This Is My Way Of Playing Pool

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
I played the game for 65 years. I've run over 100 in 14.1 and B&R 5 racks of 9 ball in money games a few times. I shot B to A for at least 55 of the 65 years I played.

Practice making shots you miss or have poor % with. Don't waste practice time on shots you make with no problems. Position, IMO is 75% of the game. Always try to play position on (3) balls ahead. Don't shoot any harder than needed. Only put as much spin/English on CB that is REALLY needed. Most players use too much and it helps them miss shots and miss good position.

Of course learning the basics...like stance, good aiming and straight stroke are a must right from the beginning.

These are most of the things that made me a good player. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt said:
I played the game for 65 years. I've run over 100 in 14.1 and B&R 5 racks of 9 ball in money games a few times. I shot B to A for at least 55 of the 65 years I played.

Practice making shots you miss or have poor % with. Don't waste practice time on shots you make with no problems. Position, IMO is 75% of the game. Always try to play position on (3) balls ahead. Don't shoot any harder than needed. Only put as much spin/English on CB that is REALLY needed. Most players use too much and it helps them miss shots and miss good position.

Of course learning the basics...like stance, good aiming and straight stroke are a must right from the beginning.

These are most of the things that made me a good player. Johnnyt
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Nice and simple advice.
I believe this is how most professionals practice (and "get there").
Keeping it simple is great.
 
I was giving a guy some lessons last night and told him the following before I helped him with position play. The best advice I can give you, if you want to get better is...... Instead of going and playing games with friends or whoever, set up drills and practice..... Drills will improve your game... Not banging balls.... Yes, it gets boring..... But the results are worth it....
 
I like shooting drills. My playing has improved so much in the last few years as a direct result of drills.

I even do drills practicing the break on one-pocket which has helped that game so much. I've got a certain break I do where I can usually make a ball in my pocket on the break and it sure helps to score a few more balls before having to turn the table over to my opponent.
 
captainjko said:
I was giving a guy some lessons last night and told him the following before I helped him with position play. The best advice I can give you, if you want to get better is...... Instead of going and playing games with friends or whoever, set up drills and practice..... Drills will improve your game... Not banging balls.... Yes, it gets boring..... But the results are worth it....
Click to expand...

I think drills are a great way to get someone to focus. That being said, I don't think I've EVER practiced a drill in my life. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've been able to improve through banging balls and playing tournaments.
 
While I agree 100% with the OP - sometimes easier said than done. (for me anyway)
 
easy-e said:
I think drills are a great way to get someone to focus. That being said, I don't think I've EVER practiced a drill in my life. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've been able to improve through banging balls and playing tournaments.
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just think how much extra you could have improved if you had done all those drills!
 
Drawback said:
I like shooting drills. My playing has improved so much in the last few years as a direct result of drills.
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Same!

I do count myself lucky that I like doing drills though, I think people that hate doing them will never improve as much. The key to drills is to forget your repeating the same shot over and over, but instead learn to see that you're working on improving a specific aspect of your game.

Also, not all drills are about repeating. There are tons of drills, and some even have a certain 'game'-aspect in them that can make it more fun. So it is possible to find a drill that suits you and still teaches you a lot!
 
Johnnyt said:
I played the game for 65 years. I've run over 100 in 14.1 and B&R 5 racks of 9 ball in money games a few times. I shot B to A for at least 55 of the 65 years I played.

Practice making shots you miss or have poor % with. Don't waste practice time on shots you make with no problems. Position, IMO is 75% of the game. Always try to play position on (3) balls ahead. Don't shoot any harder than needed. Only put as much spin/English on CB that is REALLY needed. Most players use too much and it helps them miss shots and miss good position.

Of course learning the basics...like stance, good aiming and straight stroke are a must right from the beginning.

These are most of the things that made me a good player. Johnnyt
Click to expand...
Short, sweet, to the point and true. Thanks Johnnyt, Johnny Rosato - B'ham, Al.
 
To all that I'll add; learn the basics of 3 cushion and spend some time playing One Pocket. The options you haven't trained yourself to see, you'll never see.
 
I create drills that address my weaknesses.

If I get bored I'll play 3 games of pool then do a set of a drill three times, then 3 games and then on to another drill and so on.

It's great advice Johnnyt. You describe how the best players play.

Less is so much more.
 
Cracktherack said:
To all that I'll add; learn the basics of 3 cushion and spend some time playing One Pocket. The options you haven't trained yourself to see, you'll never see.
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Good post. I hate doing drills unless you count playing the ghost as a drill. Many times I will start a session playing 3 cushion for about 45 minutes and I play 3 cushion on Monday nights after an in house league match. One pocket....occasionally. All part of knowing the table.
 
Cracktherack said:
To all that I'll add; learn the basics of 3 cushion and spend some time playing One Pocket. The options you haven't trained yourself to see, you'll never see.
Click to expand...

You're right. I played 14.1 and 3 cushion billiards until there was nobody playing for money. Just time and a cup of coffee. The 2 or 3 years I played 3 cushion, helped my pool game a lot. I wish I would have played way more Snooker. Johnnyt
 
easy-e said:
I think drills are a great way to get someone to focus. That being said, I don't think I've EVER practiced a drill in my life. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've been able to improve through banging balls and playing tournaments.
Click to expand...

I'm with ya on that! I've done very, very few drills and don't think I know anyone my age who has. (68) I've done a few but not many. I HAVE spent a lot of time on Straight Pool and practicing long shot and shots I wasn't good at.
 
I was a big fan of drills the first few years of learning. One drill that I did often was "the wheel" and the other was "Mississippi nine ball. I think drills helping your game depends on liking them and staying focused on each shot. IMO, the best way to learn how to stay focused is playing for money that stings a little if I lose. Johnnyt





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Pushout said:
I'm with ya on that! I've done very, very few drills and don't think I know anyone my age who has. (68) I've done a few but not many. I HAVE spent a lot of time on Straight Pool and practicing long shot and shots I wasn't good at.
Click to expand...
Practicing long shots and shots you're not good at ARE drills!
 
easy-e said:
I think drills are a great way to get someone to focus. That being said, I don't think I've EVER practiced a drill in my life. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've been able to improve through banging balls and playing tournaments.
Click to expand...
I too have never practiced drills and shoot pretty well. I was a scratch golfer for 30 years and spent much time on the range hitting balls. I could hit any shot needed. I never practiced putting and was the worse putter you ever saw, so maybe the drill practice is the right idea.
 
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