Practice

Sigg23

Sigg23

Sammyjoe
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?
 
For me...

I pay attention to where I am having trouble in matches. When I miss I make a mental note of how I missed, whether I have a tendancy to miss a certain way. If my position play is in question , I note the same. Is it a pattern problem or speed. Is it a constant error or random. Those kind of things.

Then when I set a practice, I work on those specifically till there is no longer an issue.

For one simple example, only about a week ago I realized in long straight draw shots I was missing or consistantly jarring the left side of the pocket. Turned out that my alignment had drifted somewhat over time and was causing me to miss the intended impact point on the CB when I increased speed in my stroke on those shots. I just worked on that shot. Table length (evenly spaced) straight ins with draw, being very carefull of my alignment, overall stroke line and point of CB impact until I could dead flush a full rack. If I missed I started over.

So regardless of the problem and in simplistic terms, thats basically my approach. Identify your problems, apply a priority (if there are multiple) and address each till they are no longer a problem.


The only real problem is there always seems to be 'A' problem. :)
 
I'll tell you guys a secret on straight in shots, draw or follow, if you turn your wrist in towards your body just a little, it will keep your stroke straight, and you won't be pulling your arm out when contacting the CB.
 
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
 
poolrod said:
I'll tell you guys a secret on straight in shots, draw or follow, if you turn your wrist in towards your body just a little, it will keep your stroke straight, and you won't be pulling your arm out when contacting the CB.
Click to expand...

i think this is terrible advice. it adds one more movement that can go wrong
i have NEVER read a certified instructor EVER recommend this

back to the op
i practice stroke drill always
also found this very useful
http://www.pooldawg.com/product/joe-tucker-s-guaranteed-improvement-book-and-dvd-set
ive done all of them but im focusing on the 10 ball rotation one in particular now
the drills cover all aspects of play
speed control ,position targets ,pocketing balls etc
 
RRfireblade said:
... I pay attention to where I am having trouble in matches. When I miss I make a mental note of how I missed, whether I have a tendancy to miss a certain way. If my position play is in question , I note the same. Is it a pattern problem or speed. Is it a constant error or random. Those kind of things.

Then when I set a practice, I work on those specifically till there is no longer an issue....
Click to expand...
This is the answer. If you need a higher authority, read Babe Cranfield's book on 14.1. Work on your weaknesses is his main message.

Far too many players spend too much of their time working on shots they are comfortable with. Unless they are trying to get a 95% shot to 99%, there is no point. The need to work on the shot they miss in tournaments or practice games. As mentioned above, sometimes it is not the shot itself that needs work -- it is the lousy position play that left you with the tough shot.

I've had a lot of trouble playing with the mechanical bridge lately in league matches. Last night I spent two hours working on only bridge shots. I'd say I got down to about a quarter of the misses and twice the power. Now if I can only remember (I mean, if my arm can only remember) how to use the bridge in my next match.
 
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.
 
Sigg23 said:
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?
Click to expand...

One of the things I prartice is making the cb going from point "a" to point "b".
1. place two ob's on the foot rail a little over 1 ball width apart then from in the kitchen shoot the cb between them, without hitting them and back to the tip of your cue stick that you stopped at the end of your stroke.
2. place two ob's 1/2 to 1 diamond off the side rail about 1 1/4 balls apart or closer, next from the opposite side rail place the cb a few inches off the rail and shoot between the ob's and back to your cue tip. Work on the same exersize between the end rails. It works best if you have a second person to put the ob's back in place for you.
3. place two ob's 1 1/2 balls apart or closer about 1 1/2 diamonds off the foot rail, then from the kitchen shoot the cb with side english (R or L) through the ob's to the end rail and off without hitting the ob's.

JDale
 
poolrod said:
I'll tell you guys a secret on straight in shots, draw or follow, if you turn your wrist in towards your body just a little, it will keep your stroke straight, and you won't be pulling your arm out when contacting the CB.
Click to expand...

Obviously U must be a Pro for that not to F ur stroke up because u should NEVER do that.. and if u were a Pro u should probably break that habit, and most of all dont give advice to anybody to do so!!!

A huge thing i see noobs doing is not getting DOWN on your shot and STAYING down.. that helps stroke a tons. Other than that I always hated the layout drills people do and say to practice.. just aggrevating because ur not doing it right or fitting into a mold right or yadda yadda.. Just set 5 balls on the table of stripe and 7 of solid and the eight ball and run the stripes. if thats too hard take some opponent balls off the table. If 8 ball isnt your game set up 9 ball and just PLAY!! I used to set up a 7 ball rack and would realize i could run it a lot easier than a 9 ball rack and i realized i was just intimidated by the two extra balls on the table and told myself its all in my head.
 
bearsafety said:
Obviously U must be a Pro for that not to F ur stroke up because u should NEVER do that.. and if u were a Pro u should probably break that habit, and most of all dont give advice to anybody to do so!!!

A huge thing i see noobs doing is not getting DOWN on your shot and STAYING down.. that helps stroke a tons. Other than that I always hated the layout drills people do and say to practice.. just aggrevating because ur not doing it right or fitting into a mold right or yadda yadda.. Just set 5 balls on the table of stripe and 7 of solid and the eight ball and run the stripes. if thats too hard take some opponent balls off the table. If 8 ball isnt your game set up 9 ball and just PLAY!! I used to set up a 7 ball rack and would realize i could run it a lot easier than a 9 ball rack and i realized i was just intimidated by the two extra balls on the table and told myself its all in my head.
Click to expand...

There are many things that go through the head while stepping up to play. Good things are ok, I tell myself not to move. That means the only thing that moves is my stroke arm, and the cue. I turn my wrist in just enough to put a little tension on it. if you stand there and just stroke your arm, and do that, your arm stays straight with your body. Try it, if you like it, great, if not. Don't use it. There is no such thing as bad advice in my eyes. People try everything in the world to play better. They buy books and movies, post cards, underwear with pool diagrams,lol. Trust me. I'm a player.
 
For my practice sessions, I shoot rack after rack of straight rotation...put all 15 balls into play, shooting them in rotation...don't allow yourself spot shots, shoot your way out of safeties, etc. Does wonders for rotation games, and even pattern games, too.
 
my 25 cents worth
depending where your skill level is
what you need to practice and how you structure your practice sessions will be diferent
its no shame to say im a D player wanting to be C
what should i do??
or im a C player and want to be a B??
you get the idea
for the D's and C's that want to be A's
strive to be the next step up first


what do you guys think???
 
I'm subscribing to this thread!!! It's refreshing to come into a thread and see a bunch of replies full of value instead of pissing matches.
 
Guapo said:
I'm subscribing to this thread!!! It's refreshing to come into a thread and see a bunch of replies full of value instead of pissing matches.
Click to expand...

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

Very true, I love pool, I have taught at least a thousand people how to play good enough to be on a circuit. I hate good players that won't show anybody anything, unless they play for cash. I love to beat those guys. I love promoting the great game of pool.:thumbup:
 
From the chair

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:confused:
 
I'm no instructor, but I wouldn't do drills unless you are a drill type person.
You could play the ghost. Put a nickle and a penny under the head rail and see who beats who.
Lay out a nine ball cosmo (no balls touching) and try to go out, or start with the eight and nine ball and make the eight and then the nine. If you don't miss add the seven. Continue adding balls until you miss, then start over again.
Play pool with someone at your skill level, or better. Preferably better.
Read books and purchase CDs.
And, whatever you do, learn One Pocket. You'll thank Grady and me later. :smile:
 
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