newbie question about jet pressure?

I'm new at this please forgive me if I don't know or give the correct term...

My question:

I was vaccuuming my pool several weeks ago and everything was fine. Well, I noticed that I am having problems now.

I cut my filter off and switch to close my main drain to almost close (giving my skimmers more suction). When I turn my filter back on...my jets have a real hard time coming on. It used not be like that. Latley, no water is filling up my basket (connected to the pump...no water coming from the pipe). Since, no water and jets circulating, I cut it off.

When I put my pool back to regular filter mode...it is taking awhile for it to cut back on.

What do you think the problem is? I hope you can understamd my problem. Sorry!

Steven

22,000 gallon 2 jets, 2 skimmers, main drain (if that helps)