New Member with many Questions!

The Prodigy

The Prodigy

Professional Racker
Silver Member
Hello guys, I am a new member, but have been a fan of this forum for awhile. Well I am starting to take my pool very serious now. I entered in a 15 man super small tournament yesterday and took 8th. I say I have been playing pool for a year now. I have a 25-30 man Nine Ball tournament on saturday. I am really looking forward to this tournament, I love Nine Ball. I was wanting to know some great training methods I can use this week, I am hoping to put in atleast 5 hours a night at pool. Also, sometimes i feel shaky with my stroke, or I see it jarring to the the left right before it hits the CB, maybe a millimeter or two. I also have a problem with getting frustrated with some certain people, does anyone have some tips to help calm down? I have a book called " The Best Damn Pool Book Ever", and it is very knowledgeable in my opinion. Thanks guys!
 
Search here or on the internet in general, there are a lot of good drills, patterns, etc. to help you work on your 9 ball game.

Depending on your level throwing 3, 4 or 5 balls on the table and taking ball in hand and trying to run them perfectly (no hard shots, no banks, etc.) is a good challenge. If you mess up position or miss, keep trying until you succeed, but count that chance as a miss. When you can do the number of balls more than 15 out of 20 times consistently, add another ball. If you get to 6 you are doing well...

Also try playing the ghost. Again, depending on your level, rack up the balls, break, take ball in hand and try to run out. If you run the rack without missing, you get 1 game. If you miss at all, the ghost wins. Race to 5 or 7 games. If 9 balls are too tough (it is a real challenge for B players and below), then break but remove 1, or 2, or even 3 balls and work from there.

Also work on some banks, safeties, and kicks. Like I said, google for some other good websites and great practice shots and drills.

Don't really understand the cue tip wobbling thing, especially only a mm or 2 before hitting the CB. Would have to explain that more.

As far as people, hopefully that goes away with time and better developing your concentration. Nothing should bother you when you are shooting, and don't use distractions as an excuse when you miss, since people typically don't say anything about them when they make the ball.

Try Robert Byrne's and Phil Capelle's books, also very very good on pool.

Good luck!
Scott
 
LarryW said:
Hello guys, I am a new member, but have been a fan of this forum for awhile. Well I am starting to take my pool very serious now. I entered in a 15 man super small tournament yesterday and took 8th. I say I have been playing pool for a year now. I have a 25-30 man Nine Ball tournament on saturday. I am really looking forward to this tournament, I love Nine Ball. I was wanting to know some great training methods I can use this week, I am hoping to put in atleast 5 hours a night at pool. Also, sometimes i feel shaky with my stroke, or I see it jarring to the the left right before it hits the CB, maybe a millimeter or two. I also have a problem with getting frustrated with some certain people, does anyone have some tips to help calm down? I have a book called " The Best Damn Pool Book Ever", and it is very knowledgeable in my opinion. Thanks guys!
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Buy a gun and keep it in your waistband! No one will bother you anymore. ;)
I'm just kidding.

We all have that problem from time to time. My way of dealing with it is to alter my perception of them. Meaning, I now look at their behavior with amusement, and just let it go. Ultimately it's up to us whether we let something bother us or not. It can get under your skin or be like water off a duck's back. It's up to you.
 
Like Scott said, playing the ghost can be a very good way to improve your rotation game. Find out which ghost (3-ball, 4-ball, 6-ball, 9-ball, etc.) is a bit too tough for you and start there. Also, since playing the ghost with ball-in-hand takes all the emphasis off of the break, I would recommend mixing in some sets against the ghost that you normally dominate with BIH, and change the game so that you only get BIH on every other rack.

You should also familiarize yourself with the search feature here on AZ, as there have been hundreds if not thousands of threads over the years that contain a plethora of great information on practice games, drills, techniques, strategy, etc. Don't hesitate to ask questions, though. AZ'ers, in my experience, are happy (and usually very quick) to help a player who's trying to learn and improve.

Good luck,
Aaron
 
Work your weaknesses, but work the ones that will help you most often before the others. For example, if you are weak on banks and one rail position, work the one rail position. You'll get much more benefit from your work, and it might reduce your need for banking skills.

Take a few minutes and think seriously, but objectively, about your game. Make a list of your biggest weaknesses and find drills and practice routines that wil work those areas. Work them hard until you see a pronounced improvement, then a little more to make sure you make it a lasting improvement. Then work on some others.

Try to work on only one or two things at a time, as this improves your retention considerably. You can, and should, work the waekness with more than one drill, though, to maximize improvement and minimize boredom.

Best of luck in your tournaments.
 
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