Recommendations on Practice

Houstoer

Houstoer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've decided to give about as much time as I can between now and end of Dec with focused practicing to try to get better and take it to the next level. Don't have much extra money during this time so taking more lessons is not an option. I have an 8 foot at home with simonis. I work full time but can practice at least 3 hours a day and a lot more on the weekend. I'm mainly a BCA 8 ball player but do play the occasional 9 or 10 ball game also. I can normally run out if the balls are ok positioned or maybe a couple times out of 10. I play in leagues twice a week. What would you recommend that might elevate my game some? When I currently practice I normally break and try to run racks for an hour or so then I start setting up balls that I was having trouble on practicing them until I get tired. Of course I match up with people on occasion. I know there are lots of people on this board that have way more expertise than me so I was wondering what would you do or recommend if you are in the position I'm in? I've thought at times maybe I should practice more rotational games but don't do it enough. Thanks much for any help!
 
Houstoer said:
I've decided to give about as much time as I can between now and end of Dec with focused practicing to try to get better and take it to the next level. Don't have much extra money during this time so taking more lessons is not an option. I have an 8 foot at home with simonis. I work full time but can practice at least 3 hours a day and a lot more on the weekend. I'm mainly a BCA 8 ball player but do play the occasional 9 or 10 ball game also. I can normally run out if the balls are ok positioned or maybe a couple times out of 10. I play in leagues twice a week. What would you recommend that might elevate my game some? When I currently practice I normally break and try to run racks for an hour or so then I start setting up balls that I was having trouble on practicing them until I get tired. Of course I match up with people on occasion. I know there are lots of people on this board that have way more expertise than me so I was wondering what would you do or recommend if you are in the position I'm in? I've thought at times maybe I should practice more rotational games but don't do it enough. Thanks much for any help!
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Prac 9 ball or 10 ball more
But you have to have a good idea on how to play patterns for this to help
Watch vids of good players to learn the way they run out
 
Houstoer said:
I've decided to give about as much time as I can between now and end of Dec with focused practicing to try to get better and take it to the next level. Don't have much extra money during this time so taking more lessons is not an option. I have an 8 foot at home with simonis. I work full time but can practice at least 3 hours a day and a lot more on the weekend. I'm mainly a BCA 8 ball player but do play the occasional 9 or 10 ball game also. I can normally run out if the balls are ok positioned or maybe a couple times out of 10. I play in leagues twice a week. What would you recommend that might elevate my game some? When I currently practice I normally break and try to run racks for an hour or so then I start setting up balls that I was having trouble on practicing them until I get tired. Of course I match up with people on occasion. I know there are lots of people on this board that have way more expertise than me so I was wondering what would you do or recommend if you are in the position I'm in? I've thought at times maybe I should practice more rotational games but don't do it enough. Thanks much for any help!
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Chris B has given you some solid advice.. It may seem like its not practice but watching good players in matches will help allot. Watching helps with pattern play and inspiration. Good players keep it simple and simple will win you games.
 
Thanks Chris. I do watch a lot of vids of players and watch a lot of streaming also.
 
Ghost

Play the ghost , I always visualize I playing someone I know who is better then me.
 
1. Practice your fundamentals. Make sure you can hit the cb precisely where you want to.
2. Do some drills to learn better how to play shape.
3. Work on making your patterns better.
4. Work on your fundamentals. (same as 5,6,&7)
 
good advice, but when i wanted to take my game to the next level i would play different tables, sizes and physical locations that are not familiar. this should take away the boredom factor and who knows u might matchup with an unknown. this will help your game immensely; especially if u win. good luck.
 
I'll give you a practice routine asap,

Houstoer said:
I've decided to give about as much time as I can between now and end of Dec with focused practicing to try to get better and take it to the next level. Don't have much extra money during this time so taking more lessons is not an option. I have an 8 foot at home with simonis. I work full time but can practice at least 3 hours a day and a lot more on the weekend. I'm mainly a BCA 8 ball player but do play the occasional 9 or 10 ball game also. I can normally run out if the balls are ok positioned or maybe a couple times out of 10. I play in leagues twice a week. What would you recommend that might elevate my game some? When I currently practice I normally break and try to run racks for an hour or so then I start setting up balls that I was having trouble on practicing them until I get tired. Of course I match up with people on occasion. I know there are lots of people on this board that have way more expertise than me so I was wondering what would you do or recommend if you are in the position I'm in? I've thought at times maybe I should practice more rotational games but don't do it enough. Thanks much for any help!
Click to expand...

You've come a long way my friend. I'll give you a special practice routine asap, I've been playing all night so I'm tired at the moment. ttys

Aloha
 
Houstoer said:
I've decided to give about as much time as I can between now and end of Dec with focused practicing to try to get better and take it to the next level. Don't have much extra money during this time so taking more lessons is not an option. I have an 8 foot at home with simonis. I work full time but can practice at least 3 hours a day and a lot more on the weekend. I'm mainly a BCA 8 ball player but do play the occasional 9 or 10 ball game also. I can normally run out if the balls are ok positioned or maybe a couple times out of 10. I play in leagues twice a week. What would you recommend that might elevate my game some? When I currently practice I normally break and try to run racks for an hour or so then I start setting up balls that I was having trouble on practicing them until I get tired. Of course I match up with people on occasion. I know there are lots of people on this board that have way more expertise than me so I was wondering what would you do or recommend if you are in the position I'm in? I've thought at times maybe I should practice more rotational games but don't do it enough. Thanks much for any help!
Click to expand...

25 years ago, a friend of mine and I decided to hire a well known instructor, he started us by shooting the CB up table between two OB, without english, my friend was successful i was not, needless to say after two hours of this i gave up, he did not let us shoot at OB and pocket balls, so kinda was boring, my friend and I thought we wasted our money, never called him again, and went about shooting pool. Today 25 years later i say to myself i wish i listened to that instructor, i do not think he is a live today.
Please do not take this as i am underestimating your capabilities i know you shoot good, but your goal is to be consistently shooting good, and not give up on practicing 9 ball or 10 ball. 8 ball is not a good game to practice with, it has many options for shots and you will pick ones you like, and avoid hard new shots.
Start practicing one straight shot, place OB at center of table and CB one diamond, shoot this with all kind of speed and english, (your success is to get CB where intended after pocketing the OB) . I call this calibration for your stroke-

You have to pocket OB on every shot, and get CB where expected, if you fail do not move on, go back, start with CB by itself and hit at end rail at a known target (within 1/4 inch) until you get it, back to the shot. If you pass the one and two diamonds separation i move on practice 9 ball to have some fun, back at straight shot, next day, you have to pass three diamonds separation eventually in practice, and later you have to do this practice in front of people and bet on it.

Pool is all about getting the CB where you wanted at the condition you wanted to be in, if you fail either you will most likely not get the OB , CB or both to go where intended.

Best of luck.
 
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naji said:
25 years ago, a friend of mine and I decided to hire a well known instructor, he started us by shooting the CB up table between two OB, without english, my friend was successful i was not, needless to say after two hours of this i gave up, he did not let us shoot at OB and pocket balls, so kinda was boring, my friend and I thought we wasted our money, never called him again, and went about shooting pool. Today 25 years later i say to myself i wish i listened to that instructor, i do not think he is a live today.
Please do not take this as i am underestimating your capabilities i know you shoot good, but your goal is to be consistently shooting good, and not give up on practicing 9 ball or 10 ball. 8 ball is not a good game to practice with, it has many options for shots and you will pick ones you like, and avoid hard new shots.
Start practicing one straight shot, place OB at center of table and CB one diamond, shoot this with all kind of speed and english, (your success is to get CB where intended after pocketing the OB) . I call this calibration for your stroke-

You have to pocket OB on every shot, and get CB where expected, if you fail do not move on, go back, start with CB by itself and hit at end rail at a known target (within 1/4 inch) until you get it, back to the shot. If you pass the one and two diamonds separation i move on practice 9 ball to have some fun, back at straight shot, next day, you have to pass three diamonds separation eventually in practice, and later you have to do this practice in front of people and bet on it.

Pool is all about getting the CB where you wanted at the condition you wanted to be in, if you fail either you will most likely not get the OB , CB or both to go where intended.



I started this drill only one week ago and my game is 30% better already. it is all about the "delivery" IMHO.
Click to expand...
 
naji said:
25 years ago, a friend of mine and I decided to hire a well known instructor, he started us by shooting the CB up table between two OB, without english, my friend was successful i was not, needless to say after two hours of this i gave up, he did not let us shoot at OB and pocket balls, so kinda was boring, my friend and I thought we wasted our money, never called him again, and went about shooting pool. Today 25 years later i say to myself i wish i listened to that instructor, i do not think he is a live today.
Please do not take this as i am underestimating your capabilities i know you shoot good, but your goal is to be consistently shooting good, and not give up on practicing 9 ball or 10 ball. 8 ball is not a good game to practice with, it has many options for shots and you will pick ones you like, and avoid hard new shots.
Start practicing one straight shot, place OB at center of table and CB one diamond, shoot this with all kind of speed and english, (your success is to get CB where intended after pocketing the OB) . I call this calibration for your stroke-

You have to pocket OB on every shot, and get CB where expected, if you fail do not move on, go back, start with CB by itself and hit at end rail at a known target (within 1/4 inch) until you get it, back to the shot. If you pass the one and two diamonds separation i move on practice 9 ball to have some fun, back at straight shot, next day, you have to pass three diamonds separation eventually in practice, and later you have to do this practice in front of people and bet on it.

Pool is all about getting the CB where you wanted at the condition you wanted to be in, if you fail either you will most likely not get the OB , CB or both to go where intended.

Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks all for contributing. I didn't want to put out there that I did take lessons from CJ one afternoon at his place because I didn't want this thread going against what I really wanted to get out of it. CJ is a great teacher and acts more like a coach, as you can see from him posting and I have no doubt he will send me some drills to work on shortly. Anyway one of the first drills we worked on was the stroke and hitting it straight. Found out I was way off what I thought I knew so every practice session I try to do some stroke training (no pun intended).. I'm ok on long straight shots. Guess I'm going through some boredom with my current ways of doing biz and looking for a "reenergize". I think I know the answer and that is probably to play more rotational games but need to kick in the *ss to start doing it. I was watching some old Bert Kinister vids last night on UTube and want to try some of his practice stuff as well. Thanks guys for helping an ol dude that is trying to take it to the next level !
 
8 ball is your game so you should work on it. I like 8 so I tend to take a break from 9 and work on running out in 8 ball. I get killed by my prob ball. Last nite the first thing I did was assess how I was gonna get to that ball before starting my run. Obviously in a match if I don't get it I'd safe ASAP so I don't sell out unless I can get a plan B. good luck and try 14.1 will absolutely help u bust up clusters
 
MapleMan said:
8 ball is your game so you should work on it. I like 8 so I tend to take a break from 9 and work on running out in 8 ball. I get killed by my prob ball. Last nite the first thing I did was assess how I was gonna get to that ball before starting my run. Obviously in a match if I don't get it I'd safe ASAP so I don't sell out unless I can get a plan B. good luck and try 14.1 will absolutely help u bust up clusters
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Thanks bud. I can relate. I am tired about screwing up 1 ball in the runout. Either I get bad shape etc which kills my run or I run everything then don't quite get the shape I need for the last ball.
 
What is your current level, what is your target goal and budget (time, table time if you don't have a table, and paying for lessons, coaching)?
 
I have a regiment that you can do every day for the next 8 days

Houstoer said:
Thanks all for contributing. I didn't want to put out there that I did take lessons from CJ one afternoon at his place because I didn't want this thread going against what I really wanted to get out of it. CJ is a great teacher and acts more like a coach, as you can see from him posting and I have no doubt he will send me some drills to work on shortly. Anyway one of the first drills we worked on was the stroke and hitting it straight. Found out I was way off what I thought I knew so every practice session I try to do some stroke training (no pun intended).. I'm ok on long straight shots. Guess I'm going through some boredom with my current ways of doing biz and looking for a "reenergize". I think I know the answer and that is probably to play more rotational games but need to kick in the *ss to start doing it. I was watching some old Bert Kinister vids last night on UTube and want to try some of his practice stuff as well. Thanks guys for helping an ol dude that is trying to take it to the next level !
Click to expand...

Ok, I have a regiment that you can do every day for the next 8 days and get noticeable results. There's an advanced version of this you can do next or continue this one for 3 weeks for maximum results.

Take all 15 balls and freeze them all on the rails next to the diamonds. They can be in any random order but MAKE SURE the lowest numbered balls are closest to the corner pockets on the rail. (so you can shoot them in rotation unobstructed).

Now run all the balls in rotation order shooting all the frozen balls into the corner pockets using center or TOI on every shot you can.....occasionally you can spin one to get shape, but try to use the NO side spin approach. (Take as Many "Ball in Hands" as you need to to complete this drill, the goal should be to take less than 5 in the first 8 Days, and less than 3 in Three Weeks)

After you do this 15 ball drill three times now it's time to do it differently practicing the cue ball frozen every time.

Now put all 15 balls up, and freeze them by the diamonds. Using the 15 balls like they're "cue balls" shoot them all in the side pockets and each time you hit one of the frozen balls freeze in your follow through until the ball drops in the side pocket. Hold the follow through and feel the position in your hand (Only When You Make The Shot).

Do this one 3 times as well, that's 45 shots and 45 shots = 90 total and you can do this in 20 minutes......I will assure you it will make a tremendous difference in your game in only 8 DAYS!!!

Do this at the beginning of your practice and then incorporate anything else you choose from this thread or simply take "break, ball in hand" playing 9 Ball and run out....or straight pool is a great game to practice by yourself to develop consistency, concentration and cue ball control.

All My Best H. - I'm always available if you have any questions at thegameistheteacher@gmail.com or www.cjwiley.com
 
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CJ Wiley said:
Ok, I have a regiment that you can do every day for the next 8 days and get noticeable results. There's an advanced version of this you can do next or continue this one for 3 weeks for maximum results.

Take all 15 balls and freeze them all on the rails next to the diamonds. They can be in any random order but MAKE SURE the lowest numbered balls are closest to the corner pockets on the rail. (so you can shoot them in rotation unobstructed).

Now run all the balls in rotation order shooting all the frozen balls into the corner pockets using center or TOI on every shot you can.....occasionally you can spin one to get shape, but try to use the NO side spin approach. (Take as Many "Ball in Hands" as you need to to complete this drill, the goal should be to take less than 5 in the first 8 Days, and less than 3 in Three Weeks)

After you do this 15 ball drill three times now it's time to do it differently practicing the cue ball frozen every time.

Now put all 15 balls up, and freeze them by the diamonds. Using the 15 balls like they're "cue balls" shoot them all in the side pockets and each time you hit one of the frozen balls freeze in your follow through until the ball drops in the side pocket. Hold the follow through and feel the position in your hand (Only When You Make The Shot).

Do this one 3 times as well, that's 45 shots and 45 shots = 90 total and you can do this in 20 minutes......I will assure you it will make a tremendous difference in your game in only 8 DAYS!!!

Do this at the beginning of your practice and then incorporate anything else you choose from this thread or simply take "break, ball in hand" playing 9 Ball and run out....or straight pool is a great game to practice by yourself to develop consistency, concentration and cue ball control.

All My Best H. - I'm always available if you have any questions at thegameistheteacher@gmail.com or www.cjwiley.com
Click to expand...

Thank You CJ - will do and report back... thanks again. Ed
 
Houstoer said:
I've decided to give about as much time as I can between now and end of Dec with focused practicing to try to get better and take it to the next level. Don't have much extra money during this time so taking more lessons is not an option. I have an 8 foot at home with simonis. I work full time but can practice at least 3 hours a day and a lot more on the weekend. I'm mainly a BCA 8 ball player but do play the occasional 9 or 10 ball game also. I can normally run out if the balls are ok positioned or maybe a couple times out of 10. I play in leagues twice a week. What would you recommend that might elevate my game some? When I currently practice I normally break and try to run racks for an hour or so then I start setting up balls that I was having trouble on practicing them until I get tired. Of course I match up with people on occasion. I know there are lots of people on this board that have way more expertise than me so I was wondering what would you do or recommend if you are in the position I'm in? I've thought at times maybe I should practice more rotational games but don't do it enough. Thanks much for any help!
Click to expand...
I normally start out be firing in long straight ins or long slight cuts. Usually at a high speed. This helps me get dialed in and find the pocket. Then I keep firing them in with draw or follow to get a big stroke out of it and to be accurate while loading up some spin.

After that I move into racks of 9ball over and over again for a couple hours... always breaking each rack, not just throwing the balls out there. If Im not satified with the break I rerack. Im always conscious of the rack. What key balls I put where and where they ended up after the snap.

I usually finish up by playing the ghost a couple sets...
 
CJ Wiley said:
Ok, I have a regiment that you can do every day for the next 8 days and get noticeable results. There's an advanced version of this you can do next or continue this one for 3 weeks for maximum results.

Take all 15 balls and freeze them all on the rails next to the diamonds. They can be in any random order but MAKE SURE the lowest numbered balls are closest to the corner pockets on the rail. (so you can shoot them in rotation unobstructed).

Now run all the balls in rotation order shooting all the frozen balls into the corner pockets using center or TOI on every shot you can.....occasionally you can spin one to get shape, but try to use the NO side spin approach. (Take as Many "Ball in Hands" as you need to to complete this drill, the goal should be to take less than 5 in the first 8 Days, and less than 3 in Three Weeks)

After you do this 15 ball drill three times now it's time to do it differently practicing the cue ball frozen every time.

Now put all 15 balls up, and freeze them by the diamonds. Using the 15 balls like they're "cue balls" shoot them all in the side pockets and each time you hit one of the frozen balls freeze in your follow through until the ball drops in the side pocket. Hold the follow through and feel the position in your hand (Only When You Make The Shot).

Do this one 3 times as well, that's 45 shots and 45 shots = 90 total and you can do this in 20 minutes......I will assure you it will make a tremendous difference in your game in only 8 DAYS!!!

Do this at the beginning of your practice and then incorporate anything else you choose from this thread or simply take "break, ball in hand" playing 9 Ball and run out....or straight pool is a great game to practice by yourself to develop consistency, concentration and cue ball control.

All My Best H. - I'm always available if you have any questions at thegameistheteacher@gmail.com or www.cjwiley.com
Click to expand...

This actually sounds like some really good advice and a great practice drill.
 
I would recommend alternating between the BU playing-ability exams / pool workout and the 10-ball-ghost rating drill, keeping track of your scores as you go to monitor improvement and to help challenge and motivate yourself to do better.

Good luck with your practice,
Dave

PS: If you do use the BU Exams, please consider posting your scores (and video if available) on the AZB BU thread, as other AZB user have done.


Houstoer said:
I've decided to give about as much time as I can between now and end of Dec with focused practicing to try to get better and take it to the next level. Don't have much extra money during this time so taking more lessons is not an option. I have an 8 foot at home with simonis. I work full time but can practice at least 3 hours a day and a lot more on the weekend. I'm mainly a BCA 8 ball player but do play the occasional 9 or 10 ball game also. I can normally run out if the balls are ok positioned or maybe a couple times out of 10. I play in leagues twice a week. What would you recommend that might elevate my game some? When I currently practice I normally break and try to run racks for an hour or so then I start setting up balls that I was having trouble on practicing them until I get tired. Of course I match up with people on occasion. I know there are lots of people on this board that have way more expertise than me so I was wondering what would you do or recommend if you are in the position I'm in? I've thought at times maybe I should practice more rotational games but don't do it enough. Thanks much for any help!
Click to expand...
 
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