Problems with consistency, accuracy, and focus are familiar to many amateur pool players aspiring to play better pool than they currently do. Trying to coordinate all the elements of consistent play is a very difficult challenge. Now, players practicing 20-30 hours a week should generate some great consistency. If they are not, it shows that their problems most likely stem from an overall weakness in mental discipline.
Players, don’t despair! With a some detailed note-taking and sharper observation of your practice efforts and results, a well regimented drill program, and a conscious adjustment to your positive thought process, you can overcome the obstacles you are putting in your own way!
Whether you consider yourself still learning how to play pool for beginners or a skilled intermediate pool player trying to elevate to semi-pro or pro, you need to take deliberate and organized steps forward at all times. Perfect results require perfect practice. What this means is that players who go through the motions of practicing without giving it 100% of their focus, observation, and analysis cannot expect to get 100% results for their efforts.
So, in order to guarantee that you are getting full benefit from your practice session you should begin to document what drills you are performing, how frequently, your success and failures, where you struggle and where you shine, etc. Make every effort to give all of your attention to the execution of the drills and the exact results of each shot, i.e. did you land your position exactly, nail the center of the pocket, get the desired speed and spin you wanted? Rinse/repeat until you are getting the results you want and a consistency you are comfortable with. Become more familiar with your strengths and weaknesses, and address whatever concerns you in your practices.
If you find the drills you are using are boring or un-challenging or ill suited to your need for development, then you should take some time to research or invent new drills. There are unlimited variations of drills you can come up with for practice, you just need to decide what aspects of your game you want to improve upon. When you find your mind wandering away from the tasks at hand then stop and take a break, don’t keep muddling through a drill when you cannot concentrate on your efforts and results 100%.
Make sure the equipment you are using is well maintained and adequate for practice drills. Don’t use crooked cue sticks or un-level pool tables with torn-up cloth. Find a place that offers better quality equipment in order to get more consistent and accurate results. Perhaps, if you are practicing alone, find a coin operated pool table for your drills and ask if they might keep it locked open for free play if you pay up front. This way you can use the ball return feature to help speed up your practice shots.
Finally, after refocusing yourself so that you are laser-targeted on your new goals, you must address your mental attitude. I find that often times an otherwise excellent player sabotages his own success by indulging in destructive negativity and self-doubt when he gets under the pressure of competition. You really want to know how to play pool better, and I’m telling you all that you need to invest some serious efforts into improving your positive thinking. The negativity and doubt and anxiety you get caught up in during game-time can be counter-acted by a strong positive mental attitude. But to do so, you need to prepare and practice your positivity ahead of time, not just try to implement the concept every once in a while.
Hopefully I’ve addressed some of your questions and concerns adequately. Don’t hesitate to ask more questions from others who are more skilled than you are. As long as you are putting in the necessary work to improve and stay consistent, people will be happy to help you along. Just don’t sit around unhappy and directionless for too long. Stand up, dust yourself off, and get to work!