Q1 do you practice if not why
Q2 do you get better with practice but do you have to play the right people or are you lucky and pick a cue up and play?
Q3 is match practice is as good as table time and can you get better practicing by yourself?

YOURS VIEWS PLEASE>

1. No, can't be arsed.
2. Dunno, never practised enough.
3. Probably not, i would imagine playing someone better is the way forward.

I'm sure someone will come along with a sensible answer in a minute, but to add a slightly serious edge to this crap post, i would say yes, practice as much as you can and against better players. (It's hard to motivate yourself practising on your own)

Mr Munson will probably along in a minute to tell you that it doesn't matter as long as you WIN!  

I think you have to practice as a minimum to maintain your skill level, more practice makes you better.
Some people dont enjoy practising but just play lots of matches which is good match practise lol - ie The "Rigbys" The "Howitts"
Most decent players i know like to have a knock before a big game which gets them mentally prepared for the game , loosens up the shoulder muscles and gets the feel right.
Hope this answers your question
Have you got time for a practise thurs mate :lol)

Quote :

Marsbar wrote : Mr Munson will probably along in a minute to tell you that it doesn't matter as long as you WIN!

Or bleet on about not practising on tables at the CDCC, vale, Sherrifs, gregory or anywhere that is not championship standard supreme, super delux, fantastico branded tables bla bla bla

Quote :

PI wrote :   Or bleet on about not practising on tables at the CDCC, vale, Sherrifs, gregory or anywhere that is not championship standard supreme, super delux, fantastico branded tables bla bla bla

Lol

Quote :

finleydh wrote : Q1 do you practice if not why Q2 do you get better with practice but do you have to play the right people or are you lucky and pick a cue up and play? Q3 is match practice is as good as table time and can you get better practicing by yourself? YOURS VIEWS PLEASE>

Q1 - Yes I do, prob around 8 hours per week minimum, plus all the matches on Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays etc.... Tend to put more time in when comps or tours are coming up

Q2 - I am much better in match situations if managed to have a hours practice before the match, not very good going in cold. Getting the right practice partner is massive, I just practiced with anyone before and it was more about knocking balls around than practice... Now only ever have competitive practice for a few quid etc....

Q3 - I think you need both match practice and time on your own to work out problems etc

but what do i know?? lol

match practice is essential with me ... dont feel confident when going into a match with out practice

and without any doubt playing a better player or your equal does bring the best out of any persons game


practicing on your own ,give you the thought you could be playing well ! but there isnt another player testing your minrals! and that can give your own self confidence a little boost, but not as much if your playing well and holding your own against  the likes of the howitts ...rigbys ...hills etc all quality

so yes !!

practice with a better player will improve the players game plus give confidence

good thread dean !!

In my opinion:

Match practice improves confidence to close out games/matches.

Practice games improve confidence to clear the balls and some technical shots.

Practising specific shots improves technical ability and shot making.

I practise between 3 and 6 hours a week now - when I used to win stuff about 8 to 10 hours a week.

Difficult technical shots are the only thing to go when you stop, any loss of confidence affects the other shots.

Best advice I can offer is to identify what shots you either don't like or don't play well and spend time making them better.  Your game seems to be coming along nicely anyway so just keep doing what you're doing.

See you round.

Jarv