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Intentional Double Hit
- By kingwang
- Main Forum
- 37 Replies
@kingwang I'd like to know what search terms you used to find this thread
One of the first things that popped up when I googled "intentional double hit"
Is isolated straight-stroke practice really worth the time???
- By Lanten77
- Ask The Instructor
- 4 Replies
Sometimes I get obsessed with straight-stroke mechanics. And this is what happened: One day recently, I started practicing Mighty X straight-ins, pocketing the ball AND following the cue ball into the pocket (8-foot table with 5-inch pockets). I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I somehow managed to pocket the ball AND follow the cue ball into the pocket 40 (yes, that forty) times in a row! And it wasn't a total fluke, because the day before, I followed it in 31 out of 35 attempts. (I'm currently no better than an APA 6 -- no Fargo rating -- only playing/practicing seriously for the past 3 years). I happened to have it all on video.
When I looked at the video, many, if not most, of the follow-throughs were NOT straight. Maybe only 5-10 were straight.
It's important, I believe, to develop a straight stroke. (At least I think it's important.....). After seeing that steered stroke on video, in an attempt to correct the stroke "flaws," I did videos of myself every day for a week to try to straighten out my stroke, doing the same straight-in follows. But it NEVER got consistently straight in the videos.
After a full week of that, for a couple of hours each day, it burned me out. And frustrated me.
(Yes, I know, there are plenty of examples of pros, maybe more the old-timers, who don't have straight strokes. But I still want to develop one).
Anyway... After that week of straight-stroke / video practice, I then struggled to follow the object ball into the pocket with the cue ball even THREE times in a row! That week also took the fun out of practicing, which I normally love -- even if I'm only doing drills -- so much so that I had to take a week off in order to get the desire back to get on the table again.
WHAT TO MAKE OF ALL THAT?? I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.......
This YouTube link is a very typical, steered follow-through example, if you want to see it. Login to view embedded media (And yes, then you can say what I said when I saw it: How the hell did you make that many in a row with that stroke!
I should probably add that, since I'm semi-retired, I spend a good bit of time, almost every day, watching pro matches and watching quality instructors on YouTube. And I have had some lessons. Plus, I get some good advice from an experienced tournament player friend.
(PS My career for 45 years has been as a tennis instructor specializing in technique and player development, so I'm familiar with what it takes to develop skills for a precision game like pool -- or tennis).
Thanks for your time reading this. Your comments are welcome.
Bob
When I looked at the video, many, if not most, of the follow-throughs were NOT straight. Maybe only 5-10 were straight.
It's important, I believe, to develop a straight stroke. (At least I think it's important.....). After seeing that steered stroke on video, in an attempt to correct the stroke "flaws," I did videos of myself every day for a week to try to straighten out my stroke, doing the same straight-in follows. But it NEVER got consistently straight in the videos.
After a full week of that, for a couple of hours each day, it burned me out. And frustrated me.
(Yes, I know, there are plenty of examples of pros, maybe more the old-timers, who don't have straight strokes. But I still want to develop one).
Anyway... After that week of straight-stroke / video practice, I then struggled to follow the object ball into the pocket with the cue ball even THREE times in a row! That week also took the fun out of practicing, which I normally love -- even if I'm only doing drills -- so much so that I had to take a week off in order to get the desire back to get on the table again.
WHAT TO MAKE OF ALL THAT?? I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.......
This YouTube link is a very typical, steered follow-through example, if you want to see it. Login to view embedded media (And yes, then you can say what I said when I saw it: How the hell did you make that many in a row with that stroke!
I should probably add that, since I'm semi-retired, I spend a good bit of time, almost every day, watching pro matches and watching quality instructors on YouTube. And I have had some lessons. Plus, I get some good advice from an experienced tournament player friend.
(PS My career for 45 years has been as a tennis instructor specializing in technique and player development, so I'm familiar with what it takes to develop skills for a precision game like pool -- or tennis).
Thanks for your time reading this. Your comments are welcome.
Bob
