Setting A High Run Goal

dmgwalsh said:
He showed up with a piece of paper with numbers on it. 1-39 with writing after most of them.
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He watched your run at google video? And made comments on every shot? That's awesome!
Did Ed handle the paper to you? If so, could you post it here? Such analysis could be as useful as John Schmidt commentating his 245 run. Because it shows process of decision making and pro's thinking.
 
halhoule said:
Exactly What Specific Aiming System Do You Use ???
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I like to focus on sighting the ball prior to executing the shot. when I sight the shot I have the best success when I sight from the pocket to the OB. I then look down the tangent line to the direction I want the CB moving after the contact with the OB.

I get the feel of the shot and visualize the tergeted result all of this is prior to getting down on the ball.

When I get down on the ball alot of my aim is established when I have the shooting hand in line and the back foot, as I come down on my shot I reach my bridge out into place while focusing on my target pos on the OB.

When I am down I focus on the CB and bring the tip into place near the CB as possible. I do better when I do not waggle back and forth during the period of time when I am getting down on the ball.

When I am down there I use many different concepts and some are bter than others for different situations. I use the ghost ball, paralell system and occasionally the fractional system. I also play by feel sometimes especially on really thin shots with any distance.

My aim and stroke thought on execution work together.

I pocket balls well when I am feeling good, sometimes I do not pocket them very well at all when that happens I hang them alot.

I would like to know more about the pocket. I feel really good players and pro's have an innate understanding of the pcoket and how balls will react in the pocket.

My balls ALL fall when I do not touch the sides of the pocket, if I touch either facing then I hang alot I mean alot of balls. Now I know if the OB is moving slow then it will probably fall and with speed it will hang, however I watch A+ or better players the shoot balls in all day and hit the facing and the balls still fall even though they have speed on them. I am talking about balls north of the side pocket going into a south pocket with the OB being 2 to 4 ball diameters off the rail. I shoot these balls medium speed or less and have real good luck, if I shoot the ball with crisp/firm speed I hang them alot. Good players hit these balls and seem to hit the side rail 1-2 diamonds from the corner pocket, it comes off the side rail hits the far facing and hops into the pocket even when shot with some speed, it is almost like they aim the ball to hit the side rail prior to the pocket. I really need to under stand this better.

My aim is pretty accurate. I would like to thank Joe Tucker for his book on aiming. I did some of that stuff prior to working through his book but reading it and working on my aim tied alot of stuff together.

I would like to talk/meet the REAL Hal Houle. I have heard of his aiming system but never with any details.

Straight Pool Report - I played a makeup match with a fine player in our league. He is a 5 and I am a 15 so I get 10 on the wire to 100. We are neck and neck at the 50+ mark and I was in mid collapse. I hung tight and tried to get my stroke going after a good period of time in the chair. during this time he did not have alot of real high runs but he was getting the shots and making some balls and not leaving me much, playing safe. Trying to get started I took a couple of flyers and payed the price he was upper 70s when I was still in the high 50's. I thought I was done for but I finally got a ball to go and I got a decent run put together (20) and then I had a 14, i had a couple of 1s and 2s along the way and I finished with a 9.

I win the match 100-90.

My matches are having a few 10 plus runs and usually a 15 to 20.

I hope to get a 30 soon maybe even the 41, I will let you know.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Tommorow - Bar Table Tournament - Columbus IN Lags Billiards

Wish Me Luck
 
OK getting a little closer. I just ran 30 on my home table so I got into the thrid rack rack a little bit (2 balls) I had to stretch for a low break ball on right side so I used a bridge and drew into the rack. I made the break ball but got a minimal spread only one ball for the side nearly straight in and 2 balls off the left corner. I debated to roll in the side and work the other two balls or draw into the rack after it in the side.

Of course I went for firing it in with draw and I hit the rack too thick and ran out of shots I did make the shot in the side. I am getting closer to the 41 and I must tell you I have ran quite a few 14 to 20 in my last few outings.

I also want to report I blew my last league match, a guy about my speed was my opponent so we played even. I had not hit any balls for about 5 days due to the flu. I get up and it just does not feel right. I went ahead and tried and it got going for a bit I got to 50 first I had my oponent down by 52 to about 40. Then the wheels fell off and I missed everything I shot at for about 10 innings including a couple of fouls. Score is now 50 to high 70 something I am stuck. I start making balls again but it was too late I loose 75 to 100.

After getting killed in that match I played a practice match to 50 with another fine league player. This gentleman plays a little better than I and has alot more knowledge of the game. I loose the lag (my break is getting better) He goes for something after the break and misses, I run 20 out of the gate which felt good. I still played streaky but wound up winning my match fifty to thirty something.

I will hope to report me running my age pretty soon so I can at least have a decent high run to report for the year.
 
Player another straight pool league match. I was a 15 my opponent was a 45 so I give him 30 going to a 100. I started bad and he beat me ever rack for the first 3 racks. 8-6,8-6 and 9-5. In those three racks he had a few scratches and I had one, the score was 52-16.

On rack four, I kicked it in and started making some balls and had some decent runs in the 10 to 14 ball range. I never ran more than 14 but I played safe well. My last inning started on 92 aqnd he broke his stick down after my first two shots, I told him not to shark me but he said he thought I would get out. I run th eight I needed.

I win the match 100-62

Bad shot of the match, I am in a rack on a short run have just broke the rack wide open 3 balls earlier, it looks dead easy to get to break shot. Cue ball is nearly mid table half way to corner is OB ball dead straight, I try to hit the OB full in the face and roll up about 6 inches to get shape to clean out foot rail. I hit the OB really soft but I missed the pocket quite badly. I do not know if the ball skidded or what but I was dead out that rack. This was the last easy shot I missed in the match, I missed a couple of more shots but they were all tougher shots.

I feel I missed the shot because because I hit it so soft with real slow follow. Real soft shots are something I can work on especially dead straight, I am trying to get away from hitting these shots firm, I have good success with that firm fractional tip high punch method but I am trying to develop some soft feel. My bridge does not have the same solid feel when I shoot soft. If you have any thoughts on soft shots please let me know.

I will continue to work on my high run at home hope to have that 41 real soon.

I need to work more when standing and planning. I need to plan that much more, weigh my options then commit to my shot. I need to make better decisions. I shoot well but go for too many hard shots with cue ball paths too long. When I restrain myself I play better.

My current state is I am making balls well when I feel the shot, I can get position and my cue ball is getting on a shorter string.

I will run my age - 41 balls and after that who know how many more.
 
"My last inning started on 92 and he broke his stick down after my first two shots, I told him not to shark me but he said he thought I would get out. I run the eight I needed." Elvis


That was a bull shit move on his part. You should have just broken your cue down. When he does that, the match is over. He lost. He thought you would get out, but hoped he'd distract you into not getting out.
 
Vahmurka said:
He watched your run at google video? And made comments on every shot? That's awesome!
Did Ed handle the paper to you? If so, could you post it here? Such analysis could be as useful as John Schmidt commentating his 245 run. Because it shows process of decision making and pro's thinking.
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Actually, he just had a few words on each shot as to whether I stroked it properly or poked it. One of his pet peeves. He says until I start stroking everything, I'll never learn how to control the cue ball.
 
I played league last night. My game was on but no real high run to speak off I just played pretty well. I played a 20 and I am a 15 so I gave him 5 balls going to 100.

I opened up with a 16 ball run. I just kept clearing the table. I dogged about 4 balls all night. I played safe well and I win 100 to 45.

I wish I could tie 4 racks together. That day is coming. Three has been reached 4 will come.

I have been practicing at home trying to get a new high run. I start with the center table break ball it is set one half ball dist to the side pockect. Cut it in 80 deg or so and split front two balls of the rack. I get a good spread this way and run lots of 12, 14 up to 20 or so. I just need to give myself 10 attempts a day rather than 10 a week. I mostly work on this on the weekend.

Also, I need to get on my website elvicash.com that will be coming soon to the internet near you.
 
Last night was the last night of league play. It was a position round where num 1 played 2 and 3 played 4. I was in good shape in 3rd place with 13 wins and quite a few others had 13 wins but I had the most total balls. If I win this match I going to be in 3rd place and get a plaque.

I went to the match pretty prepared and I took a lot of pictures. We all visited and kibitzed ahead of the match and were having a good time pre match. This league has been fun but I really wanted to win this match.

The match starts I loose the lag and break and have a nearly perfect break but I scratch in the UL corner pocket, the ball was fighting to stay up it was going so slow.

MY opponent (a good player about my speed who gave me 5 pts going to 100) gets up and fires make a ball but doesn?t make but one leaves me a pretty tough 80 deg angle on the end rail.

I get up and fire it in and spread the balls, clean off the table but do not get into the next rack the next rack. I play well the next couple of rack but then loose my focus.

I was distracted by something that happened in the room and totally quit playing the game. I just started shooting shots, trying to execute. I totally fell out of focus. I kept trying to get in stroke and the more I tried the worse I played. We were neck and neck when we both went into the 60's. I went for 3 key shots, spread the balls open and missed my shot each time. Of course my opponent got those balls and a few more besides each time basically beating in those 3 rack 14-0 or 11-3 so going into the last rack the score is 97-65. I loose the match 100-67 he gets the win and he played well on quite a few innings but I played poorly with no one to blame but myself.

I have reviewed my play in my head and can remember quite a few key problematic shots or innings that ended on my mistakes. Each of these were due to lack of plan with me trying to shoot a shot with no long term goal/plan in mind just trying to make the ball and get in this area or that no visualization and poor execution overall.

When my game falls apart I need to rebuild my game plan and evaluate the table that much more before starting my next inning. I need to identify groups, routes and sequences, key balls setup balls and break balls. After this I need to pick my shot, pick where I want the cue ball next including the path of CB as a line finishing on a point. Sight my OB, get behind the shot visualize this and then execute.

I can get back into stroke when I start missing. I simplify my stance and stroke, minimize the wrist and focus on staying with the shot. This execution mode reset is something I have in my game bag and it works pretty well.

I need to have a game reset switch. I need to realize when I am not playing the game and just shooting shots. When in this mode I quit clearing the table and run alot of 2s and 3s and 0s as well.

Game Mode - Look it over, Analyze, Identify, Pick/Select, Visualize - Execute. Repeat till victory is achieved.

Congrats to my opponent. I look forward to our next meeting where I WILL play better.

I will now focus on my hi-run goal. I will run 41 balls.
 
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No runs to report.

Broke out some new balls and that feels totally different on the table.

Clean conditions make such a difference.

Ball cleaner is on order then we will be posting some weekly numbers till I get that 41.
 
Played a couple of matches with guys from the league.

Both are rated higher but we played even to 100. Both matches we played for the time and the pockets were tight neither table would take 2 balls in a corner pocket. I played well and won both matches. :D :D

I ran 22 in the match today then I came home and ran a 14 but had no break shot, racked them again and ran a 22 on the next attempt.

I am starting see the balls map out paths and am learning more of the execution repeatability. The ability to execute simple shots 1 after another and not do anything to make it hard is what I am working on curently. I have to work to keep it simple and then execute the next simple shot. I do not need to make showy shots, stop shots use the rails etc.

I am also working on playing safe.

The game keeps opening up.

I will run 41.
 
elvicash said:
Last night was the last night of league play. .... I lose the match 100-67 he gets the win and he played well on quite a few innings but I played poorly with no one to blame but myself.
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Cash,
Well, no dishonor in THAT. Your opponent is a former 70-some ball runner, who even played on the road for a short while. He had serious medical issues, which took away his ability to practice. Though he does not play his former speed; he occasionally catches a gear, then watch out.

Congratulations on a GREAT rookie season. You are definitely one of the better offensive players in the league (non-pro division), and I hope you are considering playing again next year.......after you stomped me TWICE this year, I must have revenge.....I think I should practice (my 5th place finish was my worst ever - too many swing changes during the season).
 
Williebetmore said:
Cash,


Congratulations on a GREAT rookie season. You are definitely one of the better offensive players in the league (non-pro division), and I hope you are considering playing again next year.......after you stomped me TWICE this year, I must have revenge.....
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He stomped my butt up here at the IBC a month ago. Shoots pretty sporty. Didn't miss too many makeable shots.

I'm sure he will join up with you again. In fact, he may be joining the Illinois Billiard Club as a travelling member.
 
Cher Powered Hi Run

I was playing a fellow AZ'r today. we played two games to 100 and I lost them both first game 70-100 second game 92-100. That was the bad news.

The good news is I had a new hi run. I was feeling down due to the strong game of my competitor but out of the speakers came a sound which brought great power to my shooting arm, the dulcet tones of Cher's Greatest Hits. My play started to pick up and then on the 3rd or 4th song I cleaned off a table and and the next rack then when I got into the third rack I tried to preserve my run by picking off hangers and I did not go for the 45 deg cut shut I had on the third shot of the rack which was a little long but would have spread the rack open nicely, I had a similiar shot midway through the rack I get in some trouble and the run ends when I try to make too much out of a bad situation.

Note to self - long runs are made by taking the correct shot not just picking out outlying balls. Fix your trouble early.

Congrats WBM you played well today.

I will run 41 and then no telling when I will stop.....
 
Been working on my game.

Ran another 37.

The 20's keep coming so I will keep working on it.

Lost last 4 games I played even though I jumped out to alead in 3 out of 4 of them.

I get the comfortable lead feeling and foozle the game.

Must Bear Down. - - It is merciful to win quickly!!!!!
 
elvi -

Great thread, I have enjoyed following your progress. I have faith you will hit your goal. Keep up the hard work. I really like your persistency.
 
Ran 29 this AM before work. Third time I got into rack 3.

I was shallow on the break and drew into the rack cue ball stuck rack spread to end rail nothing up table. Kicked into rack go up table and back, trying a 5 ball combo with 3 froze space then 2 almost froze came close but no cigar.

I notice I do not get a lot of good break balls out of the intial break, I am getting better at bumping balls into the break area.

I get out of line on last 4 or 5 balls need to get better at KB2KB stop to KB stop killer break.

I seem to go one rail 2 rail to break shot to often, however ball speed is improving.

Slow less than full stroke ball pocketing is improving. Thanks for tips on that to Mr. Stan Shuffett.

41 is enroute.
 
elvicash said:
Ran 29 this AM before work. Third time I got into rack 3.

I was shallow on the break and drew into the rack cue ball stuck rack spread to end rail nothing up table. Kicked into rack go up table and back, trying a 5 ball combo with 3 froze space then 2 almost froze came close but no cigar.

I notice I do not get a lot of good break balls out of the intial break, I am getting better at bumping balls into the break area.

I get out of line on last 4 or 5 balls need to get better at KB2KB stop to KB stop killer break.

I seem to go one rail 2 rail to break shot to often, however ball speed is improving.

ISlow less than full stroke ball pocketing is improving. Thanks for tips on that to Mr. Stan Shuffett.

41 is enroute.
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I believe you will run 42 by the end of May. When you get into the third rack just take the easiest route to clear all the balls, don't worry about a breakball unless it lays perfectly. After you reach your goal than you can go for 50 and than 100.

Good luck
 
Bill

Thanks for the kind support.
I will shoot the 41.
I need to play more so I have to elevate the priority of pool and try to get in at least 1000 balls a week.
I have been shooting about 200-300 balls/wk 14.1 maybe more trying to log play to guage my game.

I have been shooting some with the Bob Jewett log sheets .

Here is my Past shooting

4/16/8
8-6-15-4-10-3-3-4-5-13
Avg 7.1

4/16/8
8-17-5-8-11-10-5-11-23-5
Avg 10.3

4/17/8
12-17-6

4/20/8
7-13-7-21-9-37-7-7-13-12
Avg 13.3

4/22/8
29-6-2-2-13-9-31-16-2-2
Avg 11.2

4/22/8
4-2-5-11-3-2-27-14

4/23/8
10-10-7-6-14-11-11-7-11

No real 14.1 since been on the road for work

Got 2nd in bar tavble 8 ball race to 2 13 players in Ft. Wayne pretty decent quality of players

Nothing pool related since

Hope to play some this weekend but have a good long honey do list to take care of first.

L8r
 
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