Ron...You have the top instructor in the U.S. right in your back yard. Contact randyg here, or call 214-908-2908. He has the Masters Pool School in Dallas.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
The more I learn, the worse I shoot...
- Thread starter Elephant Man
- Start date
Ft. Worth
Ron: I see that you live near Ft. Worth. I play in a 14.1 league in Hurst.
I can meet you there and go over your game. Let me know.
Also, it is best to get an instructor and I see another AZ member has offered to help you. Yes, If I were you I would contact Randy G.
The advice from the other players on this post is right on.
I just read "Ceebee" comment and Yes, it is not a good idea to post a video of yourself.
You will get so much feed back on different things. You will not know where to begin.
Call Randy G. and get into his school.
Good luck & keep us posted
Ron: I see that you live near Ft. Worth. I play in a 14.1 league in Hurst.
I can meet you there and go over your game. Let me know.
Also, it is best to get an instructor and I see another AZ member has offered to help you. Yes, If I were you I would contact Randy G.
The advice from the other players on this post is right on.
I just read "Ceebee" comment and Yes, it is not a good idea to post a video of yourself.
You will get so much feed back on different things. You will not know where to begin.
Call Randy G. and get into his school.
Good luck & keep us posted
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From someone who has been in your shoes
The instructor thing is great and I may consider it some day soon too.
That aside the biggest give away is the "banging balls around the table". That has to stop, you are just learning bad habits. I have gotten better despite limited competition in my area mostly from improving my focus at the practice table (I had a year of stagnant play for the EXACT reason as you - banging the balls around). You don't have to do nothing but drills, but a video like Byrnes practice drills is something you could fall back on. DON'T suck the fun out of pool though. Try a BCA or APA league. You'll be suprised how much better you'll get at pool if you enjoy it.
90% is focus, and it you learn to shoot with no focus youre guaranteed not to get better. Find out what is holding you back (cue ball control, can't shoot straight, ball speed, not seeing the angles well) and try to work your way into getting better.
I will offer one drill. Spread the balls out around the table. No major clusters and try to run out which ever is easier (8 ball rules). If you miss, take that ball and drop it in the pocket anyway. Try to see how few of misses you can have and run out. You can try it with 2 or 3 balls down at first (simulating a good break). But mainly you are focusing on position play and taking the stress of one missed shot out of the equation. It helped me a ton. My position pllay caught up and has passed my ability to pocket balls at times. You can fill in the mechanics at any time. Try to change your mindstate at the table. Good luck
The instructor thing is great and I may consider it some day soon too.
That aside the biggest give away is the "banging balls around the table". That has to stop, you are just learning bad habits. I have gotten better despite limited competition in my area mostly from improving my focus at the practice table (I had a year of stagnant play for the EXACT reason as you - banging the balls around). You don't have to do nothing but drills, but a video like Byrnes practice drills is something you could fall back on. DON'T suck the fun out of pool though. Try a BCA or APA league. You'll be suprised how much better you'll get at pool if you enjoy it.
90% is focus, and it you learn to shoot with no focus youre guaranteed not to get better. Find out what is holding you back (cue ball control, can't shoot straight, ball speed, not seeing the angles well) and try to work your way into getting better.
I will offer one drill. Spread the balls out around the table. No major clusters and try to run out which ever is easier (8 ball rules). If you miss, take that ball and drop it in the pocket anyway. Try to see how few of misses you can have and run out. You can try it with 2 or 3 balls down at first (simulating a good break). But mainly you are focusing on position play and taking the stress of one missed shot out of the equation. It helped me a ton. My position pllay caught up and has passed my ability to pocket balls at times. You can fill in the mechanics at any time. Try to change your mindstate at the table. Good luck
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
I would NOT suggest that you put up a video, for all of the AZBers to comment on... that would be suicide for your Pool Game.
However, maybe Scott Lee or another qualified Instructor would be interested in remote lessons, via emailed videos and short phone conversations, for a small fee.
This might be a great intro before getting some REAL Private Lessons.
A real Private Lesson is one instructor assisting the student, without cheer leaders, railbirds & 3-Speeds giving advice.
Wow thanks again everyone! I have randyg's contact info and was checking out his website. I will look into his beginner class soon. That would be great. I still plan on making a video even if it is just for my own viewing. I wouldn't mind passing on a link to a few members, but I guess things could really get confusing with all of the opinions. I still may post here publicly and see if there is a general theme in the critiques. I think this forum has taken my motivation to a new level and that is a great thing.
Thanks, Ron
14-1StraightMan - PM at ya
Thanks, Ron
14-1StraightMan - PM at ya
Ron...Take my advice on the angle to shoot. It is the only angle that will show ALL flaws.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
cuebee probably has a good point.
Unfortunately the forums are a mix of mostly good advice with some bad (3-speed) advice. There's also something to be said for having one teacher... right or wrong. They make a rule of this in some leagues, that only one guy can coach. Advice shouldn't come in stereo.
That being said, here's some advice
As a personal practice drill, do this:
Roll 4 balls out (no clusters). Figure out the best order to run them in... find the pattern that absolutely cannot be screwed up, even if your speed control is bad. Run 'em. The catch is, you must plan the entire run, as in which ball is going in which pocket.
If you have a score marker, mark down a win every time you get out as planned. If you get badly out of line (to the point where you'd have to play something in a different pocket, or make a razor thin cut or bank) then stop... you 'lost'. Mark that up on a separate score counter.
At the end of the practice session, see how you did with, say, 4 balls. If you win 80% or better, add a ball and do 5 next time. If you're less than 50%, subtract a ball. In between, keep at that drill until you can bring your win rate up to 80% or more consistently.
When you encounter an interesting situation in your drill or in a game, try to mark it down or memorize it, and post it on here to see what people here would do. Even if some of the advice will be bad... most of it will be good and you'll find a lot of agreement on certain patterns. Become friends with http://talk.cuetable.com/CueTable.php
Good luck.
Unfortunately the forums are a mix of mostly good advice with some bad (3-speed) advice. There's also something to be said for having one teacher... right or wrong. They make a rule of this in some leagues, that only one guy can coach. Advice shouldn't come in stereo.
That being said, here's some advice
As a personal practice drill, do this:
Roll 4 balls out (no clusters). Figure out the best order to run them in... find the pattern that absolutely cannot be screwed up, even if your speed control is bad. Run 'em. The catch is, you must plan the entire run, as in which ball is going in which pocket.
If you have a score marker, mark down a win every time you get out as planned. If you get badly out of line (to the point where you'd have to play something in a different pocket, or make a razor thin cut or bank) then stop... you 'lost'. Mark that up on a separate score counter.
At the end of the practice session, see how you did with, say, 4 balls. If you win 80% or better, add a ball and do 5 next time. If you're less than 50%, subtract a ball. In between, keep at that drill until you can bring your win rate up to 80% or more consistently.
When you encounter an interesting situation in your drill or in a game, try to mark it down or memorize it, and post it on here to see what people here would do. Even if some of the advice will be bad... most of it will be good and you'll find a lot of agreement on certain patterns. Become friends with http://talk.cuetable.com/CueTable.php
Good luck.