How to aim better and find better shots in pool ?

Question

any suggestions on how to play better ?

thanks !!

Answer 1

For Aim, it's best to do drills.  Using the correct stance and body position will help quite a bit.  For finding better shots, it really comes down to learning how to play for position for your next two shots.  

There are quite a few good books that you can buy.  I suggest that you pick one up.  It's well worth the money.

Answer 2

Assuming your fundamentals (stance, grip, bridge, stroke) are in order and you have a decent cue with a good tip, my advice would be to always pay attention to what went right when you make the shot and to what went wrong when you miss.   Never disown a bad shot by walking away...think about it and figure out where you failed.  Let the analysis impress upon your mind.   Nothing beats solo practice...set up shots and shoot them over and over to train your eyes and body.   Stop shots are excellent practice...strive for zero cue ball motion at contact.   Keep your eyes level and your cue exactly between them under your chin.  Develop the habit of freezing, in position, at the end of your follow-through...watch your shot play out from that position.   Develop a consistent routine...the more you commit to habit, the more your mind is free to concentrate on the shot at hand.

As for finding better shots, a good rule of thumb is to select the shot that will give you another shot if made but leave your opponent without a shot if you miss.  Again, this will come with time.   Deal with your problem balls early in the game...even if you have easy makeable balls.   Pay attention to the cue ball path on all your shots...therein lies the key to success:  controlling the cue ball.   There's no sense in pocketing a ball if it leads to nowhere...sometimes a safety ("just a shot") is your best option.   Also, have a plan for the 8-ball and select a "key ball" that will give you easy shape on the 8...and work toward getting good position on that key ball.

Study.  There are lots of books out there...I have about twenty.  I'd be happy to recommend what I feel are the better ones (am I allowed to do that on this site??)...just let me know.

Answer 3

well i cant explain but id offer one 2 one lessons if we lived near, im like the best out of my whole grop of frineds and straingers i play i havnt lost in ages

Answer 4

Try to get the ball in the pocket.

Answer 5

If your just starting out, a few big tips:

Don't kill the cue ball, it's a game of finesse not power.

Don't use english, just play center ball to start if you're going to be hitting the shot hard, when you hit it hard, the shaft flexes and will throw off your line, to see just how much, set a ball on the footrail, put the cue up in the kitchen, using heavy left or right (your choice) english aim directly at the target ball, you should find that the cue should just clip the edge of the ball.  That's something you have to learn to adjust for, different sticks will yield different results, this is why it's good to get your own stick to start, so you know how it will react with each shot and how much to compensate.

Develop a routine,  walk around the table look at all the possible shots and all the possible second shots after you make the first.  Look for all the trouble spots, balls tight together, clusters that you may need to kick apart.  Chalk up while you take the walk.  Once you decide, take your stance.  Visualize the shot, aim and shoot.  Then do it all over again.  

Don't limit yourself to one game.  Different games play to different strengths english, banks, straight up shooting, cluster shots.  By playing different games it gives you a chance to work on all those areas, and no matter what you play those things all come up by playing different games you get more used to making those kinds of shots.  I like chicago, a 15 ball rotation game for moving around the table, straight pool for cluster shots, and carrom billiards (no pockets) for banks and carroms practice.

Play, Play and Play some more, and have fun.  Nothing like a 4 hour game of pill pool to keep the mind going especially at a buck a ball.

Have fun and good luck

Answer 6

Get as low down as you can and really look along the whole length of the queue.  If you follow through rather than just striking the ball and stopping it should help the ball go exactly where you're aiming.  That's the theory anyway - works for me in snooker occasionally although I tend to get frustrated easily and it all goes out the window!

Answer 7

thinking for a minute keeps leading me to the same thing practice.   set up a shot.  something that isn't difficult but not straight in easy.  and shoot it over and over and over and over and over again.  after while (when u ready or bored) switch to different shot.  just keep doing them over again.  do the same bank shots dozens of times time u get it often.  do shots requiring a cut, or English or combos.  basically your training your body to automatically fall into the proper mechanics of the shot.  your also learning how things react.  if u tire of that set up a game of 9 ball and play against yourself.  but when ball in hand never go for a straight shot go for something more difficult.  play often.  from 20-23 i played for 2 hours 4 out of 7 nights a week at a minimum.  in the process of all this practice you will find aim gets better and shots will jump out at you.  also at first don't worry about ur leave wait till you getting step one done well to worry about step 2 and 3.  remember its all geometry and physics so basic rules are consistent.  hope this helped you out.

Jay

Answer 8

Stick to the basics. learn precision. Follow throw the shot is one of the most important. Don't jack the stick. When you really know how to hit the ball aiming is not a key component of the shot its automatic. Pool is learned in four steps Step 1 learn to hit with precision. Step 2 learn to hit the objective ball accurate Step 3 learn how to play the game. Step 4 advance strategy's

Most people never make it to step 3. Good luck.

Answer 9

Get some video hip hop girls....You will really learn who to aim then.....

Answer 10

Everybody is different, the best way to improve is to play as much as possible, the more you play the less time it will take for you to get your eye in and start potting. also when u buy a new cue always change the tip as they usually come with a show tip which is hard black resin and rubbish. join a pool team, start at the bottom division and work your way up. I am totally self taught and i can beat anyone when i start potting! :-)