Tips for a New Pool Player
5/24/2008 1:36:48 AM
Tips for a New Pool Player
I am a brand new pool player, and I am wondering if anyone had any new useful tips to give a newbie?
SinorTips for a New Pool Player
Replies & Comments
quickshot on 5/24/2008 9:01:12 AMYou have all the tips and info you could ever want right here on this site. Take advantage of it and PRACTICE...PRACTICE PRACTICE. I'm not shouting here, I just want to get your undivided attention. And have fun doing it. Good luck.
billiardsforum on 6/3/2008 11:08:11 AMWelcome to the site, and to the sport. Practice, watch the experts play (videos are everywhere these days), practice, build a repertoire of billiard drills, learn to focus, practice, and last but not least, learn to play smart. (versus just getting good at knocking balls in the pockets) That is to say you should learn about defensive play, and position play, but typically folks learn those things after they get the hang of executing proper shots.
ddub221 on 6/4/2008 9:08:27 AM
Newbies,
If you are in an APA league, then you are probably rated a 3 or less. Tips to improve are:
- Get good at making balls first. Don't worry about bank shots and anything too tough. At least get the short shots down, them move to cut shots and then try some longer ones. Use a progessive drill where you start with a simple cut shot, make it, and then keep moving the cue ball further and further away on the same angle. The cut shot is the same, but gets harder as you progress.
- Next, learn to shoot a stop shot, follow, and basic draw. This will help you to get position in most situations and immediately elevate your game.
- Now practice some basic position shots. Follow the object ball a few inches so you are now straight in for the next shot. Try to use a stop shot for position on another ball. Try to draw back a few inches. etc.
- Don't play any games yet. You are better off rolling out 2 or 3 balls onto the table, using ball in hand, and trying to run them out. This will do wonders for your game!
Hope this helps, Dan
- quickshot on 6/4/2008 9:39:26 AM
Another drill is the 3 ball rack. Rack 3 balls and break them. Once you break them try to sink them in as few shots as you can.
Great tips!
Another one is to play a modified game of straight pool. Roll out all the balls or break them hard and then run balls. The goal is to pocket balls. Keep track of how many you can run and why you missed. Did you try a shot that was too hard or did you get bad position, etc?
The key for beginners is to pocket balls. When you have 15 choices, it is much easier to make a few. In 8 ball or 9 ball, you are so limited as a beginner. You may get to the table with nothing good to shoot at 3 times in a row. Now, is that fun?
It is better, in practice, to start making balls in a row. You might be able to make 3 or 5 or even 10 in a row. Now that has to be more fun than just making a few stripes in 8 ball and then having nothing to shoot.
Practice that for a while. It should be a huge help and boost to your ego.
When you get better, strive for making at least 5 balls every time you start this. Then 10, then 15.
- quickshot on 6/4/2008 11:55:09 AM
Richard: If you use the 3 rack use the 1-2-3 ball. As you become better add the 4 etc. This is a double duty drill as it willl prepare you mentally if you ever get into playing 9 ball. More than anything have fun with the drills.
dkrager on 6/21/2008 7:58:41 PMJust to add to these excellent suggestions. Try to concentrate on developing a solid pre shot routine, perfect stance and stroke mechanics. It’s the foundation of your game. Many players don’t take the time to practice the fundamentals, which ultimately damages their game because they are practicing bad habits. The end result is highly inconsistent player that can’t understand why they run so hot and cold all the time.
Another thing, Avoid the use of english whenever possible. English imparts unnatural track lines to both the cue and object ball. It's highly over used. In most cases you can get around the table better using the basic stop, draw and follow shots that were mentioned in an earlier post. Get those skills down first and then start experimenting with english.
Finally, if you have access to one, try and practice on a 9' regulation table. It will dramatically improve your shot making skills and promote a clean true stroke.
May the rolls be with you,
Dave
Ross on 6/21/2008 9:22:53 PMDo you have any drills or specific ways these items can be developed?
- quickshot on 6/21/2008 10:16:38 PM
You will find all the answers to all your questions if you click on Billiards Tips at the top of your page. It may well pay you to browse around the other areas also.
pool-billiards-babe on 6/22/2008 6:43:40 PM
I'm taking a free billiards fundamental course. The course comes to me via e-mail and it's helping my game immensely. You will find a link where you can read about the course in my signature below this post. The course is great but it still boils down to practice, practice, practice.
OldShooter on 6/25/2008 11:31:20 PM
Have fun, don't take it too serious if you are not making a living at it. Remember, it is referred to as a "game" of pool. If it becomes more than a game you are going to be stressed and it will no longer be fun.
Find someone that would like to work with you and not some hot shot that thinks he know it all, cause he don't. Older folks may not shoot as well as they once did but they have a vast storehouse of knowledge.
Hotshots don't listen to older guys cause they say, "If I can beat him I must know more than him". Ain't so bubba. Tiger Woods can walk all over his coach on the course.
Roy Jones could tear up his trainer in the ring. What these champions gain is knowledge and an insight into their performance that is not created by their own ego.
- quickshot on 6/26/2008 12:35:48 AM
This is not the old shooter because he is shooting pool and not sitting in the rocker. Hope he has a sense of humor?
I have a VERY large sense of humor.
Oh, I enjoy a rocker also.
- quickshot on 6/26/2008 10:47:01 PM
I'm something of an old shooter myself. But I do not have a rocker. Big comfy couch though. Starting in a 8 ball summer league next Monday. First time in league play and looking forward to it.
Three Brothers Billiards on 3/31/2009 10:25:17 AMI use the three ball drill and it is a good warm up. Also playing a game of 9-ball by yourself is a good way to practice positioning
Tips for a New Pool Player
- Title: Tips for a New Pool Player
- Author: Sinor (Richard Sinor)
- Published: 5/24/2008 1:36:48 AM
