Preperation

T

tom mcgonagle

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I read a lot of posts and threads on here and everyone is looking for easy ways to improve their game. The truth be known, there aren't to many easy ways to improve your game.

I can suggest something that gets overlooked by most pool players. The way they prepare. It's vastly underrated.

You can't win a marathon if your running sprints to get ready for it. Of course, that's a pretty obvious statement.

But is it really that obvious to the people that search for answers when the solution to their problem could be the fact, they're not prepared to win, in the first place.

I had a routine when I was playing my best. I wanted to give myself the best chance to win.

Here are some of the things I did to help my cause:

I got a good nights sleep.

I got to the tournament at least an hour before it was supposed to start.

I played on the type of tables, (when possible), the room I was going to be playing in, had, in the days leading up to the event.

If I was going to be driving a long distance, I tried to leave the day before and get the long ride, out of the way.

I didn't drink or do drugs while I was playing. In fact,I didn't do them at all. Of course, I learned, the hard way.

I would exercise, mostly walking, to increase my stamina.

I would also play as many long sessions, as I could, leading up to a big event.

Do yourself a favor. Try some of these things. It might cure some of your ailments and make you a better player.


_____________________________________________

http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
 
tom mcgonagle said:
I read a lot of posts and threads on here and everyone is looking for easy ways to improve their game. The truth be known, there aren't to many easy ways to improve your game.

I can suggest something that gets overlooked by most pool players. The way they prepare. It's vastly underrated.

You can't win a marathon if your running sprints to get ready for it. Of course, that's a pretty obvious statement.

But is it really that obvious to the people that search for answers when the solution to their problem could be the fact, they're not prepared to win, in the first place.

I had a routine when I was playing my best. I wanted to give myself the best chance to win.

Here are some of the things I did to help my cause:

I got a good nights sleep.

I got to the tournament at least an hour before it was supposed to start.

I played on the type of tables, (when possible), the room I was going to be playing in, had, in the days leading up to the event.

If I was going to be driving a long distance, I tried to leave the day before and get the long ride, out of the way.

I didn't drink or do drugs while I was playing. In fact,I didn't do them at all. Of course, I learned, the hard way.

I would exercise, mostly walking, to increase my stamina.

I would also play as many long sessions, as I could, leading up to a big event.

Do yourself a favor. Try some of these things. It might cure some of your ailments and make you a better player.


_____________________________________________

http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
Click to expand...

I totally agree. I was not a Cub or Boy Scout, but I do believe in their moto. Always be prepared. One should do everything one can to give oneself the best opportunity one can to succeed. Give yourself a fair leg up if you can. You are correct. Are they ready to WIN? Truth be known many are afraid to WIN. That is why they give themselves so many excuses to fall back on when they lose. They can blame everything & everyone but themselves. Many want to WIN but they simply do not want to do what it takes to WIN. They want it to happen to them but they do not want to pay the price for it, HARD WORK.

Just my attempt to motivate.
Rick
 
When SVB was asked shortly after he burst on the scene why his Ten Ball break was so good he revealed that he had practiced it 2 hours a day for 2 years ! I've seen him on the table at a tourney during the break just shooting a hard shot over and over again. Of course he practiced 12 hours a day too.

It's been said that Earl has hit millions of balls. MANY MILLIONS I bet! These players had natural talent but they are dedicated to the game. I freely admit that I was never willing to devote myself to the game like that, so I'm a B player...go figure...Tom
 
tpdtom said:
When SVB was asked shortly after he burst on the scene why his Ten Ball break was so good he revealed that he had practiced it 2 hours a day for 2 years ! I've seen him on the table at a tourney during the break just shooting a hard shot over and over again. Of course he practiced 12 hours a day too.

It's been said that Earl has hit millions of balls. MANY MILLIONS I bet! These players had natural talent but they are dedicated to the game. I freely admit that I was never willing to devote myself to the game like that, so I'm a B player...go figure...Tom
Click to expand...

Tom,

I'm right there with you. I devoted alot of time when I was younger & in a sense being 'sponsored' by my parents, but... life comes along & we get 'distracted' & then we diverge & the commitment needed to be a great player is gone & we accept that. (what a run out sentence that was)

I've heard it said, that Earl Strickland 'said', that when he was 16 yrs. old he would practice 16 hrs., sleep 8 hrs, & repeat it EVERYDAY.

It must be great to know what you really want when you are just 16 yrs. old.

Rick
 
ENGLISH! said:
I totally agree. I was not a Cub or Boy Scout, but I do believe in their moto. Always be prepared. One should do everything one can to give oneself the best opportunity one can to succeed. Give yourself a fair leg up if you can. You are correct. Are they ready to WIN? Truth be known many are afraid to WIN. That is why they give themselves so many excuses to fall back on when they lose. They can blame everything & everyone but themselves. Many want to WIN but they simply do not want to do what it takes to WIN. They want it to happen to them but they do not want to pay the price for it, HARD WORK.

Just my attempt to motivate.
Rick
Click to expand...

This is such a true statement for me,lol. I used to play 10 hours a day, winning was easy. I used to wait for people to be watching me, before I shot. SHOWBOAT,lol. Now that I don't play all day, to win a money shoot is hard work. I would rather play to see people and hang out, than play on the hunt. To much work to play picture perfect shape.
 
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