Fedor definitely pauses, at least on any somewhat difficult shot. I didn’t watch the whole match but I skipped around a bit and that’s what I saw.
Which just confirms it isn't a consistent pause. He didn't put in a visible pause in the first half of the nine ball set. If he did use a visible pause later it is proof it isn't consistent.
I preferred a smooth transition to a visible pause which by the nature of the beast breaks your shot into at least three stages or phases. You have the warm up strokes which often don't have a pause, the paused state, and a final forward stroke as the third stage or phase of the stroke.
Fedor's sometimes pause demonstrates it isn't an absolute must for a good stroke. It doesn't really matter. I have never seen a rulebook specify you must pause or that you can't pause.
A natural pause as part of your stroke is fine. If you have to think about pausing it is costing you.
Hu
