What is a realistic goal?

md5key

md5key

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
First, some history: I grew up with a table but really only played on it from about 7-12, after that I didn't really play until I turned 21, played for about a year, and then gave it up again. Pool was always around in my life, I just never took it very seriously. About a year ago (now 28), I got back into it, but this time I'm serious. I want to get better and I read this forum daily trying to pick up different tips and such.

I started playing straight pool probably 8 months ago - and I get ~6-10 hours a week to practice (have a 9' GCIII table in my basement). My high run is currently 23, but that was two months ago and I can count on one hand the number of 20s I've had since then. My goal was to run 50 before the year is over, but now I'm thinking that could be too lofty, especially with my limited practice time.

So what is a good goal? Should I forget a high run goal and concentrate on my fundementals for a few months and then get back into the "high run" game? What can I do to maximize my practice?

I'm asking because I'm getting VERY frustrated with my game. I can't keep my concentration and the shots I miss are usually easy, or I mess up an easy position. Some days I feel like I can make everything, and others it's like I'm shooting cross eyed..

Thanks for any and all advice!!
 
Realistically, you should think more about playing better Patterns.

Start, Middle, And End.

Try not to think about the numbers game, and if you just play your patterns better the numbers will come.

If you want to play the numbers game when you practice, try setting up a break shot with ball in hand. Shoot til you miss, and do it 10 times keeping track of your scores. Then average it out.

The next time you practice do the same thing and try to better it, or at least equal it.

Good Luck, and good shooting!

Steve
 
First, no time limits. Don't give youself a set period of time achieve a goal, simply put in the time and effort to achieve. You'll run 50 when you run 50.

Second, focus on smaller goals to build up to your primary one. I would concern yourself with simply running 30 balls for now. At this moment you need work on patterns and end patters, break ball and key ball selection. Start identifying problem balls, clearing paths to the pockets, finding and using insurance balls.
 
The ability to recognize patterns will dramatically improve your runs. Get Schmidt or Harriman's DVD as they will help you immensely.
 
1. Read "Play your best straight pool" by phill chapell. and your game will go up big time:)
 
md5key said:
I'm asking because I'm getting VERY frustrated with my game. I can't keep my concentration and the shots I miss are usually easy, or I mess up an easy position. Some days I feel like I can make everything, and others it's like I'm shooting cross eyed..
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've fallen into a trap of taking easy shots for granted. You should execute every shot with the best possible mechanics you can. Too many players just rush into easy shots because they think they are good enough players to just run through the easy ones and then concentrate on the difficult ones. The secret to successful straight pool is having a constant rhythm on 95% of your shots. Don't rush the easy ones, don't take too long to shoot the semi-difficult ones, keep your rhythm and stay down and followthrough on every single shot. You should take joy from playing a precise position from an easy shot, if it only meant moving the cueball a couple of inches. And you need good execution to play a perfect shot. Try to play more perfect shots with the help of concentrating on your execution. If you are making mistakes on your execution, you won't make high runs in 14.1. Don't think too much of the numbers. I'm more happy if I can run 30s and 40s all the time with good execution than running a rare 60 with bad execution.

But I think you need someone to tell you how things are. Get lessons. If you get frustrated because you miss easy balls and lose motivation, you most likely are doing something wrong.
 
:O
Don't be discouraged, you just started playing again, and you can run 20+? That's amazing. I learned how to play pool a couple months ago and the best I've ever gotten was like 11.
 
Thank you all for your suggestions. Since I made this post I have stopped counting as much - started to concentrate on the pattern and then get down and just shoot the shot, trying to keep my rythm.

Seems to be working so far, I haven't had a huge run but my average is up.

I am also going to buy the book and DVDs that were mentioned - thanks again.
 
I would like to suggest racking 6 balls and with the CB behind the headstring, slow roll the balls open with a very soft break.

Try to run the 5 balls and get on a break ball for your next break rack.

Do this over and over and I'm pretty sure you will begin to see a difference in your planning and execution.
 
Thanks 3andstop, I'll try that. Do I take ball in hand after the break (like playing the ghost) or should I play it where it sits? I've been looking for a good drill to use for 14.1

Played tonight and did pretty well for me - lots of 8-10 ball runs, and one that was over 20, but I don't know exactly how many because I was taking the "don't count" advice. I know I had around 6-7 balls left on the table, ran those, made a good break, ran that rack and then made the break ball and ended up stuck without another shot after the break.
 
I suggest playing it where it lies. You can also do the break rolling from behind, from the bottom rail. This will break the balls upward slightly and give you different looks for the final 6. The idea is simply to open the balls and evaluate the patterns.

In reality these final six will start presenting patterns that eventually you will see through full racks of broken balls, so getting through these last balls IMHO is a very good way to practice getting through full racks.

With 6 balls on the table consider not only which will be the break ball, but which ball will get you to the break ball,this is called the key ball, and even further, which ball will get you to the key ball.

If you have a pattern in your mind that can get you to the ball that gets you to the key ball, which in turn puts you on the break shot, you simply have to work the pattern backwards to allow you to pocket the first two of the six balls. ( if that makes any sense.) :)

Looking at these balls with a specific game plan, I think you will find you are making the balls more consistently because you have a map laid out in your mind rather than just trying to finish off a rack and back yourself into a corner. :)
 
Thanks again - I think what you said about backing myself into a corner is completely correct. I know what I'm supposed to do, but with a full rack on the table there are just too many options. Seems like the last 3-4 balls on the table are always the hardest for me. I guess that just highlights that I need better patterns.
 
The Schmidt and Harriman videos are great, but I would also recommend Jim Rempes two 14.1 instructional videos.

"How to Run a Rack" in Straight Pool is invaluable, as he things out loud as he patterns the rack and changes his mind when he gets out of line.

"How to Run 100 Balls" is a player review of a hundred ball run upon which all of the newer videos are based. Both are available from Accu-Stats.

Jim Rempe is an old school technical player and I think his basic fundamentals for 14.1 are a great place to start.
 
I've watched Rempe's "How to run a rack" video twice, just haven't had the time yet to pause it and really examine why he's doing what he's doing.
 
An update - been trying to put into practice the advice you guys gave me. AND IT WORKED!! Ran a 33 yesterday.
 
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