It seems like pros never have hard shots.

S

syphinhex

Registered
So,

As I watch pro matches, obviously there's some hard shots they make(some great ones actually) and this is in no way intended to try and slur professional player's ability to play, obviously they're pros for a reason. But it seems to me like 95% of their shots are like straight in, etc.

Would I be correct in assuming that being good at pool has less to do with the specific geometry of shots and more to do with control on English and strategy? Like, I hardly ever see a pro player make a bank shot--yet when I play myself and others have to attempt them a fair amount because we're less seasoned at leaving ourselves well, etc.

Which would be more important to try to master first to improve your game? Sorry if this is vague or makes no sense, I'm not exactly keen on 'pool lingo,' just a casual player who would like to get better.

Thanks,
 
syphinhex said:
So,

As I watch pro matches, obviously there's some hard shots they make(some great ones actually) and this is in no way intended to try and slur professional player's ability to play, obviously they're pros for a reason. But it seems to me like 95% of their shots are like straight in, etc.

Would I be correct in assuming that being good at pool has less to do with the specific geometry of shots and more to do with control on English and strategy? Like, I hardly ever see a pro player make a bank shot--yet when I play myself and others have to attempt them a fair amount because we're less seasoned at leaving ourselves well, etc.

Which would be more important to try to master first to improve your game? Sorry if this is vague or makes no sense, I'm not exactly keen on 'pool lingo,' just a casual player who would like to get better.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
Actually straight in is the worst spot to beunless last ball (on most shots). But its more about learning tangent line and where the cue ball goes than anything else.
 
If you miss the shot, it doesn't matter how good your position is, because you're not shooting again.
 
position is the key. Of course you need to be able to pocket balls. But position is the key to high runs and BNR's. Johnnyt

PS:Think at least 3 balls ahead.
 
I think the premise in the original post is right. Pros don't make many tough shots ---- because they don't have to. Good position play is the reason, of course.

It reminds me of how professional bowlers don't leave many interesting spares. They seemingly get at least nine or ten of the pins on the first shot. If you want to see players shooting interesting, difficult spares, you'd do better to watch the weaker players.

The saying that "the pros make it look easy" is true. In pool, good position play is the secret ingredient.
 
Get a few videos of Buddy Hall. IMO, he was the greatest of his time controlling the cue ball. Strangely enough, he was considered the best 9 baller of his time, and some say of all time. While some might not make the connection, to me it is obvious why he was so dominate.

IMO, todays players ARE better shot makers, but the key is, Buddy stayed in line so he didn't have to come with great shots (or as many), he understood that cue ball control is the key to success.

Ken
 
they have the advantage of getting the best chalk and tips, and of course a shaft that doesnt squirt. how else could they play so well.
 
The key is position. In addition to great position, the pros will opt for a safety rather than take on a difficult shot unless no safety is available.
 
Watch more Pro matches. They make more tough shots than you think as well as banks. Go at up their shots on a 9 or 10 foot Diamond then tell us how easy they are. The pros do seem to leave themselves on the correct side of the ob an incredibly high percentage of the time, their speed control is off the charts and they make neon difficulty shots look effortless.

Aside from incredible cb control, what impresses me about the pros is how consistently they make 1/4 ball hits, how they can make extreme English shots when they have to and how they maintain their focus over am extended period of time.
 
Ken_4fun said:
Get a few videos of Buddy Hall. IMO, he was the greatest of his time controlling the cue ball. Strangely enough, he was considered the best 9 baller of his time, and some say of all time. While some might not make the connection, to me it is obvious why he was so dominate.

IMO, todays players ARE better shot makers, but the key is, Buddy stayed in line so he didn't have to come with great shots (or as many), he understood that cue ball control is the key to success.

Ken
Click to expand...

The pro's are experts at problem solving. I tend to wait way to long before i break up a cluster or solve other problems, the pro players attack the problems right away, this is especially true in straight pool.
 
The game is upset, too bad it can't talk........or can it?

This is because the "one foul" rules have diluted the game down to "Pool Lite"....if we played 'Two Shot Shoot Out" like the game was intended to be played you would see many, many, many more tough, challenging shots.....and the game would suddenly become super entertaining again, and again, and again, and again.......did I say how much more exciting it would be? .....oh, yeah, I digress......point made. ;)

The rules, and some of the equipment has made pool into "advanced marbles". The game is upset, too bad it can't talk........or can it? :eek: 'The GAME is the Teacher'


syphinhex said:
So,

As I watch pro matches, obviously there's some hard shots they make(some great ones actually) and this is in no way intended to try and slur professional player's ability to play, obviously they're pros for a reason. But it seems to me like 95% of their shots are like straight in, etc.

Would I be correct in assuming that being good at pool has less to do with the specific geometry of shots and more to do with control on English and strategy? Like, I hardly ever see a pro player make a bank shot--yet when I play myself and others have to attempt them a fair amount because we're less seasoned at leaving ourselves well, etc.

Which would be more important to try to master first to improve your game? Sorry if this is vague or makes no sense, I'm not exactly keen on 'pool lingo,' just a casual player who would like to get better.

Thanks,
Click to expand...
 
nobcitypool said:
Watch more Pro matches. They make more tough shots than you think as well as banks. Go at up their shots on a 9 or 10 foot Diamond then tell us how easy they are. The pros do seem to leave themselves on the correct side of the ob an incredibly high percentage of the time, their speed control is off the charts and they make neon difficulty shots look effortless.

Aside from incredible cb control, what impresses me about the pros is how consistently they make 1/4 ball hits, how they can make extreme English shots when they have to and how they maintain their focus over am extended period of time.
Click to expand...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVDrZK6VpuU
 
syphinhex said:
So,

As I watch pro matches, obviously there's some hard shots they make(some great ones actually) and this is in no way intended to try and slur professional player's ability to play, obviously they're pros for a reason. But it seems to me like 95% of their shots are like straight in, etc.

Would I be correct in assuming that being good at pool has less to do with the specific geometry of shots and more to do with control on English and strategy? Like, I hardly ever see a pro player make a bank shot--yet when I play myself and others have to attempt them a fair amount because we're less seasoned at leaving ourselves well, etc.

Which would be more important to try to master first to improve your game? Sorry if this is vague or makes no sense, I'm not exactly keen on 'pool lingo,' just a casual player who would like to get better.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

The reason for this is because of their control of the cue ball, the most difficult aspect of pool. First you must learn how to make balls. This can take a year or two or more, depending on how hard you work at it. Second you must learn to control the cue ball. This can take many years to master....or never!
 
CJ Wiley said:
This is because the "one foul" rules have diluted the game down to "Pool Lite"....if we played 'Two Shot Shoot Out" like the game was intended to be played you would see many, many, many more tough, challenging shots.....and the game would suddenly become super entertaining again, and again, and again, and again.......did I say how much more exciting it would be? .....oh, yeah, I digress......point made. ;)

The rules, and some of the equipment has made pool into "advanced marbles". The game is upset, too bad it can't talk........or can it? :eek: 'The GAME is the Teacher'
Click to expand...

I agree that 9-ball and maybe even 10 ball should go back to two shot shoot out. TV don't put pool on anyhow...unless you pay them to. Johnnyt
 
I think it has to be both, making shot and controlling the cue ball. You can not live one with out the other.

For example,
If you made a shot and have no position for the next shot, then you are fuked. And in opposite, you bring the cue ball where you wanted it to be for the next shot but you but missed your current shot, then you be fuked too.

I think this is just like a concept of nature vs. nurture.
 
You can Push Out/Roll out/Shoot out,(same) not just after the break, after any shot.

It's when you can "shoot out/push out" not just after the break, after any shot.

This sets up numerous tough shots, while "one foul" is mostly a run out/safety/kicking game.


Sedog said:
Two shot shoot out? Sorry, what is it?
Click to expand...
 
syphinhex said:
So,

As I watch pro matches, obviously there's some hard shots they make(some great ones actually) and this is in no way intended to try and slur professional player's ability to play, obviously they're pros for a reason. But it seems to me like 95% of their shots are like straight in, etc.

Would I be correct in assuming that being good at pool has less to do with the specific geometry of shots and more to do with control on English and strategy? Like, I hardly ever see a pro player make a bank shot--yet when I play myself and others have to attempt them a fair amount because we're less seasoned at leaving ourselves well, etc.

Which would be more important to try to master first to improve your game? Sorry if this is vague or makes no sense, I'm not exactly keen on 'pool lingo,' just a casual player who would like to get better.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Make no mistake about it: pros also are the best shot makers. Their definition of "simple shot" is different than amateur recreation players.

However, I think you haven't seen enough professional matches. Players are making difficult shots all the time.
 
Cue ball control is one thing, having the ability to play in speed is the key.
When you can choose your patterns to keep the cue ball moving around within the same realm of speed you are a player,,,a real player.

No one can do it all the time , that is key to high runs and many outs in rotation games.

Play poor,weak or off pattens, you will be striking the cue ball at many different speeds, spins, etc.
When you can play in speed you are a player.
 
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