Latest activity
Is isolated straight-stroke practice really worth the time???
- By Lanten77
- Ask The Instructor
- 10 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
Help identify Brunswick “Personal” cue - unusual construction and long veneered points
- By 11Cues
- Main Forum
- 7 Replies
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to help, especially Cuebuddy, Garczar, and Chopdoc.
Cuebuddy’s Schmelke reference, Garczar’s immediate identification of Adam, and Chopdoc’s explanation of the matching stamped numbers gave me enough direction to continue researching and start digging through some older information.
I was able to locate the original 1969 Brunswick catalog page for “The Personal,” and it appears to be an exact match to this cue—from the four veneered rosewood points and tooled leather wrap to the name plate and overall construction.
I also came across this older AZB thread discussing these cues and the Schmelke/Adam manufacturing transition. It was a fascinating read and really helped tie everything together:
https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/help-dating-this-brunswick-titlist-cue.59469/
Between the catalog page, the historical discussion, and the information shared here, the story behind this cue makes a lot more sense now. I really appreciate everyone pointing me in the right direction.
Cuebuddy’s Schmelke reference, Garczar’s immediate identification of Adam, and Chopdoc’s explanation of the matching stamped numbers gave me enough direction to continue researching and start digging through some older information.
I was able to locate the original 1969 Brunswick catalog page for “The Personal,” and it appears to be an exact match to this cue—from the four veneered rosewood points and tooled leather wrap to the name plate and overall construction.
I also came across this older AZB thread discussing these cues and the Schmelke/Adam manufacturing transition. It was a fascinating read and really helped tie everything together:
https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/help-dating-this-brunswick-titlist-cue.59469/
Between the catalog page, the historical discussion, and the information shared here, the story behind this cue makes a lot more sense now. I really appreciate everyone pointing me in the right direction.
