Playing Dilemma

I got something to ask you intermediate/advance guys.
I'm a decent player and can execute most of the shot on a table, but my main weakness is cue ball positioning. Which brings up to my dilemma of "priority" when i play. Since i found myself missing alot more balls than usual when i mentally place positioning as a "prioriy" instead of just concentrating on sinking the balls.
I now feel that i need to develop a greater control of the cue ball in order to get to the next level. But than i miss more balls than before... :?
i guess partially due to deflection when i apply english to the cue ball.
so my predicament is this;

- should i keep reinforcing my strokes (ability of sinking balls) to a point of being even more comfortable first before thinking about positioning ?(thinking about making the shot before anything)
or
- should i keep forcing myself to think positioning everytime i have a shot ? as a priority although i miss more balls this way (at least for the time being)
Ultimately, i want to be able to do both comfortably at some point. (we all do) I just need to figure out the best & proper way to get there.

Thanks!

[ttruong]

I bet your trying too hard with your english when you trying to control the ball. I find that in the game of pool, you can do alot with minimal effort. Seldom do I find that I need a big english stroke ( more than half an inch from center ). Next time you try to shoot pool, try playing with the natural angle of the hit. Control your cue speed before trying to over exert yourself on english. I don't have much problem placing the cue ball where it needs to be with just good speed control and working with the natural angle.

I say practice this first, then move to the english. Remember to practice alot! (I'm only 21, but I play so much pool that I'm actually developing problems with my shooting elbow when I don't shoot pool, I've never heard that before. Does anyone have the same problem as me?)

[maughanm]

I think that is a common problem when you try to step up your game. You concentrate too much on ball position and you forget that you have to make the OB first. I don't play in a league and really don't consider myself an advanced player, but I practice at least a couple of hours a day...I used to try to focus on 2 things before pulling the trigger, 1st make OB, 2nd CB positioning for the next shot....Started missing shots so I changed to CB positioning first, then make the OB ...let the last thought be making that damn OB..., I agree with ttruong in that speed, angle, follow, and draw will do as much or more for your game as using a lot of English...although, to become an advanced player I realize you have to be good with all aspects of the game. I also catch myself trying to do too, too much with the cue ball at at times when really it is not necessary..and then miss the shot....As for the elbow problem, I sometimes get what I call "Rack Elbow".....Losers rack at the "Hawg Parlor" and Iv'e done some of that also.........mike :lol:

[Luke]

You both have a point about the speed and going "with" the angle while applying english as oppose to forcing the CB too much at times.
I also like the 1-2 drill, i can definitely relate. Making the last thought the OB ball seems quite right, but how do i correct the fact that i seem to be always jumping from 1 to 2 or 2 to 1 back anf forth before i shoot... I think i'll have to try staying with the OB as the last thought in mind.
great point guys.

Also; Is it bad for your game to regularly play with weaker players (1 or 2 level below)? I find myself playing worse with them than when i play someone my caliber or higher. Can this really hinder my game in the long run?
cause my weaker friends sure gets better! :lol:

Luke

[aj]

You play to the level of your competition. I have the same issue of playing with a lower skill level player (being polite :twisted: ) and I'm not used to raising my level of play come league night when playing someone of equal or higher skill. Back in the day when I was out hell raising and playing someone different all the time, I'd have no problem. Now since I play mostly at home, I can't bring my A game. Now I have my A game once in a while and most of the time I have my B game around friends and family.

[dags_lax]

Learn to control your speed. That is of the utmost importance in playing position. Watching the best players in my area I notice that they very seldom use english, preferring to play the natural angle and making the adjustments to the path of the cue ball with draw and follow.

Unfortunately at times your opponent leaves you bad, or you butcher your own leave, and you have to use english to get the angle on the next ball. When hitting the cue ball off the vertical axis make sure that the cue is kept level with the table. Failure to do so will cause the cue ball to take a different path than you aimed.

A very good player once told me that weak players will try and controll the cue ball, while the best players control the cue stick.

[maughanm]

That last statement was well put......If I could get my money back on the games lost by leaving the CB an inch too short, or an inch too long....I could could get me a decent 9 footer.....speed, speed, speed.......is everything......mike :lol:

[dhammis]

It's all a game of inches and rolls.