playing against the ghost

trob

trob

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was just wandering how many of you play against the ghost and if it helps. I've been struggling with pressure lately and am looking for something to apply the pressure in practice. Did it tonight and honestly lost twice. first in a race to 5 I was up 2-0 and then my break went dead and I started leaving clusters. and lost 5-2. Then in race to 3 I lost 3-1 but should have won it. I scratched on a tough 8 and dogged a nine. I'm more of an 8 ball player but I'm gonna try to work it into my practice every day. It's tough when you got to get out. The only thing I don't like is I have a strong safe game and it's all offense.
 
You can play the 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball or any amount of balls in a rotation ghost game. In 8-ball you break, no bih and try to run solids or stipes out. If you run them out then run the other balls out also. Johnnyt
 
well 9 ball gives you that open rack and that's been when the dog seems to come out of me lately. The ***** about that is once the dog comes out for what ever reason it's hard to get him back in lol
 
if you are good at responding to safes, incorporate it into playing the ghost. if you play a safe that you are unable to pocket a ball against, than the game goes on.

personally, i think this is a better way. defense is an important part of the game and should be given the respect of practice time.
 
I started playing the ghost a while back and feel that it has helped my game quite a bit. I did find a certain lack of pressure at first, but i soon found people are more than willing the bet on the ghost. With the added pressure, ghosty's hard to beat. Heck, what am i saying, he's hard to beat anyway.
 
trob said:
I was just wandering how many of you play against the ghost and if it helps. I've been struggling with pressure lately and am looking for something to apply the pressure in practice. Did it tonight and honestly lost twice. first in a race to 5 I was up 2-0 and then my break went dead and I started leaving clusters. and lost 5-2. Then in race to 3 I lost 3-1 but should have won it. I scratched on a tough 8 and dogged a nine. I'm more of an 8 ball player but I'm gonna try to work it into my practice every day. It's tough when you got to get out. The only thing I don't like is I have a strong safe game and it's all offense.
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I think playing the ghost is one of the best ways to improve, but like all learning experiences, it depends on what you take away from it. You have to be observant and figure out what the mistakes are telling you about your game.

Forget all the beautiful run-outs you made. When you make a mistake, what was it? Was it poor planning? Missing shape? Bad rolls? Sloppy routine? Sloppy racking or ineffective break? Dogged shots you should make? Inattention to detail? Hooking yourself because you tried to play tight position?

Then once you figure out your areas of improvement, it becomes a check list.

For example, lately I have learned from the ghost that I needed to slow down, consider all my options, not play position "by habit" but consider all shots. I'm playing shape to easier shots and angles. I am not rushing as much. So I am working on simlifying my patterns and considering more shot options, not just playing the usual position. My goal is that when I'm under pressure, the layouts are easier to execute - and I have a plan that keeps my mind off negative thoughts.

Chris
 
The ghost is a great tool to use and is a good measure of your overall ability, I believe. For rotation, start with the 6 ball ghost. Once you start beating that by a few games every race (I race to 9), move on up to 9 ball. If you get good enough to beat that game, 10 ball REAL tough on a tight table. I know some short-stops that I would back the 10 ball ghost against on the right table.
 
The ghost is without doubt the best practice for a rotation game player. Don't worry about safes. Safeties are a last resort. The only way to play dead safe is to run out. The ghost will improve your cueball control and thus improve your safeties.

Two short races is nothing and means nothing. Play ahead sets. I play world class speed, but if I'm not playing regularly I start off with 2 ahead 10 ball and work up from there to 5 ahead, 10 ahead, then 11, and 12 ball (on 4" pockets).
 
Woof Biscuit said:
Never thought about an ahead set. I am going to try that.
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Just don't be afraid to lose. In fact, expect to lose. Most pro matches don't see a 900 accustats which is basicly the minimum required to break even at 9ball ghost. Try and play until you win a set. When I am getting back in stroke after a layoff, I don't count negative numbers.
 
unknownpro said:
Just don't be afraid to lose. In fact, expect to lose. Most pro matches don't see a 900 accustats which is basicly the minimum required to break even at 9ball ghost. Try and play until you win a set. When I am getting back in stroke after a layoff, I don't count negative numbers.
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Wow! That really puts it in perspective.
 
Relieving Mounting Pressure!

Woof Biscuit said:
The ghost is a great tool to use and is a good measure of your overall ability, I believe. For rotation, start with the 6 ball ghost. Once you start beating that by a few games every race (I race to 9), move on up to 9 ball.
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After reading the first post this what I was going to say too,........

play the 6-ball ghost racking the 4,5,6,7,8&9 balls, most guys can run the 1 thru the 5 ball, then the pressure mounts and doubt & fear creeps in, if your going to dog a ball in 9-ball it will be the 7,8,or 9 ball more often than not, get used to geting out with the short rack 6-ball, this helps relieve mounting pressure of getting out in 9-ball using these numberd balls , its all just a mental thing anyway!


David Harcrow
 
unknownpro said:
Just don't be afraid to lose. In fact, expect to lose. Most pro matches don't see a 900 accustats which is basicly the minimum required to break even at 9ball ghost. Try and play until you win a set. When I am getting back in stroke after a layoff, I don't count negative numbers.
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Yea but matches dont include BIH after the break either.

Although I agree about the ghost ahead sets.... I play it everyday as a gauge to where my game is. I strive for a better score everytime I play it. I think that it absolutely makes you better. I also agree keeping the safes out. I play a seperate game by myself with safes. I go to 10 points ... each safe a point. I break 9 ball and all you do is play safe to get to 10. This helps me immensely.
 
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beat the ghost twice out of 5 races to 5 today. Barely beat it the first time 5-4. then shut it out 5-0 the next time. :thumbup: I was crushing the break. I don't think I had a hard shot in any of the 5 racks.
 
I started doing 6 balls a little while ago... actually I started at 9 and realized I was outclassed. One thing the ghost will teach you is humility. You learn that you don't run out nearly as often as you think you do, and that your average run is a lot lower than you want it to be.

My friend and I take turns playing the ghost... sort of cooperative practice. It's a lot more fun than just playing 9b against each other. It takes the bad taste out of your mouth when one guy runs 7 balls and the other guy clears the last 2 for a win. You can both compete by mentally keeping track of how many ahead or behind you are. Whoever has the better score (when we're sick of practice) is the winner. But even if you're not the winner, if you finish ahead of the ghost you can feel good.

It's for sure good for your game and a great way to practice. I felt my focus and playing jump a bit right away.
 
I'm definitly making it part of my regular practice. I really feel myself bearing down on balls and also feel the pressure of running out.
 
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