"Think three balls ahead" is horrible advice.

[jeffj2h]

CY, please clarify. By "3 balls ahead" what I believe that means:

Pocket the current ball...

Leave position in the next ball
at an angle...

that allows you to get to the 3rd ball

After each shot, repeat.

Are you saying it's good enough to just get a shot on the 2nd ball?!?

 

[chefjeff]

I feel like I could get banned today but this thread is the definition of why pool in the usa is what it is.

Hi Mike, how ya been? You missed a lot of action at Dog's last weekend. That Skyler kid kicked ass.

Why are you upset by this thread?

Jeff Livingston

 

[SmoothStroke]

I guess when players are taking time, walking around the table, surveying, staring, even on easy layouts, they are either.
1) confused
2) not thinking about anything
3) just killing time, giving people their monies worth

They could not possibly be thinking of the angles they need, the amount of english, stroke and speed required to get into the track line, so they could put all the planets in alignment and run out.
That would be absolutely ridiculous to do.

After watching Appleton and Majeed play I have come to the conclusion that they were not thinking of anything, they were just killing time between shots.
I guess that backs up their pace a little, who wants to run out out in 35 seconds and not think when you can run out in 4 minutes and not think.

 

[CJ Wiley]

If a pro can't shoot in 15 seconds they need to take up golf, or bowling.

Legitimate sports have a "shot clock," this is an important aspect of the game, especially football, and basketball.

Pool should have a 15 second shot clock with one "time out" (30 seconds) per game.

If a pro can't shoot in 15 seconds they need to take up golf, or bowling. LoL

I guess when players are taking time, walking around the table, surveying, staring, even on easy layouts, they are either.
1) confused
2) not thinking about anything
3) just killing time, giving people their monies worth

They could not possibly be thinking of the angles they need, the amount of english, stroke and speed required to get into the track line, so they could put all the planets in alignment and run out.
That would be absolutely ridiculous to do.

After watching Appleton and Majeed play I have come to the conclusion that they were not thinking of anything, they were just killing time between shots.
I guess that backs up their pace a little, who wants to run out out in 35 seconds and not think when you can run out in 4 minutes and not think.

 

[tucson9ball]

I guess when players are taking time, walking around the table, surveying, staring, even on easy layouts, they are either.
1) confused
2) not thinking about anything
3) just killing time, giving people their monies worth

They could not possibly be thinking of the angles they need, the amount of english, stroke and speed required to get into the track line, so they could put all the planets in alignment and run out.
That would be absolutely ridiculous to do.

After watching Appleton and Majeed play I have come to the conclusion that they were not thinking of anything, they were just killing time between shots.
I guess that backs up their pace a little, who wants to run out out in 35 seconds and not think when you can run out in 4 minutes and not think.

Many players take there time at the table, keeping your opponent in his chair is sometimes a psychological edge. After all, nobody has ever won a match by watching.
In football it would translate as "time of possesion".
I'm guilty of it myself. If I'm playing somebody who likes to shoot really fast, I may even take a few seconds just to get out of my chair when it's my turn. Sometimes if you throw your opponent out of rythm, the tide can turn in your favor. JMHO

 

[12squared]

...Play three ball patterns...

I like it. But you have to admit that learning to look 3 balls ahead will help you get on the right side of the 2nd ball for position, it's not all bad advice, but I like the way you phrased it.

Dave

 

[ScottK]

I like it. But you have to admit that learning to look 3 balls ahead will help you get on the right side of the 2nd ball for position, it's not all bad advice, but I like the way you phrased it.

Dave

Thanks. That's all it is, really. A more accurate explanation of what you should be doing. A better mind set, if you will.

You can't play a three ball pattern without thinking about those three balls, and after you pocket the first ball you're now on a new three ball pattern. Ergo, another three balls to think about... not because you think three ahead, but because they are your current pattern. The fact you always think about the three balls in your pattern does not mean you "think three balls ahead." A subtle difference for sure and thus some of the animosity in this thread. But, at almost any playing ability you should be thinking about the entire table, thinking through the entire rack. Even though you may not have the skills to get through a rack, you'll never learn how to start thinking through one if you don't start trying to do it.