Let your speed level out

Willowbrook Wolfy

Willowbrook Wolfy

Going pro
I’ve been practicing a lot lately but it’s not translating to my games and I’ve come to a realization. I’m not that good.


Haha. No actually I’m a lot better. This happens every time I put some time in. Seems like you have to give your better shot time to catch up. I have been shooting better for sure. But now it’s not a few inches screwing me up it’s usually less than an inch, sometimes mms. I keep trying to play tighter shape than I was on balls and it’s causing me to lose more often because the CB keeps ending up in bad spots. Or just slightly out of that tight window causing me to play it the opposite way than planned. Personally. I’ve never had to throw so many balls in before. It’s fun though. Looking at my recent games. I’ve been going for a 1 inch window now. When it regulates I’ll probably be aiming to around a 2 inch window. Could be as easy as playing shape a little farther away. I don’t know but can’t wait to get adjusted a bit, see the results of the practice, And be winning again. That seems about right.

Seriously. If you have been putting in the time. You are better. Just give it a little time. Especially if you really took a jump up. When the plateau is over. You have to figure out your new limits and learn how to plan again. Then you’ll level out to that higher spot. At least in my opinion.
 
Last edited:
UP THUMB w/HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER

Perfect landings are at the steepest part of the curve. You can make it a project to identify the zones (soft med hard) between millimeters :eek: (order a couple Southwest cues while you're at it) or spend the time developing psychokinesis.
I think though, if you work it enough and strategic sense prevailing, you may acquire a couple more notches up that curve.
 
This is more fun to do when taking a complete beginner and introducing them to the game.

Everyone responds differently to training. Most people walk out on a free class.

Even worse is when they pay and walk out.

Having a realization during pool is a positive, keep having them.

The best realizations were on a pool table. If you want the position I was in, well that is a secret.
 
straightline said:
UP THUMB w/HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER

Perfect landings are at the steepest part of the curve. You can make it a project to identify the zones (soft med hard) between millimeters :eek: (order a couple Southwest cues while you're at it) or spend the time developing psychokinesis.
I think though, if you work it enough and strategic sense prevailing, you may acquire a couple more notches up that curve.
Click to expand...
Yeah all I’m getting at is it seems easier to go up in steps rather than on a curve. If you keep trying to get better it doesn’t mean you are going to be a better player in the end. Someone who has all the tools in their head to play better isn’t always the better player. A better player will probably focus on what they can do on the table physically and maximize the output rather than trying to do even better each time out. Then go up a step at a time.

As I mentioned. They know their limitations and play within them. A good example of this is in 8 ball when a player has the option to leave the 8 ball long or go a couple rails for better shape. We’ve all been here. A lot of players will go for the better shape when in reality, they can only hit that shot 50% of the time based on the layout and can hit the longshot 80% of the time. That is a good example of them attempting to get better while playing or be better than they are, rather than getting better to where that shot is at least 60-70% or closer to long shot % before utilizing it. The same player taking the 80% shot didn’t magically get any better at shooting balls but wins more often.
 
Last edited:
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
Yeah all I’m getting at is it seems easier to go up in steps rather than on a curve. If you keep trying to get better it doesn’t mean you are going to be a better player in the end. Someone who has all the tools in their head to play better isn’t always the better player. A better player will probably focus on what they can do on the table physically and maximize the output rather than trying to do even better each time out. Then go up a step at a time.

As I mentioned. They know their limitations and play within them. A good example of this is in 8 ball when a player has the option to leave the 8 ball long or go a couple rails for better shape. We’ve all been here. A lot of players will go for the better shape when in reality, they can only hit that shot 50% of the time based on the layout and can hit the longshot 80% of the time. That is a good example of them attempting to get better while playing or be better than they are, rather than getting better to where that shot is at least 60-70% or closer to long shot % before utilizing it. The same player taking the 80% shot didn’t magically get any better at shooting balls but wins more often.
Click to expand...
Agree. The the smarts factor or more specifically the goal of winning/threat of losing, unfortunately is also the prime hindrance to the "magic". Being cognizant of the risks as you shoot prevents most from applying their whole being; why the drug crazed often attain God mode. I think if it can be done it can be done consistently and on the natch. Waiting of course for the breed that can manage it lol...
 
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
I am totally using that one the next time I hit my gear against some gambling buddies…. It’s weird though. Am I the only one that can just be sitting there even in between a match and just be like I just hit my fucking gear. And then really be in it when I hit the table? It’s like that switch just flips in your brain.
Click to expand...
It's like a lifting of the fog, the clouds part, the angels sing... For me it's like being imbued with good fortune. Dead outs, no bad rolls, I don't play enough for it to be a thing.
 
I've decided I don't need to get better, I need to be less bad, at least at the current stage of my game. It's rarely the shots I can't make or the position I can't play the costs me games. It's bad decisions and careless errors that do me in. In 10 shots, I'll hit one really well, 4 quite satisfactory, 3 tolerably, and 2 real stinkers. If I could stop making those bottom 2 shots, I'd lose half as many games.
 
tomatoshooter said:
I've decided I don't need to get better, I need to be less bad, at least at the current stage of my game. It's rarely the shots I can't make or the position I can't play the costs me games. It's bad decisions and careless errors that do me in. In 10 shots, I'll hit one really well, 4 quite satisfactory, 3 tolerably, and 2 real stinkers. If I could stop making those bottom 2 shots, I'd lose half as many games.
Click to expand...

Sounds like my golf game!
 
tomatoshooter said:
I've decided I don't need to get better, I need to be less bad, at least at the current stage of my game. It's rarely the shots I can't make or the position I can't play the costs me games. It's bad decisions and careless errors that do me in. In 10 shots, I'll hit one really well, 4 quite satisfactory, 3 tolerably, and 2 real stinkers. If I could stop making those bottom 2 shots, I'd lose half as many games.
Click to expand...
I'm in this camp, but in my portion of the food chain the 1 or if I'm lucking 2 mistakes cost me the set. Really frustrating on tournament days
 
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
I’ve been practicing a lot lately but it’s not translating to my games and I’ve come to a realization. I’m not that good.


Haha. No actually I’m a lot better. This happens every time I put some time in. Seems like you have to give your better shot time to catch up. I have been shooting better for sure. But now it’s not a few inches screwing me up it’s usually less than an inch, sometimes mms. I keep trying to play tighter shape than I was on balls and it’s causing me to lose more often because the CB keeps ending up in bad spots. Or just slightly out of that tight window causing me to play it the opposite way than planned. Personally. I’ve never had to throw so many balls in before. It’s fun though. Looking at my recent games. I’ve been going for a 1 inch window now. When it regulates I’ll probably be aiming to around a 2 inch window. Could be as easy as playing shape a little farther away. I don’t know but can’t wait to get adjusted a bit, see the results of the practice, And be winning again. That seems about right.

Seriously. If you have been putting in the time. You are better. Just give it a little time. Especially if you really took a jump up. When the plateau is over. You have to figure out your new limits and learn how to plan again. Then you’ll level out to that higher spot. At least in my opinion.
Click to expand...
A 1" window along the line of the shot (great!) or crossing the shot line (wrong)?
 
BilliardsAbout said:
A 1" window along the line of the shot (great!) or crossing the shot line (wrong)?
Click to expand...
Along the line of the shot is the easy one. Crossing the shot line is one problem because I’ve been playing too close to the OB leaving less room for error. So I tend to fall a bit short on those then I’m stuck throwing it in or playing the CB the opposite direction I had planned to. And that causes extra misses to happen. Or can mess up shape on the next ball which could be considered a miss also

My main problem lately has been playing too tight windows in between balls in close quarters. I’ve been trying to take the shortest route possible for the best shot instead of the path of least resistance and keep hooking myself because of it. Like damn if I would’ve just went another 1/2”…Or the CB will contact one of the balls and it will block the next shot. On that one. If I would’ve just played 1/2” over. Those are the windows I was referring to.
 
Last edited:
Aligning the CB line post shot with the line for the next shot, takes huge mathematical skills or a fast system.

Few players study the scratch on the challenging shots, top pros scratch see the shot, make the shot, but never study the scratch.

Players are forced to play offensive if they cant find a way to donate the table.
 
If you are consistently needing to land in a 1 inch window you're doing something really wrong. With the exception of the stop shot and the stun run through, it should be about approaching the zone properly. Landing your cue ball on a literal dime is difficult for pros to accomplish regularly, which is why they avoid having to do it.
 
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
I’ve been practicing a lot lately but it’s not translating to my games and I’ve come to a realization. I’m not that good.


Haha. No actually I’m a lot better. This happens every time I put some time in. Seems like you have to give your better shot time to catch up. I have been shooting better for sure. But now it’s not a few inches screwing me up it’s usually less than an inch, sometimes mms. I keep trying to play tighter shape than I was on balls and it’s causing me to lose more often because the CB keeps ending up in bad spots. Or just slightly out of that tight window causing me to play it the opposite way than planned. Personally. I’ve never had to throw so many balls in before. It’s fun though. Looking at my recent games. I’ve been going for a 1 inch window now. When it regulates I’ll probably be aiming to around a 2 inch window. Could be as easy as playing shape a little farther away. I don’t know but can’t wait to get adjusted a bit, see the results of the practice, And be winning again. That seems about right.

Seriously. If you have been putting in the time. You are better. Just give it a little time. Especially if you really took a jump up. When the plateau is over. You have to figure out your new limits and learn how to plan again. Then you’ll level out to that higher spot. At least in my opinion.
Click to expand...
The real question is can you play when it counts as well (or in the case of some players even better) as you play when you are putting in the practice time, with no pressure.
 
BasementDweller said:
If you are consistently needing to land in a 1 inch window you're doing something really wrong. With the exception of the stop shot and the stun run through, it should be about approaching the zone properly. Landing your cue ball on a literal dime is difficult for pros to accomplish regularly, which is why they avoid having to do it.
Click to expand...
Yes it is difficult. But I’m moreso addressing 8 ball with those 1” windows. Where the CB is only moving 2-3 feet. Well I guess any shot without a lot of CB movement. I’m not talking 3 rails into a 1” window. That’s a crazy hard shot.

I’ve been working hard on CB control lately. Just playing shorter routes with more control feels like a whole different game.
 
Willowbrook Wolfy said:
Yes it is difficult. But I’m moreso addressing 8 ball with those 1” windows. Where the CB is only moving 2-3 feet. Well I guess any shot without a lot of CB movement. I’m not talking 3 rails into a 1” window. That’s a crazy hard shot.

I’ve been working hard on CB control lately. Just playing shorter routes with more control feels like a whole different game.
Click to expand...
Let us know how that works out. :) I find patterns like that are more reliable when the Qball doesn't travel much and only in big clusters and low stakes - real cheap one hole and 14/1. Also super fast cloth is the most reliable for pinpoint landings if only because of the light easy stroke required. At least the lines are easier to nail.

One more thing that comes to mind is If those tiny windows are available, I'd refrain unless I have a nudge or bump landing available. Free landing on a dime for practice would take me 5 minutes of malice aforethought to get all the elements right and even that is hit or miss and probably latent magic :D
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top