I've found many threads now about practice techniques, drills, etc. For some reason, I've never formally done "The Ghost" drill. I'd thrown 6 - 10 balls on the table, taken ball in hand and tried to run out, but never played a set against an imaginary opponent. My observations from "my first time", some of which I didn't expect:
- First, needed to set the rules and stick to them. I'm a decent player, so for me, it was the 9 ball ghost, no extra balls dropped or spotted. Break, anything made stays down, take BIH and try to run out. I would not take BIH if I had a reasonable shot on the 1, even if position to the 2 was not simple from that position, more to simulate a real game. I decided to count the 9 on the break as a win if I hit the balls solid, otherwise if I hit them crappy and it fluked in spot it and have to run out to win the game. Similar to CB scratch on the break, if I knocked it off the table or it went straight in the side (classic scratch), the ghost wins, otherwise if I hit them good but it got bounced in somewhere I would take BIH and try to run out. These rules for me seemed to reinforce good things and penalize me for common dumb mistakes, any comments on these would be appreciated if I'm doing the drill incorrectly.
- I didn't expect to win the first time out, but I came close - I had 1 9 ball break which I counted (hit them solid), and two early combinations, one on the 3 and one on the 5, both of which were good because my combos lately when I've been forced to shoot them have been horrible, I generally try to avoid them unless they are dead. I'm winning 7 - 5, then came a bad position play from the 8 to the 9, one where I had a few choices and choose the wrong one, something I learned from at least, and the "Ghost" ran out from there. So close...
- This was fun, really helped work on my break and different spots to break from and types of breaks with immediate feedback (something I don't do enough of)
- Playing a race added some pressure, simulated real conditions, and after more repetition will give me even more confidence to run out when given the same chance in real games
- An unexpected benefit - I didn't dwell on mistakes, or get angry over them, I just chalked up a win for the ghost and got ready for the next game. A few times I set up the shot again, and learned from it, but got right down to the business of playing the next game. I really, really think with more repetition that this drill will help me accept mistakes at the table more than I do now and take them in stride, and also prepare and focus better on the next opportunity at the table
So, in fewer words - I love this drill, and plan on adding it to my list and practicing it as often as possible, hopefully at least once per practice session. I think it's as important for me as practicing individual shots or position patterns, banks or kicks, etc. Thanks to everyone here who had commented on this drill and how to do it in the past threads I found.
Scott
- First, needed to set the rules and stick to them. I'm a decent player, so for me, it was the 9 ball ghost, no extra balls dropped or spotted. Break, anything made stays down, take BIH and try to run out. I would not take BIH if I had a reasonable shot on the 1, even if position to the 2 was not simple from that position, more to simulate a real game. I decided to count the 9 on the break as a win if I hit the balls solid, otherwise if I hit them crappy and it fluked in spot it and have to run out to win the game. Similar to CB scratch on the break, if I knocked it off the table or it went straight in the side (classic scratch), the ghost wins, otherwise if I hit them good but it got bounced in somewhere I would take BIH and try to run out. These rules for me seemed to reinforce good things and penalize me for common dumb mistakes, any comments on these would be appreciated if I'm doing the drill incorrectly.
- I didn't expect to win the first time out, but I came close - I had 1 9 ball break which I counted (hit them solid), and two early combinations, one on the 3 and one on the 5, both of which were good because my combos lately when I've been forced to shoot them have been horrible, I generally try to avoid them unless they are dead. I'm winning 7 - 5, then came a bad position play from the 8 to the 9, one where I had a few choices and choose the wrong one, something I learned from at least, and the "Ghost" ran out from there. So close...
- This was fun, really helped work on my break and different spots to break from and types of breaks with immediate feedback (something I don't do enough of)
- Playing a race added some pressure, simulated real conditions, and after more repetition will give me even more confidence to run out when given the same chance in real games
- An unexpected benefit - I didn't dwell on mistakes, or get angry over them, I just chalked up a win for the ghost and got ready for the next game. A few times I set up the shot again, and learned from it, but got right down to the business of playing the next game. I really, really think with more repetition that this drill will help me accept mistakes at the table more than I do now and take them in stride, and also prepare and focus better on the next opportunity at the table
So, in fewer words - I love this drill, and plan on adding it to my list and practicing it as often as possible, hopefully at least once per practice session. I think it's as important for me as practicing individual shots or position patterns, banks or kicks, etc. Thanks to everyone here who had commented on this drill and how to do it in the past threads I found.
Scott
Nice addition to playing the straight ghost.