What should a XXX FargoRate be working on?

boogieman

boogieman

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I'm curious what do you guys think one should be working on at the following fargo rates?

400
450
500
550
600
650
700+

Any specific drills or areas that commonly need work? Any books covering this info?

I've not really seen a discussion on this.
 
Since FR is based off of win/loss record only, people will have different reasons for the same overall performance. Your practice needs to be catered to you and your weaknesses.

In general tho, I'd say a natural progression would be more fundamental stuff near the bottom range like nailing down your stroke and natural CB paths around the table, with kicks banks and jumps maybe next, and then at the higher range, the guys pretty much have all the shots and need to be focusing in on the minutia of the game they are playing (i.e. pushouts and safety play in rotation games). But again, what YOU should be practicing regardless of your fargo rate is what loses you games.
 
David in FL said:
For what it's worth, I'm trending towards 600. I'm focusing on not doing dumb shit.

The struggle is real. 😑

😁
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Yep, as a 555, the only thing that is stopping me from being a 600 is that dumb silly mistake where I am in line to run out the rack but I just don't pay attention and miss position by 2 inches or miss a ball by 1 mm where it's an easy shot.
 
Regardless of what stage your at, consistency is key. I don't care what you practice, just don't half arse it. I remember reading a quote once - amateur's practice until they make it, pro's practice until they don't miss. As a 600+ fargo player there aren't too many shots I'm afraid of, but I sure wish I was more consistent with all of them.
 
400 fundamentals of striking CB and rolling down the intended line, draw, follow
450 fundamentals of side spin on CB, breaking
500 fundamentals of position play, breaking clusters, and maneuvering around clusters
550 banks, kicks, jumps and safety play, keeping notes for later practice
600 Analyzing table position, multi bank/kick potting and escapes
650 Mental endurance
700+ Everything
 
Wow, really good question! I know a 500 fargo that jumps really well. He can make the ball, and get shape. This player also has an excellent draw stroke, not just max draw, but can draw for shape. Still, he is 500. I also know a 500 fargo that can’t jump for shit. He often makes a legal hit, but rarely pockets the ball, and has no clue where the cue ball is going. This guy has a terrible draw stroke. It might turn into a stop shot, or suck back six feet. He just follows everything. Hits with high left, instead of low right, cue ball still gets to the same place. What should they work on?
 
Jimmorrison said:
Wow, really good question! I know a 500 fargo that jumps really well. He can make the ball, and get shape. This player also has an excellent draw stroke, not just max draw, but can draw for shape. Still, he is 500. I also know a 500 fargo that can’t jump for shit. He often makes a legal hit, but rarely pockets the ball, and has no clue where the cue ball is going. This guy has a terrible draw stroke. It might turn into a stop shot, or suck back six feet. He just follows everything. Hits with high left, instead of low right, cue ball still gets to the same place. What should they work on?
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exactly what my point was. improvement is an individual matter. u cant paint a fargo range with broad strokes, esp north of 500.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I'd say pattern play would be the top thing to work on for all but maybe the 300's. For those players it would be how to hit the ball. IMO:)
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You cannot properly implement pattern play unless you are striking the CB EXACTLY along the path you are going for. Fundamentals is key at all levels below 700. If you are hitting the OB into the left side of the pocket when you intend the center or right side of the pocket, then your resulting CB position is off by often a few feet. I have watched hundreds of matches where a 6xx's fundamentals are the only thing that cost them the match against a 700+ player. They were playing exactly the right position play, but simply did not execute a straight stroke when needed.

You can make up a lot of deficiencies in position play if your fundamentals are a cut above the rest. Example? Rodney Morris. His less precise manner of playing position is the difference between his 790-ish speed back in the day, and potentially reaching 825 range in his heyday.

Going back to kind of what I posted in the other thread, Germans don't play better on average than Americans because they play better position. It's because their fundamentals are so much better.

As far as 300s? Geesh, man. They can barely hit the end rail. Seriously, I hope this does not sound arrogant, but someone with a 300 level of skill is likely just missing core abilities that may forever limit their skill level. Most good players blew through that level within the first few months of playing, with zero effort actually given to it. A player has to have an innate ability to deliver the CB as least moderately straight, and not miscue on every shot, lol.
 
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boogieman said:
I'm curious what do you guys think one should be working on at the following fargo rates?

400
Click to expand...
Straight stroke

boogieman said:
450
Click to expand...
Straight stroke

boogieman said:
500
Click to expand...
Straight stroke
Paying close attention to cue ball path on common stun shots

boogieman said:
550
Click to expand...
Straight stroke
Natural cue ball stun paths manipulated with minor amounts of follow/draw

boogieman said:
600
Click to expand...
All the above
Kicking
Breaking
Mental game

boogieman said:
650
Click to expand...
All of the above, more emphasis on breaking
Kicking safe intentionally
More mental game

boogieman said:
700+
Click to expand...
All of the above
More focus on kicking
Mental game needs to be absolutely rock solid to progress from this stage


boogieman said:
Any specific drills or areas that commonly need work? Any books covering this info?

I've not really seen a discussion on this.
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Simply put find what is deficient and work from there.

At the lower end of the spectrum, knowledge and fundamentals are completely lacking.

At the upper end pattern plan & execution.

Could be similar to golf as a player hits the ball fairly well, but has no short game or vice versa.

And then there’s everything in between.
 
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Buying the latest model cues for breaking, jumping, masse and two alternates. Try all the cue tips and cue weights.

Signing up for tournaments and compete against internationally known and rated players. Or watching in person, its common people get the wrong idea after getting their entry ticket.

At least watching pro level pool and following the commentary for hours daily.

Compete at the established rooms in your area.
 
ShortBusRuss said:
Straight stroke


Straight stroke


Straight stroke
Paying close attention to cue ball path on common stun shots


Straight stroke
Natural cue ball stun paths manipulated with minor amounts of follow/draw


All the above
Kicking
Breaking
Mental game


All of the above, more emphasis on breaking
Kicking safe intentionally
More mental game


All of the above
More focus on kicking
Mental game needs to be absolutely rock solid to progress from this stage
Click to expand...
Yep…this is the best answer.
 
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