Practicing alone

[Colin Colenso]

I usually prefer to practice alone so I can fully concentrate on my game and get the best value for the time.

When time is limited, and I want to get the best bang for my buck I use the method as described in my article here:
http://www.top147.com/magazine/2004004/2004004062211084956.htm

It reduces the complexity of worrying about patterns or kisses to much, just lets me play a lot of challenging shots in a short time and lets me get the cue ball moving around many angles.

I also often use it as one of my warm ups before I settle into some more focused drills.

Does anyone else use this drill as outlined in the article?

 

[BAZARUS]

I do something similar. I start with 3 object balls(#1,2&3) & throw them on the table. Than I take cueball in hand and I set for my first shot. I have to make 1 ball and get a decent shot on number 2. If successful I move to the next shot, if not I'm restoring the situation and try again. I throw those 3 balls randoomly 20 times. If I get 75% of the drill, than I do the same thing with 4 balls etc...
Although this is good drill, my favorite to practice alone is just to play straight pool. This game teach you better cb controll, patern play and preasure, because if you miss you run you have to start over.

 

[blud]

tec-things

I usually prefer to practice alone so I can fully concentrate on my game and get the best value for the time.

When time is limited, and I want to get the best bang for my buck I use the method as described in my article here:
http://www.top147.com/magazine/2004004/2004004062211084956.htm

It reduces the complexity of worrying about patterns or kisses to much, just lets me play a lot of challenging shots in a short time and lets me get the cue ball moving around many angles.

I also often use it as one of my warm ups before I settle into some more focused drills.

Does anyone else use this drill as outlined in the article?

Hi Colin, I'll bet you practice alone, cause no one wants to here this and that , and why and what fors, and all that tec- stuff,while playing. Hee Hee.
Just kidding. Hope you practice a lot of one pocket though.
blud

 

[bill190]

I sort of do that, but with all 15 balls. I roll a few to one end of the table, a few to the center, and leave a few at the rack end.

I find playing myself quite a good warm-up. Playing a shark who runs the table on me every time does not help me one bit except for my racking skills. Therefore I have stopped playing these guys for practice and will only play them if they let me hit in my remaining balls. (They don't like me to get ANY practice and will not allow this, especially before tournaments... Hummmm... I shoot my balls in anyway.)

Lately I have started playing "player 1 - player 2". I'll break as player 1 and shoot player 1's balls. Then switch to player 2's balls when player 1 misses a shot. You can practice safeties this way as well and see how difficult the leave is for the other player.

I think one of the best things I have done is follow, stop, draw. I TRY to follow the object ball into the pocket with the cue ball. Or stop it or draw it back. After each shot, I move the object ball back one diamond. It is actually quite difficult to get the cue ball to follow in the object ball with a short shot. But once you learn how to follow in the ball, you also learn how NOT to do it!

 

[Colin Colenso]

Hi Colin, I'll bet you practice alone, cause no one wants to here this and that , and why and what fors, and all that tec- stuff,while playing. Hee Hee.
Just kidding. Hope you practice a lot of one pocket though.
blud

Hey Blud,
There's only 2 ways I like playing with others. One, for a full on tourney or money match at 100% and two, having a few drinks with a mate talking of past everbigger fish that got away and speculating about future ones...and confusing the heck out of them with my science babble of course

It ain't fun for me playing with strangers or low talent players, cause I wan't to be 100% focused, and that makes them feel uncomforable.

One Pocket I've only ever watched at the Derby City Classic last year. Looks like too much messing around for me. I do enjoy the occaissional strategical game of 8-ball, but I'm the kind of player who will be the first to open things up with an attempt at a big shot. I can't resist the big shot If I don't play it, I'll never know if I could've made it.

And to Bazarus: I may try some more 14.1. In the past I haven't taken it very seriously as too many shots are too easy, which tends to create bad habits I think.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Lately I have started playing "player 1 - player 2". I'll break as player 1 and shoot player 1's balls. Then switch to player 2's balls when player 1 misses a shot. You can practice safeties this way as well and see how difficult the leave is for the other player.

I can't get into the Player1 v Player2 thing with 9 ball for long. It seems lame playing snookers on yourself, and if I miss a shot I like to keep playing it until I get it, so my imaginary other half gets pissed off having to wait

I used to do it as an 8-Ball drill though. I'd throw out the 8 ball and a few (3-4) solids and a few stripes. I'd play from wherever the cue ball finished after I threw it. I'd pot whatever looked best and play position off the black (respotting it on the triangle spot) to clean up the other balls and complete the black again. When I missed I would go to the table next shot as the opponent. Usually I'll finish that drill without a miss 50% of the time so the level of schizophrenia is manageable

 

[drivermaker]

Hi Colin, I'll bet you practice alone, cause no one wants to here this and that , and why and what fors, and all that tec- stuff,while playing. Hee Hee.
blud

ROTFLMAO...This is the funniest thing I've ever seen you post...what a riot!!

 

[Tom In Cincy]

Practice Partners also HELP

One of the best practice sessions I've ever had was with a buddy. We set up shots (drills) or just racked for each other (taking turns). Practicing a 9 ball, 8 ball, One pocket or 14.1 breaks is a lot easier to get the feel of your execution, if you can do it quicker (without the interruption of having to re-rack)
Drills are also interrupted with having to stop and set them up over and over. A buddy can help speed things up and let you experience the "feel" of the shot.

This would fall into line with Colin's laser stroke exercise, or the 'stroke trainer device'

Speed, stroke, english and all of your mechanics IMO are more readily felt with a practice partner doing the setups for your drills.