Practice routine not working...

S

SPINDOKTOR

lool wtf??
Silver Member
I am having trouble, In practice Im doing great, the exercises Im doing, Im doing with perfection, yesterday before I went to the local hall I managed a perfect practice session (no misses) yet when I walk into the hall, now I cant make a ball. I struggled seriously, and only mangaged to run 1 rack, in 4 hours. from the layouts I should have ran 6 or more racks, but time after time I missed key balls, my position wasnt bad, I just simply missed the shots.

Not long ago I had a personal best run in straight pool, ever since my game has went down and down, now Im playing worse than I have in years. It seems no matter how hard or well I do in practice at the game table Im suffering, I feel confident, but the game just isnt there for me presently.

The purpose of this thread is to ask for what do top professionals practice? How can I challenge my game differntly to make it to the next level? At this time Im realizing what Im doing is keeping me where Im at, only instead of getting better, I peak, then fall, peak and fall, so I feel im in need of a differnt practice routine. I mean I do include trouble shots, alot of times the "how do you play this" threads offer some pretty good challenges.

I have ask, and Bob Jewet offered some advice, (to whitch I am very thankful) his advice really helped, and I started shooting lights out, but I cant maintain that level of play. Sometimes I play to perfection one rack, break, have an easier layout and cant get out. :confused: Im am totaly frustrated, yet I can do anything that is ask of me at the table, playing bank, a guy who coached a former New Yorker to become a Champion bank player as me to make this shot...


CueTable Help




I did it with ease, I was then ask to go 5 rails to pocket the in each location as follows


CueTable Help





CueTable Help





CueTable Help




CueTable Help





CueTable Help




then do a 6 railer.



CueTable Help




he then told me I was better than I thought I was, he said I could beat anybody, then I had one of the worst days playing 8 ball I think Ive had in years, If Im so good how come I cant run out consistantly? Im armed with banks, I shoot straight and I cant play....lol Im lost..



SPINDOKTOR
 
Well, Im no professional, but I dont see how shooting 5 and 6 rail kick shots can help you improve anything. I mean, how often does that really come up? IMO, the first thing you should do is mentally get rid of "easy" shots and "hard" shots....treat them all the same. Then, work on your pre-shot routine...like how many practice strokes do you use before each shot? try and do the same thing every time. This will help your consistency. Like I said, Im not a pro, but I hope this helps some.

Southpaw
 
Southpaw said:
Well, Im no professional, but I dont see how shooting 5 and 6 rail kick shots can help you improve anything. I mean, how often does that really come up? IMO, the first thing you should do is mentally get rid of "easy" shots and "hard" shots....treat them all the same. Then, work on your pre-shot routine...like how many practice strokes do you use before each shot? try and do the same thing every time. This will help your consistency. Like I said, Im not a pro, but I hope this helps some.

Southpaw
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your right, I was ask to do these shots to test my skill and knowledge of the game, since he is a banker, i think he felt these shots would show my strength, as he never suggested how I should play them. just to make it happen.

SPINDOKTOR
 
I agree with Southpaw. 4/5/6 rail kicks will come up maybe once every 100 racks if that often.

Join the club regarding playing much better in practice than under the pressure of competition.

Here's a drill that has helped me a great deal. (I'll explain why later.)

Just roll out 6 balls and spread them so you have a totally cosmo layout.

Then PREDICT your runout route being SURE to choose getting on the CORRECT SIDE of of your next OB.

Runout and adjust your route as necessary.

WHY? You will find that that main reason for failing to run out will get getting on the wrong side of the next OB and therefore, making a difficult run out of an easy one.

ALWAYS look for down-the-line shape when possible.

In addition to route planning, you will develop CONFIDENCE in your ability to run out.

In addition, make your self the following promise...one that is made by virtually every champion in every sport.

TOTALLY COMMIT TO EVERY SHOT...ESPECIALLY THE EASY ONES!!!

Finally, I obviously have never seen you play but ONE reason that many players fold under pressure is that they have a flaw (or a few) in their fundamental mechanics which don't hurt much in practice but when under the pressure of competition, the small muscles tense up and you miss.

With better mechanics, human beings are able to function better under pressure that otherwise.

Regards,
Jim
 
av84fun said:
I agree with Southpaw. 4/5/6 rail kicks will come up maybe once every 100 racks if that often.

Join the club regarding playing much better in practice than under the pressure of competition.

Here's a drill that has helped me a great deal. (I'll explain why later.)

Just roll out 6 balls and spread them so you have a totally cosmo layout.

Then PREDICT your runout route being SURE to choose getting on the CORRECT SIDE of of your next OB.

Runout and adjust your route as necessary.

WHY? You will find that that main reason for failing to run out will get getting on the wrong side of the next OB and therefore, making a difficult run out of an easy one.

ALWAYS look for down-the-line shape when possible.

In addition to route planning, you will develop CONFIDENCE in your ability to run out.

In addition, make your self the following promise...one that is made by virtually every champion in every sport.

TOTALLY COMMIT TO EVERY SHOT...ESPECIALLY THE EASY ONES!!!

Finally, I obviously have never seen you play but ONE reason that many players fold under pressure is that they have a flaw (or a few) in their fundamental mechanics which don't hurt much in practice but when under the pressure of competition, the small muscles tense up and you miss.

With better mechanics, human beings are able to function better under pressure that otherwise.

Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...


Good advice Jim . . . most good players will miss the shot they "took for granted" because they get too far ahead of themselves . . . always devote 100% focus on the task at hand.
 
Neil said:
LOL. BEEN THERE! I know just what you are going through. Maybe it happens to most of us, I don't know. It is very frustrating, but actually, (for me anyhow) has an easy solution.

Now, first off, this may apply to you, or it may not. But you have to really be honest with yourself. It did work for me, so that is what I give to you.

I started practicing more again. Serious practice. I really wanted to get back to where I used to be, and more. I looked at the facts first. If I do get at least some of it back, it won't be long before I only get to play a couple of people around here. The action that I have milked for years will be gone. But honestly looking at that, I decided- so what. In the long run I'm ahead, but not enough to worry about. And I wanted my game back more.

So I got better, and promptly lost a couple of decent matches by shooting bad. So I had to honestly look at why I lost. I came up with two things. 1.- Afraid to win. Part of me didn't want to show them what I could do and kill my 'easy' action. 2.- Ego. Part of me wanted to show off and show them how babdly there were outgunned. I KNEW I wouldn't miss much now. The balls would seem to fall automatically for me. So, unwittingly, I wasn't aiming like I was in practice. I was just going through the motions of aiming, but not aiming. I was missing one element yet- killer instinct.

It all boils down to your head after a certain skill level. You have to have the confidence from practice. But you also have to have that killer instinct. That desire to not only win, but to destroy. That desire that will NOT let you pull the trigger until everything is in place. And you have to throw that ego crap right out the window. It might have a small place after the game to make you feel good, but it doesn't belong in the game. Too many players confuse confidence with ego that you can do anything. They are seperate entities.

You have to play the game with the same mindset that you practiced with. If you don't, you aren't playing your game, and the practice is worthless.

Hope this makes some sense to you and helps.
Click to expand...



youve hit some hard facts, maybe I am afraid to win, and I am lacking a killer instinct for sure. your also right about the action, this may have lead to the situation Im now in...

So ive dug myself a deep and dark pit, no doubt there, and I know for sure the mental side of the game, may be a weakness for me. I just dont think hitting the practice table any harder will help, I think I need a mental makeover...

I wonder if self hypnosis works? Im willing to try anything....lol :eek:


SPINDOKTOR
 
SPINDOKTOR said:
The purpose of this thread is to ask for what do top professionals practice? How can I challenge my game differntly to make it to the next level?
...
I cant maintain that level of play. Sometimes I play to perfection one rack, break, have an easier layout and cant get out.
Click to expand...

Here's my $0.02. As you have described it, it looks to me like this is actually 2 issues: (1) your physical game has gotten to the point where your mental game is "slacking off" and (2) your shot making percentage is drooping for hard shots due to lack of practicing them AND drooping for easy shots because of #1. I have seen this scenario countless times: a player's position game gets exceptional (i.e., great cue ball control) but they have a lapse in shot making ability. IMO, this is because they rarely have to shoot "hard" shots due to excellent cue ball placement. This has the added negative side effect of getting lazy brain - i.e., reducing concentration, since there are only "easy" shots to focus on in practice. During play, this manifests itself as low number of racks run, bad safety play, and botched run-outs.

A few remedies exists, but there are NO quick fixes. The first thing I would recommend is working on your focus/concentration. Try to pay attention to every shot - especially the easy ones - and give them a little more attention than you normally would. Stop before every shot, walk around the table, pay attention to the angles, etc. Try to aim the object ball to a particular part of the pocket every shot. Basically, you are trying to get your brain to work for you, not against you. Hopefully, this level of concentration will overlap into actual play.

Also, when you notice your mind not giving 100%, take a break. The key is you HAVE to get your head on straight when you play. Every shot. So you have to practice that way.

Here are some drills I have asked students to do in the past for their mental game: force yourself to hit at least 3 rails after pocketing every ball. This will result in more planning before (i.e., turning your brain on) and also more "hard" shots (which will sharpen your shooting skills). Also, you can reduce the pocket size (with a ball or some other device you have). This will force you to concentrate more on the shot at hand.

There are many shotmaking drills you can do for "refreshing" your arsenal, but I would guess that fixing your "lazy head" ;) will remedy the shotmaking and increase your out percentage...

Lastly, don't confuse killer instinct with excellent execution. It is possible to concentrate on the task at hand regardless of whether you want to destroy your opponent or not. If you are playing lazy because you don't want to win or don't care if you play good, then you should stop playing right then and there.

-td <- just more hot air
 
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td873 said:
Here's my $0.02. As you have described it, it looks to me like this is actually 2 issues: (1) your physical game has gotten to the point where your mental game is "slacking off" and (2) your shot making percentage is drooping for hard shots due to lack of practicing them AND drooping for easy shots because of #1. I have seen this scenario countless times: a player's position game gets exceptional (i.e., great cue ball control) but they have a lapse in shot making ability. IMO, this is because they rarely have to shoot "hard" shots due to excellent cue ball placement. This has the added negative side effect of getting lazy brain - i.e., reducing concentration, since there are only "easy" shots to focus on in practice. During play, this manifests itself as low number of racks run, bad safety play, and botched run-outs.

A few remedies exists, but there are NO quick fixes. The first thing I would recommend is working on your focus/concentration. Try to pay attention to every shot - especially the easy ones - and give them a little more attention than you normally would. Stop before every shot, walk around the table, pay attention to the angles, etc. Try to aim the object ball to a particular part of the pocket every shot. Basically, you are trying to get your brain to work for you, not against you. Hopefully, this level of concentration will overlap into actual play.

Also, when you notice your mind not giving 100%, take a break. The key is you HAVE to get your head on straight when you play. Every shot. So you have to practice that way.

Here are some drills I have asked students to do in the past for their mental game: force yourself to hit at least 3 rails after pocketing every ball. This will result in more planning before (i.e., turning your brain on) and also more "hard" shots (which will sharpen your shooting skills). Also, you can reduce the pocket size (with a ball or some other device you have). This will force you to concentrate more on the shot at hand.

There are many shotmaking drills you can do for "refreshing" your arsenal, but I would guess that fixing your "lazy head" ;) will remedy the shotmaking and increase your out percentage...

Lastly, don't confuse killer instinct with excellent execution. It is possible to concentrate on the task at hand regardless of whether you want to destroy your opponent or not. If you are playing lazy because you don't want to win or don't care if you play good, then you should stop playing right then and there.

-td <- just more hot air
Click to expand...


Im making the hard shots, but like you described my percentage for the easy shots is dropping. For example, one game, I had a super tough thin cut, I exexuted the shot great, then I missed a two footer straight in..

I also think your right about the mindset, and not playing unless Im ready and willing to give a 100% I am seriously guilty of haphazardly playing without a care, I do it way to often.

This year I am having some health issues as well, I have had a swollen and itchy throat since this summer, the Doc says its drainage and has alot to do with alergies and also may be part of an upper digestive trac problem.. I can say if someone gets within 5 feet and even smells like smoke I cant even swallow.. I believe how ever small, this may also be playing a part in my game falling off. At times I see more clearly, and seem to be able to focus at a higher level, most times I just feel blury.. mind and body its like im swimming in muddy water.

Im going to the local hall tonight, Im going to focous and try everyones suggestions, Id like to also thank everyone for your time trying to help, Im open to any and all suggestions, and I do appritiate everyone for just taking the time to respond..

SPINDOKTOR
 
See the shot, I mean really see it before going down on it. "Concentrate" on the feel of the shot. How thick, the way the balls collide and where the white ball is going after the hit really feel it.

Then just play and have fun! Fall in love with the feel of the balls.

The more fun you have, the more balls drop and the more fun you will have. (Do not ask your opponent sitting in the chair).

Ps. do not focus too hard on focus, man. Ds.
 
Fixer said:
See the shot, I mean really see it before going down on it. "Concentrate" on the feel of the shot. How thick, the way the balls collide and where the white ball is going after the hit really feel it.

Then just play and have fun! Fall in love with the feel of the balls.

The more fun you have, the more balls drop and the more fun you will have. (Do not ask your opponent sitting in the chair).

Ps. do not focus too hard on focus, man. Ds.
Click to expand...




Then just play and have fun! Fall in love with the feel of the balls.

This more than anything caught my attention, this is what im lacking, love for the game, once I realized I wasnt enjoying the game so much because I was trying to focous so hard, I lost touch with the main reason I play.

I surely didnt play like superman last night but I did have some fun, and my game was there if I needed it. I feel fresh, ready for anything.


its amazing to me that you can ask and recieve absolute advice, everyone seemingly knew what was going on with my game, it struck me as kinda freaky, but the main thing is I listen. it's pretty apparent to me that others are having the same troubles that I am, this in itself gives me drive, I am going to overcome these problems, I will devote my game to help those in need, by overcomming the problems we face we will be renewed as players, no matter how large or small a problem is I am at your disposel.

SPINDOKTOR
 
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