Limited Table Time.

Pryme

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am in a situation where I am not able to get as much time as I would like to practice due to a few reasons. When I do get time to practice, I always start out with stroke drills, pocketing and basic position drills. If i have some time left, ill play a few games with fellow players at the pool hall.

My question to the exp players on here, how should I plan out my practice sessions given my limited time, what and how much time should I spend on each aspect?

When I am away from the table, is there anything I can do to work on my game? mental prep maybe?

I have been playing/learning the game for about 8 months on and off, I have a strong desire to improve and go as far as I can.

Any suggestions regarding this issue would be great. 90% of what I have learned is on this website from awesome members, so thanks again to all who put forth.

peace.
 
I have the exact same problem as you due to not having a home table. when i practice i like to start with just basic spot shots with emphasis on my stroke. i'll do this for at least 4 or 5 racks. then i'll bank balls ( my biggest weakness ) at least 10 or 12 racks. same for kicks. then i'll break the balls and play every ball with a carom shot. usually do this 3 or 3 racks. then i practice my 9 ball break. after every break i MUST get safe or i lose. usually do this until I'm sick of racking lol (20+ racks). After this i usually look for some one to play or i'll challenge my oldest rival, THE GHOST. Also, anytime i play and its not for money or league or a tourney i consider it practice... i could have an easy out and i will play a difficult safe... or i could have an easy shot and i'll bank it. I'm still trying to win, just "practicing" for a more difficult set of circumstances.
 
When I'm away from the table i'll read pool books and watch a lot of instructional videos. also old "pro" matches. Youtube is awesome !!! I don't do the whole mental imagery thing, just not my thing. In my opinion you should never stop learning, when u do stop is when you'll stop progressing.
 
one suggestion: practice like you are gambling. when you are making a run of balls don't try a more difficut shot when you are in the process of completing a run whether it's against someone or if you are just practicing running out.

if you want to practice difficult shots then by all means practice more difficult shots but not when you are trying to runnout.

i personnally have some problems with running frozen balls past the side pocket so that is one of my drills. i practice the shot while trying to get shape at different areas of the table. i also practice this shot while not trying to get any position play.

good luck.
 
I am in a situation where I am not able to get as much time as I would like to practice due to a few reasons. When I do get time to practice, I always start out with stroke drills, pocketing and basic position drills. If i have some time left, ill play a few games with fellow players at the pool hall.

My question to the exp players on here, how should I plan out my practice sessions given my limited time, what and how much time should I spend on each aspect?

When I am away from the table, is there anything I can do to work on my game? mental prep maybe?

I have been playing/learning the game for about 8 months on and off, I have a strong desire to improve and go as far as I can.

Any suggestions regarding this issue would be great. 90% of what I have learned is on this website from awesome members, so thanks again to all who put forth.

peace.

Practice breaking, banking and kicking. Advice from no less a player than Mike Sigel
 
I am in a situation where I am not able to get as much time as I would like to practice due to a few reasons. When I do get time to practice, I always start out with stroke drills, pocketing and basic position drills. If i have some time left, ill play a few games with fellow players at the pool hall.

My question to the exp players on here, how should I plan out my practice sessions given my limited time, what and how much time should I spend on each aspect?

When I am away from the table, is there anything I can do to work on my game? mental prep maybe?

I have been playing/learning the game for about 8 months on and off, I have a strong desire to improve and go as far as I can.

Any suggestions regarding this issue would be great. 90% of what I have learned is on this website from awesome members, so thanks again to all who put forth.

peace.

What ever you practice, make a video that you can review later.

When you get stuck with a question. you can always post it here and get ridiculed oops I mean analyzed :)
 
Interesting, I guess many are in the same boat.

I actually got some playing time today, about 6 hours. Like Ferrell I usually practice different aspects.

I would like to add, I went to the library today to print the billiards university exam to see where I'd rank, and use those drills as practice. I ended up finding some great books on pool, I never knew I could learn so much from a book about pool.

I ended up reading max eberles Zen Pool right before I went to the pool hall, almost read the whole book sitting there, hands down the best decision I made. Mentally I was so clear, he explains things in words that just work perfectly with how I perceive it. We all learn differently, and I feel like I grew just a bit as a player, which was encouraging. Majority of my table time today was spent on my stroke, stance, psr and rhythm/eye patterns, tried to spend quality time rather than just hit balls or play random people. While working on all that, I tried to implement mental aspects max talks about and it worked great.

Ended up getting a few more books, was surprise to see the books they had. Ill make a separate thread for my reviews and what I feel about the books.

All in all, learned a great deal, when you have limited time, you really have to grind it out and put in some work. Love this game.
 
Interesting, I guess many are in the same boat.

I actually got some playing time today, about 6 hours. Like Ferrell I usually practice different aspects.

I would like to add, I went to the library today to print the billiards university exam to see where I'd rank, and use those drills as practice. I ended up finding some great books on pool, I never knew I could learn so much from a book about pool.

I ended up reading max eberles Zen Pool right before I went to the pool hall, almost read the whole book sitting there, hands down the best decision I made. Mentally I was so clear, he explains things in words that just work perfectly with how I perceive it. We all learn differently, and I feel like I grew just a bit as a player, which was encouraging. Majority of my table time today was spent on my stroke, stance, psr and rhythm/eye patterns, tried to spend quality time rather than just hit balls or play random people. While working on all that, I tried to implement mental aspects max talks about and it worked great.

Ended up getting a few more books, was surprise to see the books they had. Ill make a separate thread for my reviews and what I feel about the books.

All in all, learned a great deal, when you have limited time, you really have to grind it out and put in some work. Love this game.


There are some real gems in public libraries. I was able to get Playing off the Rail through my local library. They didn't have it at my branch but they had it brought over in a few days from another one. Cool stuff. I am just now starting to read it.
 
Gamble some. you will quickly learn what your weak points are and where u need improvement. then use whatever system book or coach you choose. Repeat till you get good. Welcome aboard brother, good roles only to ya!
 
There are some real gems in public libraries. I was able to get Playing off the Rail through my local library. They didn't have it at my branch but they had it brought over in a few days from another one. Cool stuff. I am just now starting to read it.


No doubt. I checked out about 6books, all instructional except Running the Table by Jo Wertheim, its about Kid Delicious and his life as a pool hustler, amazing read so far.

Right now I am reading Precision Pool by Gerry Kanov and Shari Stauch, very nice book. Being expose to many text book principles regarding all aspects of the game.
 
No doubt. I checked out about 6books, all instructional except Running the Table by Jo Wertheim, its about Kid Delicious and his life as a pool hustler, amazing read so far.

Right now I am reading Precision Pool by Gerry Kanov and Shari Stauch, very nice book. Being expose to many text book principles regarding all aspects of the game.
 
sorry about the double posts, i was trying to multi quote and cant figure out how to delete a post. noob move.
 
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