Most Effective Way of Practicing?
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PoolBum said:
The best payer in my town once told me that the guy who wins is the guy who's spent the most time at the table. Hit balls, hit balls, hit balls. In saying that, I'm assuming your fundamentals - bridge, stance and stroke are correct. If not, then read books or get a proper mentor. Don't learn off the guys in the bar...
I'm Canadian, so I'll use Wayne Gretzky as an example. Wayne is the greatest hockey player that ever lived. Lots of people say Gordie Howe or others, but Wayne shattered all their records. Why? Because he loved the game more than anyone else. To be the best at anything takes practice. Unless you absolutely love what you do, practise equates to work, and let's face it, people avoid work. Love what you do and you'll be the best. Sounds easy, but 99% of the world, if cornered, will admit that they are not doing what they love to do...Hey, I'm one of 'em...
Top Spin said:The best payer in my town once told me that the guy who wins is the guy who's spent the most time at the table. Hit balls, hit balls, hit balls. In saying that, I'm assuming your fundamentals - bridge, stance and stroke are correct. If not, then read books or get a proper mentor. Don't learn off the guys in the bar...
I'm Canadian, so I'll use Wayne Gretzky as an example. Wayne is the greatest hockey player that ever lived. Lots of people say Gordie Howe or others, but Wayne shattered all their records. Why? Because he loved the game more than anyone else. To be the best at anything takes practice. Unless you absolutely love what you do, practise equates to work, and let's face it, people avoid work. Love what you do and you'll be the best. Sounds easy, but 99% of the world, if cornered, will admit that they are not doing what they love to do...Hey, I'm one of 'em...
When talking about Wayne Gretzky, I think there is also a massive amount of talent included. In his teens, Wayne was playing in teams with older boys and he was always the shortest and smallest of them. But, what he lacked in age and size, he made it up in talent and skills. Can you imagine the other guys who were older, bigger and more muscular and then comes this little kid who can outplay them all and score with ease ?
I've seen many natural talents in pool and being a non-talented player, I always had to work hard on my stance and stroke etc. I practised a lot during my teens, but I was enjoying myself. Nowadays practising 10-12 a day ? No thanks... don't have the passion to practise long hours anymore.. because I'm already perfect... cough...
I would offer three pieces of advice:
1. Practice like it means something. Don't hit balls just to hit balls. Have a plan to work on something (hard cuts, long rail shots, learning to pattern your outs, etc...).
2. Practice only as long as it's still positive. If you're tired after 1 hour, quit for the day and come back tomorrow. If you can go 4 hours, then great. My point is that I've seen people hit balls for hours with no real benefit because they were tired and had lost their focus. Practicing hard for 1 hour is better than practicing half-assed for 2.
3. Watch/play better players. Learn how they pattern outs. Look for safeties they play that you hadn't thought of. Absorb everything you can, then get back to the table and hit more balls.
Hope this helps a little. Good Luck
1. Practice like it means something. Don't hit balls just to hit balls. Have a plan to work on something (hard cuts, long rail shots, learning to pattern your outs, etc...).
2. Practice only as long as it's still positive. If you're tired after 1 hour, quit for the day and come back tomorrow. If you can go 4 hours, then great. My point is that I've seen people hit balls for hours with no real benefit because they were tired and had lost their focus. Practicing hard for 1 hour is better than practicing half-assed for 2.
3. Watch/play better players. Learn how they pattern outs. Look for safeties they play that you hadn't thought of. Absorb everything you can, then get back to the table and hit more balls.
Hope this helps a little. Good Luck
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My practice time is very limited so I have to make the most of what I have. Large majority of my practice time is spent on two things.
1. I practice Loonngg straight in's. I start with slightly shorter and work my way to corner to opposite corner.
2. I make a mental note of shots I miss in matches and play that shot until I can make it on purpose.
Doesn't this sound like a good plan considering time limitations?
1. I practice Loonngg straight in's. I start with slightly shorter and work my way to corner to opposite corner.
2. I make a mental note of shots I miss in matches and play that shot until I can make it on purpose.
Doesn't this sound like a good plan considering time limitations?
If your fundamentals aren't in good working order, take lessons. If they are, to ensure you have a complete skill set for nine-ball, your practice should consist of all of the following.
pocketing practice
position play practice
speed control practice
safety play practice
one rail, two rail, and three rail kicking practice
practicing the break
Pocketing practice should include long straight shots, long and short routine cuts, long and short thin cuts, and bank shots.
Position play practice should include drills, but make sure that some of your practice drills involve inside english shots.
On the importance of speed control drills, Parica once told me he felt not nearly enough players practice their speed control. Practice some shots that require very precise cue ball speed, and others that require very precise object ball placement. Also, many I've met over the years have noted that playing the two "touch and finesse" games of straight pool and one-pocket from time to time will refine your speed control.
For safety play practice, there are about a dozen standard safeties in nine ball. Practice the ones where only the object ball will go to a cushion, the ones where the cue but not not the object ball will go to a cushion, and also safeties that require the cue ball to hit more than one cuhsion. Also practice your ducking, where you play safe without snookering, hoping to leave opponent a long way from an awkwardly placed object ball. Ducking is quite important in the nine ball end game.
Kicking is a vital skill in nine ball, and if you haven't studied all the billiard theory, go and learn it. There are many books on it. If you have learned it, then practice standard one railers, first ones where the cue must go to the short rail, then others where the cue must go to the long rail. Practice two railers, ones where the cue must first go to the short rail, then others where the cue must first go to the long rail. Finally practice your three railers, both short-long-short, and long-short-long. Once you've mastered hitting the object ball, practice trying to hit a specific part of the object ball, and then practice various types of cue ball and object ball placement on your kicks.
You have to practice your break. Far too many focus on their power, but it's more important to focus on hitting the one ball accurately. Until you are consistently hitting the one ball accurately, don't add speed. Your best break speed will be at the highest speed at which you are able to hit the one ball accurately with consistency.
Now, if you've done all of this stuff, and you still aren't out of energy, I'd suggest playing some three cushion billiards. It will help your kicking, your position play, and your defense. Playing some three cushion definitely helps to build your pool-table-geometry instincts.
Good luck with your game.
pocketing practice
position play practice
speed control practice
safety play practice
one rail, two rail, and three rail kicking practice
practicing the break
Pocketing practice should include long straight shots, long and short routine cuts, long and short thin cuts, and bank shots.
Position play practice should include drills, but make sure that some of your practice drills involve inside english shots.
On the importance of speed control drills, Parica once told me he felt not nearly enough players practice their speed control. Practice some shots that require very precise cue ball speed, and others that require very precise object ball placement. Also, many I've met over the years have noted that playing the two "touch and finesse" games of straight pool and one-pocket from time to time will refine your speed control.
For safety play practice, there are about a dozen standard safeties in nine ball. Practice the ones where only the object ball will go to a cushion, the ones where the cue but not not the object ball will go to a cushion, and also safeties that require the cue ball to hit more than one cuhsion. Also practice your ducking, where you play safe without snookering, hoping to leave opponent a long way from an awkwardly placed object ball. Ducking is quite important in the nine ball end game.
Kicking is a vital skill in nine ball, and if you haven't studied all the billiard theory, go and learn it. There are many books on it. If you have learned it, then practice standard one railers, first ones where the cue must go to the short rail, then others where the cue must go to the long rail. Practice two railers, ones where the cue must first go to the short rail, then others where the cue must first go to the long rail. Finally practice your three railers, both short-long-short, and long-short-long. Once you've mastered hitting the object ball, practice trying to hit a specific part of the object ball, and then practice various types of cue ball and object ball placement on your kicks.
You have to practice your break. Far too many focus on their power, but it's more important to focus on hitting the one ball accurately. Until you are consistently hitting the one ball accurately, don't add speed. Your best break speed will be at the highest speed at which you are able to hit the one ball accurately with consistency.
Now, if you've done all of this stuff, and you still aren't out of energy, I'd suggest playing some three cushion billiards. It will help your kicking, your position play, and your defense. Playing some three cushion definitely helps to build your pool-table-geometry instincts.
Good luck with your game.
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sjm said:
Excellent Post on 9 ball practice.
I practice every Friday and Saturday for 5-7 hrs, mostly doing a variety of drills.I allways do drills with a purpose and never just bang balls around anymore.My pool hall gives me an excellent price so I take advantage.
One drill I do is a Jim Rempe drill, which I do to warm up. I spread out all 15 balls wide open with every ball at least a foot away from the rail and try to run them off without touching a rail.This is a good drill for presice shape and cue ball control. I also try to keep my head down till the cue ball comes to a complete stop.
I spend the rest of the time doing a variety of 9 ball drills of the short, medium, and long shot variety.I need to start spending more time on kicks and safties as 9 ball is the main game in town. Safties and kicks are HUGE in the game of nine ball. Thanks for your post, RJ
recoveryjones said:
RJ, sounds like you've got a good work ethic and a really good attitude.
Far too many players practice their offensive execution alone, and never master the art of winning control of the table. Having a good break, playing good defense, and kicking well are the three most basic skills one must develop to maximize their chance of gaining control of the table as often as possible.
When I play pool, I only play the A and A+ players as I want to improve my game.My mechanics are good and I can pot as well as anyone IN MY POOL HALL. If I'm hot I can beat these guys from time to time, however, when I lose it's basically because my saftey and kicking game are not up to par, especially with the A+'s.
I still need more cue ball control and more shape and the drills have already taught me so much.If I keep doing them, I know I'll improve because I already have improved so much.
A lot of guys in my pool hall have platued because they think drills are boring and stupid etc.I know I'll be beating some of them before too long.
Tommorow when I show up for practice, I'm going to spend an hour or two on kick shots and safties.I find them more boring than runout drills , however,If I want to get better I know I'll have to work on them. RJ
I still need more cue ball control and more shape and the drills have already taught me so much.If I keep doing them, I know I'll improve because I already have improved so much.
A lot of guys in my pool hall have platued because they think drills are boring and stupid etc.I know I'll be beating some of them before too long.
Tommorow when I show up for practice, I'm going to spend an hour or two on kick shots and safties.I find them more boring than runout drills , however,If I want to get better I know I'll have to work on them. RJ
I usually practice by myself but lately, the last month or so, I've been playing in a three-man ring game almost daily during my normal practice time. This has really helped with getting me to find a way to overcome the problem of not getting into a rythm. It forces me to bear down harder when I shoot because if I don't make a ball, I don't get to shoot again for a while. It also forces me to find the offensive shot which is something you don't do very often playing 9 ball and 1 hole. I play 1 hole usually at least once a week so I have the opportunity to work on my defensive game but how often do you play a game where total offense is required? Not often I would guess. Anyway, if you get an opportunity to play in a ring game, do it because it will make you play much differently than you would in most other games.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned playing the ghost. That ought to bring out your best offensive play.
6ball ghost - you're ok player if you can consistantly win
9ball ghost - you need to be a very good advanced player to beat 9ball ghost
10ball ghost - call yourself a pro if you can beat this one
Playing the ghost should be a part of your practice routine I think.
6ball ghost - you're ok player if you can consistantly win
9ball ghost - you need to be a very good advanced player to beat 9ball ghost
10ball ghost - call yourself a pro if you can beat this one
Playing the ghost should be a part of your practice routine I think.
Thanks to all for the excellent suggestions--I think I've tried them all at one point or another.
It's very interesting that no one mentioned what I have found to be the single most efficient way to improve one's nine-ball game, at least in my experience, for my game, hedge, hedge, hedge, etc.
And the answer is...drumroll please.... work on making your stroke bigger by hitting power draw shots over and over and over and over.
You might think this only helps improve your draw stroke, but I have found that it helps just about everything--your stroke gets bigger, more effective, smoother, your fundamentals necessarily improve because they have to be excellent to perform a long power draw stroke, your accuracy and control improve because you have to be deadly accurate to pocket the ball and still draw your rock a long way back up and down the table. Your touch improves incredibly, all shots get easier to pocket and easier to play shape off of, the control and accuracy help your break become more effective and powerful, and even safeties are easier to execute because of the improved touch that comes with a more effortless stroke (I like to call it Efrenless).
Anyway, the cat's out of the bag. Try it for two or three days and see what results you get.
Thoughts anyone?
It's very interesting that no one mentioned what I have found to be the single most efficient way to improve one's nine-ball game, at least in my experience, for my game, hedge, hedge, hedge, etc.
And the answer is...drumroll please.... work on making your stroke bigger by hitting power draw shots over and over and over and over.
You might think this only helps improve your draw stroke, but I have found that it helps just about everything--your stroke gets bigger, more effective, smoother, your fundamentals necessarily improve because they have to be excellent to perform a long power draw stroke, your accuracy and control improve because you have to be deadly accurate to pocket the ball and still draw your rock a long way back up and down the table. Your touch improves incredibly, all shots get easier to pocket and easier to play shape off of, the control and accuracy help your break become more effective and powerful, and even safeties are easier to execute because of the improved touch that comes with a more effortless stroke (I like to call it Efrenless).
Anyway, the cat's out of the bag. Try it for two or three days and see what results you get.
Thoughts anyone?
Wild Eight
Chalk is Free
I will try it and let you know. Frankly if I can see a change in my game after just 2 or 3 days of practice I will gladly buy you a beer! *Book Marks Thread* Talk to ya around Tuesday.PoolBum said:
Cool!
I started practicing the draw stroke to, of all things, improve my draw stroke! It improved. Draw has always been an achilles heel of mine, and after a week or so of steady draw stroke practice I was able to put a ball in the jaws of the corner pocket and take ball in hand behind the head string and draw the cueball back to the endrail (not every time, mind you, but about one out of three, with the other two coming back at least past the side pocket. It takes a very accurate hit on the object ball when it's in the jaws of the pocket not to hit either the end rail or the side rail with the cueball after pocketing the ball. Getting back to the end rail by cutting the object ball slightly and then using the side rail is very easy.)
For my practice routine I usually start with easy shots--an object ball two diamonds out from the corner pocket and the cueball maybe a foot and a half to two feet away--either at a slight angle or straight on. I take time to warm up a bit, which for me means getting to where I can consistently draw the cueball down the table and back up to the other rail and out maybe a diamond or two sometimes (this would be the endrail where I am pocketing the object ball).
I then gradually increase the distance between the cueball and the object ball, and between the object ball and the pocket, with some variations (like the object ball closer to the pocket but the cueball five or six diamonds away).
After doing these drills for three hours or so I do some other stuff, like practicing shots I usually have difficulty either pocketing or getting position off of--or both. The effect for me has been fairly dramatic and fairly immediate, and as I stated the positive effects are in many parts of my nine ball game.
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
I started practicing the draw stroke to, of all things, improve my draw stroke! It improved. Draw has always been an achilles heel of mine, and after a week or so of steady draw stroke practice I was able to put a ball in the jaws of the corner pocket and take ball in hand behind the head string and draw the cueball back to the endrail (not every time, mind you, but about one out of three, with the other two coming back at least past the side pocket. It takes a very accurate hit on the object ball when it's in the jaws of the pocket not to hit either the end rail or the side rail with the cueball after pocketing the ball. Getting back to the end rail by cutting the object ball slightly and then using the side rail is very easy.)
For my practice routine I usually start with easy shots--an object ball two diamonds out from the corner pocket and the cueball maybe a foot and a half to two feet away--either at a slight angle or straight on. I take time to warm up a bit, which for me means getting to where I can consistently draw the cueball down the table and back up to the other rail and out maybe a diamond or two sometimes (this would be the endrail where I am pocketing the object ball).
I then gradually increase the distance between the cueball and the object ball, and between the object ball and the pocket, with some variations (like the object ball closer to the pocket but the cueball five or six diamonds away).
After doing these drills for three hours or so I do some other stuff, like practicing shots I usually have difficulty either pocketing or getting position off of--or both. The effect for me has been fairly dramatic and fairly immediate, and as I stated the positive effects are in many parts of my nine ball game.
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
predator said:
I strongly disagree with you here. Call yourself a pro when you can beat the 15-ball ghost. I know A- players to shortstops that can beat the 10-ball ghost. To be pro-calibur it's all about running out racks of rotation. By playing the 15-ball ghost, I mean that you break, take ball in hand on the 1, and try to run out. If you miss, you lose. Tang Hoa used to do that all the time, and believe me- he got out more than he missed. Many other pros practice this way, usually by having another person bet on the ghost.
LastTwo said:
I think the ability to beat the fifteen ball ghost might be a reasonable standard in labeling someone a "first tier male pro", but I can think of a lot of male pros (meaning people who play pool for a living) that would be big underdogs against the fifteen ball ghost.
LastTwo said:
I meant "call yourself", not really "you are" a pro. But 15 ball ghost might be a little too difficult for the pro's if they play a long set, say a race to 15 or more.
The record in 15ball rotation is only 4 runouts in a row. And even that one was set by Efren at his very best. That says it all!
I would really like to see some video footage of rotation, especially runouts. How can anyone play that game and not look incompetent is beyond me...
predator said:
Predator, as I understand it, the game of rotation is always played with alternate break except during practice and exhibitions.
Hence, while I believe you're correct about the four pack (two of them shooting righty and the other two shooting lefty, I've heard), this record may be misleading, as opportunities to attempt to string racks may be quite infrequent.
LT, I remember Tang Hoa propping Andam to beat the 10-ball ghost at HT.LastTwo said:
Andam got his backer ( Alex) ready and Tang was supposed to get some money. Tang never came up with the money.
Beating the 10-ball ghost on the old HT tables or Diamond pro table is pretty strong. I doubt if shortstops can do it on the ole HT table or Diamond pro table.
Efren did run 5 racks of 15-ball at HT during one practice but he did get BIH on the one ball.
I once saw Parica run 15-balls on the left corner pocket COLD. He came in with a rack and threw them on the table and ran out on his first rack.
I was sick to my stomach.
I saw Tang play Bustamante some rotation once
ang got 71-49 for cheaps ( 200 a set). Busta was just drilling him and Busta was talking all the time. Part of Tang's growing pains then I guess.
Oh, the mid 90's at HT. When are they coming back?
