When you are tired of drills

[ShootingArts]

I know the value and fully agree with the value of drills and lots of repetitions. However during a long practice session I need a break pretty regularly. Just freewheeling and running some balls is one way to relax and let out your stroke but here is a way to work on speed, touch, and aim while not shooting the same drill over and over.

If you have a practice partner handy play eight ball. The only change, every ball pocketed must be a bank or legal combination.

Nine or ten ball can be played much the same way if you are alone. The lowest numbered ball must be banked or played into a legal combination.

This forces careful attention to patterns and shape but isn't nearly as hard as it might sound when you are playing shape for these shots instead of having to play them when you have a nasty leave from another player or blow your position.

Since these sessions are played from the break every rack is different which I like. If playing nine or ten you aren't playing the ghost so just keep track of the misses and watch that number go down over time. These shots look far easier in competition when you have been shooting them regularly in practice. Obviously you still need the drills and other practice, this is just an intermission now and then.

Hu

 

[the420trooper]

I know the value and fully agree with the value of drills and lots of repetitions. However during a long practice session I need a break pretty regularly. Just freewheeling and running some balls is one way to relax and let out your stroke but here is a way to work on speed, touch, and aim while not shooting the same drill over and over.

If you have a practice partner handy play eight ball. The only change, every ball pocketed must be a bank or legal combination.

Nine or ten ball can be played much the same way if you are alone. The lowest numbered ball must be banked or played into a legal combination.

This forces careful attention to patterns and shape but isn't nearly as hard as it might sound when you are playing shape for these shots instead of having to play them when you have a nasty leave from another player or blow your position.

Since these sessions are played from the break every rack is different which I like. If playing nine or ten you aren't playing the ghost so just keep track of the misses and watch that number go down over time. These shots look far easier in competition when you have been shooting them regularly in practice. Obviously you still need the drills and other practice, this is just an intermission now and then.

Hu

Excellent advice, Hu. Drills to get a little mind numbing, and sometimes throwing balls out and shooting hard shots is relaxing. It also helps with the irregular shots that don't come up often...Which is good because everybody makes the easy shots.

Grady Mathews created a drill where you place all 15 balls within 2 inches of the cushion, roughly one ball on every diamond, and try to bank them all without missing or bumping another ball.

I've only completed this one a handful of times, but it makes you feel pretty good about your banking game when you get all the way out.

 

[ShootingArts]

Bert Kinister

Excellent advice, Hu. Drills to get a little mind numbing, and sometimes throwing balls out and shooting hard shots is relaxing. It also helps with the irregular shots that don't come up often...Which is good because everybody makes the easy shots.

Grady Mathews created a drill where you place all 15 balls within 2 inches of the cushion, roughly one ball on every diamond, and try to bank them all without missing or bumping another ball.

I've only completed this one a handful of times, but it makes you feel pretty good about your banking game when you get all the way out.

The theme of one of Bert Kinister's DVD's is banking your way into better concentration. These shots one behind the other do help with intense concentration because errors often make things far tougher than getting back in line playing regular pool. When you did complete Grady's drill I'll bet it felt great. When we challenge ourselves and succeed not only does it feel great but it builds confidence. Confidence at the table is a huge edge.

Hu

 

[Jason Robichaud]

I have hit a shot over 300 times that I missed in a tournament. It takes a lot to get me bored during practice.

 

[leehayes]

I have hit a shot over 300 times that I missed in a tournament. It takes a lot to get me bored during practice.

there is a blessed man