Practice

[RRfireblade]

Any body go back and sit down after each practice shot, whether made or missed? View the table while seated-then go shoot again.

Is the view from the chair, and any shot selection/ stragedy choice of benefit while approaching the table?

Or----Is it-'it is what it is'? Figure it out when you get there?(to the table)

Just a random thought.....since a little less engaged while in the chair-could that help in choosing a best option, as opposed to having to do something fairly quickly once you get there, where and when you are fully engaged with the pressure of execution.

Looking to simulate game conditions, rather than be allowed multiple opportunities to dial in a troublesome shot.(that practice is more of a 'fine tuning' thing)

wtf

Personally, no. Not in thr appearance of the table from the seat.

However I absolutely practice "pace of play" when I practice alone. Do the exact same when I play golf. Huge part of "practice" IMO.

 

[Fallito]

I do diferent routines evry other day and once a week I practice 14.1 in my 7 footer. You get better with your runs...

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[Cdryden]

I have been having trouble lately figuring out exactly how to improve my game...I started about 2 yrs ago and have taken a HUGE leap forward in my quality of play...working alot on all of the fundamentals everyday. I am wondering what everyone does out there to get the most our of your practice time...there are sooooo many drills and for all different levels of players...sometimes i try these drills i find online and seem maybe too difficult for my level of play? How do you know what drills to do for your specific level of play? Does anyone organize and changeup there drills in a specific way?

Just to build on what some others have said, here is my take on it. I like to find someone close to my speed and play them a few games, just for fun, but actually take notes on what I did.

When i loose a game I make a note of why, was it do to poor position play, poor strategy, blown safety etc. I also make note of what types of shots I was missing, banks, combos whatever.

Then use that info the next time you practice. By that time you should have an idea as to what problems are a priority. It's also a good idea to ask the person that you were playing against what he/she thinks your biggest weakness was. Another persons point of view can be a valuable tool.

And last but not least, always work your break into your practice routine. No matter how good you think you are at it.

 

[Guapo]

dont you wish there was a law or be banned
if you dont have something to say thats constructive
DONT SAY IT
:smile:

It's a shame that people have stopped posting on here because of all the pissing matches. I know of at least one poster who always provided tons of valuable info who chose to stop posting on AZB.

 

[peteypooldude]

Let me start by saying I am a procrastinator . I have a habit of playing the ghost and when I run like 3 in a row I get bored an start shooting stroke shots . When I get ready for a tournament that's different. I place 15 balls on the table spread out and try not to miss anything, if I do I will work on that shot. I have run 136 on the BB and then again it took me several times to get a substantial run going. If you want to play rotation start with 4 balls and work your way up after every 3 or 4 runs without a miss. There r several quality posters who have great advice but for me this works best

 

[iusedtoberich]

practice?

We talkin bout practice?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI

HA! Hilarious. Philly's finest. lol

 

[poolrod]

Hm Rod,

this can t be seriously meant, hm? How can you make such a statement as an *overall* advice? And anyway-- in my opinion every *self created* wrist movement is just another source of error. Some using their wrist kind of naturally- but to try to use your wrist *concsiously* to keep your stroke straight-- this is in my opinion a bad advice.

lg
Ingo

Most players I talk to, turn their wrist without realizing it, you probably do too.

 

[Dunnn51]

Great Thread !

A well thought out plan about what you need to practice will do the most to improve a person's game.

To add a little to the already great advice by others is how I use all 15 balls to practice a variety of things.

As Bob mentioned, I've just randomly rolled all 15 balls on the table and used nothing but the bridge.

Another way to use all 15 balls is to roll the balls out on the table and use only type of spin to make the balls.

Another is what I call bank, carom, combo. Again, using all 15 balls randomly rolled on the table, the only shots that can be made are a bank, a carom or a combo or any mix of the three. These shots don't some up often in 9 ball, but in 8 ball and 14.1 they can help you keep a run going.

Then there is the rail practice. I put one OB on the table with the CB and see how many times I can hit the OB by going 1,2 or 3 rails.

Also I setup shots that the "standard" stance cannot be used. I'm right handed so everything is from the view point. There are positions on the the table that the balls can be in that the "standard" type of stance can not be used. I couple of examples are the behind the back shot and shooting one handed and as mentioned using the bridge.

I still do one ball drills. One ball from one position to one pocket with one type of english. Then change to using different english from that same spot. Then move to a different spot on the table and repeat.

Here is the best way to improve your stroke. Again using all 15 balls randomly rolled on the table, all shots are to be made at pocket speed only, any ball, in any pocket. Pocket speed being the OB only having enough speed to barely make the pocket. It is harder to stroke slower than you think and it really helps you be aware of how you are stroking when stroking slowly

Plus you will see how little is really need to run 15 balls. You will also increase your range of speeds you can use to make balls. 14.1 rewards being able to slow roll balls.

This is how I practice. The best practice I've had is playing people better than me. This will always point out where I still have weakness's. The only problem now is finding better players. And no, leagues are not for me.

One thing I read by Babe Cranfield about practice is to not make it work. If you do not feel like practicing, don't. More harm than good will be done. If during practicing, you lose the urge to practice stop. Practice when you feel good about being there practicing.

The only problem now is the biggest weakness I have is between by ears right now. Just wish I could find better players outside of having to play in handicapped leagues or tourneys. People where I shoot don't want to play me after besting the house favorites a few times.

WHAT HE SAID !

Poolrod: I do that too esp when I shoot long and want the CB to "squat" near where my OB hit was. Thing is Stroke & aim MUST be perfect;otherwise the risk outweighs the benefit. Also that twist has to be ever so slight or it will take you out of stroke (for me anyway).

I'm no pro, but drills only work for me when they are fun and don't feel like work.

 

[poolrod]

Yes, a very slight turn in, barely enough to notice. It really works well. Great info here, keep it up guys.

 

[Dunnn51]

Yes, a very slight turn in, barely enough to notice. It really works well. Great info here, keep it up guys.

So cool ! I can relate.
That's great when it gets tight for the next cross table shot.

 

[Ratta]

Most players I talk to, turn their wrist without realizing it, you probably do too.

poolrod:

1.) I like your attitude that you love to help guys. Hats off for this-great!

2.) What the most players do, and what they re *thinking* what they do are to different shoes :grin:

There are players who have a natural movement with their wrist during their stroke. As long as it s natural given, it can be *ok* and then there s not really a reason to change it. But to tell a player *to create wrist action* is in my personal opinion one of the most bad things you can do. This is another source how to make it more complicated and one more source for an error in your movement.

To analyze a stroke from a player needs expirience and how to detect bad issues which are limitating his skills and his chance to increase.

lg
Ingo

 

[Dunnn51]

the wrist

Ratta:

I think Poolrod is talking from an experienced players perspective. Yes, wrist movement in your stroke hand should be limited to pivot movement,... not side -to-side movement. That's fundamental.

That "twist" is ever so slight, done smoothly through-out your follow through on your stroke. (this may not be a good similarity) It creates a rifling effect that when done right is quite effective! I use this instead of english as it tends to drop the roll of the CB after the shot, (why I used the term "squat") leaving it near the hit for a clean shot. It is good for long shots down table esp when the next ball is a cross table shot and there is some traffic in the way. (ie. cut that CB roll down for an open shot.)

hope this clarifies things a little. :smile:

 

[framedglasshadd]

I'd love to give useful advice, however, I am not qualified in any way... this is just from my experience. I guess I am not sure what you have tried and what you have not tried. I play carom so this may be a little different from pocket.. I don't know how helpful this can be. Maybe this is just common knowledge or common sense but it was sure new and useful to me.

I would try to play the same shot over and over again, and try to make it various different ways. I would start out with the two other balls not so far apart, then move them farther and farther. At the end it will look like a completely different play from when I started but I will have learned a lot. Also I would keep the same set up but move it to a different side of the table. Then I would play that same set up in different ways again (hit the left or right, use different amounts of english, hit thin or thick, follow or draw, etc.). It may sound impractical, but it has helped me because there are times where I suddenly realize how similar a play is to another. Also, although it is obvious, it really helps me to really think about 'why' I missed something. And I think the most important thing is to have the will to practice. As a previous poster said, "If you don't feel like practicing, don't"... It should be fun. It is not really practice if you enjoy it so much that you are really just playing, which is probably most (if not all) of the case.

 

[GAVI]

It helps

Practice aids are helpful. A cheap and useful aid is
Buddy Hall Cue Guide ($7.95 at Seyberts). It really helps.

Some reading is also helpful. A useful book presenting QUICK FIXES for various aspects related to the game, including fundamentals(stance,alignment, bridge, grip, swing and strokes) is POOL PLAYER's EDGE (last edition ) by Gerry Kanov and Shari Stauch, best price at Amazon.

And, of course, constant practice.

 

[naji]

I have been having trouble lately figuring out exactly how to improve my game...I started about 2 yrs ago and have taken a HUGE leap forward in my quality of play...working alot on all of the fundamentals everyday. I am wondering what everyone does out there to get the most our of your practice time...there are sooooo many drills and for all different levels of players...sometimes i try these drills i find online and seem maybe too difficult for my level of play? How do you know what drills to do for your specific level of play? Does anyone organize and changeup there drills in a specific way?

Lots of instructors tell you set this drill or that, but take it from the worlds champion, Darren Appleton said one time, the best practice is to practice pot making not game play, and also said do not practice by breaking 9 ball, just set up each shot and shoot.

Obviously he would not tell you the rest of story, here it is:
Balls within a diamond or two from pockets and CB also about a diamond or two from OB are easy to make with angels less than 1/2 ball hit, practice those with large angle cuts applying all kind of english and speed so you know where to aim for each condition

From there on, place CB three diamonds from OB, then 4, and so on, try with all speeds, and all english until skill is mastered

Then move OB further from pocket and repeat

This way you become expert in shot making which is the most critical. Everyday practice shot making, especially ones give you hard time like large very thin cuts, OB a mile away from the pocket..etc

Most importantly practice same long range shots daily when you are cold so you know why you miss.


keep track of balls missed, know why, adjust and practice them until mastery.

While you doing that focus on where white goes, this will help all position play depends on your aim, and speed


Occasionally you could break and run 9 or 10 balls,

Finally, to have better chance of making balls, you must take the time while you are down on shot to develop the exact sweet aim spot, other wise you will miss, even if you have the best stroke in town. Look at Dennis O and Darren Appleton they take the time to aim in comparison to Earl who miss lots of balls, even-though they spend 8 hrs practicing every day. Do not believe in "You Are in the zone" it will make you miss balls.

I have to say this, even though playing sociable is good and fun, but your mind needs practice to get used to pressure and get used to the kill attitude and maintain focus and that only comes from gambling. It is not bad, consider it investment in your game; don't bet the farm, just enough to elevate your blood pressure, and be aggressive, take notes of what shots you miss and back to drawing board.

Best of luck.

 

[Pushout]

Practice aids are helpful. A cheap and useful aid is
Buddy Hall Cue Guide ($7.95 at Seyberts). It really helps.

Some reading is also helpful. A useful book presenting QUICK FIXES for various aspects related to the game, including fundamentals(stance,alignment, bridge, grip, swing and strokes) is POOL PLAYER's EDGE (last edition ) by Gerry Kanov and Shari Stauch, best price at Amazon.

And, of course, constant practice.

There are many, many better books out there. Anything by Bob Byrne, Phil Capelle, 99 Critical Shots by Ray Martin, The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards by Doctor Dave, Steve Mizerak's Complete Book of Pool. I'd recommend any and all of these over PPE.
I agree about not necessarily doing drills also, I've never cared for them myself. There are a lot of practice games such as Fargo http://pool.bz/misc-billiard-rules/4501-fargo-game-rules.html that are good for improvement. Play with better players.

 

[arnaldo]

Video record yourself periodically. Regardless of how new you are to the game you’ll objectively pick up things about your game (your stance, alignment, quality of hand bridge, stroke quality, shooting pace, whether you’re staying down on every shot, etc.) you likely wouldn’t have been able to isolate and study otherwise.

There’s an old axiom that applies to all sports and virtually all other endeavors:

“Your strengths define your potential, your weaknesses determine the actual result.”

Arnaldo

 

[naji]

Video record yourself periodically. Regardless of how new you are to the game you’ll objectively pick up things about your game (your stance, alignment, quality of hand bridge, stroke quality, shooting pace, whether you’re staying down on every shot, etc.) you likely wouldn’t have been able to isolate and study otherwise.

There’s an old axiom that applies to all sports and virtually all other endeavors:

“Your strengths define your potential, your weaknesses determine the actual result.”

Arnaldo

Just a note, from my other posts answer, i indicated that players should not worry about "your stance, alignment, quality of hand bridge" as long as your shaft touching center of chin, and butt is against your rib cage, everything falls in place. If you do not do this, you sometime might shoot with high head, cue might be elevated more than needed, your chin might be off, your butt grip could be off which is critical.

 

[Dunnn51]

Perspective

Wow, I kinda feel like I helped de-rail this thread a little,(I'm only posting to help and let a few get to know me).

In the end, practice to me seems to be all about perspective. You (I) need to take a cold hard look at your game and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what is lacking/needs improvement in your game. I know a lot of times for myself I start working on so many other things that I tend to ignore my break.

If you are a drill type person then do it. If you need to know why the CB/OB moves a certain way then practice what you seen or better yet get someone who knows why to explain/show you.

Here's an example:

When I wassa teen (mannnnny yrs ago! ), my dad would do a little trick-shot that was sooooo simple it looked easy. It was a 5-rail reverse-english shot that was shot diagonally across the table into the first rail. The CB would travel seemingly at speed through the 5 rails, then would just touch the OB an inch directly in front of the pocket with the CB replacing the OB and would not follow it in. My understanding of english at the time was that english would only increase, or at best hold speed on the CB. Dad would hit it hard on premium felt and travel keeping most of its speed. Thing was that some of those rail hits were actually slowing down the CB, and it was all a timig/speed kind of shot.
This is how I learned about reverse english,.... it opened up my game.
Ya'all asleep yet ??? :boring2::boring2:

this is a great thread ! Keep going guys :smile:

 

[JuicyGirl]

Wow, I kinda feel like I helped de-rail this thread a little,(I'm only posting to help and let a few get to know me).

In the end, practice to me seems to be all about perspective. You (I) need to take a cold hard look at your game and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what is lacking/needs improvement in your game. I know a lot of times for myself I start working on so many other things that I tend to ignore my break.

If you are a drill type person then do it. If you need to know why the CB/OB moves a certain way then practice what you seen or better yet get someone who knows why to explain/show you.

Here's an example:

When I wassa teen (mannnnny yrs ago! ), my dad would do a little trick-shot that was sooooo simple it looked easy. It was a 5-rail reverse-english shot that was shot diagonally across the table into the first rail. The CB would travel seemingly at speed through the 5 rails, then would just touch the OB an inch directly in front of the pocket with the CB replacing the OB and would not follow it in. My understanding of english at the time was that english would only increase, or at best hold speed on the CB. Dad would hit it hard on premium felt and travel keeping most of its speed. Thing was that some of those rail hits were actually slowing down the CB, and it was all a timig/speed kind of shot.
This is how I learned about reverse english,.... it opened up my game.
Ya'all asleep yet ??? :boring2::boring2:

this is a great thread ! Keep going guys :smile:

I do this and a few others. Drills don't bother me. If its been a long day I'll do a couple of sets with 10 ball drills. Straight pool is nice too

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