need to set up practice routine

[brokenarrowjbe]

I have read lots of books on different practice techniques. I have been shown numerous drills. I have limited time, so I normally focus on stroke practice and whatever shots gave me the most trouble. However, some days I play decent, other days I can miss ball in hand for a duck shot. Ussually when trying to get position and missing. But the position is great, LOL. So limited time, no home pool table, long work hours. Just do basic drills? set up 3 or 4 balls and practice making balls and getting position? Full length straight in shots?

 

[Neil]

I have read lots of books on different practice techniques. I have been shown numerous drills. I have limited time, so I normally focus on stroke practice and whatever shots gave me the most trouble. However, some days I play decent, other days I can miss ball in hand for a duck shot. Ussually when trying to get position and missing. But the position is great, LOL. So limited time, no home pool table, long work hours. Just do basic drills? set up 3 or 4 balls and practice making balls and getting position? Full length straight in shots?

1. Make sure you have a solid pre-shot routine.
2. #1 priority is making the ball. Position is secondary. They should go hand in hand. Make the ball, hit the cb here at this speed, position will be automatic, doesn't need extra focusing on to where you lose all focus of making the ob.

 

[ENGLISH!]

I'm not an instructor. I do agree with Neil. Even on 'difficult' position shots, once you're down on the shot the focus should be on making the object ball with correct speed for position, even if using english. If once you're down & you 'change' anything with the position in mind, I suggest you get up & start over.

Obviously if 'we' make the ball 'we' are shooting again even if 'we' missed the position. If 'we' miss we're sitting even if 'we' got perfect position. I know that that is obvious, but 'we' have to remind ourselvse of that fact. I say 'we' because I make the mistake myself at times.

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

Good Luck.
RJ

PS I just read that CJ Wiley suggested practicing hitting every shot from off the rail for efficient practice time.

 

[FranCrimi]

I have read lots of books on different practice techniques. I have been shown numerous drills. I have limited time, so I normally focus on stroke practice and whatever shots gave me the most trouble. However, some days I play decent, other days I can miss ball in hand for a duck shot. Ussually when trying to get position and missing. But the position is great, LOL. So limited time, no home pool table, long work hours. Just do basic drills? set up 3 or 4 balls and practice making balls and getting position? Full length straight in shots?

There are so many different ways you can practice to improve. But whatever way you choose, don't forget to practice actually playing the game. Pick whatever game you enjoy playing, whether it's 9-Ball or 8-Ball or 14.1, and play it.

I remember back when Robin Dodson was winning everything in sight on the women's pro tour. I asked her how she practiced. She told me that she just played 9-Ball all day long by herself. Granted, her fundamentals were already great but what she said really stuck with me. At some point you have to just play the game. There's much to learn by just playing.

Then when you get into a competitive match, the table layouts will look much more familiar to you.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Again, I'm not an instructor, but I totally agree with Ms. Crimi. That is exactly what I have been doing for 46 yrs. If a specific problem pops up for some reason I work it out & quickly get back to playing the game by myself if I can't find someone to play against.

Again Good Luck.
RJ

 

[pooltchr]

Fran makes a great point, but don't over look the key in her post. Playing the game is a wonderful way to practice, IF your fundamentals are locked in. If not, you begin to practice bad fundamentals, and that can be a problem. A little video evaluation from time to time will let you see if you are moving the cue and your body properly. If that's ok, table time is the best practice.
Steve

 

[Uski]

Start with racking 3 balls.. Break, then take ball in hand and run out... Complete this drill 5times in a row , then rack 4 balls and do the same... However if u scratch or miss u start over . Start over meaning if u ran 3 balls 3 times in a row then missed on your 4th rack u must go back to 0... This helps create consistency for game play