Where to start?

Vlado312

Vlado312

Registered
Hi, I'm 19 and been playing games of 8 ball with my family and friends for many years since I first tried it on a family vacation to Mexico probably around '96. We've also had a table in our basement for the past 5 years or so, so I think I've gotten pretty decent just from playing a lot of games. I know that I smoke all my high school friends :wink:

Recently I have a lot of spare time and have decided to develop my game like I never have before. I don't think I've ever practiced or really worked on good technique, I've just played a lot of games. My goal right now is to really put some time and effort into it and see how good I can get by the time I am 21 and am able to start competing in some local spots.

So where should I start? What are some crucial elements of my game that need to be developed to compete?

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice!
 
Start with a phone call. Get in touch with a qualified instructor who can take you through the process of developing the skills, and gaining the knowledge you need.

A few days with the right instructor will do more for your game than you can begin to imagine. Getting it right from the beginning makes the process so much easier. I wish I had spent 3 days with my instructor when I was your age!

Steve
 
Haha, I can imagine that would be best, and I probably will do that in the near future when I have some spare cash as well as time. But for now I just have the time, and a pool table sitting in my basement.
 
The first thing you must work on is what's behind the cue ball. That would be you & your cue stick.

Second and only after First is done, work on the cue ball and beyond.
SPF=randyg
 
Vlado312 said:
...
So where should I start? What are some crucial elements of my game that need to be developed to compete? ...
Click to expand...
Do you know the basics of hitting the cue ball well? Are there basics you have trouble with?

Do you know how to move the cue ball from the object ball to the next position? Do you have trouble with any position shots?

Do you see how to connect basic position plays to form a run? Do you frequently have trouble planning a run you can then execute?

Do you practice the shots you have trouble with? Do you know how to make good exercises for particular shots?

Here are five levels of basic drills. What's the highest level on which you can score at least 4 on all four diagrams?

There are several sites with good info. Here's one that has some very interesting videos.
 
I feel like my stroke isn't bad, I can hit it straight across the table and back to my cue tip pretty consistently. But I could definitely improve and will continue practicing that.

Planning runs is something I try, but I don't think I have enough practice/knowledge of the shots I should be using to do it consistently. My game relies too much on being able to cut shots pretty well, and not enough on actually setting up future shots perfectly.

Like I mentioned before I have never really practiced specific shots, but that's exactly what I'm here to start doing.

My stop shots are too sloppy. I got up to level 3, but could not make a dead stop past the second shot there.

Follow shots, I got through the first three levels pretty easily. In fact the third level was the easiest I thought because I kept scratching on the first two. I haven't tried the fourth but I know it will be challenging for me to get past even the first few shots.

I could not do the draw shots. I don't know if the way I am hitting the cue ball is wrong, but I just found the exercise incredibly uncomfortable being so close to the rail. I could not make my bridge low enough to shoot with draw.

The cut shots were a breeze through the first four levels. On the fifth I could not get the fourth shot in, and I blame that on it being very uncomfortable for me to shoot with the cue ball right up against the rail there.

I really like the progressive format of those drills. I can't wait to see what a few weeks of practicing those will do for my game :)

Vlad
 
randyg said:
The first thing you must work on is what's behind the cue ball. That would be you & your cue stick.

Second and only after First is done, work on the cue ball and beyond.
SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

Tap Tap ^^

Vlado- you already received answers here from some of the best instructors-so you already were successful!
You could present yourself a great favor, if you would spend some time with a qualified insctructor- just because he will show you the way how you can work for yourself-and also ananlyze yourself a bit. A qualified instructor usualy works with video analyzis (a cam never lies!), which is in my opinion a unbelievable help.
With good fundamentals and a good guy on your side it will be much easier to increase your abilities. it makes no sense to play drills like crazy while you re burning in bad habits- this is the worst case imo,

lg from overseas, and welcome to the world of players^^

ingo
 
Vlad...There are some good instructional materials available, if you cannot afford an instructor yet. I agree with Randy that you should concentrate on grip, bridge, stance and timing. If you're unable to do the drills that Bob Jewett gave you, there is likely some problems with what you're doing...especially drawing the CB. You'd get a lot out of our video "Play Better Pool, Vol. 1". You can get it on www.amazon.com. Where are you located?

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

randyg said:
The first thing you must work on is what's behind the cue ball. That would be you & your cue stick.

Second and only after First is done, work on the cue ball and beyond.
SPF=randyg
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
randyg said:
The first thing you must work on is what's behind the cue ball. That would be you & your cue stick.

Second and only after First is done, work on the cue ball and beyond.
SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

randy is talking about set up and alignment......marcus and I just finished a video that talks about the grip, alignment and other things....check it out it has some good info on stance and pre shot set up....

http://www.youtube.com/forcefollow#p/a/u/0/5u52gKAehqo

best wishes,
-Grey Ghost-
 
Vlado312 said:
... I could not do the draw shots. I don't know if the way I am hitting the cue ball is wrong, but I just found the exercise incredibly uncomfortable being so close to the rail. I could not make my bridge low enough to shoot with draw. ..
Click to expand...
While you need to be able to shoot the draw shot close to the rail, that is not the point of the exercise. It is OK to move the cue ball off the cushion to make a more comfortable bridge -- the distance is the important thing.

Also, you need to be sure that you move the marker/coin after each shot so that the difficulty tends towards your 50% point. Some people forget to make the shot easier when they miss and consequently make very high scores.
 
Hi keebie,

great job with this video. Nice quality and also very good presentation.

hats off,
Ingo
 
randyg said:
Greyghost: That was a well produced video.....SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

Thanks much randy and Ingo......

we actually tried using a tele prompter and i was going to just read my posts....could not get the speed right at all......I'm no Obama thats for sure lol

So we kind of stopped and Marcus said "you think it would work if I just asked you a question and you go off on one of your tangents?"

If he hadn't thought of that the video might not have happened.

His first few questions got me talking for nearly 30 minutes lol.

Good thing i can talk the ears off a mule lol

thanks again guys,
-Keebie
 
And further.....

who was the *Visagist* (LOL)
You re lookin like a twen in the video :p

:outtahere:


Ingo
 
Ratta said:
And further.....

who was the *Visagist* (LOL)
You re lookin like a twen in the video :p

:outtahere:


Ingo
Click to expand...

No one lol.....I'm 26 but especially when I'm clean shaved and short haired man i can't walk out my door without getting carded lol.

Thats the only reason i can ever get anyone to listen to me, is b/c I'm well spoken b/c no one wants advice from a 16 year old lol.....

it is what it is...i don't complain b/c i know when i get older I'll miss looking young lol

-Keeb
 
Ooops^^

*kicked* myself :p
Well Keebie you re good at *freestyle talking*. Not often in this age. You ll do your way for sure.

Sorry that i thought you re a bit older^^.
keep talkin and rockin my friend^^

Ingo
 
Ratta said:
Ooops^^

*kicked* myself :p
Well Keebie you re good at *freestyle talking*. Not often in this age. You ll do your way for sure.

Sorry that i thought you re a bit older^^.
keep talkin and rockin my friend^^

Ingo
Click to expand...

always brother,
-Keeb
 
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