I made the well-intentioned mistake of giving my wife ballroom dancing lessons for Xmas several years ago. Big mistake.
Lou Figueroa
talk about the gift
that keeps giving
What is the best thing you did to improve your game in 2011?
- Thread starter Lock N Load
- Start date
I made the well-intentioned mistake of giving my wife ballroom dancing lessons for Xmas several years ago. Big mistake.
Lou Figueroa
talk about the gift
that keeps giving
took a 5 month break. Allowed to relearn why I enjoy playing.
I bought "The Pleasures Of Small Motion", and have pretty much become best friends with one of the best players around here. We play together at least 3-4 times a week, and that stiff competition has forced me to get better (and my racking skills have improved lol). We hang out outside of pool too, playing golf and barbecuing at each others houses and whatnot. Not just pool buddies.
As for the book, I'm only 3 chapters in. I read a chapter then put it down for a few days to absorb the information. When I pick it back up, I re-read the chapter then the following chapter. Rinse and repeat. Basically, I re-read every chapter twice. I find that it's beneficial to retaining the information you read. You absorb it, let it process, then refresh it, and build upon it with the next chapter. It's already helping me understand how the mental game really works. I think it's going to be revolutionary for my game.
Also, received my first custom cue and high-performance shaft. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that alone has improved me by a couple balls.
As for the book, I'm only 3 chapters in. I read a chapter then put it down for a few days to absorb the information. When I pick it back up, I re-read the chapter then the following chapter. Rinse and repeat. Basically, I re-read every chapter twice. I find that it's beneficial to retaining the information you read. You absorb it, let it process, then refresh it, and build upon it with the next chapter. It's already helping me understand how the mental game really works. I think it's going to be revolutionary for my game.
Also, received my first custom cue and high-performance shaft. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that alone has improved me by a couple balls.
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Baxter, I like your way of improving your skills in pool....
But, I hope Ugotda7, does not see your post because he will still want to give you the 7!! He, he, he. I think you are ready for the road now! Keep up the good work! Thanks for your response! Congrats on getting your new cue and shaft.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
But, I hope Ugotda7, does not see your post because he will still want to give you the 7!! He, he, he. I think you are ready for the road now! Keep up the good work! Thanks for your response! Congrats on getting your new cue and shaft.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
Took some lessons from a great instructor! Thank you so much Ron Vitello! He simplifies the game! Now if I can just practice, and own what he taught me. :thumbup:
I was thinking of doing the same. It will drastically improve my game as it will guarantee that I will never miss another ball or lose another game. :yeah:
.
Paying attention to Dominate eye thanks to Gino, Worked more on my Pre-shot Routine Thanks to Melissa Little, Focus on object ball not cue ball when shooting again thanks to Gino, Reading table layout and pattern play thanks to Melissa Little and 15 Rack. And Finally and alternate aiming method to verify and check my aim thanks to everyone here on AZ Billiards Forums.
I starting watching more of the 3 cushion players. I watch how they stroke, how they can use spin and how they use banks.
I've gotten a feel for banks after watching all they different angles used in 3 cushion. By knowing how to use banks has added extra depth to my game. I am able to get out of more hooked safes because I can use multiple rails. This also works in reverse when playing safes. I can really play hide and seek.
Some of the spin I've seen used in 3 cushion I have never seen in any of the pocket games. Plus how momentum is used in their shots alot. To see how they stroke their ball, then see what type of spin that stroke produce is interesting.
To put as much spin as they do on a ball, its all stroke. Amazing.
Seeing how they use the spin and banks and then using some of those same ideas on the pocket tables really has helped me put the CB and OB anywhere I want, most the time.......
And there is HAMB..........
I've gotten a feel for banks after watching all they different angles used in 3 cushion. By knowing how to use banks has added extra depth to my game. I am able to get out of more hooked safes because I can use multiple rails. This also works in reverse when playing safes. I can really play hide and seek.
Some of the spin I've seen used in 3 cushion I have never seen in any of the pocket games. Plus how momentum is used in their shots alot. To see how they stroke their ball, then see what type of spin that stroke produce is interesting.
To put as much spin as they do on a ball, its all stroke. Amazing.
Seeing how they use the spin and banks and then using some of those same ideas on the pocket tables really has helped me put the CB and OB anywhere I want, most the time.......
And there is HAMB..........
I lost weight and remembered how well I still play.
I'm as confident, as ever, when I'm at the table.
I stopped sweating the small stuff.
_____________________________________________
http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
I'm as confident, as ever, when I'm at the table.
I stopped sweating the small stuff.
_____________________________________________
http://tommcgonaglerightoncue.com
Hey Lou,
Now she wants to go dancing and not let you go play pool! He, he, he. That will teach you to be nice!!! Thanks Lou.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
Now she wants to go dancing and not let you go play pool! He, he, he. That will teach you to be nice!!! Thanks Lou.
Regards,
Lock N Load.
I went to see a pro about a month ago. After watching me play for a few minutes he suggested that I take 2 weeks off and then quit the game completely :smile:
Talked to several of the pros and had my Doctor put me on the same beta blockers they use....
I kid I kid......
I kid I kid......
Taking some lessons that showed me where my strengths and weaknesses were. Not in just play, but also in mechanics. Also started doing some drills to work on those weaknesses. I have seen gradual improvement.
improving my game 2011
I cannot narrow it down to 1 singular thing I have done to improve my game this year. However I can most certainly start with the fact that I have returned to pool after about a 9 year hiatus. My girlfriend purchased a pool table for me. It occupies a good portion of my small living room :grin: I had my tools (cues) cleaned up & retipped, while revisting old friends Bob Owen & Jack Shurtz. Damn good cue makers, even better men.
I completely rebuilt my stroke from the ground up! Perfect time for me to do so & actually acheive positive results. I re-established my relationship with Jimmy Reid. Spoke to my old friend Joe Blackburn about returning to pool. He offered some good insight..."PLAY!!!". Go figgure. LOL :grin:
I have tried to adopt the "Zen mind, Beginners mind" philoshpy. In short I DO NOT KNOW EVERTHING. I have a lot of things I can learn & a lot of things to re-learn, perhaps differently this time. Along those lines I spoke to Tom Simpson, he suggested Scott Lee to me. I have developed a decent rapport with Scott & have engaged his services. He will be at my house in about 2 weeks from today. I also have a local BCA instructor (friend) at my disposal when we can get together.
I spend time running drills, just stroking the balls, actuall play practice (intensive), & I don't forget to play for enjoyment either.. I spend some time playing left handed. But I believe the best thing I can do for my game is to make ABSOLUTELY HONEST assesments of my game. What my weaknesses are & what I need to work on. To that end it is valuable to have knowledgable input from an outside perspective. There is a great deal for me to work on. I can always improve.
Play, practice, learn, adapt...Play more....enjoy the game & the people you meet. Well you folks know by now I'm a might long winded
But that's my 2 cents!
Good luck & good pool Fellows!
Billy Bones :thumbup:
I cannot narrow it down to 1 singular thing I have done to improve my game this year. However I can most certainly start with the fact that I have returned to pool after about a 9 year hiatus. My girlfriend purchased a pool table for me. It occupies a good portion of my small living room :grin: I had my tools (cues) cleaned up & retipped, while revisting old friends Bob Owen & Jack Shurtz. Damn good cue makers, even better men.
I completely rebuilt my stroke from the ground up! Perfect time for me to do so & actually acheive positive results. I re-established my relationship with Jimmy Reid. Spoke to my old friend Joe Blackburn about returning to pool. He offered some good insight..."PLAY!!!". Go figgure. LOL :grin:
I have tried to adopt the "Zen mind, Beginners mind" philoshpy. In short I DO NOT KNOW EVERTHING. I have a lot of things I can learn & a lot of things to re-learn, perhaps differently this time. Along those lines I spoke to Tom Simpson, he suggested Scott Lee to me. I have developed a decent rapport with Scott & have engaged his services. He will be at my house in about 2 weeks from today. I also have a local BCA instructor (friend) at my disposal when we can get together.
I spend time running drills, just stroking the balls, actuall play practice (intensive), & I don't forget to play for enjoyment either.. I spend some time playing left handed. But I believe the best thing I can do for my game is to make ABSOLUTELY HONEST assesments of my game. What my weaknesses are & what I need to work on. To that end it is valuable to have knowledgable input from an outside perspective. There is a great deal for me to work on. I can always improve.
Play, practice, learn, adapt...Play more....enjoy the game & the people you meet. Well you folks know by now I'm a might long winded
But that's my 2 cents!Good luck & good pool Fellows!
Billy Bones :thumbup:
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Also, I've started playing 14.1. I use to mess around with it, but I've started playing it consistently. When I'm by myself, I play it a lot. Have yet to play it with an opponent though. My break-outs in every other game have improved at least tenfold. I see them naturally now. Since I've added that to my arsenal, my 8-ball game has become nearly deadly to all but the best players in these parts.
dizAndyVan
Registered
recorded myself and reworked my fundamentals from the ground up and finally picking an "aiming system" that was reliable and made sense to me
I can defiantly say i have been recording myself weekly on my practices. To watch my stroke stance and for general pattern and errors that i am making.