What is the best way to learn how to run 9 ball racks???
- Thread starter Pete
- Start date
one way ...
Making shots is everyone's business, getting
shape is the best poolplayers business, even
when it looks like you can't.
Set the balls up on the table in difficult run outs,
difficult to get shape on some balls, maybe having
to break out a couple of balls. The best players
never miss easy run outs, and they know how to
get out even when it doesn't look possible, and
if it isn't, they have a good safety in mind, that
will get the advantage of the game back to them.
(do different things like putting the 7 on long rail,
9 on opposite side on long rail, and 8 on long rail
inbetween 7 and 9. Now see if you can run out
those balls, but do it after shooting the 6 in, and
getting shape for the 7). Also, practice getting
shape on a ball on the foot rail, when you are
shooting the ball before it on the head rail and
you have just slight angle on the head rail ball.
Setup on a ball so there is no way to get on the
next ball unless you bank the current ball, and
draw the cue to get on the next. Just anything
difficult.
Making shots is everyone's business, getting
shape is the best poolplayers business, even
when it looks like you can't.
Set the balls up on the table in difficult run outs,
difficult to get shape on some balls, maybe having
to break out a couple of balls. The best players
never miss easy run outs, and they know how to
get out even when it doesn't look possible, and
if it isn't, they have a good safety in mind, that
will get the advantage of the game back to them.
(do different things like putting the 7 on long rail,
9 on opposite side on long rail, and 8 on long rail
inbetween 7 and 9. Now see if you can run out
those balls, but do it after shooting the 6 in, and
getting shape for the 7). Also, practice getting
shape on a ball on the foot rail, when you are
shooting the ball before it on the head rail and
you have just slight angle on the head rail ball.
Setup on a ball so there is no way to get on the
next ball unless you bank the current ball, and
draw the cue to get on the next. Just anything
difficult.
There are many drills that you could do Pete, but the main thing is practice. Throw 3 or 4 balls out on the table and take ball in hand, and run out. Do this 3 or 4 million times and your game will improve. There's no easy way around it, if you practice, you get better. If you don't, it won't. Practice on your speed control, use the rails, think about the speed off of the last rail, and try to stay in the middle of the table with the CB. I'm not an instructor, I'm not a great player, but I've had my moments when I thought I was, and this is what worked for me. You don't want to clog your mind with the "LITTLE THINGS" right now because you'll just be frustrated. Keep practicing, ask a lot of questions, and have fun. Peace, John.Pete said:
The same way you get to Carnegie hall.
JV
JV
Pete - What instructional material have you read/digested?
The reason I ask is... improving one's run-out % in 9-ball requires a combination of 1) education of the game of 9-ball (shotmaking, position play, pattern play, etc.)... and 2) applying those principles through practice.
Without the education part, you're just banging balls trying to learn from your mistakes... by trying different strokes/shots/speeds etc. Learning the game in that fashion will take a very long time.
If you haven't seen/read "Play Your Best 9-Ball" by Phil Capelle, check it out. It would be a great start for your 9-ball education.
Good luck in your journey.
The reason I ask is... improving one's run-out % in 9-ball requires a combination of 1) education of the game of 9-ball (shotmaking, position play, pattern play, etc.)... and 2) applying those principles through practice.
Without the education part, you're just banging balls trying to learn from your mistakes... by trying different strokes/shots/speeds etc. Learning the game in that fashion will take a very long time.
If you haven't seen/read "Play Your Best 9-Ball" by Phil Capelle, check it out. It would be a great start for your 9-ball education.
Good luck in your journey.
I agree with all the above, and would like to add one extra thing: don't be afraid to play the hard shot for position. Sometimes you'll be down on a ball that is tough, and you want to shoot it soft so that you'll make it -- however, if the shot requires 3-rail position with good speed you have to build up the confidence to take the right shot at the right time. Yes you'll miss in the beginning, but the more you build the skills and confidence to take the tough shot when it's necessary the more you'll run out later.
You won't learn much if you just focus on making the shot. If you want to do that, go do drills and set up cut shots all day long. Much of what separates C / B / A / A+ players is their position play and speed.
You won't learn much if you just focus on making the shot. If you want to do that, go do drills and set up cut shots all day long. Much of what separates C / B / A / A+ players is their position play and speed.
Koop said:That is what I do but what happens when you're watching Efren.
He does things with the cue ball that seem to defy physics
Koop
I read in an article about Efren recently that he watches bad pool players to see what shots they take. He says that they have no fear of impossible shots and just go at them, and sometimes make them. When that happens he studies the shots to add them to his repertoire...
Smart stuff by one of the best.
Flex
Funny, I do the same thing. Too often good players play too smart for their own good, and safe where there might be a good out. Then you watch bangers go for the 89-degree cut with position and somehow it works out.
Flex said:
Pete said:
I like Scott's idea about setting up the tough runouts, but here's what I do to try to make rotation games easier.
BTW, I hate 9 ball, and would rather play banks or 1p, but EVERYONE wants to play 9 and that's what most of the tournaments are, so I practice for it anyways.
I rack and break 9 balls. I take ball in hand on the first shot after the break, just like I'm playing the ghost. I have a goal for myself. When I shoot a ball, I'm playing to get position within 18 inches of the next ball leaving myself a half ball hit or fuller. Don't cheat, cause you're only cheating yourself... if you miss that position window, rack and start again.
Now, you said you are a C player, so try this, but just throw 5 balls out on the table. Don't freeze any up, but no hangers either. Take Ball In Hand and run the 5 balls with that position goal in mind. If you miss you start again. When you can get that kind of position and distance on all five balls on a regular basis, go to 6, then 7, then 8, then 9. If you can do this with 9 balls on a regular basis, you'll be shooting lights out 9 ball.
Later,
Bob
F
Fred Agnir
Guest
Pete said:
Watch better players. Live.
Fred
F
Fred Agnir
Guest
Johnny "V" said:
Damn, I wish I known that...
Fred <~~~ heading down West 57th
I'm relatively new to 9-ball and have only run a few racks. That being said, one drill that has helped me to become more consistent is the following. I rack 3 balls and break. Take ball and hand and try to run the table. If I succeed, I add another ball to the rack and repeat. If I fail, I take one ball out of the rack and try again (three balls being the fewest amount in a rack). This drill helps me to stay focused and keeps me entertained. It also adds a little bit of preasure because I hate going down one level.
Well I'm getting there.
What has helped me most is Dr. Dave's DVD on fundamentals of various shots as well as the book 99 critical shots. These two things gave me the knowledge needed to get the cue ball to go where needed after each shot, not scratch, etc. Basics of ball interactions, etc.
Then next is to be able to "run 3 friggin' balls". This may sound silly but it is very hard. And I don't mean making 3 balls in a row. I mean hitting in the first ball and cue ball travels to a position where it is easy to pocket the second ball AND after shooting in the second ball to be able to get good cue ball position to shoot in the third ball.
So "before" I was good at making impossible shots - many of which were long or bank shots - and cue ball went any which way.
Now I have thrown all that out the window! I now work on shooting in a ball, then getting the cue ball to line up good for the next shot, then the shot after that.
When I can do this with 3 balls in a row, I am ecstatic! And of course as you practice this with just 3 balls, then you can get to where you can do 4 or 5 or more. So sometimes now I'll maybe run 5 or 6 balls in a row leaving perfect cue ball position on each shot. Then I'll miss and my opponent has an easy run-out, but it is ok to lose for now. I think what I'm working on is more important for the long run than winning.
What has helped me most is Dr. Dave's DVD on fundamentals of various shots as well as the book 99 critical shots. These two things gave me the knowledge needed to get the cue ball to go where needed after each shot, not scratch, etc. Basics of ball interactions, etc.
Then next is to be able to "run 3 friggin' balls". This may sound silly but it is very hard. And I don't mean making 3 balls in a row. I mean hitting in the first ball and cue ball travels to a position where it is easy to pocket the second ball AND after shooting in the second ball to be able to get good cue ball position to shoot in the third ball.
So "before" I was good at making impossible shots - many of which were long or bank shots - and cue ball went any which way.
Now I have thrown all that out the window! I now work on shooting in a ball, then getting the cue ball to line up good for the next shot, then the shot after that.
When I can do this with 3 balls in a row, I am ecstatic! And of course as you practice this with just 3 balls, then you can get to where you can do 4 or 5 or more. So sometimes now I'll maybe run 5 or 6 balls in a row leaving perfect cue ball position on each shot. Then I'll miss and my opponent has an easy run-out, but it is ok to lose for now. I think what I'm working on is more important for the long run than winning.
F
Fred Agnir
Guest
Pete said:
Crazy question, but what makes you think you're a C player?
Fred
Fred Agnir said:
In a 9-Ball Tournament race to 7
Dec.1997 "All About Pool" magazine, article by Bob Cambell
Handicap rankings
D- Player
-will not run a rack
-average run is about 3 balls
-with ball in hand, will get out from the 7, one out of 3 times
-rarely plays a successful safe
C-Player
-will probably run one rack, but usually not more than one
-avg. run is 3 to 5 balls
-with ball in hand, will get out from the 7, two out of 3 times
-mixed results when playing safe
-inning ends due to botched position, missed shot or attempting a safe.
B-Player
-Able to run 1 to 3 racks
-avg. run is 5-7 balls
-with ball in hand will get out form the 5, 2 out of 3 times
-most of the time a "B" player will play a "safety" which maybe hit easily 2 out of 3 times
-a typical inning will end with a missed shot, a fair safety, or a won game
A-Player
-will string 2 to 3 racks
-avg. ball run, 7-9
-with ball in hand, will be out from the 3 ball, 2 out of 3 times
-typical inning will end with a well executed safety or a win.
OPEN-Players
-average 8+ balls
-string racks together more than once in a match
-is a threat to run out from every ball, from every position, every inning
-typical inning will end in excellent safety or win
Hi Fred,
To start w/ if I go by this I'm between a C and A B player. I've run a 2 pack so far in 9 ball. And have broke and run out many times. Also in the APA I'm a 5, but alot of the 6s say I should be a 6 (I beat alot of them straight up).
I can run out 4-6 balls reg. (set up 4 ball or 4 or 6 balls) if I'm shooting well.
But that's all I can really go on.
What do you think??? Am I, or do you think I'm a D player.
Pete