Pool Student's Blog » Learning

PoolSynergy #24 – Practice: What’s Worked

John Biddle — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:00:14 +0000

This is Volume 22 of PoolSynergy, a monthly collection of the best writing on pool. I picked this topic because I am quite interested in knowing what other people who take the game seriously are doing when it comes to practice. As you’ll see from my own piece at the bottom of the list, [...]

One Older Player to Another

John Biddle — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:57:09 +0000

Pool is a great sport for older players because it doesn't require strength, speed or stamina the way other sports do. This post, from the perspective of an older player, provides guidance for older players new to the game or returning from a long absence.

The Benefits of Team Play

John Biddle — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:00:21 +0000

Playing pool on a team in a league can be a very rewarding experience. It's fun, it gets you out of the house on a regular basis, and the camaraderie provided by your teammates, and even by some of those on opposing teams, adds a dimension to the fun that playing singles just doesn't have. Singles play is great, don't get me wrong, but if that's the only way you play pool you're missing out.

Attitude is Everything

John Biddle — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:35:15 +0000

Being attentive to detail is the single most important thing you can do to improve your game. It will help you see more in other people's games, get more out of books, videos and personal instruction, and help you to recognize the real issue in every problem you come across, enabling you to solve it efficiently and effectively.

Three Outside Influences on my Pool Education

John Biddle — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:00:44 +0000

There are 3 main influences from outside the world of pool that have had a profound effect on my pool education. One from tennis, one from baseball and one from a cheesy movie about karate. You can learn these lessons from other sources, but these particular examples have had the most power for me.

My First Big ‘Aha!’ Moment in Pool

John Biddle — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:00:09 +0000

The most vivid lessons you learn are usually learned the hard way. This happened to me early in my pool learning curve when a good friend and instructor showed me just how true the saying is, "Don't run 7 if you can't run 8." Let this story help you learn from my pain, so you don't have to suffer yourself.

Don’t Waste Your Money on Pool Lessons!

John Biddle — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:09:26 +0000

Do you know anyone who paid big money for professional lessons but didn't get any better as a result? Did they get ripped off? Or is it more likely that they failed to follow up on those lessons with the prescribed practice to learn the new skills?

Pool Student Interviews Tony Crosby on How to Get Better at Pool

John Biddle — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:28:46 +0000

Pool Student interviews Tony Crosby on How to Get Better at Pool. Tony's got great stories and great advice. Check it out, I think you'll like it.

Driving to Excellence

John Biddle — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:48:42 +0000

In order to become better at pool we need to practice in such a way that more of the subtasks that make up a skillful game are learned so well that they become second nature, that they become background tasks so that you can use your foreground thinking for learning something new, or figuring out your strategy, or focusing on a known weakness. Ever hear a pro say they play by feel? This is what they mean.

How to Practice II – Expanding Your Perspective

John Biddle — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:38:29 +0000

Doing drills will not just make you better at the particular shots in the drill; if done well it will give you new perspective when you are playing a game.

A good drill is designed to work certain kinds of shots, and do so in ways that test you, and push your limits.