[IROCK]

Sometimes when I shoot a shot, I make the shot and fail on my position. Then sometimes I miss the shot but get the position. When I watch the Pros they seem to concetrate on pocketing the ball and the positon just always seems be there. I wonder if they have the same mind set as everyone else has going into a shot. Or is it that they play so much that their confidence is so high that it makes it that much easier for them?


I Rock

[Pelican]

Ain't it the truth. Nothing pisses me off more than just missing a shot and getting perfect hard to make shape.

Pel

[IROCK]

I know exactly how you feel Pel. But doesn't it seem like the Pros have about 50% of their concetration on pocketing the ball and the other 50% on position. Maybe Fast Larry can give us some insight on this.

I Rock

[Sodapop]

I believe they decide everything they are going to do before they even get down to take the shot. decide where they want to be and where they are going to have to hit the cue ball and with how much speed. Then once they have all that figured out they get down and focus primarily on potting the ball.

[IROCK]

You are probably right sodapop. I don't have any problems with the close shots but I do on the long ones, thats where my concetration fails me sometimes.

IRock

[Big_Bad_Bern]

I was once told by a reliable source that pro players are just not right in the head, that missing the ball never enters their minds and most of their focus is on playing position, and that is what we should strive for in our games.

[IROCK]

I've never heard that before, but you know what, that would definately make a difference.

[Billy_Bob]

I think getting position is just like making a basket in basketball.

When we are kids, we can't get the ball anywhere near the basket at first, but with practice, making the ball in the basket comes naturally. Same thing with throwing a wad of paper into a trash can.

The thing with getting position is that it is complex and you need to "aim/shoot" for several different things at the same time.

So first where to hit the object ball to make the pocket.

Then is it a full ball hit, 3/4, 1/2, or 1/4 ball hit? If it is a full ball hit, then this will take most of the speed away from the cue ball. 1/2, then half of the speed will be lost, etc.

Then where will the cue ball go after it hits the object ball. This depends on if the cue ball is rolling or sliding at the moment of contact. About 35 degrees or 90 degrees respectively.

Then what will the cue ball do? - depends on if it is sliding, has a forward roll, or a backwards roll.

Then will the cue ball hit a rail? Where will it go? Typically an angle in and then same angle out type of thing. But this can be changed to a smaller angle or larger angle by using english.

Will it hit another rail after that? Where will it go? Will it hit another ball and stop right there, etc.

So you take all this stuff into consideration and determine how hard to hit the shot to get the cue ball to stop where you want. And if you should use follow or draw to change the way the cue ball travels after the hit. And if you should use english to change the angle by which the cue ball will come off a rail.

This is too much to think about! But by first understanding the basics of how to get the cue ball to do what you want after the hit. Then doing just that and getting better and better at doing this. Then get lots of playing time under your belt, you can begin to just "picture in your mind" where you want the cue ball to go, and there it will go!

So this has been my experience...
-1st learn how to pocket balls.
-2nd learn everything I can about what influences the speed and direction of the cue ball after it contacts the object ball (can be a year or more of reading/learning).
-3rd practice what I have learned for a long time, thinking about details for each shot.
-4th it becomes "automatic". I just picture where I want the ball to stop. (Just like making that wad of paper make the trash can!)

[Billy_Bob]

I had a big personal success with a position shot awhile back...

I have been learning all the "ingredients" for basics of shots by practicing them individually. (Follow, draw, english, etc.)

And it has taken me a long time to understand using english. Using english with draw has been the most difficult thing for me to understand for some reason.

But anyway everything finally "clicked". I was able to put many different things together into one shot to get a breakout I wanted.

I did all these things with this one shot and was quite proud of myself!

-The cue ball was near a rail and I was able to shoot down on the cue ball to get draw and at the same time use english and also hit it with the correct speed.
-It was a cut shot and I made the OB into the pocket.
-The cue ball then came backwards after the hit (due to draw).
-It then hit the rail, then came back the exact direction I wanted (because of english I used).
-Then it hit a cluster of balls exactly where I wanted it to, opening them up so I had my next shot.
-Then the cue ball stopped exactly where I wanted (due to proper speed being used for the hit).

So I was really happy with that one shot. Made my night. I've been working on and trying to do this stuff for years. And with this shot at least, everything finally "clicked" and I was able to do what I was trying to do.

[WebDude]

Quote

Billy_Bob wrote:
-The cue ball was near a rail and I was able to shoot down on the cue ball to get draw and at the same time use english and also hit it with the correct speed.
-It was a cut shot and I made the OB into the pocket.
-The cue ball then came backwards after the hit (due to draw).
-It then hit the rail, then came back the exact direction I wanted (because of english I used).
-Then it hit a cluster of balls exactly where I wanted it to, opening them up so I had my next shot.
-Then the cue ball stopped exactly where I wanted (due to proper speed being used for the hit).

So I was really happy with that one shot. Made my night. I've been working on and trying to do this stuff for years. And with this shot at least, everything finally "clicked" and I was able to do what I was trying to do.

Ah, but the question is, did you blow the out after the rush of getting perfect shape, or did it boost your confidence so you finished it like it was cake? ;-)

[Billy_Bob]

I have had many successes before, so this did not have any effect on my later shots. I think I won that match.

But you win some and you lose some. And I have been playing better players lately, so have plenty of losses.

I don't get real excited if I win or lose, but I am quite happy with myself if I can do something I have been working a long time on.