It was a long time ago...and I loved it immediately!
As difficult as it sounds, try not to get too discouraged...as has been stated already, we all had to start some where!
When you have a chance to be alone, head to a nearby pool hall. If possible, pick a table away from others. This will help a little with self-confidence....you will not be on 'display'. Instead of worrying about pocketing balls right away, I would suggest you just try and relax and get comfortable holding a cue, work on stabilizing your bridge, find a comfortable stance. It's not gonna be perfect, and may even feel a bit off....but you will be starting to work on your muscle memory, whether you realize it or not. While you are getting comfortable with the above....just try hitting some balls around. DO NOT worry about pocketing any of them yet...if you do, that's cool...but do not make it a priority. The idea here is to just get 'comfortable'....think of it as a first date, so to speak.
As you are hitting the cueball, try to just keep the tip of your cue in the center of it. Play with the balls....tapping them around. A lot of new players tend to hit way too hard....those balls will roll a good long way with very little effort.
As you find your grip, stroke, stance...your confidence will build. Some people are gonna call me nutz...but listen to the cue you're shooting with. Different hits make different sounds....the idea here is to 'tune' your senses into not just aiming, but how the tip feels when it contacts the cueball, how the cue feels when it contacts the cueball. Before you realize it, you will begin aiming...go with your instinct...do not think too much....above all else....HAVE FUN WITH IT!!
Lisa
As difficult as it sounds, try not to get too discouraged...as has been stated already, we all had to start some where!
When you have a chance to be alone, head to a nearby pool hall. If possible, pick a table away from others. This will help a little with self-confidence....you will not be on 'display'. Instead of worrying about pocketing balls right away, I would suggest you just try and relax and get comfortable holding a cue, work on stabilizing your bridge, find a comfortable stance. It's not gonna be perfect, and may even feel a bit off....but you will be starting to work on your muscle memory, whether you realize it or not. While you are getting comfortable with the above....just try hitting some balls around. DO NOT worry about pocketing any of them yet...if you do, that's cool...but do not make it a priority. The idea here is to just get 'comfortable'....think of it as a first date, so to speak.
As you are hitting the cueball, try to just keep the tip of your cue in the center of it. Play with the balls....tapping them around. A lot of new players tend to hit way too hard....those balls will roll a good long way with very little effort.
As you find your grip, stroke, stance...your confidence will build. Some people are gonna call me nutz...but listen to the cue you're shooting with. Different hits make different sounds....the idea here is to 'tune' your senses into not just aiming, but how the tip feels when it contacts the cueball, how the cue feels when it contacts the cueball. Before you realize it, you will begin aiming...go with your instinct...do not think too much....above all else....HAVE FUN WITH IT!!
Lisa
