Motivation to play/practice alone?

[Johnnyt]

IMO some can practice and do drills for hours by themselves, others can't do it for 15 minutes. I only practiced the shots I missed for money until my health went south the last dozen years. Now I have no choice but to play at home by myself. I think most have an idea if they will practice alone from how they handle other things in life. Johnnyt

 

[boogeyman]

... Anyone else have a hard time practicing/playing alone ?

I have no problem practicing alone on my home table;
in fact, I prefer playing at home (and focusing on my practice) that at the pool room.

I think it all comes down to wanting to improve and having goals.
I say, DON'T get a home table if you think having it will automatically make you play/practice more—it won't.
You have to WANT to practice and quality practice at that.

Those who get a table for the sake of having a nice piece of furniture in the house is never a bad deal,
but even for those who are serious players, getting a table in your abode doesn't always translate to more practice time.

Again, you have to have the desire to want to improve and more important,
have clear-cut goals with that green table or else you will find the table is "in the way" after a while.

Good luck.

 

[rhatten]

If you have a smart phone the app @ checkbilliard.com will custom build you a practice drill that focuses on your specific weaknesses. So you down load the free app version (with an email address you get to see what the app can really do -also free- with auto updates etc), you go thru the test exercises to self assess you skill set.

After making it thru the different tests, the website then custom builds a set of exercise drills (sends it to your account via your phone) that keeps you working on the weaker parts of your game. There are videos that are streamed to you phone as well if you need them. The pro version is a paid version BUT try the free version first.. more here (new release Jan 2015)

http://www.checkbilliard.com/en/help/

Pretty good stuff for the money...

Randy

 

[blackda]

Set Goals

Set a goal for each game and focus improving the next game. Depending on your level of play, it could be making a 3-4 ball run. It may be focusing on playing better position. When I practice at home, I find just practicing drills boring. So I play myself as if I am two completely different people. I also track each inning on a spreadsheet to track my improvement. If I get bored, I break out the books and practice specific shots. You don't have to practice an extended time either. Like others have previously said... Start with an hour a day, with improvement you'll find the desire and drive to become better. At that point you will find hours pass and you will,not want to quit, when you have to. I've been late to work a few times. Best of luck

 

[Jaden]

yep...

20 or 30 min. at a time can help a lot,especially if you practice in a good way. Here at home,I only practice about 20 min. at a time and I get bored also.

Remember,it's perfect practice that makes perfect..not just bangin balls around.

Helps to set little goals while you are practicing too. Or big ones for that matter.Good luck,hope that helps. John B.

exactly, even more so, a TON of imperfect practice will be to your detriment.

When you practice, you're creating muscle memory. When you then go out and play, you fall back on how you've practiced.

So, if you're playing 30-40 hours a week with carelessness, then when you go try to play serious, you will have developed all these bad habits.

If you practice diligently and correctly 5-10 hours a week, it will be much better for your game.

Jaden

 

[peppersauce]

.................

 

[NitPicker]

It's important to not burn yourself out. In life, anything in excess is usually detrimental to growth rather than helpful, pool is no different. So an hour a day is plenty, and some may not even need that long. As someone has already mentioned, it's not just the amount of practice, but the quality (perfect practice). So your practice sessions should make you want to focus on every execution, rather than looking forward to an end of a session. If you do drills, make the repetitions short, so that when you're finished, you actually want more. This will help keep you hungry for more practice and improvement the next session.

 

[markgw]

Before I drop a ton of money into fixing up the garage and getting a home table, the thought of lacking motivation while playing alone came to mind.

At the pool hall, I can play with the same person for 5-7hrs no problems and really enjoy doing so. But if its shooting around by myself for anymore than an hr, I'll get bored.

Maybe its b/c I dont have a define set of drills to practice on. I just rack up 8b/9b and try to run out. I'm a C+ caliber player hoping to become B+++. I currently go to the pool hall about twice a month with a buddy. I'm always very eager to play or watch pool online.

Anyone else have a hard time practicing/playing alone ?

When I play alone at home I pretty much only pratice straight pool. My motivation is to beat my previous high runs. When I acheieve that I know that I am improving and that's my motivation, to improve. I also have a 100 plus ball run set as my goal. You also feel pressure from the number practicing this way, so even playing alone you can get used to feeling pressure.

 

[macguy]

Before I drop a ton of money into fixing up the garage and getting a home table, the thought of lacking motivation while playing alone came to mind.

At the pool hall, I can play with the same person for 5-7hrs no problems and really enjoy doing so. But if its shooting around by myself for anymore than an hr, I'll get bored.

Maybe its b/c I dont have a define set of drills to practice on. I just rack up 8b/9b and try to run out. I'm a C+ caliber player hoping to become B+++. I currently go to the pool hall about twice a month with a buddy. I'm always very eager to play or watch pool online.

Anyone else have a hard time practicing/playing alone ?

I don't know what it is like to not own a table. There was in my house when I was 8 years old. and I have always owned one since.

Owning your own table is so much more then just putting the hours of practice. It is right there and can be used when the urge moves you. As far as practice, you will get more out of an our of practice when you are in the mood then many hours in the pool room playing just because you feel you should hit some balls before going home.

There is not a person on here who has a home table who hasn't played in the middle of the night in their underwear when they could not sleep.
You can be real also, not like you may be when people are watching at the pool room.

I know many who don't like doing drills in the pool room because they don't like what others say or think. Finally, it is fun and relaxing. You can put on the music you like and play as long as you like with no distractions.

If I never played another competitive game I would still spend many hours playing just by myself for the shear joy of playing. I really love to play, I always have.

If you are a pool player you should have your own table. What other sport can you play on championship equipment in you own home. Certainly not Golf. Maybe tennis if you want to spend the cost of your house on a court.

For what is a very small investment you can have your own pool table that will pay for itself over and over in both monitory value and enjoyment.

 

[StraightPoolIU]

Before I drop a ton of money into fixing up the garage and getting a home table, the thought of lacking motivation while playing alone came to mind.

At the pool hall, I can play with the same person for 5-7hrs no problems and really enjoy doing so. But if its shooting around by myself for anymore than an hr, I'll get bored.

Maybe its b/c I dont have a define set of drills to practice on. I just rack up 8b/9b and try to run out. I'm a C+ caliber player hoping to become B+++. I currently go to the pool hall about twice a month with a buddy. I'm always very eager to play or watch pool online.

Anyone else have a hard time practicing/playing alone ?

If you're really serious about improving that alone can be your motivation. I think solo focused practice sessions is where you can make the most hay toward that goal. Have some good drills that are scorable (like the Billiard University drills) that allow you to track your progress as well as teaching you some defined skills. Also, spend time on drills that work on your stroke. Also, try ghost drills or running balls at 14.1 where you keep score and try to beat your high run.

 

[RFranklin]

Felt Time

There is no substitute for time on the table. Most of us get better and rarely realize it until after fact because the effect is subtle and cummulative. My breaks were weak and my position play could be better so I would rack up 50 games of 9, play the ghost or do half table drills. I am just a league banger but looking back at my winning percentage and b/r average since I got mine, I can definitely see an improvement. Plus it is a great escape for the neighborhood guys to congregate around on a Saturday night.

 

[Floppage]

I heard once that Shane ran 17 racks by himself on personal table. All that made me think about was how many hours of practicing (drills, etc.) by himself did it take to be able to do that.

Any time I start feeling like I'm tired of running drills at home by myself I think about that.

I will never be a professional pool player. Aside from lack of time or ability, I'd have to take too much of a pay cut even if I could make the top 10. However, that won't keep me from trying to be able to run 17 racks by myself.

 

[nobcitypool]

I think everyone is different. I really enjoy practicing alone and have no problem at all practicing 2 to 4 hours per day. I wish I had more time. What helps me is mixing things up. I'll use target pool or Bullseye Billiards to practice cb positioning. The next day, I might use other materials I acquired to practice safety play. Throw in a half hour working on the break. Work on drills from Mark Wilson's book. Then play Fargo or the ghost in 9 ball.

There's a plethora of materials out there for free or that you can purchase for a modest price. With a little tenacity and patience, you'll experience visible improvement in different aspects of your game. When you go to play someone and get to execute a few of the things you learned in the previous week of practice, you should enjoy some great satisfaction.

 

[gxman]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys.

Having the convenience of a home table would be great. Anytime I watch on online stream I want to go out and hit some so badly, but going out to the pool hall is too much trouble. There's a couple of old buds that use to live out in the pool hall, that I occasional meet and getting beat downs from them is no fun. I would like to play at their level or better, and I think its certainly achievable with enough work and effort.

I guess an hour of good practice on a much more consistent basis can be pretty valuable.

 

[7forlife]

I absolutely love to practice, almost too much, I'd be happy to execute every drill flawless than win a tourney. Ive had my fair share of wins and achievements (devision top shooter, overall top shooter) so don't get me wrong, winning is nice. I find there to be no equal to quality practice is your transition as a player if your plan is to get better, that culminates with getting a coach to get you over that preverbal wall or the next level.

A lot of what i practice are things that come up in pool far more often that things i've seen others practice, and that's why when a shot comes up i have less pressure about it since it feel like practice (once less thing to worry about). I don't get to practice like i use to or would like to but when i do it's power hour. Yesterday i got to put in about 4 hours during that time i shot the same shot about 105 times.

There is a certain knowledge or understanding that has to be there has to be there for practice to be really beneficial, work on your needs and not your wants, yeah 3 rail kick shots look cool but you have bigger problems than that to worry about at your level (speaking in general) and I think executing a good stop shot (at distance), controlled draw and knowing cue ball path off object ball trump that.

Practice is not for everyone, I say find a way the fully see if it's for you and remember it Quality not Quantity.

 

[peteypooldude]

I personally think this is what separates players and their performances. Watch Shane compete, he'll play in a match and then take a short break and soon after you'll see him practicing . I have a table in my house (see avatar)and had it for 7 or 8 years but seldom ever play an hour a week. The exception is when a big tournament I want to play in comes around or if I'm gambling a lot .
When I first got into aiming systems (CTE,SEE,99/90..etc) it gave me something to get excited about and I was practicing and playing strong but unless something comes along that gets me excited about It again. I just don't have any motivation to practice or play.
I think the best players have this motivation and it shows in their performances

 

[JoeyA]

I like what you said about motivation to practice being a habit. It is a habit for me and yes it was developed over a long period of time.

I don't need motivation to practice alone. I prefer practicing alone. I like competing against players of my skill level or higher but will donate some of my competition time to lesser players because I remember how difficult it was to get a better player to give me some of their time.

To the originator of the thread: It doesn't seem like you really need a pool table, practicing as infrequently as you do. MOST people who purchase a table, OFTEN lament about the fact that they don't practice on their home table nearly as often as they thought they would. SOME use the pool table as a clothing table; somewhere to stack clothes on.

I would love to have a room in my home dedicated to a pool table. We just don't have a room large enough and I can't justify building a separate building for a pool table in the back yard as we have very little room there also.

Besides, the wife hates pool and if she heard me pocketing balls at 2:00 am she might have a stroke.

JoeyA

For me,, my motivation comes from desire and the solitude helps me to focus more. I play on my campus where very few people can bother me. My desire is to become a AA rated player (currently a mid level B) drives me, as does my want to be better than the master players I play with now.
Realistically though (because I don't think my above answer helps you) motivation is a habit, and most people do not know what motivates them. Motivation is a habit, and it's something that needs to be practiced. My answer is to slowly build yourself up to playing longer and longer solo. I can currently last about 6 hours.

Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

My desire to practice comes and goes but I can pretty much always play at least an hour before I get disinterested. Just an hour a day is enough to justify having a table if you ask me.

I've found the key is having something to look forward to, be it a tournament, an upcoming matchup, or even just a league session that matters to you. You have to have something out there on the horizon that keeps you motivated.

As a fellow basement dweller I feel basically the same as you do. When we had to move my hope was that we'd get a place where I had room for my wood shop and room for a table. I hadn't played much in years, so I was nervous that I might not use a table much. But everything fell into place, and I just went ahead and got the best table it could afford and built the room around it.

At first I was too busy to play much, and I was experiencing buyer's remorse. Then all of a sudden I got the bug real bad and, well, there was the table, waiting for me. At first I was practicing 3-4 hours a day, but I realized I was pushing myself more than I cared to. Now I maybe average an hour a day, but without the table there I wouldn't play at all. Bottom line is I really love having it there when I get the urge.

It's especially nice when someone posts something really interesting, and I can go down there and give it a try right away. Lately I've been trying to learn some straight pool, which is something I think the OP could consider as a switch from the same old 8-ball and 9-ball ghost. Working through the books takes some patience, and I feel the home environment (fewer distractions) is well suited for learning this game.

 

[PoolBoy1]

I have no problem practicing alone. Peaceful and quiet. Usually an hour is enough for me. I usually peak after 5 to 10 pocketed balls. The rest of the time I place 15 balls and cue on table no clusters and run em. I can run 3 of 5 racks. Next 2, 1 or 2 extra shots. Usually an hour but if I get sloppy after peaking and bored I quit. Usually play or practice every day. It's also good exercise. Bending, stretching walking round and round is great exercise for the vestibular system. When competing there is plenty of sitting.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Practicing Alone Is Just Fine.......Think About It.

I enjoy practicing alone because I am my own worst critic......I set the bar height for myself higher than any opponent or practice partner could ever do.......I don't compliment myself over shots missed either....I criticize myself, never praise......Every single time my practice partner or opponent says "Great Try"...."Wow, It looked like it was going dead in." or any other well intended compliment, I cringe.....yes, that's right.....I actually feel a cringe.

The last thing I want to hear is praise or encouragement of any type or a positive acknowledgement over having just missed a shot. I see players do this all the time......Baloney. You compliment success and critique failure or else keep your trap shut. I learned early in life you learn more from your failures than your successes......that's how I see things. So hearing my playing partner, or opponent for that matter, compliment me over a shot I just missed is really bothersome to me. I should have made the shot and if I didn't think it would go in, I wouldn't have even tried......it should have gone in, I expected the ball to go in and I don't get out of my shooting stance until all the balls stop rolling. I need to pay attention to why it didn't go and not some superfluous praise for my efforts. You never win the silver medal in anything because you actually lost the gold.......2nd place sucks, especially when it's 1 on 1 competition.


Praise offered for even the toughest of shots missed is dumb in my book. It's as bad as using the expression "Good Luck" with your opponent at the start of your match. Really now......how freaking stupid is that? Like I really want him to get lucky on some shots that go in when they shouldn't have.......BULLSHIT. I want my opponent to play well but if there's any luck in our match, then let it be mine and not my opponent's good fortune. So I just offer "Play Your Best" and I mean that when I say it. I want their best game and hopefully I can return the favor.

So when I practice alone, I only play 14.1 or else drills.....that's it.....nothing else. And my drills are really demonic......All my buddies quit early because they fail more often than they succeed when they do these drills......it's designed to be this way because when I have mastered one of these drills, I stop and select a different one......I have approximately 14-15 and so the variety keeps it interesting. I never think well of myself on a shot that almost pocketed, regardless of how incredibly difficult the shot may have been....only success matters to me.

Matt B.