Practicing Pool Makes Perfect

August 29, 2010 by jackrlandry

If you want to become a billiards champion, it isn't going to happen overnight. Those who have been successful in the past have become that way due to the practice they put in, and the dedication they have to the sport.

Most of us don't have the raw natural talent to become great players without working at it. If you're good, you practice.

If you want to be good, you practice. You won't be getting better if you're not practicing.

And meanwhile, somebody else, who may beat you in the future, is putting in that practice time. If you actually want to get better, you'll make time for practice.

Fifteen minutes of concentrated practice will do more for your game than hours of play. Many players practice by throwing a few balls on the table and trying to run them out.

Other times, they shoot low percentage shots. This is fun stuff-when you succeed, you look good and feel good.

When you fail, well, it was a low percentage shot, oh well. This type of practice is getting you nowhere.

If you only practice what you are already good at, you will look great, but your game will not improve. Practicing what is easy is too easy-on the other hand, do not spend your practice time on extremely difficult shots.

You are going to miss them and not know why. You will not get better, and with all that missing, you will not be building your confidence.

Practicing failure is not a good idea. What types of things should you practice?

Practice the things you do worst. This is obvious, but how many players actually do this?

How else are you going to get better at them? Improving your worst things will raise your entire game.

How about practicing that shot that cost you the match, that angle you always see wrong, shooting softly, shooting hard, getting position when the object ball is hanging in the corner pocket, drawing more accurately, remembering to plan at least three balls ahead, checking where your tip is actually hitting the cue ball (vs. what you believe), experimenting with controlling sidespin, jumping, curving, rail shots, kicks, banks,etc. There is enough to keep you engaged for a lifetime.

So, there's banging balls around the table, and then there's practice. You get better not just because you practice, but because you practice the right things, in an effective way.

Practice makes permanent. You have to "burn in" your improvements, or they will fade away.

Often, the most effective way to practice is what is called "progressive practice." Here is how it works:

Pick a shot or skill to work with. Let's say its medium speed spot shots.

The usual practice method - setting it up and having a whack at it five or ten times - is not going to help much if you're only making it one time out of five. The trick to progressive practice is to start with the easiest possible version of the shot, instead of starting where you're already having trouble.

So, for our spot shot example, spot the object ball, and then move the cue ball forward along the line to the object ball until it's only a diamond or so away. Shoot the shot-if you make it, move the cue ball back a diamond or a half diamond for the next try, making it progressively harder.

Shoot fifteen or twenty times. If you miss, move forward to the next easiest shot position.

When you make it, make the next one a little tougher. This type of practice quickly shows you where your trouble begins, and keeps you working right near the edge of your current ability.

Try it and see the progress you will begin to make. It is no coincidence that those who are great at things started when they were young.

This gives them years of advantage, because they have had years and years of practice. You can make up the difference by playing steadily, and playing smart every day.

There is no excuse for failure if you are not dedicated to improving at something. The rate at which you progress is completely up to you-now get out there and play!