Q. Corrine Johnson from Ontario, Canada asks...
Congratulations on 2nd place. What has lead to your recent success in the WPBA? Can you tell me about the keys to consistency. It seems like I choose shape over cinching it and miss and lose the opportunity at the 9-ball. Can you talk about decision-making in pool? Can you talk about your practice routine. Thanks, Corrine
A. Gerda answers...
Thank you. I contribute my recent success on tour to a few factors: a) since I'm extremely busy with school, I have very little time to play pool. Therefore, when I do get to play it is actually fun again. I even miss playing now, which was unheard of a couple of years ago. Not playing so much pool has decreased the pressure I put on myself. Now I go to tournaments being all excited about the game again. Pool is not a priority in my life anymore, and that really seems to suit me.
b) all the teaching I have been doing at our pool school has really helped my game. On one side, because Allison is always stressing the importance of good mechanics, on the other side because I meet so many people who absolutely love the game (their excitement inspires me). c) I have a new student/practice boy, Lucky Lou, who is pushing me.
In my opinion the biggest key to consistency is sound mechanics. This feature is the main reason why Allison Fisher and Karen Corr have been dominating our tour. From good mechanics comes confidence, which is another key. After that I would place discipline in decision making. What goes without saying, is the importance of having or developing a solid mental game.
Making the right decision is a very individual thing, what is the right shot for you, might not be the right shot for me. Because we have different success rates with certain shots, and because we have varying comfort levels on different days. However, here are a few tips that always hold true:
a) when you pick your shot, figure out where the cue ball naturally wants to go, and see if you can work with that natural path
b) try to stay on the "right" side of the next shot, keep the game simple
c) whenever possible, play position so the cue ball path runs into your position pie, rather than crossing it (this gives room for error on your cue ball speed)
d) always try to get close to a ball that is hanging in the pocket (playing position from far away on those balls is a nightmare)
e) don't do more than the situation presents (e.g. when the cue ball is frozen to the rail, make sure you pocket your ball and accept mediocre position)
f) if you don't like the shot, play a dynamic safety
g) if you're caught between a tough shot and a safety, and the odds on both are 50/50, go for the shot
h) when there are more than one choice, make sure to pick one, and commit to it 100%
i) your priority is always to stay in control of the table (if you might miss the ball to get perfect position, don't shoot -- make sure you sink the ball and stay in control). I think this last point answers your original comment about cinch or shape.
These points are not in order of importance. They are all important. Think about each of the points and pick what works for you.
I am convinced that I became a decent player because I spent a lot of time on the table practicing drills by myself. What counts is quality, not quantity. Practicing with a purpose for a half hour beats knocking balls around for 5 hours. I used to love doing drills, because it gave me a way to measure my progress. I would pick 10 different drills a day, give them 5 tries each, mark down my scores and figure out an average. Watching my progress was not only challenging, it was extremely fun. Afterwards, I used to play a lot of straight pool. After two or three hours of practice, I awarded myself with playing a set with somebody.
Hope this helps. Thanks for your questions,
Take care,
G
Q. Terry from Baton Rouge,Louisiana asks...
Gerda,
Heard you are going to business school. Was wondering 1) when do you graduate? 2) do you have any plans laid out for using your degree???
Oh.....and how much is a GIP?
A. Gerda answers...
Firstly I have to say that going to school was the best decision I have ever made. It is hard work, but I love every minute of it. 1) If everything goes according to plan, I will graduate in May 2006, with a B.S. in Leadership and Management. 2) My degree has such a diverse curriculum, that what I'm learning can be applied to things I encounter everyday. I plan on finishing my studies with an internship to get even more hands-on experience than I'm already getting from the great professors I have -- and who knows, maybe I'll fall in love with the corporate working environment. If not, I'll stick with my original plan of having my own business. We'll see, I'm flexible.
Oh.... the GIP program was free, of course. However, I'd like to terminate it and use that space on the site to have a Q&A, or something along those lines.
Thanks for your question,
Take care,
G
