, I know there are many knowledgable posters who can provide good feedback, as well as posters who no doubt play way better than I do.

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

Yes, my family comes first. Actually, Mike thought the whole story of how I quit and am trying to get back into pool would make an interesting column, so check it out in the "Latest Columns" section on the Home page! (A little free advertising?)

 

[Kerry Impson]

You mentioned you get angry when you miss.

Actually, I was kind of kidding, although I try (as you suggested) to shoot every shot like it's the World Championship; therefore, when I miss, I take it rather hard. But I don't wallow in frustration - I set the shot back up and shoot it again and again until I feel comfortable with it. You're right, it's an opportunity to learn and I try to take it as such. But that is also why practice is not relaxing for me.

Thanks for your input, your advice is appreciated!!

 

[Kerry Impson]

I really doubt anyone has ever done a better job of balancing her responsibilities as a mother with her career as a professional pool player than Loree Jon Jones. Don't know if you count LJ as a friend, but if you do, I think you'd be smart to solicit her advice.

That's a good idea, sjm. We were never close but I will definitely seek her advice if I make it back on tour!!!

 

[drivermaker]

Yes, my family comes first. Actually, Mike thought the whole story of how I quit and am trying to get back into pool would make an interesting column, so check it out in the "Latest Columns" section on the Home page! (A little free advertising?)

I read your story....so, do you think you've gotten back to where you were before the kids; not gotten all the way back in certain areas; actually improved in a number of areas.

What areas have you gotten better or worse in...why?...how?

 

[Colin Colenso]

Actually, I was kind of kidding, although I try (as you suggested) to shoot every shot like it's the World Championship; therefore, when I miss, I take it rather hard. But I don't wallow in frustration - I set the shot back up and shoot it again and again until I feel comfortable with it. You're right, it's an opportunity to learn and I try to take it as such. But that is also why practice is not relaxing for me.

Thanks for your input, your advice is appreciated!!

I agree, practice, like competition is not relaaxing if done properly. I think it is hard mental work, but it is enjoyable to work hard, get results and see improvement.

Enjoyed your article and best wishes for coming successes

 

[preacherman]

I have had quite good tournament results compared to most of similar abilities and I achieved this mostly by practicing alone.

The key is, play the balls, not the opponent, and practice as you play.

Most people get lazy in practice and hit the balls around with total ease. Then when they play, and have to stare at the balls twice as long they start missing.

They only play to their top form in competition when they are 3 games up on an out of form player.

You just need to be honest to yourself in practice. Play every shot with full concentration as if there's $100 riding on it. There are plenty of drills that can simulate and develop necessary match skills such as kicking and safeties. Play all of these drills imagining you are in the world championships final. In other words, pressure yourself to demand your best efforts on every shot.

Do this and you'll get much more value from your practice time and the transition to tournament play won't be so tough.

Hi this is Jim (preacherman),
I sort of took off the summer from playing in leagues or local tournaments.
But I have been practicing throughout the summer. Today I went to a local tournament (APA), basically to see if my skills against another player had increased or decreased over the summer of practice only, result was I did the best I have done at this tournament!!!

So I guess I would say practice (even alone) does help!!!

Jim "preacherman"
www.christianpoolplayers.com

 

[Kerry Impson]

I read your story....so, do you think you've gotten back to where you were before the kids; not gotten all the way back in certain areas; actually improved in a number of areas.

What areas have you gotten better or worse in...why?...how?

I think my shotmaking and preshot routine have improved; my "tournament toughness" (ability to handle pressure situations) and my confidence have drastically diminished; and my concentration is better in some ways but worse in others. Since I've been practicing a lot of drills and working on my rhthym and stroke, those areas are getting stronger, but the inability to practice tournament situations has made it difficult to fade certain things, like really slow players or adjusting to brand-new cloth - little things can sometimes throw my game off, and that affects my confidence (which also suffers because I'm just not playing as much as I used to). As for the concentration, there's simply nothing like the ability to block out kids running around the table, screaming and crashing into you, to take your concentration to another level! At the same time, though (another result of practicing mostly alone), I occasionally get very self-conscious in tournament situations, especially if I'm playing poorly, and my concentration falters a bit at those times. But hey, what would this game be without challenges??!! Anyway, I'll definitely be working on all these things and relating my successes or failures in future installments. Hopefully my agony will be entertaining to read.......LOL!

 

[bill190]

...As for the concentration, there's simply nothing like the ability to block out kids running around the table, screaming and crashing into you, to take your concentration to another level!...

How about a 2 year old grabbing the balls off the table and throwing them on the floor, then running over to the cue rack and grabbing your best cue (you quickly run over and grab it before he can throw THAT on the floor), then he returns to the table and starts replacing pocketed balls on the table as soon as they are pocketed, etc.

This little monster visiting was like a "cyclone" hitting my house, but he has the cutest smile and mischievous giggle, so all you can do is smile back. (He is able to pocket balls using the mechanical bridge while standing on a crate - might as well start 'em off early...)

 

[Kerry Impson]

Today I went to a local tournament (APA), basically to see if my skills against another player had increased or decreased over the summer of practice only, result was I did the best I have done at this tournament!!!

That's awesome!

Based on the responses to this thread it sounds like maybe the best overall approach is lots of solitary practice to hone fundamentals sprinkled with relatively frequent bouts with others for assessment and competition. So that's what I will try to do!! Thanks to everyone for their input and ideas!!

 

[Kerry Impson]

How about a 2 year old grabbing the balls off the table and throwing them on the floor, then running over to the cue rack and grabbing your best cue (you quickly run over and grab it before he can throw THAT on the floor), then he returns to the table and starts replacing pocketed balls on the table as soon as they are pocketed, etc.

LOL!! That is too funny! That could be a funny thread: the funniest things your kids have done on, around or with your pool table (and accessories)!!

 

[wayne]

I think you are in grave error suggesting that someone ignore playing on tight pockets. On the tour, some tables are very tight and you are going to be at a BIG BIG disadvantage if you have practiced on a loose table at home.

Regards, WW

I have never heard of very tight tables on the women's tour. If this is true then it would benefit to practice on tight tables. What tournament stops have tight tables?????

My suggestion was to practice what you will be playing on. It is my understanding that most of the women's stops (maybe all) have something like 41/4-41/2" pockets.

I wouldn't practice on pockets tighter than this because my shot making may improve but at the sacrifice of other parts of the game.

On tight pockets you can not move the cueball around the same since you are having to hit everything to the center of the pocket. With looser pockets you can often aim to parts of the pocket and do many more things with the cueball, your position play and runout ability is much higher.

I would strongly suggest to anyone who wants to get the most benefit from their practice that they do it on a table similar to what they will be playing on if this is possible. It works for me.

Wayne

 

[sjm]

I have never heard of very tight tables on the women's tour. If this is true then it would benefit to practice on tight tables. What tournament stops have tight tables?????

My suggestion was to practice what you will be playing on. It is my understanding that most of the women's stops (maybe all) have something like 41/4-41/2" pockets.

I would strongly suggest to anyone who wants to get the most benefit from their practice that they do it on a table similar to what they will be playing on if this is possible. It works for me.

Wayne

Peg Ledman, who, along with her many other roles, oversees the equipment setup for WPBA events, has told me that the pocket size on the women's pro tour is 4 1/2". In actuality, the tables play a little looser than the 4 1/2 measurment would suggest because the rails tend to be very slidy.

Wayne, I was always on the same page as you as far as practicing on equipment that best mirrors the tables on which you will have to compete, and I still think the argument makes a lot of sense.

Nonetheless, in the early 1980's, I asked Irving Crane, whom I counted as a friend, his views on the subject, and he suggested that a top player should practice twice a week on very tight equipment, and the remainder of their practice should be on equipment approximating the conditions on which they expect to compete.

I've always deferred to Irving on this one, and have related to anyone I work with that a minimum of two days per week of tight pocket practice is necessary if they hope to reach the higher echelons of the game.

 

[LastTwo]

Actually, I was kind of kidding, although I try (as you suggested) to shoot every shot like it's the World Championship; therefore, when I miss, I take it rather hard. But I don't wallow in frustration - I set the shot back up and shoot it again and again until I feel comfortable with it. You're right, it's an opportunity to learn and I try to take it as such. But that is also why practice is not relaxing for me.

Thanks for your input, your advice is appreciated!!

When I practice, I pretend like I'm playing Efren Reyes. If I miss, I lose. If I do miss a shot, instead of getting frustrated, I just set the shot up and do it over and over. Alot of people have told me I have great focus when I practice, and that is usually because I really try to bear down on every shot. When I start to get tired and lazy, that's when I take a break for an hour. I go relax, read the paper, watch TV, and when I feel rested again I practice more. Practicing when you are too lazy to bear down on every shot can create bad habits, physically and mentally.

 

[wayne]

Peg Ledman, who, along with her many other roles, oversees the equipment setup for WPBA events, has told me that the pocket size on the women's pro tour is 4 1/2". In actuality, the tables play a little looser than the 4 1/2 measurment would suggest because the rails tend to be very slidy.

Wayne, I was always on the same page as you as far as practicing on equipment that best mirrors the tables on which you will have to compete, and I still think the argument makes a lot of sense.

Nonetheless, in the early 1980's, I asked Irving Crane, whom I counted as a friend, his views on the subject, and he suggested that a top player should practice twice a week on very tight equipment, and the remainder of their practice should be on equipment approximating the conditions on which they expect to compete.

I've always deferred to Irving on this one, and have related to anyone I work with that a minimum of two days per week of tight pocket practice is necessary if they hope to reach the higher echelons of the game.

What Irving said makes perfect sense to me. Most of the tables I compete on have very tight pockets which make concentration, focus and a smooth, confident stroke vital. If you are nailing the shots on the tight tables your shotmaking skills are bound to be better under any circumstances. Tight pockets serve many purposes. I have played on very tight snooker tables where even if you hit shot a hair off you got punished, so you better get used to hitting it perfect or having empty pockets. The downside to the tight pockets is you cannot use much English and you are more limited with what you can do with the cueball. If you are competing on tight pockets safety play and kicking become much more important and frequent. It is almost like a different game.

Most of the tables I play on are Gold Crowns with Simonis cloth. I played in a tournament recently where they had some cheap cloth and it was a disaster for me. I just could not adjust. If I practiced on it for a week I am sure I would have adjusted.

I played a couple of tournaments in Reno where they had the Diamond tables with new cloth. There are a few subtle differences to playing on these tables but I found a poolhall that had these exact tables with the new cloth. I got to practice on them before the tournaments and I won a lot of money as a result. I would have been missing certain shots like everyone else was if I hadn't sorted it out while practicing.

Wayne

 

[BAZARUS]

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!!

There is no doubt, that practicing alone is sufficient. By doing that you shoot many more shots than in competition. You will lern a lot from playing other players, but the most important thing is time that you spent at the table. Most of it you will make by practicing yourself. You can test your improvement on tour by setting a goals. This time I'll win a match, another time I'll get to top 32 etc, etc. Everyone has problems, that are keeping them from playing in tournaments. I practice at home by myself and once a month or every other month I play on tour with pros and everytime I set higher goals for myself. The progress is very slow, but it works.

 

[recoveryjones]

They say to play better players to get better and I agree to a point.I recently have been considered an A player and I find the competition good at that level (for me) and every bit a challenge.If I don't bear down in those matches, I'll probably lose.I've made up my mind to only play A players and higher as a means to improve.

I played this pro the other day and all I did was rack balls and get out of hooks.Although there is much to learn in watching , the bottom line for me is that I've got to come to the table and shoot.I've got many,many hours of videos of the greatest pool players in the world that I can watch and learn.

Having said that, I spend the most of my time in constructive practice doing drills, now practising banks,kicks, safties, runouts and other specialties.Although good competition is essentisal for growth,I think it's in this solo time(with me at the table) where I'll grow the most talent wise as a player.RJ

 

[Phylbert57]

How about a 2 year old grabbing the balls off the table and throwing them on the floor, then running over to the cue rack and grabbing your best cue (you quickly run over and grab it before he can throw THAT on the floor), then he returns to the table and starts replacing pocketed balls on the table as soon as they are pocketed, etc.

This little monster visiting was like a "cyclone" hitting my house, but he has the cutest smile and mischievous giggle, so all you can do is smile back. (He is able to pocket balls using the mechanical bridge while standing on a crate - might as well start 'em off early...)

My oldest son (now 19) started out early. He actually had his own cue before he was born. My brother-in-law, Steve, went and got a short, custom Meucci cue with "Little Gump" etched on it. My son started playing as soon as he could see over the table. When he learned a little about how to shoot, I let him use "his" cue. He plays really well now but his focus is baseball (he plays ball for his local Community College and for the American Legion.) If he knew the game a little better and had as much heart for it as he does for baseball, he could now be a champion. My other boys also play a little. For now they can't yet beat the Mom. I still have advantage there!

Phyllis Gumphrey