The more I learn, the worse I shoot...

Elephant Man

Elephant Man

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The title about sums it up. I have had a pool table for over 5 years and I suck. Sure I beat everyone (friends and relatives) that play when they come over but I KNOW I am a horrible player. Concentrating on ball placement has really brought my game to a new low. Reading articles and suggestions has my brain on overload. I am left handed and I just figured out that I am right eye dominate. I swear I was sinking more balls before I knew that! I have been playing 1-2 hours a night for a few months now, mainly just knocking balls around. I just got a new cue to replace the 4 house cues that came with my table and I am looking for help/advice on what drills to practice and why. Or should I actually take lessons to help find my many faults? I am ready to put the work in and improve my game but need a purpose/goal.
Thanks, Ron
 
sounds like you already have a goal. to improve.

as far as getting better and drills and stuff go, try any of the instructional videos out there. playing ability test is good for drills in my opinion.

focus more on using natural position from playing your patterns correctly.
 
If you have a video camera and posted an honest video of yourself shooting 10 minutes of 9-ball just throwing the balls up onto the table with no balls touching and no real issues on the runouts and started with ball in hand I am pretty sure you would get a huge amount of advice on things you are doing wrong, including tidbits from well known instructors that are likely not in your immediate area to take a lesson from yet do frequent this forum.

It would be real hard to figure out your best course without seeing what the issues might be.

All of that said it is normal when a person really starts to work shape play into their game that their game drops for abit as potting ability drops as you start to do more with your stroke to work the cueball more.
 
Elephant Man...Lessons from a qualified instructor (one who uses video review) can shorten the learning curve, for most players, by many years. However, you have to practice what you learn. There are no shortcuts to disciplined practice. There is no magic bullit.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Elephant Man said:
The title about sums it up. I have had a pool table for over 5 years and I suck. Sure I beat everyone (friends and relatives) that play when they come over but I KNOW I am a horrible player. Concentrating on ball placement has really brought my game to a new low. Reading articles and suggestions has my brain on overload. I am left handed and I just figured out that I am right eye dominate. I swear I was sinking more balls before I knew that! I have been playing 1-2 hours a night for a few months now, mainly just knocking balls around. I just got a new cue to replace the 4 house cues that came with my table and I am looking for help/advice on what drills to practice and why. Or should I actually take lessons to help find my many faults? I am ready to put the work in and improve my game but need a purpose/goal.
Thanks, Ron
Click to expand...
 
Are you having trouble with positioning? Start simple, just place 3 balls on the table run them out. Planning 3 balls ahead is the basic rule of thumb.
 
Thanks for the quick replies guys. As far as putting a video up of myself, well I am definitely game for that. I had no idea that people would actually take the time to watch it and give me an honest critique with suggestions. Sounds awesome! Would the video just need to be from a static location? Or would a variety (from in front of and behind stroke) of angles be needed? Might have to put a bag over my head an be the Unknown Shooter... :) Thanks again for replies so far. I really appreciate it.
Ron
 
Descente36 said:
Are you having trouble with positioning? Start simple, just place 3 balls on the table run them out. Planning 3 balls ahead is the basic rule of thumb.
Click to expand...

Well I was having most trouble with position, but aim seems to have jumped out front as my latest problem. I am OK at planning 3 balls ahead, but my aim (or possibly stroke) is making things difficult...
 
The replies, so far, contain some excellent advice and I really don't have anything to add other than you probably shouldn't be bragging about beating your Grandmother. :wink:
 
Scott Lee said:
Elephant Man...Lessons from a qualified instructor (one who uses video review) can shorten the learning curve, for most players, by many years. However, you have to practice what you learn. There are no shortcuts to disciplined practice. There is no magic bullit.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

This advice is GOLDEN. The sooner the better.
 
incognito

E. Man, it is not necessary to put a bag over your head. You can use that combo Groucho Marx nose + glasses+ mustache disguise. I find it quite
effective in hiding my identity when I go out on the hustle. Oh
yes . Don't forget the cigar. This is a picture of me when I'm hunting for victims: :groucho:
 
Ron...The best perspective to get the most useful advice, is to set up the the camera to the side of your shooting arm. We need to be able to see your entire side, but mostly your shoulder, arm, grip and how you swing the cue. The shots themselves are not that important. Shoot the same shot several times from the same position. You can vary it by hitting different speeds and different cuetip positions on the CB. This view will garner you the most useful advice. Be sure to have the camera on a tripod, and high enough so that we can see your strike on the CB. If you're interested in being steered to a qualified instructor, let us know where you live, and we'll try to help you out.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Elephant Man said:
Thanks for the quick replies guys. As far as putting a video up of myself, well I am definitely game for that. I had no idea that people would actually take the time to watch it and give me an honest critique with suggestions. Sounds awesome! Would the video just need to be from a static location? Or would a variety (from in front of and behind stroke) of angles be needed? Might have to put a bag over my head an be the Unknown Shooter... :) Thanks again for replies so far. I really appreciate it.
Ron
Click to expand...
 
Elephant Man said:
Thanks for the quick replies guys. As far as putting a video up of myself, well I am definitely game for that. I had no idea that people would actually take the time to watch it and give me an honest critique with suggestions. Sounds awesome! Would the video just need to be from a static location? Or would a variety (from in front of and behind stroke) of angles be needed? Might have to put a bag over my head an be the Unknown Shooter... :) Thanks again for replies so far. I really appreciate it.
Ron
Click to expand...

The best video to put up for this sort of thing is one that depicts your average. A lot of people post break and runs, which can be difficult to get a lot from.

Honestly, the video's that have produced the best feedback is when the player was performing terribly. That way, you will know what you are doing wrong when things aren't going right. Though I understand it can be embarrassing to post that. I wouldn't want anyone to see some of my recent practice sessions:embarrassed2:.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
The replies, so far, contain some excellent advice and I really don't have anything to add other than you probably shouldn't be bragging about beating your Grandmother. :wink:
Click to expand...

Well at family get togethers, when the sun goes down, then slop counts! So you are correct. She has put the smackdown on me a couple times!
 
Neil said:
Of course, as Scott said, seek out an instructor. If that is not feasible, do a search on here for drills. You will find a ton of them. DO NOT just bang balls around for a couple hours a night and expect to get better. It will probably take a lifetime doing that.

Drills will help you master certain shots and positions zones. That is when you concentrate on your stroke, position, ect. When you PLAY, you try and go on automatic and let what you have learned in practice happen. If you try and run and think about what your legs are doing, you won't get very far before you fall. The same is true with pool.

As stated, a video posted on here will garner you helpful criticism. But, you better be ready to take it!
Click to expand...

Last night I practiced running out 3 balls with ball in hand for a couple hours and it seemed to help settle me down and find a groove. An instructor is already in my future. An AZ member has graciously stepped up and offered some guidance (at an unbeatable price I might add). The video camera is on the charger and I can handle the criticism. Well maybe not from Joe Rogan! Thanks again guys for all the help.
 
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Scott Lee said:
Ron...The best perspective to get the most useful advice, is to set up the the camera to the side of your shooting arm. We need to be able to see your entire side, but mostly your shoulder, arm, grip and how you swing the cue. The shots themselves are not that important. Shoot the same shot several times from the same position. You can vary it by hitting different speeds and different cuetip positions on the CB. This view will garner you the most useful advice. Be sure to have the camera on a tripod, and high enough so that we can see your strike on the CB. If you're interested in being steered to a qualified instructor, let us know where you live, and we'll try to help you out.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Cameron Smith said:
The best video to put up for this sort of thing is one that depicts your average. A lot of people post break and runs, which can be difficult to get a lot from.

Honestly, the video's that have produced the best feedback is when the player was performing terribly. That way, you will know what you are doing wrong when things aren't going right. Though I understand it can be embarrassing to post that. I wouldn't want anyone to see some of my recent practice sessions:embarrassed2:.
Click to expand...

DoubleD said:
Read the inner game of tennis.

As for being left hand/right eye, I am the opposite. It isn't a handicap at all and anyone who tells you different doesn't know.

Anything that gives you an excuse for missing needs to be addressed, understood and dismissed.

Stop knocking balls around. Practice for 45 minutes right before bed. Practice things that you know you have problems with. There is a reason babies sleep 14 hours per day--it is because sleep is where we really turn things from short term memory into habit. An aside: When I was 21 I decided I was going to learn to juggle. I practiced a ton and dropped everything. Somebody suggested I juggle when I was tired and sleepy for a while. Inside two weeks I had mastered one style and started on a second. The key is to only practice perfectly--no knocking things around--and then go to sleep.

dld
Click to expand...

Seriously, thanks for all of the replies. I will get the video up soon I hope. And there will be no run outs! Good to hear about the left hand/right eye not being something I have to change too. And yes I do usually practice right before bed. As far as getting a local instructor I am open to suggestions. I live near Fort Worth and will also be needing a table mechanic in 3-4 months so...
Thanks, Ron
 
Think when you are standing, shoot when you are down on the table. If your mind isn't concentrating on the task at hand, you are thinking about the next shot(s) you are going to miss the shot you are taking.

1. Think before you shoot. Come up with a plan of action, believe in it, and execute it. Evaluate after each shot and adjust as necessary. If you are thinking about anything other than your aim point while you are down on the shot, stand up and start over.

2. Preshot routine.

3. Trust your eyes and your hands to do what you tell them to. Don't second guess. If it doesn't look right, get up and reset.

4. Play what the table offers you.

:cool:
 
I had a similar experience when I first joined a team a couple of years ago. I don't consider myself competitive, but I wanted to win "once in awhile." The harder I tried, the worse I got. Finally, in an act of desperation, I attended a formal billiard class (Cue U in Rockford Illinois). The transformation was nothing sort of amazing! I've learned the most important things to master are the basics. Without a solid foundation, you can't grow. I've since attended a 2nd, more advanced class, but I got the biggest benefit from the first class. If you're serious about getting better, get some professional help!
 
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