Practice

Try this......it isn"t ez

Simple, easy drill that will serve everyone well........in fact, I challenge you to perform this drill
and see just how well you can do......betcha you don't fare anywhere as well as you might think.

Ready.......Everyone knows the importance of being able to pocket a spot shot......right?
One of the basic shots we all learn ....object ball on foot spot and cue ball in the kitchen.

Pick a pocket....call the left one or right one but only that pocket counts.....Okay?
Now using cue ball in hand in the kitchen, pocket the object ball on the foot spot to the
left or right corner pocket that you selected. I'm sure you pocket the ball the 1st time ....right?

Now wherever the cue ball lies, leave it there & spot a new cue ball on the foot spot.
Pocket that ball in the same pocket as before......and repeat the process....snd so...so on....

How many balls do you pocket in a row to that corner pocket? 1.....3......6.......0?

Once you miss, start all over again but switch corner pockets this time....the opposite corner.
Again, take cue ball in hand in the kitchen.....you will either pocket the shot or else over-cut it.
The vast majority of players that miss will over-cut the shot.

So how many balls did you pocket in a row shooting to the opposite corner pocket?
None, 1, 3, 5, 8 , 10? Did you fare better or worse than you did with the opposite pocket?



Okay, so now you have a report card.....your first attempt.....keep track from thereafter.
This drill will teach you cue ball speed & control, and develop a consistent stroke too.
You know immediately how you do each and every time you attempt it and can see if
you are having just an off day or have flat lined....can't get past 6 in a row......set a goal.


I practice with a local player who is much better than me........my goal is 10 in a row to
both pockets or 20 shots in a row but he is a much better player so for him, we use
20 balls in a row to each pocket as his goal.......some days he can get it with his first
or second attempt & there's occasions he struggled to reach a dozen balls in a row.

The key here is you have immediate....instantaneous feedback on well you did.....it's
better than the batting cage where you could hit 40 balls solidly in a row....the thing is
you never know if it would have been for a hit or got caught or thrown out........With this
drill, you know right away......the object ball was pocketed or it wasn't....no guesswork.



This is a tough drill to master and when you got this one down, I have a few more that
test your skills & strengthen your game, especially the one for 1/2 table cue ball shape but give this a shot.


Matt B.


p.s. And if you get real good, you can start with the cue ball frozen on the rail in the
kitchen, or really close to the head rail as the opening 1st shot attempt......if you get
good at that version, then start moving the cue ball closer nd closer to the head spot
for the initial opening shot.........I actually practice using both balls on the spots.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Simple, easy drill that will serve everyone well........in fact, I challenge you to perform this drill
and see just how well you can do......betcha you don't fare anywhere as well as you might think.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a fun drill. Will try.
 
1) Yes, unless I have new cloth or new pockets. Then I want to play and typically just break racks of 9-Ball. But when I do I practice stroking straight, use the Tom Simpson Stroke Trainer, shoot straight-in shots, shoot a handful of "Routine" shots, shoot some speed control shots, and then shoot some shots I have hosed up lately.

2) Typically 3-4 hours a day, almost every day. Perhaps more so during the cold weather than the warm weather due to outside activities.

3) Not really a program, just more or less what I feel is important after being a student of the game for 18 years. See my response in #1.

4) Drill Goals? Nope, I don't log anything. I know if its good or bad.

5) Technology? Nope, except the occasional video of myself using my old VHS camcorder or iPhone video.

6) To get to the point where I wont embarrass myself if I ever get to play in a big time national pro tournament.
 
Matt...This is only a pocketing drill and will not give any feedback on the timing and quality of your stroke. For example, you pronate your wrist out at the end of every stroke. You may or may not even know this, but I noticed it immediately when I was there to teach pool school with Tommy Hill earlier this month . Video analysis is the only way to really improve your stroke. You have to be able to SEE exactly what you're doing, before you can make any attempts at correcting errors. Just shooting shots and playing games will, for most people, be a very longterm process to see any real improvement.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Bavafongoul said:
Simple, easy drill that will serve everyone well........in fact, I challenge you to perform this drill
and see just how well you can do......betcha you don't fare anywhere as well as you might think.

Ready.......Everyone knows the importance of being able to pocket a spot shot......right?
One of the basic shots we all learn ....object ball on foot spot and cue ball in the kitchen.

Pick a pocket....call the left one or right one but only that pocket counts.....Okay?
Now using cue ball in hand in the kitchen, pocket the object ball on the foot spot to the
left or right corner pocket that you selected. I'm sure you pocket the ball the 1st time ....right?

Now wherever the cue ball lies, leave it there & spot a new cue ball on the foot spot.
Pocket that ball in the same pocket as before......and repeat the process....snd so...so on....

How many balls do you pocket in a row to that corner pocket? 1.....3......6.......0?

Once you miss, start all over again but switch corner pockets this time....the opposite corner.
Again, take cue ball in hand in the kitchen.....you will either pocket the shot or else over-cut it.
The vast majority of players that miss will over-cut the shot.

So how many balls did you pocket in a row shooting to the opposite corner pocket?
None, 1, 3, 5, 8 , 10? Did you fare better or worse than you did with the opposite pocket?



Okay, so now you have a report card.....your first attempt.....keep track from thereafter.
This drill will teach you cue ball speed & control, and develop a consistent stroke too.
You know immediately how you do each and every time you attempt it and can see if
you are having just an off day or have flat lined....can't get past 6 in a row......set a goal.


I practice with a local player who is much better than me........my goal is 10 in a row to
both pockets or 20 shots in a row but he is a much better player so for him, we use
20 balls in a row to each pocket as his goal.......some days he can get it with his first
or second attempt & there's occasions he struggled to reach a dozen balls in a row.

The key here is you have immediate....instantaneous feedback on well you did.....it's
better than the batting cage where you could hit 40 balls solidly in a row....the thing is
you never know if it would have been for a hit or got caught or thrown out........With this
drill, you know right away......the object ball was pocketed or it wasn't....no guesswork.



This is a tough drill to master and when you got this one down, I have a few more that
test your skills & strengthen your game, especially the one for 1/2 table cue ball shape but give this a shot.


Matt B.


p.s. And if you get real good, you can start with the cue ball frozen on the rail in the
kitchen, or really close to the head rail as the opening 1st shot attempt......if you get
good at that version, then start moving the cue ball closer nd closer to the head spot
for the initial opening shot.........I actually practice using both balls on the spots.
Click to expand...
 
Scott......I respectfully think differently........when I personally perform this drill, I often place coins on the table where the cue ball will wind for the next object ball placed on the foot spot shot before I attempt the shot....I am forecasting the cue ball shape ahead of time. And obviously I have to move the coin for the next subsequent shot but this helps remind me about the speed needed to position the cue ball for the subsequent next spot after pocketing this one. You only shoot the spot shot from the kitchen on the opening shot....thereafter you are shooting the object ball on the foot spot from different places & angles. This requires navigating the cue ball to that next shape position that you should select and declare ahead of time and your success or failure to do this consistently can teach you a lot.

Again, this is only a practice drill but when you use it, you know right away if you are doing well, struggling, or improving......I challenge anyone on AZ to pocket 20 balls in a row to each pocket.......the guy I practice with can pocket 40 balls in a row (20 to each pocket) and IMO, he's one helluva player. You do this drill to see how well you do.......it is for feedback only.....you likely won't be pocketing many balls in a row if you are just a novice or intermediate level player and you probably wouldn't likely be able to control cue ball position that you need within the first 4 diamonds of the long rails either.. Again, this is merely a practice routine where your performance results is staring you right in the face........how many attempts did it take, how often could you repeat the results, why - where - how did you lose shape on that last pocketed shot .....there is a wealth of information that can be ascertained by a knowledgeable player.

I look at it this way......when you are all by yourself on the pool table and want to test your limits and push yourself to be better, here's an easy practice drill to attempt. When you can get pretty deep in the number of pocketed balls in a row to either pocket, you develop a much greater sense of confidence when that type shot comes up when it really counts. This is not a drill to get bemused or fixated on.....it is simply a practice drill which I came up decades ago one afternoon in a pool hall on a rainy day. I happen to think it is a fun, challenging and can be informative......BUT.....Make no mistake.....this will not improve your pool stroke if it was already somewhat suspect or any poor mechanics, stance, aiming, etc. Those type of things typically need some type of outside intervention, i.e., instruction, otherwise it typically leads to bad habits becoming reinforced.



Matt B.
 
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Scott....besides that....I also rotate my right outside shoulder since my first shoulder surgery in 2011. then after the next one in 2013, I developed a tendency to let my shoulder drop upon stroke delivery.....then after my 3rd shoulder surgery in June 2015, I developed a problem with following through on my stroke and holding the position because of my superspinatus being repaired for the 3rd time and my labrum had to be re-sectioned........and after the 4th right shoulder surgery this past February, I seldom play now.......My tendency is to pull my right arm to my chest now when I stroke because of my shoulder and so my right forearm and my wrist have developed a tendency to pronate to avoid discomfort which I experience on every single pool stroke.....I have not played pool pain free since 2010. Technically, I should not be even be playing pool until October but I convinced my surgeon to let me try a little.......I play 1/2 dozen hours a week and would more if I could........after you saw me at Tommy's place, I didn't play again for a week due to the shoulder.......I have zero expectations about improving any flaws or my overall game because my shoulder is deteriorating quickly and I'm 70 now.....and another surgery or shoulder replacement is a distinct possibility......it is important for every person to be realistic....I am.


The point is this drill I described will not fix bad habits or flaws......I never intended it to be that....if you have issues, you will struggle and become frustrated and probably quit attempting the drill. I think better players will enjoy the challenge and if they do it earnestly, will enjoy it for what it is.....a test that lets yu know it you are getting better, worse or flat lined because your stroke imperfections are holding you back.......Heck Scott, I hope the next time I get to see you I am still able to even play with one of my cues....;I played Tuesday night and haven't since......does that tell you much? And because Tommy is my best friend, he has pointed out how my stroke has changed year to year and most recently, after my last surgery in February. You can only swing any stick, club or cue based upon what your body allows you to do and mine seems to be saying it may be getting time to shut it down....Wait n See?


Matt B.

p.s. Travel safely Scott......lot of stupid drivers out there.
 
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I just tried it and it is kind of a fun drill. Thanks for recommending it. I didn't have too too much trouble with it, so I think you may be overstating the difficulty a tad. If you manage to get straight in and can draw the cue ball straight, you can score 100!

It reminds me of the L drill. OB on the foot spot, 7 balls lined up to the foot rail and 7 balls lined up to the side rail, pocket all in the same corner starting with the foot rail ball. It provides for similar kinds of shots.

I agree with Scott that this won't help your stroke and I agree with you that not every drill has to focus on the stroke.
 
Dan...TX.....Tommy runs 20 in a row consistently so I have a new twist for him that I haven't revealed yet.

20 in a row to alternating corner pockets.....1 to the left ...1 to the right....and back n forth.....40 in a row....

Better players like yourself will be able to get straight in line from the side pocket view and just knock 7-8
points off in a row easily.....slow easy draw.....but imagine a novice or intermediate trying to knock out 20.
That isn't going to happen. Heck,it might take 1/2 dozen attempts to sink the initial spot shot at the outset.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Dan...TX.....Tommy runs 20 in a row consistently so I have a new twist for him that I haven't revealed yet.

20 in a row to alternating corner pockets.....1 to the left ...1 to the right....and back n forth.....40 in a row....
Click to expand...

I tried a few like that to see what would happen. Kind of interesting. From the initial shot in the kitchen you have two choices (well maybe three but two reasonable ones): either hit the spot shot and go 3 rails to the other half of the table, or hit it with crazy outside spin and flirt with the corner pocket so your cue ball gets closer to the side rail for a closer shot in the other corner.

I found myself shooting several long shots from the kitchen alternating and then slowly making my way closer to the ob. At some point you have to pretty much aim straight at the ball with crazy outside in order to come around the corner pocket and stay as close to the side pocket as you can get. After that, as long as you can play position to go into the side rails, you're in good shape. As soon as you have to go to the foot rail you'll need either a ton of inside, or, again, lots of outside spin.

Again, a fun drill good for practicing long shots with spin, and not so easy!

Sorry for the hijack of your thread, M_Z.
 
Dan White...I agree 100%. That said, practicing pocketing drills before you have an accurate and repeatable stroke is for most players, an exercise in futility.

One more thing...and this is for EVERYONE...if you're doing something that causes injury or pain...YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG! The shoulder has no part in the pool stroke (not even on the break)...unless you're a piston stroker. Just one more reason why the pendulum stroke is more accurate and easier to train as a subconscious motor function.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Dan White said:
I agree with Scott that this won't help your stroke and I agree with you that not every drill has to focus on the stroke.
Click to expand...
 
I had gotten away from pool practice (focusing on darts) for a few years and my pool game suffered.

Just 1.5 hours a day over the past month has done wonders...no instructor required. I'm about to start playing little weekend money tourneys here in the RP again. I'll keep you advised.
 
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