Drills, tips or words of wisdom?

Question

I haven't touched a cue since mid April. Been too busy with baseball , remodeling and other stuff. Fall session and weekly tourneys start up in a little over a month. Any drills tips or words of wisdom to help me get ready? I know it's like riding a bike but the older ya get the harder it is to even get on the d**n bike, ya know.

Answer 1

Haven't picked up a cue since mid-April?  Yeah, I've heard that one before :)  See if you can pick up a copy of Bert Kinister's 60 Minute Workout...he shows 21 shots to work on (except he's on a 7-foot table, got to adjust a little), most involving a target space about 3 times the size of a cue ball to aim to end up at (awkward wording?).  One thing he says in the video is, "Stop hitting the balls so hard.  I don't care who you are, you're hitting them too hard."  Ahh, psychic?  I think someone's following me around with a video camera :)  Good luck...

--Lea

Answer 2

Man EB tell me bout a bike I busted my as- last time I was on one

I guess just get the feel of the game back then work on your weak points  until they become your strong points then on the rest of your game.

Practice what you play And practice as hard as you play .

Thats what hurts me is no serious practice around the bar i can hardly get a game now if you shoot the lights out noone wants to play you here.you may have guessed lately been thinking bout giving up the bar

But just knock some balls around and get your stroke back then go gettum

Answer 3

Take a little road trip up to the Madison area and we'll discuss it over a few games.  That is, if you wouldn't mind hanging out with a punk kid like me.  Otherwise, the best advice I can give anyone is to go back to the basics.  Make sure your stroke is in order, do some speed drills, etc.  Work on performing stop shots from various distances using different speeds and tip positions.  Like you said, you probably know what you're doing, you just need to get back into it.  It's probably more mental than anything.  Hook up with some of your pool playing friends to have a few games.  Just put yourself around the game.  If you go to a bar, watch the other players out of the corner of your eye and imagine what you would do in each player's situation at the table.  Throw a copy of The Hustler or The Color of Money in the DVD player.  That always make me want to grab a cue.  If the passion's still there, you'll find it again.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.