Forgive me if I posted something similar before ( can’t remember). I’d like to see a full instructional dvd devoted to what is “ impossible “ to do or at least not wise. The little things like trying to hold the cb when near impossible or trying to use English to straighten out off rail when angle is too extreme to do it etc etc. So many times have I and others fallen into the mistake of doing something we “thought we could do” only to lose because of it. Yes, at the table I suppose I could figure it out but I like to see others opinions and thoughts. Maybe title it “ what you can’t/shouldn’t do on the pool table “
What I’d like to see
- Thread starter medallio
- Start date
Not a bad idea. Most books and such have a few of these hidden in there. Such as a right triangle area from the left and right diamonds on the bottom rail to the side pocket. If a ball is in that triangle, it will not go in the same side’s side pocket.
A collection of things like this would be interesting.
For each player there will always be shots at the edge of their competence, such as, Is your soft draw at an angle good enough to come back without bumping into that close-by ball?, and your examples above. The problem is that as your skill improves the frontiers of your area of competence move back and sketchy shots become routine or at least available. I think the best approach to such shots is to spend some time practicing them, and especially the ones you have trouble with in games, to push back that part of the frontier.
As for a list of them, many progressive practice drills that are already out there will get you to your frontiers. An example using the "forbidden triangle for the side pocket" idea above would be to place the object ball a diamond from the long rail, shoot it in the side, and adjust the difficulty by moving the object ball towards the end rail (but always a diamond from the side rail). That would let you both find your personal triangle and also help to reduce its size.
For those not familiar with "progressive practice" sorts of drills, here is an intro: http://www.sfbilliards.com/Misc/progpract.pdf There are also several in the Billiard University exams.
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https://www.amazon.com/Banks-That-Dont-Go-But/dp/B001FYH1P2
Here's one from Freddie the beard about banking.
Here's one from Freddie the beard about banking.
Stand and the end rail at the center diamond like you’re breaking or racking. Take the diamond to your right(there’s only 3 on the rail, so easy to make sure it’s the right one).
Now imagine a line from that diamond to the side pocket on the right side of the table.
Any object ball between that line and the right rail has little or no chance of being made in that side pocket.
There are 4 of those triangles on the table.
Did that make sense? If not I’m sure someone will draw it and upload.
If you just think carefully about what Bob said in post #4 (I quoted it again at the bottom of my post) it should be very easy to visualize. I'm thinking you may just not have really tried to think it out. The only thing I might add that might help is that after you do what Bob said, once you reach the point where you can no longer pocket the object ball, draw a straight line (in your mind) from the side pocket, through the object ball, and extend that line to the end rail. That line, along with the side and end rails, forms an area that is a long skinny triangle where if an object ball is within that area you will not be capable of pocketing it into that side pocket on that table.
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It’s more of a beginner thing, but very helpful when you are first starting.
For me, when I was about 16, the pool hall I basically lived in had a lot of regulars who a beginner would think were good. They would say typical myth shit like “never pass a pocket” and “the side pockets are bigger so use them more.”
I discovered this general triangle rule and it made decisions about side pocket shots much easier after having my head filled with that shit and until I figured out what to and not to listen to.
I would like to see more YouTube/DVD’s for absolute, totalally new ball bangers.
Real pool lessons and drills for first time players.
The closest I have seen is Mike Sigel’s Perfect Pool with that yakitive used car salesman guy who is playing with him.
Some of the best instruction I have seen for newbies.
For any new pool lessson vids being made in the future......
a real improvement would be the addition of graphic overlays images showing the shots before they happen and more overhead shots showing patterns of play.
Better lighting.
Good sound from the players would be a needed improvement also.
Scripted, rehearsed, edited dialogue with none of those long, time filling, title shots between each lesson.
Real pool lessons and drills for first time players.
The closest I have seen is Mike Sigel’s Perfect Pool with that yakitive used car salesman guy who is playing with him.
Some of the best instruction I have seen for newbies.
For any new pool lessson vids being made in the future......
a real improvement would be the addition of graphic overlays images showing the shots before they happen and more overhead shots showing patterns of play.
Better lighting.
Good sound from the players would be a needed improvement also.
Scripted, rehearsed, edited dialogue with none of those long, time filling, title shots between each lesson.