Hey there fellow Arizonan!!Forgive the misspelling of advice. My “talk to text” likes to make corrections and I didn’t catch it in time.
How would you spend your time if you could practice 1.5 hours or so every day during the week and 3+ hours on the weekend? Also, and probably related, how do you get yourself unstuck?
Since March I spend 99% of my time practicing. My form is better, my fundamentals are getting better and more consistent, in August I noticed that my game improved, but now... nothing. Still missing some stupid shots. Last night’s practice ended with me in a white hot ball of frustration.
Thanks.
1 concept: I have a similar schedule. I will tell you what works best for me and what doesn't work at all. I diagram a shot I miss regularly then practice it a little each day until I master it. I cannot shoot it until I make it 50 times in a row as some suggest. I shoot it every day until I make it 5 times total. When the day comes I make it 5 in a row I take it off my list.
2. concept: I recently had a breakthrough by doing this one. I was taking too long a bridge, in general. I shortened my bridge down to as little as 2 or 3 inches for very short simple shots. This forced me to LOOK at them and not take them for granted. The problem with most players is they take really simple shots for granted. It is possible to do incredible damage through carelessness. You can make the ball and roll into a position you didn't even think possible and be hooked or you can even miss the shot. But shortening way down to the minimum for the stroke needed added emphasis. There are still times for a long bridge. If you need power you need the stroke but if you are going to tap it you don't need a 9 inch bridge.
3. concept: I wish I could remember which video to credit this idea to but it is very cool to get your focus right and overcome stress and side thoughts. "Your job is not to win the match, not to win the game, and not even to make the ball!! Once you have done all the thinking standing up and you are down on the shot, "Your job is to deliver the cue stick straight through the ball at the right speed and watch the object ball go in the pocket". If you do that and miss it is ok. Your aim was off but you still did your job. If you jump up or swing the stick out, etc. you didn't do your job even if the ball goes in.
These are just things that have helped me when I got stuck. I hope they help you.
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