9-Ball
Topic: How to guarantee improvement!

I get asked by a lot of people how they can improve, get to the next level, even get good enough to "go professional".

I get asked this a lot.... And I ALWAYS say the same thing... COACHING. Even the top professionals in other sports have coaches, and nothing will help you improve faster than getting a knowledgeable coach who you trust. Listen and learn fast. Benefit from years of experience, and instead of learning the slow way - making mistakes and correcting them, learn the fast way from someone who has already invested a lifetime in studying the game.

What do you advise when someone asks you for help?


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The biggest problem why people cant improve their game is that they don't know what they don't know. Sounds a bit wired but it's true. Without coaching or someone who point your weaknesess out improvement wont be possible.

Drills, drills and more drills is what I believe improves the potting ability. Sole practice that covers a range of routines to keep it interesting, but not so many that you are not being extremely repetitive, as its this aspect that programs the learning into the subconscious.

A good billiard instruction book for the information or researched on the web and a lot of self-discipline. Play less pool or snooker (whatever game it is), or moreover play quality pool or snooker when you do, preferably against better opposition. Staying keen eyed and focussed whilst watching their pattern play/break building.

Coaching if possible, great for correcting any flaws in the fundamentals, a wee self video is also good for correcting any offline stance or body movement when stroking.

I've always thought the real challenge is do we have the dedication to drop any mental flaws, ego and alike and put in the practice. Knock about games with the mates only improve a player at a very slow rate IMO. An exponential curve in learning comes from achieving a calm, unquestioning and determined mindset to playing the table.

Any advice in the first instance is the largest proportion of play heavily favoured to drills, this is what the coaches have their students perform and is what gives us the skills and confidence/familiarity long term.

I absolutely agree with Dave, coaching is a must!

We all have bad habits/flaws in our technique, no matter how small, and you can play for a long time without even being aware of these! So having a knowledgeable coach to point these out and suggest how to work on it, is v. important to iron out the creases.

I also recommend using photo/video to record yourself playing in some way. When you are down on a shot, you can't see what the rest of your body/arms are doing.

What are the best drills to practice do you think?

I'd love to do an article along the lines of, "Top Ten Drills, As Voted By Pro9'ers".

Black and Decker have always had good drills.

B&q have plenty of drills

Dave, sorry for the self-promotion but if you are looking for the best pool drills you can find plenty to choose from here www.scoop.it/t/american-pool-drills

I think learning the fundamentals of stance, brige / grip and stroke is a good way to improve.
One of the pieces of advice I read reackon 90% of problems stem from these areas. Once I got good practices for my My game improved drastically.

I recomend to see how coaching in 14 days improve game following Tor Lowry US trip.

I think that you need a good friend who plays well to a good standard. If you have this and have them review your play and consciously look for errors in your play you can stay at your best. I think that coaching has its merit but bad habits die hard and you may have a short term boost in your play and return to your old ways...

There's a drill I use shown to me by a friend & works something like this:

4 ball sits a touch out from the nose of the left corner closest to the headstring.

2 & 6 balls sit in the same fashion as the 4 ball in the opposite corner pocket

8 ball sits out a touch from the middle pocket directly below where the 4 is situated

1 ball sits in the same position as the 8 in the opposite middle pocket

5 ball sits out a touch from the left corner that would be adjacent to where the 9 would spot

3 & 7 ball sit in the opposite corner from the 5 ball

9 goes on the spot

The idea behind this drill is to help with 3 things:

Your runout ability
Your speed control
Your position play

The balls have to be potted in rotation in only the pockets they are placed over, if a ball is missed or you hook yourself you must start over.

Combos & bankshots are NOT allowed.

P.S

To make this drill harder sit the 10 ball on the bottom rail behind the 9 on the middle diamond.