Time to reach A speed?

M

MacGyver

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello,

Forgive yet another "please pay attention to me" post, but I do need advice... I generally like to be the best locally at anything I do(personality flaw) and since I have started playing pool I've been trying to improve as rapidly as possible.

I started 1.5 yrs ago as a banger and I'm about an apa 5/6 now(just joined this session), but I think i'm lagging due to knowledge rather than stroke.

Any idea's how long it normally takes someone to reach A status or so? I'd just like to get the point where I can take on just about anyone in a typical billiard hall(sans pro's obviously) without fear..

Any tips on moving up ones game or where to go after you have a straight stroke but some strategy or position play isnt there yet?

also, I'm a student so I dont have a large bankroll to gamble a lot nor really much time for tournies due to school, so its down to weekend stuff or playing on the school's barbox's in between/after classes.

Thanks!
 
Actually, most players never become an "A" player. And that is after years and years of practice and study.

It's the Peter Principle of Pool. People reach their level of incompetance and stay there.

Jake
 
What makes pool so great is that it's hard, very hard, to become what most here on the AZ would consider a fine shooter.

You have to accept that certain skills, like pool, are developed over many months and years, not days and weeks.

I think that just your strong desire to become a very good player is a strong a base as anybody can have for improvement.

Most people in my circle would consider an APA SL6 a strong player, and should be already able to match up with most who frequent a pool hall. I am not saying top flight or anything, but a good shot.
 
It depends entirely on you. Do you posess the hand eye coordination required to consistently stroke the ball? Do you have the right type of mind to be able to plan out position and strategize? How much are you willing to practice? The last question is very important. I spent 3 hrs just practicing a couple of shots that have been giving me trouble.

Be patient, if your not then you will only frusterate yourself. Also don't compare your rate of progression to other people because this can frusterate you as well.
 
I'm in no position to say whether you have the talent or the commitment, but if you have both, I'd say it takes five years from the day you begin to take the game seriously to become an "A". Some may get there sooner, but I think five years would be typical for a player possessiing both the talent and the work ethic.
 
a good drill to find your true speed is to break open a rack of 10-ball, take ball in hand, and shoot until you miss. Do this 10 times and count the total number of balls you made. Obviously 100 is a perfect score.

Pro = 70+ balls
Short Stop = 60-69
A = 50-59
B = 40-49
C = 30-39
D = 20-29

This came from Joe Tucker's Guaranteed Improvement drill book.
 
sjm said:
I'm in no position to say whether you have the talent or the commitment, but if you have both, I'd say it takes five years from the day you begin to take the game seriously to become an "A". Some may get there sooner, but I think five years would be typical for a player possessiing both the talent and the work ethic.
Click to expand...
I'm wondering about the commitment part. How many hours of focused practice/competition on the table per week does that amount to?

That's also a way to gauge A speed, I would guess. Assuming the talent is there, how many hours of practice makes an A player?
 
lewdo26 said:
I'm wondering about the commitment part. How many hours of focused practice/competition on the table per week does that amount to?

That's also a way to gauge A speed, I would guess. Assuming the talent is there, how many hours of practice makes an A player?
Click to expand...

I'd say twenty five hours a week.
 
jjinfla said:
Actually, most players never become an "A" player. And that is after years and years of practice and study.

It's the Peter Principle of Pool. People reach their level of incompetance and stay there.

Jake
Click to expand...

Generally players do have a peak and that peak depends on their willingness to commit. I have seen players take up the game later in life and become 'A' and have seen some play most of their lives and never reach 'A'.

It takes commitment and then a level of understanding that seems to magically all fall into place when they never expect it. However most players do not give pool the attention it needs due to higher priorities in life such as family and jobs. In the meanwhile it is all pure enjoyment worth every bit of whatever time you give to the game.

.

.
 
MacGyver said:
Hello,

Forgive yet another "please pay attention to me" post, but I do need advice... I generally like to be the best locally at anything I do(personality flaw) and since I have started playing pool I've been trying to improve as rapidly as possible.

I started 1.5 yrs ago as a banger and I'm about an apa 5/6 now(just joined this session), but I think i'm lagging due to knowledge rather than stroke.

Any idea's how long it normally takes someone to reach A status or so? I'd just like to get the point where I can take on just about anyone in a typical billiard hall(sans pro's obviously) without fear..

Any tips on moving up ones game or where to go after you have a straight stroke but some strategy or position play isnt there yet?

also, I'm a student so I dont have a large bankroll to gamble a lot nor really much time for tournies due to school, so its down to weekend stuff or playing on the school's barbox's in between/after classes.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Don't assume your stroke is perfect and straight. Always work on your stroke. If Tiger Woods still works on his swing you can still improve your cueing.
 
From the inspiration of Yogi Berra's mindset, "You can only be as good as you WANT to be."
 
It's mostly up to you...

Some players with seemingly tons of 'natural' ability hit the big time quickly...today we have teenagers competing on the international stage. They obviously haven't put in the time one might think necessary to become great.

There is also Del and Lombard...of WONDERBOYS fame...but that's just a shameless plug...

I've seen more than one player who I would rate as relatively helpless and clueless...through hard work and dedication...reach a level where they really don't have to take a back seat to anyone and score big achievements...

And this is where one has to consider if the time needed to develop skills is worth it.

So imo one either 'has it' or doesn't...and those who have it need to decide if they want to use it...and those who don't need to decide if they want to pay a high price...
 
9baller said:
a good drill to find your true speed is to break open a rack of 10-ball, take ball in hand, and shoot until you miss. Do this 10 times and count the total number of balls you made. Obviously 100 is a perfect score.

Pro = 70+ balls
Short Stop = 60-69
A = 50-59
B = 40-49
C = 30-39
D = 20-29

This came from Joe Tucker's Guaranteed Improvement drill book.
Click to expand...
Perhaps 10 ball is a lot harder than doing this with 9-ball; however, I do this with 9-ball a lot and score in the 50's fairly consistently and I am nowhere close to an A player.

I would consider myself a C player. Like I said, maybe doing it with only 9 balls makes the difference, but I am skeptical.

JMO.
 
9baller said:
a good drill to find your true speed is to break open a rack of 10-ball, take ball in hand, and shoot until you miss. Do this 10 times and count the total number of balls you made. Obviously 100 is a perfect score.

Pro = 70+ balls
Short Stop = 60-69
A = 50-59
B = 40-49
C = 30-39
D = 20-29

This came from Joe Tucker's Guaranteed Improvement drill book.
Click to expand...

I don't think this would prove anything. In order to be rated as a pro you only need to run seven balls per rack. You don't need a single break and out.
 
Cameron Smith said:
I don't think this would prove anything. In order to be rated as a pro you only need to run seven balls per rack. You don't need a single break and out.
Click to expand...
Although that is true, remember you are talking about 10 racks. Based on my experience, generally there are at least 2 - 3 racks out of the 10 that are not runable, so you will end up with a much lower count.

I know that pros break better, but just from the pure luck factor there will be racks that you can only run 3 - 5 balls.

JMO based on what I have seen.
 
JDB said:
Perhaps 10 ball is a lot harder than doing this with 9-ball; however, I do this with 9-ball a lot and score in the 50's fairly consistently and I am nowhere close to an A player.

I would consider myself a C player. Like I said, maybe doing it with only 9 balls makes the difference, but I am skeptical.

JMO.
Click to expand...
running in rotation or random balls??
i never read joes book....how is it?

i did this last night <random balls> and could do 4 racks easily without taking ball in hand off the break... it actually helped my confidence and they way i shot last nite at tourney-8 ball- < i did this 'drill' between my matches>... it was a fun drill, it was something different than what i usually do.....probably why it helped..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top