Most Effective Way of Practicing?

[Bob Jewett]

I'm curious...what do you think is the best/most effective way to practice to improve one's 9-ball game?

Here is a two-step method:

First, try "progressive rotation." Start with a number of balls on the table that you think you can run out in order with cue ball in hand. If you fail, try the next rack with one fewer balls. If you do run out, try one more ball the next time. (You can get a random layout by breaking and then removing either the lowest balls or the balls you choose.) Try twenty racks, keeping track of your current number on the score wheel or wire. If you need more than nine balls, move on to 15 and plan a road trip. If you want to track your progress over time, write your final number in a log.

While you are doing the above, note which shots you are having trouble with. This is harder than it sounds, since if you miss a 75-degree, table length cut, it was the preceding position shot that you really missed and not the cut shot. After twenty racks, you should have twenty or so shots noted. Work on the repeated ones first. Make the shot into a "progressive practice" in which you change the difficulty of the shot according to whether you make or miss the shot. For example, you could make the shot a thinner cut or longer distance to make it harder. Practice the shot for 15 or so tries, or until you feel you have the shot mastered. (If you can't do the shot well enough to have gotten through a typical rack situation, consider other ways to play the position.)

Some other general explanation of the "progressive practice" method is available in the free "Basics Clinic" handout on the website below. One of the good features of this method is that it keeps you near the limit of your ability during practice.

Good luck.

 

[Gerald]

When the $ people come back. When roadies and others know that they can come through and always get a 5 figure game. Now everyone has matched up so many times it is hard to get a good game going. Just be thankful that we were able to be around to watch so many 5-10k matchups as well as the 40k 1 Hole match. I feel older than I am when I yearn for the "good ol days"

 

[Andy Segal]

I agree with Bob Jewett's 'progressive rotation' method. In fact, this is the method that I teach to my students as well.

Actually, I have one modification which I would like to mention. Instead of going up or down by one ball each time you try, I like to have my students try 10 times. Assume you start with 4 balls. Throw 4 balls out (6,7,8,9), take ball in hand and runout. Do this 10 times. If you can do it 8 times out of 10, move up to the next level (one more ball). If you do this 5, 6, or 7 times out of 10, stay at this level. If you do this 4 times or less out of 10, move down one level (one less ball).

By the way, this method also works well with 8-ball. Take four balls (3 solids and the 8) and do the same thing. Move up or down one ball each time. Once you get to 7 balls + the 8 ball, start adding blocking balls (stripes) and still try to run 7 + the 8.

One of the other methods spoke about playing the ghost. This is also a good method, but you need to be at a certain level. This 'progression' method works well for certain skill levels. Once it becomes too simple, you need to add the element of the break to your practice. You can try breaking and taking ball in hand, like suggested. You may also want to try to break and not take ball in hand. You may also want to try breaking and requiring that you make a ball, and not take ball in hand (this is equivalent to breaking and running out in a real game). These get harder and harder as you go. One nice side-effect of playing these harder versions is that you actually get used to concentrating and playing well from behind, since you are usually behind using the last method.

Good Luck.

Andy Segal

 

[Williebetmore]

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.

On one of C.J. Wiley's tapes, he says that at his peak he was 50/50 to beat the 12-ball ghost. I don't think there are too many players better than that, and I don't think anyone is better than 50/50 at 15 balls (I would have to see it to believe it, and I would be willing to drop a few thousand to see someone prove it on even medium tough equipment). JMO