Progressive Ghost Drill

[asmith74]

This is an idea that I had playing the ghost today. It's kind of a progressive rotation training drill that encompasses levels of difficulty and competition training. I know it's not a complete tournament simulation because there is no safety play but it gets the competitive juices flowing.
Ok, There are four levels; A, AA, AAA and Major. You play each ghost best of seven. Once you have completed a level three times in a row without losing to a ghost you can move to the next level. You start with whatever level you feel most comfortable but if you fail to complete a level three times in a row you move down to the lower level.
(On a side note; I know 2-ball ghost seems really silly but for someone just starting out this could be a good confidence builder). It?s really just to compete against yourself and spice up a session of drills. Let me know what you think.

Level breakdown:

A: 2-ball ghost
3-ball ghost
4-ball ghost
AA: 4-ball ghost
5-ball ghost
6-ball ghost
AAA: 6-ball ghost
7-ball ghost
8-ball ghost
Major: 8-ball ghost
9-ball ghost
10-ball ghost

 

[asmith74]

Yeah, as usual my post sunk like a stone. lol, but I guess the whole point of this exercise is that you will be constantly reminded that there is room for improvement. You're always pushed to win or you lose based on your own mistakes.

 

[JoeyInCali]

Playing the ghost is a much better practice than just banging balls.
The 7-ball ghost has me stuck 6 sets to 3 so far.
I rack 9-ball, make the 8-9 the wing balls.
After the break I eliminate the highest numbered balls to leave 7-balls on the table ( the 9-ball stays ).
I cut break the one-ball, medium speed to spread the balls.

 

[asmith74]

Thanks Joey, I got my butt whipped buy the 6 ball ghost tonight. I was up 6 -3 and failed to close the deal. Major bummer but there is always tomorrow.

 

[cigardave]

Playing the ghost is a much better practice than just banging balls.
The 7-ball ghost has me stuck 6 sets to 3 so far.
I rack 9-ball, make the 8-9 the wing balls.
After the break I eliminate the highest numbered balls to leave 7-balls on the table ( the 9-ball stays ).
I cut break the one-ball, medium speed to spread the balls.

Joey - You may have lost me on what I bolded above. Do you really put the 9 on one of the wings? If so, why? And if so, which ball do you put in the middle (where the 9 normally is)?

TIA, cd.

 

[219Dave]

Two quick questions:

1. Do you give yourself ball in hand after the break?
2. This may seem like a silly question, and doesn't really matter, but if you're playing, say, the 3-ball ghost, do you use balls 1-3 or 7-9?

 

[JoeyInCali]

Joey - You may have lost me on what I bolded above. Do you really put the 9 on one of the wings? If so, why? And if so, which ball do you put in the middle (where the 9 normally is)?

TIA, cd.

7-8, I meant.
Thnks.

 

[blueridge]

Very nice variation of playing the ghost. The ghost drill is my favorite 9-ball drill. Thanks for the post.

Do you give yourself ball in hand after the break?

What do you do with balls pocketed on the break?

This is an idea that I had playing the ghost today. It's kind of a progressive rotation training drill that encompasses levels of difficulty and competition training. I know it's not a complete tournament simulation because there is no safety play but it gets the competitive juices flowing.
Ok, There are four levels; A, AA, AAA and Major. You play each ghost best of seven. Once you have completed a level three times in a row without losing to a ghost you can move to the next level. You start with whatever level you feel most comfortable but if you fail to complete a level three times in a row you move down to the lower level.
(On a side note; I know 2-ball ghost seems really silly but for someone just starting out this could be a good confidence builder). It?s really just to compete against yourself and spice up a session of drills. Let me know what you think.

Level breakdown:

A: 2-ball ghost
3-ball ghost
4-ball ghost
AA: 4-ball ghost
5-ball ghost
6-ball ghost
AAA: 6-ball ghost
7-ball ghost
8-ball ghost
Major: 8-ball ghost
9-ball ghost
10-ball ghost

 

[Razorback Randy]

Two quick questions:

1. Do you give yourself ball in hand after the break?
2. This may seem like a silly question, and doesn't really matter, but if you're playing, say, the 3-ball ghost, do you use balls 1-3 or 7-9?

I give myself ball in hand and spot any ball made on the break. If I make 2 balls I spot the lowest # ball on the foot spot and the highest on the head spot. I always use the highest # balls (7-8-9) or if you play alot of 10 ball ( 8-9-10) just so I get used to making the money ball.

 

[blueridge]

I use the high balls too for the same reason.

I don't like spotting balls pocketed on the break other than the money ball. I feel like I'm penalyzing myself for making balls on the break. A lot of times, spotting pocketed balls makes the run out more difficult when you're doing this drill. I think I should get rewarded for making balls on the break and not punished for it. The run out should be easier if I'm pocketing balls on the break, just like in a 9-ball match. I feel that you condition yourself to not pocket balls on the break because when you spot balls, it tends to make the run outs harder. I think this could possibly transfer over to match play and cause you to pocket less balls in match play.

I give myself ball in hand and spot any ball made on the break. If I make 2 balls I spot the lowest # ball on the foot spot and the highest on the head spot. I always use the highest # balls (7-8-9) or if you play alot of 10 ball ( 8-9-10) just so I get used to making the money ball.

 

[shakes]

Gambling variation

After a poster on another board mentioned possibly turning this into a tournament, I got to thinking that it would make a good gambling game, similar to 3 ball. (Everyone know the rules to 3-ball? Lowest score making the 3 balls takes the pot?)

Here's what we do:

Ante up each round to get more guys in just to test it, I had a HUGE $2 Ante.

1. Draw Balls for shooting order

2. Break and Ball in Hand 9 Ball Ghost

3. Foul at any time, including a scratch or ball flying off the table on the break is a -1, but you still get ball in hand after the break on a foul*.

4. Balls 1-8 = 1 pt each

5. 9 Ball = 2 pts

6. If you break and run the rack (10pts) , then there is a re-rack, and you have break and ball in hand to continue the run. Points from multiple racks add together, so a perfect score from two racks is 20 pts.

7. If you combo the 9 in legally, you get 1 pt for every ball made, and 2 pts for the 9. You then have the choice to have the balls re-racked, with break and ball in hand, OR you can continue the run with the balls laid out as they are. The 9 ball does not spot.

8. When you miss or foul (other than on the break), your turn is over and your score recorded. The next person in line rinses and repeats.

9. Highest score takes the pot for the round. In the case of a tie high score, ALL the players Ante again, and play continues.

10. Winner of the pot becomes the last player in the rotation the following round, thus knowing what he has to score, and has a little advantage.

*-Clarification on fouling on the break. If you foul on the break, your score starts as a -1, no matter how many balls you made. If it's your second or higher successive break, then take a -1 from your current score, and NO balls spot.

Questions? Suggestions?

 

[asmith74]

Same here

I use the high balls too for the same reason.

I don't like spotting balls pocketed on the break other than the money ball. I feel like I'm penalyzing myself for making balls on the break. A lot of times, spotting pocketed balls makes the run out more difficult when you're doing this drill. I think I should get rewarded for making balls on the break and not punished for it. The run out should be easier if I'm pocketing balls on the break, just like in a 9-ball match. I feel that you condition yourself to not pocket balls on the break because when you spot balls, it tends to make the run outs harder. I think this could possibly transfer over to match play and cause you to pocket less balls in match play.

I play the same way. If the money ball drops on the break I spot that and leave the rest in the pockets. I also use 6,7,8,9 on 4-ball and so on, just so I get used to staring down the 9 to finish the rack.
I really like playing the ghost because there is consequence in missing and reward in a rack well run. Otherwise you're just kind of knocking balls around without any risk/reward.