Practicing Strategies-Getting in Stroke for 9-Ball

[JAM]

I read with great interest the "Next Level" thread. Lots of good advice there relating to practicing. Different games, though, require a variety of strategies as it relates to practicing. I'm gearing up for 9-ball, hoping an old 8-ball dog like me can learn new tricks.

I find it very telling that the Philippino players always excelled here in the States in the 9-ball events. It is well known that many of them are accustomed to 15-ball rotation in their home country, and when they embarked on the tournament trail in the U.S. consisting of 9-ball rotation, it seemed like a piece of cake to many of them.

In the process of practicing, it would seem helpful to play 15-ball rotation, the way the Philippino champions do it. However, I've now found it much easier to play 6- and 7-ball rotation when practicing. Trying to become proficient in 9-ball, you would think 15 balls on the table would enhance one's strength. This may be true on an advanced level, but not for a beginner (IMO). I believe working with a smaller amount of balls on the table is the way to go, especially as it relates to pattern development, and then maybe go for practicing with 15 balls.

I'm attempting to get in stroke in preparation for next year. I've always been proficient in 8-ball, but my 9-ball game needs work. I would be interested to hear some of the practicing strategies of others relating to 9-ball. What works best for you?

JAM

 

[drivermaker]

I read with great interest the "Next Level" thread. Lots of good advice there relating to practicing. Different games, though, require a variety of strategies as it relates to practicing. I'm gearing up for 9-ball, hoping an old 8-ball dog like me can learn new tricks.

I'm attempting to get in stroke in preparation for next year. I've always been proficient in 8-ball, but my 9-ball game needs work. I would be interested to hear some of the practicing strategies of others relating to 9-ball. What works best for you?

JAM

Although I'm sure you'll get a lot of good methods for this, I'd also like to suggest asking some of the "pro's" in the Ask The Pros section of AZ. There's one in particular that's just super...his name is Keith, but I can't remember his last name right now...you'll see it when you over there in that section. Now, this guy is GOOD. Hope that will work out for you.

 

[JAM]

Although I'm sure you'll get a lot of good methods for this, I'd also like to suggest asking some of the "pro's" in the Ask The Pros section of AZ. There's one in particular that's just super...his name is Keith, but I can't remember his last name right now...you'll see it when you over there in that section. Now, this guy is GOOD. Hope that will work out for you.

LOL, Drivermaker!

I've learned a great deal from sitting on the rail watching Keith and many other great players relating to 9-ball, and I do believe that seeing better players perform can enhance one's game.

I've read numerous posts relating squirt, deflection, aiming systems, breathing, stance, and a variety of scientific strategies. Some of this info is helpful, but to be honest, at my level of play, I believe there is no shortcut when it comes to practicing.

Having good quality time at the table is a luxury in my busy lifestyle, as I'm sure it is for most other working stiffs, and I truly am eager to learn other strategies and what works best relating to the game of 9-ball when practicing.

JAM

 

[drivermaker]

Having good quality time at the table is a luxury in my busy lifestyle, as I'm sure it is for most other working stiffs, and I truly am eager to learn other strategies and what works best relating to the game of 9-ball when practicing.
JAM

OK, then I guess I'll be the first since everyone else is trying to wipe away the debris that the sandman left.

I think you're still using too many balls. Go back down from 6 to 3 because you're always going to be trying (eventually) to work your way around 3 balls in the pack. You have to learn how to (1) either work your way back to the center of the table to give yourself a shot at the next ball, or (2) get the most advantageous angle after making the first ball to get to the next and then the next if center of the table won't be the best way to go. If you can't spot those angles by training yourself with only 3 balls on the table, you won't be able to see them when they're mixed in and camaflouged amongst all the rest in a full rack.

When you're practicing making a particular shot repetitively for accuracy, do it with a 9 ball just to get used to looking at it and making it go in. Too many players get what is known in medical terms as, "butt puckering syndrome" in an actual game when all they have left is the 9 and do some real funny things. Remember, the 9 ball is your best friend...it's the winner and the only one that really counts. Don't EVER miss that one.

 

[recoveryjones]

One thing that has helped my 9 ball game considerably is working on kicks,hooks,and saftey play. 8 ball and straight pool play don't offer AS many saftey situations as the game of 9 ball does.

I learnt 5 or more differnet kicking systems and it's made a world of difference.
Saftey play is HUGE in 9 ball. RJ

 

[Stretch]

One thing that has helped my 9 ball game considerably is working on kicks,hooks,and saftey play. 8 ball and straight pool play don't offer AS many saftey situations as the game of 9 ball does.

I learnt 5 or more differnet kicking systems and it's made a world of difference.
Saftey play is HUGE in 9 ball. RJ

Hi RJ. Your on the right track here. Kicking is so huge because if you have a weekness here your going to be giving up the hand ball a lot. In 9 ball that means losses!

9 ball puts a lot of different demands on a player so to prepare it's important to identify these and work on them to tune up for the 9 ball tournies.....

-Shot making and position! Choose drills that work on your shot making abilities. You can be a great shot maker and this will win you a lot of games, and get you out of some tight spots. But without consistent position play your going to have trouble with 9 ball.

-Play for at least 3 balls at a time. In order to do this you must be on the "right side" of each ball. A lot of 8 ball players have difficulty with this because in 8 ball you usually have options, or safety valve balls. No such luxury in 9 ball. Although it seems tedious work to impliment this 3 ball ahead planing, like anything else it's only taxing at first and becomes second nature with practice. But do it!

- The break. The break is huge in 9 ball. You need to spend a lot of time with this because it DOES make a big difference. Work on Controlling the break, concistantly avoiding scratches, and playing shape off the break.

-Familierize yourself with push-out strategies. Getting control of the table early goes a long way in this game as it does at any point along the way.

- Know yourself, and your limitations. Giving up the table on a miss is the worst thing you can do. If your looking at a shot that you know your not comfortable with, or the payoff isn't there ie a shot to nothing, or the layout dosn't say runnout. don't try it. Which leeds to.......

- Safety play. This is all cue ball control. Practice your caroms, speed control and imagination. Bone up on thin cut safes, hook safes, distance safes, and banking balls to safes. Good safes will get you ball in hand. It's a big weapon in 9 ball. ie 3 foul rule, and control of the board.

That'll keep you buisy for a while!! St. ~~hope this helps~~

 

[Eric.]

Some of this info is helpful, but to be honest, at my level of play, I believe there is no shortcut when it comes to practicing.

IMO, that's the best advice.

I'm no instructor (or Artistic player with a string of fake titles ) but I can say that alot of 9 ball game on the amateur level are lost because of missed shots or bad position giving you a tougher shot than you should of had.

One practice routine I used is this:

Take the 1, 2, 3 balls and rack them. Break normally and try to leave the CB in the middle of the table and try to predict where the 1 ball will end up i.e. if I hit the pack this hard, send the 1 ball to the side rail, then end rail, then park near the corner pocket at teh head of the table. Next, look at the layout and paln your out i.e. which pocket you're gonna put each ball in and which routes you're gonna use to move from one ball to the next. Use only centerball, high and low with no side English for now. Repeat this drill until you can do 3 balls without missing 9 out of 10 racks. Once you do that, add a ball i.e. run a four ball rack.

If you get proficient at pocketing balls and playing good position routes, you will win alot of games. It also helps that you have someone to ask "how would you play this shot".

I know that there are alot of other skills that can come into play such as kicking, jumping, two way shots and safety play. Those are all secondary until you can run out without missing or leave the table with a strong safety. IMHO, you have to leave the table with control meaning that you're not leaving because you missed a shot you should have made.



Eric