One Pocket Strategy Question.

Y

yobagua

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
It usually takes me 3 games before I work out my sea legs and get comfortable with my stroke and pocketing ability. I don't play everyday and don't play sessions that go over 4 hours. I have a family. So usually Im behind before I start playing up to my level.
When Im playing those that are on a lower level of one pocket strategy I can weather it but when I play someone on my level or better Im just struggling to get even.

I tried warming up for 20 minutes before I engage in competition but that doesn't seem to help. Anyone else have the same problem? Any constructive thoughts
would be helpful in approaching this situation.
 
It just is what it is.
Put the time in if you got it, if not.... get smarter.
If you aren't shooting, you should be reading and writing notes about what your are trying to add/remove from your game. Decide what those things are and then do it.

Pick apart the essentials of 1P.... #1: ball speed #2: shot precision #3: Awareness
Everything else is fluff and confusing. Stay focused and do not listen to anyone but yourself about your game. You know what your game is.

"ya know bro.... yer dropping yer elbow and poking at the ball" Screwm, do whats good for you. Be comfortable, be consistent, be lethal.

Regards,

Lesh
 
yobagua said:
It usually takes me 3 games before I work out my sea legs and get comfortable with my stroke and pocketing ability. I don't play everyday and don't play sessions that go over 4 hours. I have a family. So usually Im behind before I start playing up to my level.
When Im playing those that are on a lower level of one pocket strategy I can weather it but when I play someone on my level or better Im just struggling to get even.

I tried warming up for 20 minutes before I engage in competition but that doesn't seem to help. Anyone else have the same problem? Any constructive thoughts
would be helpful in approaching this situation.
Click to expand...

If you have time the night before you play, watch some one pocket on youtube. Beats warming up :thumbup:
 
yobagua said:
It usually takes me 3 games before I work out my sea legs and get comfortable with my stroke and pocketing ability. I don't play everyday and don't play sessions that go over 4 hours. I have a family. So usually Im behind before I start playing up to my level.
When Im playing those that are on a lower level of one pocket strategy I can weather it but when I play someone on my level or better Im just struggling to get even.

I tried warming up for 20 minutes before I engage in competition but that doesn't seem to help. Anyone else have the same problem? Any constructive thoughts
would be helpful in approaching this situation.
Click to expand...

Back to the drawing board. Your stroke is not stright , overhaul your stance. Not kidding.
 
naji said:
Back to the drawing board. Your stroke is not stright , overhaul your stance. Not kidding.
Click to expand...


Could you elaborate. I think I know what youre talking about but not sure. When I correct my stance and focus I seem to have a more even flow but I have a hard time getting in that status. It seems to take me at least a 30 minute period before I can get there. Is there some kind of routine you do before you engage in competition?

I worked with some professional singers and they always seem to do about a 30 minute vocal warm up before they start performing. This goes with dancers too.

This is a little difficult when you walk in the pool room and villain (opponent) says lets play! If you ask for a 20 minute prepatory period usually your game is gone.
 
Lesh said:
It just is what it is.
Put the time in if you got it, if not.... get smarter.
If you aren't shooting, you should be reading and writing notes about what your are trying to add/remove from your game. Decide what those things are and then do it.

Pick apart the essentials of 1P.... #1: ball speed #2: shot precision #3: Awareness
Everything else is fluff and confusing. Stay focused and do not listen to anyone but yourself about your game. You know what your game is.

"ya know bro.... yer dropping yer elbow and poking at the ball" Screwm, do whats good for you. Be comfortable, be consistent, be lethal.

Regards,

Lesh
Click to expand...

Thanks Lesh. Much appreciated. Can you give me some examples of the kind of notes you might take about your game.
 
Start off slow and keep it super simple. Don't go for any risky shots. Focus on leaving the cue ball precisely where it needs to be.
 
yobagua said:
I tried warming up for 20 minutes before I engage in competition but that doesn't seem to help. Anyone else have the same problem? Any constructive thoughts
would be helpful in approaching this situation.
Click to expand...

Sigel, in his prime, had a sensible way of warming up....
...shoot long straight shots center ball at a fast speed.
He'd keep shooting them till they were going center pocket....
...and no accidental spin on whitey.

This is a terrific short warm-up.
'cause if you can't hit whitey where you intend to, anything else is meaningless.
 
pt109 said:
Sigel, in his prime, had a sensible way of warming up....
...shoot long straight shots center ball at a fast speed.
He'd keep shooting them till they were going center pocket....
...and no accidental spin on whitey.

This is a terrific short warm-up.
'cause if you can't hit whitey where you intend to, anything else is meaningless.
Click to expand...

I know this warm up but the problem for me is in one pocket, ball and pocket speed are so essential.as well as banks. Sometimes this warm up can be counter productive for me because of the warp speed utilized
 
yobagua said:
I know this warm up but the problem for me is in one pocket, ball and pocket speed are so essential.as well as banks. Sometimes this warm up can be counter productive for me because of the warp speed utilized
Click to expand...

Touch means nothing without accuracy.

Say you want to hit half ball and park whitey some place...
..if you hit it thinner, whitey goes farther.
..if you hit it thicker, whitey doesn't go as far.

So your touch is partnered with your accuracy whether you like it or not.

Accuracy is your foundation
 
I have played one pocket all my life, held down a job and have always played out of stroke. I was able to stay competitive by getting down the table speed, identifying the low pocket (if any) and focusing on defense. Playing good defense is and always will be the key to winning one pocket. Ever heard the saying " good pitching stops good hitting?" Well, it's true especially in one pocket. The key opening shots in one pocket usually determine the winner of that game either breaking the balls or coming in after the break. Learn those early shots and you'll be just fine. If you play effective defense it's funny how the balls going towards your pocket find their destination.
 
yobagua said:
Could you elaborate. I think I know what youre talking about but not sure. When I correct my stance and focus I seem to have a more even flow but I have a hard time getting in that status. It seems to take me at least a 30 minute period before I can get there. Is there some kind of routine you do before you engage in competition?

I worked with some professional singers and they always seem to do about a 30 minute vocal warm up before they start performing. This goes with dancers too.

This is a little difficult when you walk in the pool room and villain (opponent) says lets play! If you ask for a 20 minute prepatory period usually your game is gone.
Click to expand...


There are few critical steps that needs to happen to make a shot the way it is intended; for you to take that long to start shooting good it suggests to me that you have fundamental flaw; and i could say you are most likely not consistent even after you are warmed up! and you wining could be a result of the opponent being few games up, starts taking chances leaving you easy outs. Please do not believe those that say your subconscious will play for you; you can believe it just to comfort yourself when you fail.
Having said that; the most culprit starts with how you go down and your stance, of course, aim, how to aim, how to back swing, how to forward swing, bridge position in relation to tip and CB, follow through all has to be in sync and know what makes them in sync; unfortunately warm up IMO only needed to know table cloth, banks, CB swerve / squirt ratio,,,which is not basic stuff.
 
Baby Huey said:
I have played one pocket all my life, held down a job and have always played out of stroke. I was able to stay competitive by getting down the table speed, identifying the low pocket (if any) and focusing on defense. Playing good defense is and always will be the key to winning one pocket. Ever heard the saying " good pitching stops good hitting?" Well, it's true especially in one pocket. The key opening shots in one pocket usually determine the winner of that game either breaking the balls or coming in after the break. Learn those early shots and you'll be just fine. If you play effective defense it's funny how the balls going towards your pocket find their destination.
Click to expand...

Hay Baby Huey, where are you these days?? remember you and i played a match a while back, are you in the DC area still??
 
pt109 said:
Touch means nothing without accuracy.

Say you want to hit half ball and park whitey some place...
..if you hit it thinner, whitey goes farther.
..if you hit it thicker, whitey doesn't go as far.

So your touch is partnered with your accuracy whether you like it or not.

Accuracy is your foundation
Click to expand...

Thanks! Ill try to incorporate.
 
naji said:
There are few critical steps that needs to happen to make a shot the way it is intended; for you to take that long to start shooting good it suggests to me that you have fundamental flaw; and i could say you are most likely not consistent even after you are warmed up! and you wining could be a result of the opponent being few games up, starts taking chances leaving you easy outs. Please do not believe those that say your subconscious will play for you; you can believe it just to comfort yourself when you fail.
Having said that; the most culprit starts with how you go down and your stance, of course, aim, how to aim, how to back swing, how to forward swing, bridge position in relation to tip and CB, follow through all has to be in sync and know what makes them in sync; unfortunately warm up IMO only needed to know table cloth, banks, CB swerve / squirt ratio,,,which is not basic stuff.
Click to expand...

Really appreciate you taking the time to write this. I will work on these things. Or at the least do some research.
And always keep it in mind.
 
Baby Huey said:
I have played one pocket all my life, held down a job and have always played out of stroke. I was able to stay competitive by getting down the table speed, identifying the low pocket (if any) and focusing on defense. Playing good defense is and always will be the key to winning one pocket. Ever heard the saying " good pitching stops good hitting?" Well, it's true especially in one pocket. The key opening shots in one pocket usually determine the winner of that game either breaking the balls or coming in after the break. Learn those early shots and you'll be just fine. If you play effective defense it's funny how the balls going towards your pocket find their destination.
Click to expand...

Glad Im not the only one. Thanks for your insight. The opening shot is critical and the options are numerous. Defense/Offense or Aggression/Passive??? Wars are lost making the wrong decision.

The only Baby Huey I know is from the west coast. The great Jerry M. If this is you I am honored.
 
In my opinion you need help in SET UP & Strategy & Creativity!!!

Set up:
I suggest you EXAMINE your pre-shot routine! Best tip is to stand back from the table on the shot line then set up and trust your set up, do not move or change shot selection with out rinsing and repeating pre-shot routine!

Strategy:
Take a scratch when in doubt. Go back to go forward! Play the score and protect your lead! When behind take chances! Risk should never exceed reward if it does "No Go"

Creativity:
Do not under estimate or ignore the benefit of putting your opponent under duress. example: Left long, doubled up, pinned to the stack, bridging over balls, Frozen to the rail, Always protect balls near your pocket, Always use the stack to protect balls near your pocket. Open up balls to play on BOTH long and short rail.

Do the most with each shot. Play safe and aggressive. But, most important is the CUE BALL and use kisses and caroms when angle undermines cue ball placement.

KD
 
yobagua said:
Good advice. Its like that saying "Keep it simple, stupid" I always say to myself.. LOL!
Click to expand...

I'm a slow started on one hole myself, then after a few games I reach my true potential of C+ player, then a couple hours later I fade into the sell out king!!!
 
If you only have a few minutes to warm up, then these are, without question, the shots you should practice:
  • the break - hit at least two
  • spot shots - hit at least four, two from each side. Don't start the match until you make them
  • a three-rail kick from your pocket to your opponent's pocket. This shot comes up all the time and you need to know (and not guess) how the rails throw. Just two shots of this and you should get a decent feel.
  • cross-corner banks - hit at least two, but the more the better.

After that, go play.
 
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