Planning a Pool Clearance - Pool Tutorial | Pool School

[@thefreedomclub5287]

My pool hall closed due to the virus today so this video is both a joy and a tease. Thanks for the content Pool School. Great as always.

[@PoolSchool]

Sorry! I know how you feel, my league has just been postponed and the whole summer league cancelled. I’m so lucky to have a table at home.

[@skck8501]

By the way, your other video on angles was an absolutely terrific visual guide. Your conclusion to keep it simple on spin is solid advice. Much appreciate your straight forward and good pace of instruction. thx

[@tanyawatson7815]

I'm at a certain level and I can't get through it. After stumbling across your videos and watching half you are absolutely making sense of what I was missing. You do it in such a fluid way, where other people who try to make people understand fail. I have put this out to my pool team in the hope that they will take from this what I did. Smashed it. Thank you

[@PoolSchool]

Thank you so much, really appreciate that. I really hope the video help you move you game on a level. If there is anything in particular that I don’t cover, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

[@stevieg4198]

Another great video and I love the new cue ball graphic. I've been watching a lot of IPA recently and even the big boys occasionally have to re-route and I think it's great advice. I have also learned (mainly from watching the IPA) that it's ok to play a safety shot if things don't go according to your initial plan but the key to that is identifying that situation unfolding as early as you can and playing your safety shot as early in your set as you can. I see so many people in our league (me included sometimes!) potting away and then they're stuck on their last 2 and it just hands the initiative to the other guy. Keep up the great work

[@PoolSchool]

Thank you. Yep exactly. Not only do you have to play the safety early but also included in that is acknowledging when the clearance is just not on (particularly for lesser skilled players). There is no advantage at all from potting 6 or 7 balls but leaving 1 or 2.

[@harriethaynes7296]

A lot of the professionals/good amateurs actually work the clearance out from the black backwards. This enables them to find the easiest path to the black as possible. The break is the most important shot, then shot after the break, is almost as important. Fail to path properly, and the most easiest of clearances becomes tricky.

[@micksim56]

Spot on advice as always, thank you 👍 I realise now that the text book advice to visualise the clearance from the first shot can actually hinder some people, including myself, and that it is probably wiser to take smaller steps, be more malleable and not force the initially visualised clearance if running out of position, as it is often the case, and I end up messing it up. I'll try that on my next match 🎱👍

[@jama211]

Well damn, this is amazing, thank you so much for this, I have been looking for a channel like this for ages

[@dermotshaw6775]

Appreciate your videos mate. I love snooker and want to improve on that and apply most things you say to my approach in that game. However your videos have also helped (along with other people) to improve my cue sports game. So thankyou. Good luck mate

[@PoolSchool]

Cheers. Just remeber that there are some fundamental differences between English pool & Snooker because of the cue ball being smaller. You get a noticeably different path of the cue ball after impact, particularily with top spin, so not everything I say in these videos will work exactly the same in snooker.

[@dermotshaw6775]

@@PoolSchool that's true, its more your thought process and your use of tangent lines etc that I mean. It's very instructive. I play both so I judge accordingly anyway. They are very different games but certain dynamics can be applied to play both.

[@stevebooth8727]

Another good video . I think how attacking you are depends on the rules world rules tends to be more tactical than black ball rules . I find one of the hardest aspects of clearing up is taking each shot as it comes instead of building up pressure as you get through the balls . The amount of last colours and blacks missed because of this is quite high in my game

[@PoolSchool]

You're right, there is no doubt the last colour is always harder than the first, and the black even worse. That's why it's really important to try and choose those last two shots before you start. The natural inclination is to start potting the easy balls and worry about others later. This just then multiplies as you go own, more difficult shots times more pressure as you get closer to the end. By picking a nice simple last ball that leaves you the easiest possible finish on the black, it goes some way to easing the pressure on the later shots.

[@gregoryleininger4710]

Just discovering your channel : very interesting and pedagogical for non "professionnal" player. Thanks !

[@charliepreston1]

Played my last pool at one of my places today so will be turning in to pool school. Wish I had a table at home like yours.

[@MrSegopa]

Now this is a tutorial I got to learn cause most of my time I lack to be consistent with my pattern play. I turn to default on some shots but I am working on it...

[@lebohangmaseko6949]

O tlile sekolong ngwanamme, ke o shebile🤣

[@MrSegopa]

@@lebohangmaseko6949 • Lebo since I am not having access to pool tables for now, I have decided to further learning buddy.🙈😂🤣😂 Ke legau le ithuthang cause we don't have access of pool coach, now we got to look for solutions. 😂🤣😂

[@lebohangmaseko6949]

@@MrSegopa ka utlwisisa ngwanamme, lenna ke tlile for the same reasons, lol

[@MrSegopa]

@@lebohangmaseko6949 • Ngwana Mme, retla etsa jwalo hobane there is no Coaches here, so this is the only solution... 🤔

[@MrEngeddie]

Thanks for the videos. They r really helpful.

[@Phil-tl8vp]

Great video and explanation.

[@markemmins1929]

Superb video as always, keep them coming

[@Stryker20008]

I love your stick rack. That's amazing

[@PoolSchool]

Thanks

[@clintswood]

Excellent stuff as usual :)

[@PoolSchool]

clintswood cheers

[@jamesmcdevitt5327]

Nice video 👍

[@albertjunker8220]

My dad just got rid of our table, cause he thought that there was no one who played on it :( And then I'm watching this, and I'm getting so teased :D

[@kathrynsimmons7298]

Another great video. Could you recommend a make of cue and what make do you use.Thanks

[@PoolSchool]

Mine is a “Taylor Made” cue. Very hard to recommend brands because it’s a very personal thing. I would recommend trying cues, either at a shop or pool hall that sells them and lets you try before you buy. You really need to find what “feels right” for you.

[@onniroy4975]

Superb again. I have been watching countless videos of the pros playing and came to the same conclusion about clearances but you have set them out so clearly and the graphics showing the intended position of the cue ball is simply brilliant. I very much enjoy the attacking side of the game and less keen on the tactical side. By a large I enjoy the world rules but blackball and the supreme “hybrid” rules seem to favour a more attacking approach. What do you think? Cheers.

[@PoolSchool]

I guess it depends what level you play at as well. I've watched competitions at pro level and it doesn't seem to make a huge difference to the majority of games. The players are so good that they are breaking and dishing regardless of the rule set. Blackball and Supreme rules clearly do make things more attacking but It appears minimal at that level to me. Obviously the further down you go in terms of skill level, the more the tactics of world rules come into play. It's possible to really frustrate your opponent and win matches in a very tactical manner in world rules, without really being that great a potter. It's certainly more of a leveler at the amateur stage and I know a lot of people who like that, gives them a chance against players that would consistently wipe the floor with them playing Blackball rules. Like I said personally I prefer an attacking game, but I also have only played world rules so far and don't really have a problem with it.

[@onniroy4975]

Agree 100 per cent!

[@moneygivemenowplease]

More please 30 min of this

[@wdiddy1]

This video explains my problem with 8 ball, I don't look around after every shot, I just go with my plan and after I fail I see where I should have done something different. I just like to play fast and that costs me wins, I need to make the decision of do I want to play slower and better or just play fast the way I like, lol seems like a simple decision now that I write it down.

[@PoolSchool]

Lol, yeah seems easy written down! I had, and still have to an extent, the same problem. I like to play fast and aggressively and I find that helps me with my rhythm. However, I did slow things down and it certainly improved my game. What you do find though is that once you've got used to reading the layout of the table and thinking ahead, you get better and better at it, to the point where much of it becomes second nature again, and you can play a faster more fluid game again.

[@NINJAN]

Hi, Can you explain a little bit why you prefer to have a bit of angle on the black ball instead of being straight ? I mean, I understand when you need position, but when it is the last ball, being dead straight should be easier, right?

[@PoolSchool]

There’s no rational reason for it all, just a silly psychological thing. When I first started playing i really struggled with dead straight shots. Just always found shots with a slight angle easier and it’s just a habitat that stuck. The black ball always has a bit more pressure on it so anything that makes you more confident on it always helps.

[@riouca]

Everyone : planning a way to stay alive during coronavirus plague Pool School : ight let's plan a pool clearance

[@PoolSchool]

Can't go out so might as well play pool!!!

[@riouca]

@@PoolSchool haha exactly! And you're bringing some amazing videos to entertain us aswell! Keep up the good work and stay safe

[@PoolSchool]

Riouca cheers mate, and you.

[@mikemckenzie1397]

Fantastic video, informative and well presented as always :)

[@PoolSchool]

Captain RedBeard thanks

[@darrenparton7769]

Love the videos keep them coming. What size is your table?

[@PoolSchool]

Thanks, it’s a 7ft English pool table.

[@jasonh3109]

More great advice. One quick question for You. Is that the most chill sleeping dog on the chair or a really soft looking blanket? Seriously! If it’s your pup, can you tell me how to train my dog to be that cool as well? 😊 great videos Sir!!

[@PoolSchool]

That was my little Schnauzer, who really was a wonderfully chilled dog. I say was because unfortunately she passed away last year and it was heartbreaking. I’ve had a few dogs over the years and she was one of the most relaxed and affectionate dogs I’ve ever had, one in a million! We now have a new puppy who likes to bark every time I pick up a pool cue! 🤦‍♂️

[@jasonh3109]

@@PoolSchool awww. That’s so sweet. I’m sorry for the loss. My boy thinks every long stick ie. Rake, broom, pool cue it’s fun to chew and destroy. 🤦🏽‍♂️. Fingers crossed the puppy grows out of the barking phase. Again, thanks for the fantastic content!!! Full of amazing info and perfectly produced as well. Cheers!

[@ryfba2503]

Nice mate..!! The table you playing is it a 6 or 7 feet? Thanks

[@PoolSchool]

Cheers. 7ft

[@ryfba2503]

Pool School thanks mate..! Keep up the good work..!

[@adammccallum9409]

I imagine u get worried about that window behind you when u break lol

[@PoolSchool]

Ha! I used to be as my old table was a bit closer and I had to use a smaller cue. I’ve now re-designed my kitchen and it’s at exactly the right distance!

[@danielali6571]

Another helpful video. If you are breaking and pot off the break and nominate your going reds or yellows but miss is it then still open or once you've broken and nominated that is your colour regardless of if you dont make the next pot after the break ? Thanks Because in this example video a ball had not been potted off the break

[@PoolSchool]

In this example the breaking player doesn't pot, so I'm effectively the second player making the clearance. Because nothing was potted that player has open table and doesn't need to nominate. If you pot off the break then you need to nominate. If you nominate the colour you potted then you immediately become that colour, regardless of whether you pot, miss or even foul. However if you nominate the opposite colour then you need to pot it to become that colour. If you miss or foul then the next player comes to the table with it being open again. I'm making a video covering all the rules of the break because there are several different situations that can come up.

[@danielali6571]

@@PoolSchool ok thanks. Look forward to that video. So if you nominate the colour you have potted off the break you are automatically that colour but if you nominate the colour that had not been potted you have to make the pot to become it. Makes sense I guess. If you have potted 1 of each or 2 of red and 2 yellow I assume the automatic rule would apply here also? So whichever you pick you will be that colour regardless of if you miss the pot on that shot

[@utdkidswifeITO]

@@PoolSchool Look forward to that video regarding rules after the break, and World rules in general, deliberate fouls, foul snookers etc. There are a few scenarios immediately after the break, you could go in off with the white (foul - one visit), the white could go off the table (foul - 2 visits i believe?) , you can pot one coloured ball, you could pot one or more of reds and yellows, or you might foul off the break by the number of balls required not touching cushions? and you could also pot the black from the break. I broke off and potted one of each colour off the break in a league match....I thought the table was therefore still 'open', and didn't nominate a colour... as soon as i struck the white the referee called foul (2 visits), I lost all the advantage and the frame.

[@gizmo7695]

Mr framer I get I get better I ❤

[@footballchants7471]

I play in the pool leagues and for county and i am going to struggle with out pool due to the corona virus

[@DaveSpicerUK]

Another great vid, thanks Pool School :) You mentioned the negative thoughts that creep in, well i'm on a massive slump atm. I like to play agressively and can't seem to cope if don't run out or, get this, if i win poorly. Ive noticed that when these things happen i decline such that i feel myself throwing the frame away waiting for the next. Last week i had an easy straight black at pocket speed but because the frame was scrappy and i got onto the black via an opponent foul, in my mind i wasnt happy to win ugly so missed the black because i wasnt taking it seriously. There are lots of vids about form, skills, tactics etc but what about the mental side of the game? Id love to hear your thoughts about this as its a dark place to be when the pockets appear smaller and the balls much bigger! How do we regain the flow and the confidence and reassurance that when the negativity creeps we rise above it all? Thanks again!

[@PoolSchool]

Thanks Dave S. It's a really difficult one to answer and is more a question for a psychologist than myself! Sounds personal but do you only have this issue in pool? For me it's an outlook on everything I do and not just pool. If things aren't going my way, it only spurs me on to work harder. Whether that's practice on the pool table, or working on any other aspect of life in general. I've always been an incredibly competitive person and was brought up in a very sporty family. I was a fairly successful athlete as a kid and I think the motivation to push myself and better myself in every single thing I do stemmed from there. I also take the attitude in life that there is no point dwelling on things you can't control. Being negative about how your opponent plays or the flukes they get is pointless, it won't change anything. All it will do is have a negative impact on your own game. Try to look for a positive in every situation. If your opponent fouled to leave you on the black, take it like a gift, be happy about it. Tell yourself they only fouled because your play led them to it, or you were putting them under pressure. Perfect games are few are far between so if you focus on all the things that go wrong it is only going to make things worse. It's a bit like the plan in this video, stay flexible and adaptable, don't pressurize yourself unnecessarily. Sorry all a bit deep! There's no magic answer unfortunately and something we all deal with in different ways.

[@DaveSpicerUK]

@@PoolSchool Thankfully it's only pool! Any other sport im fine as they are more physical. It reminds me of watching O'Sullivan as he has the tendancy to lose interest unless he's playing well. Looking a bit deeper i think pride has a part to play as playing poorly feels kinda embarrassing. Time to suck it up and you're right, back to the table! Thanks again :)

[@danielali6571]

Do you play tournaments/ competitions?

[@PoolSchool]

I haven't done to date, other than in my local league.

[@Smirnoff44]

Please write a book please lol

[@PoolSchool]

😂

[@gizmo7695]

No u hav it all roung

[@kevindean6600]

Such a small table would make it much easier.