When Working on Your Fundamentals - Maximum Number of Key Thoughts You Can Work On at One Time

[DynoDan]

One ‘fundamental’ that doesn’t come naturally to those who don’t play frequently, is choosing the best shot plan:
After breaking & running down to the last OB in a recent 8-ball tournament final, all the dozens of things I usually have to consider seemed irrelevant since the ball was 6” from the pocket and the 8 was open & also close to the adjoining pocket. I didn’t want to under-hit the shot and leave my self a forceful sharp cut on the 8 (thus sending the CB into my opponents group, risking a scratch). As it turns out, that would have been preferable, since I over-hit it and hooked myself (luckily, I ended up wining anyway). Just too lazy to concentrate/focus. I knew the cloth was faster than what I was used to, and I KNOW I could have held the CB down if I had tried my best, but still, it was likely a larger risk than I should have taken. How to practice avoiding dumb decisions?

 

[straightline]

One ‘fundamental’ that doesn’t come naturally to those who don’t play frequently, is choosing the best shot plan:
After breaking & running down to the last OB in a recent 8-ball tournament final, all the dozens of things I usually have to consider seemed irrelevant since the ball was 6” from the pocket and the 8 was open & also close to the adjoining pocket. I didn’t want to under-hit the shot and leave my self a forceful sharp cut on the 8 (thus sending the CB into my opponents group, risking a scratch). As it turns out, that would have been preferable, since I over-hit it and hooked myself (luckily, I ended up wining anyway). Just too lazy to concentrate/focus. I knew the cloth was faster than what I was used to, and I KNOW I could have held the CB down if I had tried my best, but still, it was likely a larger risk than I should have taken. How to practice avoiding dumb decisions?

That's a situation you see all the time - even in pro rotation games. However the player arrives at the shot, he is still uncertain about the outcome. So he takes <his> best guess or gamble. The only solution is to take it to the workbench and work out the options so the next time it comes up you see it for the duck it is.

 

[tableroll]

slow backswing and smooth transition
would you separate those when practicing?

I would not. I would say slow backswing, smooth transition, no elbow drop and eyes on object ball.

 

[nataddrho]

Nobody really seems to actually do drills, despite their agreement on how useful they are.

Focus on one thing: the discipline of effective practice. Refuse interruptions during this time.

 

[Oikawa]

Nobody really seems to actually do drills, despite their agreement on how useful they are.

Focus on one thing: the discipline of effective practice. Refuse interruptions during this time.

Agreed. To diagnose, practice or drill in any change in your fundamentals, doing long straight in shots is the best one. Mighty X drill, or if you aren't at that level yet where you can follow or draw into a pocket, just potting the long straight balls.

If the thing that you are changing has something to do with aiming, then it's good to start with the straight ins, but other drills with angled shots are necessary on top of that. But for any other change, you don't really need angled shots at all. It is simply the most effective way to get better feedback from your shots by eliminating the possibility of missing due to misjudging the angle.

When it comes to how long you should do these drills for a technique change, I don't know. It would seem like in theory, doing months of nothing but straight in shots drills the change in the best, but this is hardly practical, not only due to the devastatingly boring nature of it for such a long time, but also due to the fact that we can't be certain about the quality of the change, perhaps it will be changed again in the future. This never-ending quest for improvement means that one must also play and practice other parts of the game to be effective. Perhaps for a 6 hour practice session, always starting with 1 hour of Mighty X drill seems reasonable. Or if you are a beginner, make it 2 or 3.

 

[straightline]

Mark Wilson I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, says it's all stroke. Given that, there's one thing seldom addressed in sports training and that is slow tempo. I mean like Tai Chi slow. Course that's not real practical for gymnastics or high jumping but pool is a natural. Getting grooved is not a haphazard thing that will eventually work itself out. Every millimeter of motion should be rehearsed until your stroke is as stable as the tolerance of the balls. I exaggerate but that's the gist of it.

 

[gregcantrall]

know what I want to happen and the computer says "this", the body report must say OK.

So I guess the last thought is, "ring finger, your call".

 

[gregcantrall]

So I guess the last thought is, "ring finger, your call".

That's during the pause at the back.
The ring finger has seen the news about ancient art with missing fingers. He thinks if we miss the shot.....so sometimes the pause is a little longer. My Slow Game is legendary.