The Holy Grail?

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well, it's friday and as a close friend once said "i am feeling kind of froggy".
I have read countless threads about "aiming systems" and self awareness or focus at the pool table. Does any of this really matter? I have seen players talk about how to stand, how to bridge, how far to keep bridge hand from cue ball. I have read about forehand english, backhand english, paralell english, draw, force follow. If i was a beginner pool player right now, I would just quit and take up basket weaving. There is just way too much information out there to possibly absorb in the human brain.:eek:
For the beginner I suggest this: hold the cue ball, stand about 6 ft. from another person. Lightly and underhand toss that cue ball to another person. Now: how did ya know how hard to toss it? Did it fall 2 ft. in front of that person? Did ya throw it over their head?
The same principle applies to how hard to hit the cue ball on any given shot. "Experience" will tell ya how hard or how soft. In time ya will learn to put draw or sidespin(english) and how to adjust for squirt and throw. There are countless books on these subjects, none of which can teach experience. So, get out there and hit some balls till your arms fall off!!!
Remember, as a famous person once said, "Champions are not born, time has molded them into what they are today".
I'm not trying to put down instructors, the information they teach is priceless. But for the person who is looking for that magical formula to become a pro pool player, or trying to find the cue with that special magical hit, I say just keep playing and setting up practice drills. It takes time, more for some than others, to become a good or great pool player.
To sum this up: There is NO HOLY GRAIL . I don't care if you know every aiming system and have the most expensive cue out there, you still have to hit the ball in the pocket. Just knowing where to hit the OB is not enough, the CB has to hit that point which drives the OB into the desired pocket or bank. SO.........practice, practice, learn some more and practice again.
You want to know why the Europeans are winning at 14.1? They practice at it.
Ok, like I said it's almost the weekend so hit me with both barrels. If there is a Holy Grail I want to buy one. Otherwise I will settle for practicing. I'm curious which direction this will go?:grin:
 
Last edited:

halhoule

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
tucson9ball said:
Well, it's friday and as a close friend once said "i am feeling kind of froggy".
I have read countless threads about "aiming systems" and self awareness or focus at the pool table. Does any of this really matter? I have seen players talk about how to stand, how to bridge, how far to keep bridge hand from cue ball. I have read about forehand english, backhand english, paralell english, draw, force follow. If i was a beginner pool player right now, I would just quit and take up basket weaving. There is just way too much information out there to possibly absorb in the human brain.:eek:
For the beginner I suggest this: hold the cue ball, stand about 6 ft. from another person. Lightly and underhand toss that cue ball to another person. Now: how did ya know how hard to toss it? Did it fall 2 ft. in front of that person? Did ya throw it over their head?
The same principle applies to how hard to hit the cue ball on any given shot. "Experience" will tell ya how hard or how soft. In time ya will learn to put draw or sidespin(english) and how to adjust for squirt and throw. There are countless books on these subjects, none of which can teach experience. So, get out there and hit some balls till your arms fall off!!!
I'm not trying to put down instructors, the information they teach is priceless. But for the person who is looking for that magical formula to become a pro pool player, or trying to find the cue with that special magical hit, I say just keep playing and setting up practice drills. It takes time, more for some than others, to become a good or great pool player.
To sum this up: There is NO HOLY GRAIL . I don't care if you know every aiming system and have the most expensive cue out there, you still have to hit the ball in the pocket. Just knowing where to hit the OB is not enough, the CB has to hit that point which drives the OB into the desired pocket or bank. SO.........practice, practice, learn some more and practice again.
You want to know why the Europeans are winning at 14.1? They practice at it.
Ok, like I said it's almost the weekend so hit me with both barrels. If there is a Holy Grail I want to buy one. Otherwise I will settle for practicing. I'm curious which direction this will go?:grin:

call at 484 623 4144 hal houle
 

cuenut

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Man, 5 small paragraphs get you a free lesson over the phone! Wish I had thought of that! Let us know how/if your game improves after your conversation and a little practice!
 

CueAndMe

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Chris, it's good to get these things out. And I agree. Now I disagree. Now I agree again. Actually, I agree to a point. The practicing thing is what has been proven to work. We should all keep doing that. But maybe there is a holy grail, or maybe there's at least a helpy grail.
How many of us are absolutely sure the ball is going where we want to send it? Since many have said there is no holy grail, it's easy to accept that. But we're only accepting that because many have said it.
 

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Holy Grail

Neil said:
Actually, I agree with your post. And, I think most instructors will too if they read it close. I don't think anyone is saying that there is a 'holy grail', but many are telling what one would call 'shortcuts' to the experience needed to play pool well.

One can either take the long road of experience, whcih can take many, many years, or they can shorten it with aiming systems, proper stance, stroke, ect.

But, I do agree with you in that some will constantly change cues thinking it will make them play better. The 'right' cue helps, but too much is put on the cue, and not on the person behind it.
Hey Neil,
Good to see another Michigander, I grew up in Redford just west o Detroit.
I do agree that there are the basics of pool, but for the most part we tend to have our own comfort zones. If we all stood the same or gripped the same Keith Mcready would have never made a ball-lol. I'm sure in his early days he got gamble just by the way he held his cue. But after a few lost sets guys scratched there heads and walked away with a lil lighter wallet.
I agree also, it's not the bow it's the Indian.:smile:
 

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Holy Grail

cuenut said:
Man, 5 small paragraphs get you a free lesson over the phone! Wish I had thought of that! Let us know how/if your game improves after your conversation and a little practice!
:) Well, I wasn't really fishing for a lesson. But I have seen tons of threads about Aiming systems and Hal Houle's name is always thrown in somehow. Must be something to it I suppose. I would rather spend a hour or so talking to em than wonder for the rest o my life "what if".
If it improves my game that is great if not at least I will know.
 

Bigkahuna

It's Good For Your Game!
Silver Member
By the same stick Efren has, when you stroke pump your arm up and down like you are pumping water from a well that's it. No need for lessons just fill your case with lots of gimracks and cues.
 

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Holy Grail

bluepepper said:
Chris, it's good to get these things out. And I agree. Now I disagree. Now I agree again. Actually, I agree to a point. The practicing thing is what has been proven to work. We should all keep doing that. But maybe there is a holy grail, or maybe there's at least a helpy grail.
How many of us are absolutely sure the ball is going where we want to send it? Since many have said there is no holy grail, it's easy to accept that. But we're only accepting that because many have said it.
I think we all need the basics but after that it is practice and the will to be good. Without determination or the drive to win, banger status is your destiny.
Thanks for reply, I need closer to 200 posts to challenge for King of Arizona.;)
 

Ballistic Billiards

Step up your Game!
Silver Member
the question

Practice the right things, the right way, and the learning curve shortens.
It's actually pretty simple when you break it down.


MikeM said:
I'll practice, practice, practice.

MM...oh what should I practice?
 

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Holy Grail

Bigkahuna said:
By the same stick Efren has, when you stroke pump your arm up and down like you are pumping water from a well that's it. No need for lessons just fill your case with lots of gimracks and cues.
Wow, that's an idea. Is Efren selling his cue? Maybe if he just touches any stick it will play better?:D
 

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Good Practice

Ballistic Billiards said:
Practice the right things, the right way, and the learning curve shortens.
It's actually pretty simple when you break it down.
I could not agree more. I see plenty o guys practicing stuff you only see come up once every 5 years. What a waste. Good practice is the key.
1 post closer to 200.
 

Scaramouche

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
tucson9ball said:
SO.........practice, practice, learn some more and practice again.
You want to know why the Europeans are winning at 14.1? They practice at it.

Well, you have to practice the right stuff. Randy G tells his students not to play for six weeks after taking his course, only practice what he has taught them - The Mother Drills.

And for only one hour a day.

You have to let the subconscious work things out.

For example, I spent an hour working on a shot that was, at best, an accidental pot. At the end of the hour I made the shot three times in succession for the first time.

A week later I tried it again. There was a vast improvement. Instead of being accidentally successful, it was better than 50%. Now if I can get it to 95% ....:D
 

BigCat

The Panda Diaries
Gold Member
Silver Member
tucson9ball said:
Well, it's friday and as a close friend once said "i am feeling kind of froggy".
I have read countless threads about "aiming systems" and self awareness or focus at the pool table. Does any of this really matter? I have seen players talk about how to stand, how to bridge, how far to keep bridge hand from cue ball. I have read about forehand english, backhand english, paralell english, draw, force follow. If i was a beginner pool player right now, I would just quit and take up basket weaving. There is just way too much information out there to possibly absorb in the human brain.:eek:
For the beginner I suggest this: hold the cue ball, stand about 6 ft. from another person. Lightly and underhand toss that cue ball to another person. Now: how did ya know how hard to toss it? Did it fall 2 ft. in front of that person? Did ya throw it over their head?
The same principle applies to how hard to hit the cue ball on any given shot. "Experience" will tell ya how hard or how soft. In time ya will learn to put draw or sidespin(english) and how to adjust for squirt and throw. There are countless books on these subjects, none of which can teach experience. So, get out there and hit some balls till your arms fall off!!!
Remember, as a famous person once said, "Champions are not born, time has molded them into what they are today".
I'm not trying to put down instructors, the information they teach is priceless. But for the person who is looking for that magical formula to become a pro pool player, or trying to find the cue with that special magical hit, I say just keep playing and setting up practice drills. It takes time, more for some than others, to become a good or great pool player.
To sum this up: There is NO HOLY GRAIL . I don't care if you know every aiming system and have the most expensive cue out there, you still have to hit the ball in the pocket. Just knowing where to hit the OB is not enough, the CB has to hit that point which drives the OB into the desired pocket or bank. SO.........practice, practice, learn some more and practice again.
You want to know why the Europeans are winning at 14.1? They practice at it.
Ok, like I said it's almost the weekend so hit me with both barrels. If there is a Holy Grail I want to buy one. Otherwise I will settle for practicing. I'm curious which direction this will go?:grin:


Hey Chris,

I couldn't agree more. Practice is crucial, but you also need to know what to practice. As Albert Eintein once said - "If all you have is a hammer, then everything looks like a nail."

BTW, I see you are trying to get your post count up to 200. Who are you going to challenge? I say go for the gusto and just challenge Jimmy M. He loves to play one pocket too :D.

Ray
 

tucson9ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Practice

Scaramouche said:
Well, you have to practice the right stuff. Randy G tells his students not to play for six weeks after taking his course, only practice what he has taught them - The Mother Drills.

And for only one hour a day.

You have to let the subconscious work things out.

For example, I spent an hour working on a shot that was, at best, an accidental pot. At the end of the hour I made the shot three times in succession for the first time.

A week later I tried it again. There was a vast improvement. Instead of being accidentally successful, it was better than 50%. Now if I can get it to 95% ....:D
I heard Randy G is very good instuctor and rep to ya for info. Not sure what rep translates into the real world for, but in Az it seems to be good stuff.:thumbup:
Another post closer to 200 TY
 

MikeM

Pool Lover
Silver Member
OK, got it...

Ballistic Billiards said:
Practice the right things, the right way, and the learning curve shortens.
It's actually pretty simple when you break it down.
...practice, practice, practice, the right things the right way.

This is so easy, thanks!

MM


um.....which are the right things?


uh...which ways are the right ones?
 
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