I took 3 days off and I'm back at it tonight.

[Bishop]

I haven't really played all that well in the last time or so out so I took a short break. I really don't know how much state of mind will effect my game but I feel pretty dialed in right now. Even though I haven't been playing I've been watching a bunch of pro videos and for some reason watching them make it look easy always helps me play better.

[djkx1]

I think it's a great idea to take a couple of days off every so often. After a break I usually feel excited to play again and generally shoot well.

Watching pool also seems to benifit my game. I find I play a little to quickly a lot of times, and watching some great palyers reminds me to slow down and stick to my pre-shot routine a bit more. Just watching the intensity and focus that they have, inspires me to play the same way.

Have fun when you get back to the table!

[A-Train]

I go to the pool hall for inspiration a lot. Lots of talent around these parts and it is encouraging to watch.

[Bishop]

I didn't get to play on Wednesday afterall. I will however play tonight and tomorrow. So I've been off the game for almost a whole week which is pretty long for me. I still feel good though so hopefully I'll be dialed in all night.

[djkx1]

Originally Posted by Bishop

I didn't get to play on Wednesday afterall. I will however play tonight and tomorrow. So I've been off the game for almost a whole week which is pretty long for me. I still feel good though so hopefully I'll be dialed in all night.

So how was your game after the layoff?

[Bishop]

I felt good all day then when I got closer to playing I was starting to feel pretty rusty. Had a couple of beers and settled in and played pretty well for about 4 or so hours. I probably got in about 30 or so games and had a break and run out twice with one table run after an my brother in law broke and nothing fell. I still like the feeling I get if I'm playing 3 or 4 times a week though.

[A-Train]

Originally Posted by Bishop

I felt good all day then when I got closer to playing I was starting to feel pretty rusty. Had a couple of beers and settled in and played pretty well for about 4 or so hours. I probably got in about 30 or so games and had a break and run out twice with one table run after an my brother in law broke and nothing fell. I still like the feeling I get if I'm playing 3 or 4 times a week though.

Me too. It's easy to get addicted to this game!

[tpdtom]

I didn't play a lick for 25 years, and just started again about a month ago. The more I play right now, the better I feel. 3 or 4 times a week is all I've managed. Usually 2-3 hours each time. I know deep down inside that I could quickly reach my former level if I could play 4-6 hours a day for about a month, but it's too expensive and I can't seem to get that motivated. I need to spend what time I can in perfect practice !

I've been devoting quite a bit of my time to one-pocket. First the banks started to come back, but I couldn't see the moves. Now I realise that the average players game has increased a level (a ball or two) since I quit. I'm also struggling with some temporary cues while mine is being refinished and I notice the difference. That's just an excuse but I need to have complete comfort with my cue.

My strategy is to set goals for the fall. While everyone I know golfs this summer, I'm planning to practice 2 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week. I hope to be in the best form of my life by the fall, and to be one or 2 balls better in 1P. My nine ball break has to get fixed, and I need to put more racks together. First I'm working on my fundamentals, and then working on them some more ! Perfect stance (not lazy) with every shot taken as if it really matters, a complete follow through on ALL shots, and finally staying all the way down until the follow through is COMPLETE ! If I don't do this, my hard earned dollars are just being wasted. As far as the break is concerned, I'm now just breaking at medium speed but hitting the one ball dead square. As it gets grooved I'll increase my speed and power.

What's your regimen for improvement ? Has anyone used a coach at a professional level ? How about a school for pool like Tom Simpsons or Allison's and Gertas ? Good luck...Tom

[A-Train]

Originally Posted by tpdtom

I didn't play a lick for 25 years, and just started again about a month ago. The more I play right now, the better I feel. 3 or 4 times a week is all I've managed. Usually 2-3 hours each time. I know deep down inside that I could quickly reach my former level if I could play 4-6 hours a day for about a month, but it's too expensive and I can't seem to get that motivated. I need to spend what time I can in perfect practice !

I've been devoting quite a bit of my time to one-pocket. First the banks started to come back, but I couldn't see the moves. Now I realise that the average players game has increased a level (a ball or two) since I quit. I'm also struggling with some temporary cues while mine is being refinished and I notice the difference. That's just an excuse but I need to have complete comfort with my cue.

My strategy is to set goals for the fall. While everyone I know golfs this summer, I'm planning to practice 2 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week. I hope to be in the best form of my life by the fall, and to be one or 2 balls better in 1P. My nine ball break has to get fixed, and I need to put more racks together. First I'm working on my fundamentals, and then working on them some more ! Perfect stance (not lazy) with every shot taken as if it really matters, a complete follow through on ALL shots, and finally staying all the way down until the follow through is COMPLETE ! If I don't do this, my hard earned dollars are just being wasted. As far as the break is concerned, I'm now just breaking at medium speed but hitting the one ball dead square. As it gets grooved I'll increase my speed and power.

What's your regimen for improvement ? Has anyone used a coach at a professional level ? How about a school for pool like Tom Simpsons or Allison's and Gertas ? Good luck...Tom

Expensive? Pool here is crazy cheap, like $4.50 an hour at most places.

[djkx1]

Originally Posted by tpdtom

I didn't play a lick for 25 years, and just started again about a month ago. The more I play right now, the better I feel. 3 or 4 times a week is all I've managed. Usually 2-3 hours each time. I know deep down inside that I could quickly reach my former level if I could play 4-6 hours a day for about a month, but it's too expensive and I can't seem to get that motivated. I need to spend what time I can in perfect practice !

I've been devoting quite a bit of my time to one-pocket. First the banks started to come back, but I couldn't see the moves. Now I realise that the average players game has increased a level (a ball or two) since I quit. I'm also struggling with some temporary cues while mine is being refinished and I notice the difference. That's just an excuse but I need to have complete comfort with my cue.

My strategy is to set goals for the fall. While everyone I know golfs this summer, I'm planning to practice 2 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week. I hope to be in the best form of my life by the fall, and to be one or 2 balls better in 1P. My nine ball break has to get fixed, and I need to put more racks together. First I'm working on my fundamentals, and then working on them some more ! Perfect stance (not lazy) with every shot taken as if it really matters, a complete follow through on ALL shots, and finally staying all the way down until the follow through is COMPLETE ! If I don't do this, my hard earned dollars are just being wasted. As far as the break is concerned, I'm now just breaking at medium speed but hitting the one ball dead square. As it gets grooved I'll increase my speed and power.

What's your regimen for improvement ? Has anyone used a coach at a professional level ? How about a school for pool like Tom Simpsons or Allison's and Gertas ? Good luck...Tom

It sounds to me like you have the right idea, as far as practice is concerned. If you stick to those fundamentals you are bound to get yourself back in good form.
As far as a coach or school goes, I have never had either. From what I've heard from others, it is a great idea if you can afford it. If there is a good instructor or school near you I would say go for it.

Keep up the effort and it will pay off.