Please help me design a training regimen!

K

kingwang

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey guys,

I've been playing seriously for a bit over a year and I'm guessing right now I am a C/D player. Given 3 random balls on the table, I can run out in rotation 80% of the time, 60% for 4 balls, and down from there. I think my mechanics, such as stroke and form are pretty good, and I just need more effective practice time and experience. Right now, for practice I spread around 5 balls and run out in rotation over and over again.

My request from you guys is to help me design a training regimen for a whole year. My goal is to be a A/B player by the start of January 2009. I don't want individual drills or games...I need a plan for what to practice over a day/week/month. I practice on average about 20+ hours a week, tell me how to use that time effectively. Also appreciated would be milestones/goals, such as being able to beat the 6 ball ghost by October (probably unrealistic) or something like that.

I realize this is a big request, but I know you guys on this forum can really help me get better...thanks in advance for the help!
 
Ask the pros

Louis Ulrich has a thread on some routine shots worth practicing under the "ask the pros" section on the main page. I started practicing these and it has been working very well. This might be a good place to start if you dont like drills.
 
kingwang said:
Hey guys,

I've been playing seriously for a bit over a year and I'm guessing right now I am a C/D player. Given 3 random balls on the table, I can run out in rotation 80% of the time, 60% for 4 balls, and down from there. I think my mechanics, such as stroke and form are pretty good, and I just need more effective practice time and experience. Right now, for practice I spread around 5 balls and run out in rotation over and over again.

My request from you guys is to help me design a training regimen for a whole year. My goal is to be a A/B player by the start of January 2009. I don't want individual drills or games...I need a plan for what to practice over a day/week/month. I practice on average about 20+ hours a week, tell me how to use that time effectively. Also appreciated would be milestones/goals, such as being able to beat the 6 ball ghost by October (probably unrealistic) or something like that.

I realize this is a big request, but I know you guys on this forum can really help me get better...thanks in advance for the help!
Click to expand...

Not to duck your question but it is a massive one and NO practice routine is going to work of your mechanics are not outstanding. Since you say you are C/D there is a 100% chance that your mechanics are seriously lacking.

The BEST advice I can give you is to book a day-long lesson with a TOP instructor. If you live in the U.S. there are several who post right here including Scott Lee, Randyg and others. Scott travels extensively and you will be able to hook up before long.

In a single day and for a few hundred bucks you will get GREAT advice...that you can COUNT on and that will last you for the rest of your pool life.

You will not only get a CORRECT analysis of your mechanics but SPECIFIC ways to improve on them and practice session guidance that will answer your specific questions posed here.

Regards,
Jim
(I have no financial interest in any instructor or school)
 
FIRST: Take a lesson from a qualified instructor to see how good your mechanics are. You need to KNOW they are right before you can move on. No amount of practice now will improve your game if the basics are not right. You are in L'vill so Mark Wilson at The Billiards Bullpen in Collinsville Il. is within easy driving distance. He's a top teacher who will get you going the right way.

After that then The Pro Book by Bob Hemming will be a good investment. He has a program that will make you a good player.
 
I would purchase the DVD by Jerry Briesath called How to Play Pool Right, for about $20.00. Doing the drills until you can do them in your sleep, and work on a straight stroke.
 
kingwang said:
Hey guys,

I've been playing seriously for a bit over a year and I'm guessing right now I am a C/D player. Given 3 random balls on the table, I can run out in rotation 80% of the time, 60% for 4 balls, and down from there. I think my mechanics, such as stroke and form are pretty good, and I just need more effective practice time and experience. Right now, for practice I spread around 5 balls and run out in rotation over and over again.

My request from you guys is to help me design a training regimen for a whole year. My goal is to be a A/B player by the start of January 2009. I don't want individual drills or games...I need a plan for what to practice over a day/week/month. I practice on average about 20+ hours a week, tell me how to use that time effectively. Also appreciated would be milestones/goals, such as being able to beat the 6 ball ghost by October (probably unrealistic) or something like that.

I realize this is a big request, but I know you guys on this forum can really help me get better...thanks in advance for the help!
Click to expand...

There is a section in my 9 ball book entitled "Training Cycles". The book is available at the link in my signature. Feel free to get with me privately, as this is my specialty as a coach/instructor.
 
I agree with the other posters that you first need a qualified instructor like Scott Lee to make sure you have sound mechanics. Check out the schedule for the pool school run by Randyg and Scott. They take the school on the road several times a year. I know Scott will be in New Jersey the week before Valley Forge, that's next week. I downloaded the free copy of the PAT program. It is mentioned recently here on Azbilliards. The discussion was started by JoeW. Look it up. Download the program or buy the complete program and practice their drills. Good luck. I hope you make your goal.
 
There are many ways and I think an individualized approach would be something like the following.

1. Play 10 frames of the Hopkins's Q Challenge. Diagram each shot you miss. This would be the last shot in each frame.

2. Review the misses and attempt to discover your weak area. If one cannot be found return to step one.

3. Search out training methods to improve your weak areas.

This is a little like the medical diagnostic and treatment method. It pertains to your particular situation. When you hit a weak area that you cannot seem to improve, seek a consultant.

I like the Hopkin's test becasue it inherently creates tension in each game / set. The better you do, the better you want to do and this pressure can have an adverse effect on your game showing up the weaknesses.

By the time your average is 18 - 20 you can play against "A" players. So it is probably a life long diagnostic and training approach.

If you do not like the Hopkins approach some other form of test / drill with a variety of shots could be substituted.

BTW, I was hit by the Microsft infinite loop update and it has destroyed my computer. I am still in the process of rebuilding from the ground up. When it is online my site will be set up for the new testing method. I think that over 50,000 people had their machines corrupted by this mal formed update. The PAT system is excellent as a diagnostic test from what I have read. Mine will be a short, free, variety. It is available now at

http://www.sunburstselect.com/PBReview/index.htm

However, it is not ready for prime time as of this writing for the reasons given here.
 
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Hey King,

There's lots of good advice here, and I'm going to give you some more that I feel very strongly about. You're very lucky to be living near a man who I feel is a very gifted instructor. He's also a BCA Advanced Instructor, father and coach to Landon Shuffet, the 13 year old who plays on the pro tour....AND WINS ! Stan is now retired from his job as a college teacher and devotes himself entirely to his pool teaching career, which he did previously for 23 years. I took a 3 day course from Stan and I'm recommending him to you because I feel that not only is he very knowledgeable and insightful, but nobody could work harder for your success. Stan's fees are very reasonable as well. Give Stan a call in central Kentucky. Here's a link to his website. You can thank me later;) ...Tom

http://www.justcueit.com/index.html
 
JimS said:
FIRST: Take a lesson from a qualified instructor to see how good your mechanics are. You need to KNOW they are right before you can move on. No amount of practice now will improve your game if the basics are not right. You are in L'vill so Mark Wilson at The Billiards Bullpen in Collinsville Il. is within easy driving distance. He's a top teacher who will get you going the right way.

After that then The Pro Book by Bob Hemming will be a good investment. He has a program that will make you a good player.
Click to expand...

X2 well said,

I see this one guy at a pool room I go to often and he plays alot, he is a great guy but he is doing exactly what I did, he is practicing the wrong stuff and has bad fundementals and he is getting better at his bad habits, i played him a month ago and everytime I se him I help him he is open to the help, I offered to have Scott give him a lession, he is PERFECT for Scott, if he keeps on the road he is on it will be the long way, he is a C player now and probably wont make it to be an A player without an intervention, I wanted to see Scott work with him to see just how effective it is on him, i know its different on everyone so its not a "Scott Lee" test, I have watched this player for over an year and am curious about what impact Scott would have on him, this guy is dedicated but man he is practicing bad habits, and for my own knowlege I want him to see Scott, dunno if its gonna happen, i hope so.


then you see John Morra who is 18 and plays great or Oscar D. samething, good teachers/coaches from day one. Imagine if Archer had that:eek: he is self taught.
 
Fatboy said:
...Imagine if Archer had that:eek: he is self taught.
Click to expand...


Gotta dispute that one Fatboy... Johnny learned the game from a man named Chester Flynt from Metter, Georgia. Nick Varner also has been quite a darn good influence on Johnny - in fact I believe Nick showed Johnny the ins and outs of straight pool. Nick was also instrumental in helping Johnny develop his safety game back in the late 1980's. Before that, the guy would shoot at anything.
 
It's easy. Just find a pool hall with tons of action and a few good/great players. Watch as much as you can, match up and get your money in as much as you can, and do some practicing when theres nothing else going on in the pool hall.

I know guys who've been doing drills for as long as I've been alive, they come in the place and set up balls in a perfect circle, or make a box around a pocket, or just setup the same shot and shot it 1,000 times a day. I don't see these guys going anywhere.
I'm not saying that doing drills and practicing is bad, but I think too many people over do it.
Get your cash in on the table, that should improve your game pretty fast (or bust, whichever comes first).

You can go ahead and work on that punching bag all day long but how much do you think that's going to help when the guy starts punching back?
 
AZE said:
You can go ahead and work on that punching bag all day long but how much do you think that's going to help when the guy starts punching back?
Click to expand...

If you spend your time at the punching bag correctly.....the guy wont be able to punch back.
 
cleary said:
If you spend your time at the punching bag correctly.....the guy wont be able to punch back.
Click to expand...

^ you get me someone who's never been in a fight in his life, and let them spend a full year with that punching bag. I'll back the first girl (who's already been in a fight) I see against him :)
 
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