repetition in shotmaking practice

PKM

OB-1 Kenobi
Silver Member
If you are setting up some shots for practice, how important do you think it is to be able to repeat the shot precisely (by using donuts, for example) as opposed to just approximating it?

It seems to me using those donuts is a plus, but you're also trading off the time and effort to use them, even if small it adds up. I also try to use diamond intersections to place shots when not using them.

[By the way, I don't know if it is common knowledge that donuts refer to those hole reinforcement stickers. I got that from Phil Capelle]
 
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PKM said:
If you are setting up some shots for practice, how important do you think it is to be able to repeat the shot precisely (by using donuts, for example) as opposed to just approximating it?

It seems to me using those donuts is a plus, but you're also trading off the time and effort to use them, even if small it adds up. I also try to use diamond intersections to place shots when not using them.

[By the way, I don't know if it is common knowledge that donuts refer to those hole reinforcement stickers. I got that from Phil Capelle]
I think it real important to set the shot back to the exact spot. I too practice marking my shots with those donut stickers. I got that from Stan Shuffets Pool Schooll.
 
> I've used them for years,but after I get the shot down cold,I'll move the ball positions around some and keep doing it,so I don't put myself in a spot where I can only reproduce the shot with it laying exactly that way. I also shoot it to the other side as well. Tommy D.
 
PKM said:
If you are setting up some shots for practice, how important do you think it is to be able to repeat the shot precisely (by using donuts, for example) as opposed to just approximating it?

It seems to me using those donuts is a plus, but you're also trading off the time and effort to use them, even if small it adds up. I also try to use diamond intersections to place shots when not using them.

[By the way, I don't know if it is common knowledge that donuts refer to those hole reinforcement stickers. I got that from Phil Capelle]

More important than exactness setting up the balls is to repeat the approximate shot many times until it is automatic. I like shooting long cut shots, similar to spot shots, over and over to fine tune my aim. I don't particularly care if they're set up the exact same way. When you're playing, many shots are similar but how many are exactly as practiced?

Chris
 
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DrCue'sProtege said:
why not just mark the spot with the chalk?

DCP

Works fine for me.

By the way, if you play with more than one stick or shaft, setting up specific shots that you plan to shoot with english with both shafts or cues can alert you to the differences in the way you'll need to vary your aim to pot the ball and get shape. For that, precision placement of the cue ball and object ball is imperative.

Flex
 
I think it depends of the practice and what you are trying to accomplish. If it's a tip position drill, then yes, by all means. If you are wanting to practice routine draw shot, no. One thing I found that helps is when you put you donut down, fill in the circle with a marker. If and when it's time to replace the donut, you know exactly where to put it. Also, place the ball in the donut and give it a slight tap with another ball. This indent the cloth a little and will be easier to place the ball within the donut the next time. I usually have to do this once a day because the little dent in the cloth must pop out a little. I am a big fan of the donuts and marking on the table for drills. The first thing I do after getting the table re-clothed is draw a grid from diamond to diamond using a Sharpie permanent marker. It's also full of little x's where I don't have donuts.

The way I look at it, my home table is my parctice table and the table I play on is usually somewhere else.
 
I prefer to do the exact same shot, from both sides of the ball. However, the biggest thing is that you're pre-shot routine and fundamentals are consistent and perfect. Without those, doesn't matter what shot you are aiming at you won't be maximizing the best out of your practice.

Christian
 
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