J
Jody C
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What Are The Best Drills To Improve Your Game Quickly ?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Jody C said:
Sounds like you're on your way to Derby City!! (-:
The problem in answering your question is that we don't know what the issues are with your game as it is now.
Most drills are designed to address specifice aspects of the game and so a stroke drill won't address position or aiming problems etc.
I agree with gsan's advice as a basic starting point to which I would add the following.
The objective is to get the CORRECT position on the next ob in the series...not just any position from which that shot would be easy.
Falling on the wrong side of the correct position is one of the leading reasons for runout failure.
For example, say you have the 7 ball on the head rail, the 8 ball sitting in front of the right side pocket (viewed from the head end) and the 9 ball is on the center of the foot rail.
In that situation, you want to pocket the 7 and have the CB stop somewhat ABOVE the centerline of the table (toward the head end) so that when you shoot the 8, the CB will naturally travel toward the foot end of the table for the 9.
On the other hand, if you leave the CB BELOW the centerline, then the natural path of the CB will be AWAY from the foot end and you will have to send the CB 2 or 3 rails "around the world" as some say to get on the 9.
So, instead of 3 1/2 feet of CB travel, you have to send it maybe 15 feet or so and you will have turned a simple runout into a much more difficult one.
Therefore, when starting with the 3 ball pattern, plan EACH shot to send the CB to the correct side of the position zone for the next shot.
Regards,
Jim
These things take time.
Sorry, but there are no shortcuts. You haven't given any indication of your current level of play, so I will suggest that you work on drills that develop your stroke and eye pattern. A pre-shot routine is very important too. You will improve a lot quicker with intruction from a BCA instructor than you would trying to learn on your own.Jody C said:
The 13 ball exercise.
I like the Drill from Bert Kinister very much.
You have the Cue Ball in the Center of the Table and 4 Balls in the Corners (2 Diamonds from the short Rail and 1 Diamond from the long Rail)
You sink each ball and try to draw back to the middle of the table.
The rule is to sink all 4 Balls without hitting a Rail.
I practised this for 3 weeks and my Game improved dramatically.
You have the Cue Ball in the Center of the Table and 4 Balls in the Corners (2 Diamonds from the short Rail and 1 Diamond from the long Rail)
You sink each ball and try to draw back to the middle of the table.
The rule is to sink all 4 Balls without hitting a Rail.
I practised this for 3 weeks and my Game improved dramatically.
Not sure how many of the replies helped so try this. It works many parts of the game... Potting, Shape, Table Position. Shoot the 3 then 6, 1, 5, 2 and then 4. Good luck!
It depends how you feel at table... Everyone feels the need to improve potting, shape, spins etc... track what you miss and have problems with in a match/practice game I.e. cut down rail or getting back up table shape. Every miss practice it... trust me it helps. I didn't compare to anyone just the miss on the table also practice racking and breaking (this is a big one). I can play at a good level and still do the easiest practices like putting balls in the middle of table and pocketing into the side with full, 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4 ball hits. I might do this for an hr a day. DON'T SKIP EASY and go to hard. Learn to do what you know now to the best of your abilities and then bring in little bits at a time. Don't try potting, shape, stroke all at same time. You will be back at square one until your brain resets.
Jody C said:
The quickest way to improve your game is through hard work.
All the drills in the world will do very little good, if you aren't doing the right things the right way when you are doing the drills.
The best drills are the ones with a specific purpose, and that are done properly.
IOW...there is no quick way! Some things can shorten the learning curve. There is no magic wand...only a magic "want".
Steve
Long straight-in shots
While I agree with what people have said up to now, here's a drill that will help almost everybody:
Practice long, straight-in shots where the OB is almost in the center of the table and the CB is less than one foot from a corner pocket. You will never make such long, straight-in shots consistently unless your physical mechanics are pretty solid.
If you can make shots like that in your sleep, well, go see a sleep specialist or something because you sure don't need MY help!
Jody C said:
While I agree with what people have said up to now, here's a drill that will help almost everybody:
Practice long, straight-in shots where the OB is almost in the center of the table and the CB is less than one foot from a corner pocket. You will never make such long, straight-in shots consistently unless your physical mechanics are pretty solid.
If you can make shots like that in your sleep, well, go see a sleep specialist or something because you sure don't need MY help!
From my point of view the best drill is the "Brainwashing Drill"
15 balls on the table , shoot all balls without hitting a cushion or a other ball.
No combinations allowed.
My best result was 45 balls, but normally i?m happy to get it done with 15 balls in one training unit.
15 balls on the table , shoot all balls without hitting a cushion or a other ball.
No combinations allowed.
My best result was 45 balls, but normally i?m happy to get it done with 15 balls in one training unit.
The best things to practice are the shots you are not good at!
So just keep track of which shots you have trouble with, then set up those shots and practice them. Shoot the same shot 25 - 50 times!
Shots which you might now say: "I hate these shots", well you may start to like those shots after practicing them a lot....
So just keep track of which shots you have trouble with, then set up those shots and practice them. Shoot the same shot 25 - 50 times!
Shots which you might now say: "I hate these shots", well you may start to like those shots after practicing them a lot....
Drilling
I agree with many of the responses here as to the comments on drills. For me I have a hard time focusing for extended periods if there is not some means like cash or a tournament.
So, I play the ghost and he is a run out player. Set up whatever drill you prefer and play a race with the ghost. If you miss he is out and you loose. I mean really play that mother like he is going to get the cash. Some days that %$$ beats the crap out of me and others I am killing him.
I have many but his is a drill an instructor showed me....
Take balls numbered 1 through 6 and place them in any order in front of the pockets one half diamond up and one half diamond out from the pocket. Then place 6 striped balls one diamond up one diamond out. The stripe balls become the blocker balls in this drill. Run numbers one through six in rotation with out touching another ball then shoot the stripes in any order. Shoot this drill until your eyes bleed and you will get better. I myself miss on the stripes at times just because I am letting up on the easy ones. The ghost crushes me when I do this.
I agree with many of the responses here as to the comments on drills. For me I have a hard time focusing for extended periods if there is not some means like cash or a tournament.
So, I play the ghost and he is a run out player. Set up whatever drill you prefer and play a race with the ghost. If you miss he is out and you loose. I mean really play that mother like he is going to get the cash. Some days that %$$ beats the crap out of me and others I am killing him.
I have many but his is a drill an instructor showed me....
Take balls numbered 1 through 6 and place them in any order in front of the pockets one half diamond up and one half diamond out from the pocket. Then place 6 striped balls one diamond up one diamond out. The stripe balls become the blocker balls in this drill. Run numbers one through six in rotation with out touching another ball then shoot the stripes in any order. Shoot this drill until your eyes bleed and you will get better. I myself miss on the stripes at times just because I am letting up on the easy ones. The ghost crushes me when I do this.