things I have given up for 2010

ShootingArts

ShootingArts

Smorg is giving St Peter the 7!
Silver Member
I do know that New Years is for resolutions and Lent is the time to give things up but I felt like getting ahead of the curve this year.

So far I've given up the pause before the final backstroke and after it.

I've given up shooting with my fore arm perpendicular to the cue or the floor on all shots.

I've given up aiming systems.

I've given up the idea of one stroke style for all shots.

I've given up trying to set my feet in the same position all of the time.

So far I am shooting better than I have in a long time and I'm enjoying shooting pool much more. Since coming back to pool a few years ago I had tried to respect all of the sacred cows and play pool "the right way". I have played with great style and some grace, there were just those little matters of the balls falling in the hole and getting shape that were giving me problems. Now my style makes them smile and grace is something said before supper but the balls are falling and shape is getting better all the time. Seems like that might have been the object of the game anyway, something I had forgotten along the way.

Hu
 
I've given up shooting with a pool cue. I now use psychic energy to play. I am shooting at about 97.884%

I know you are thinking I am a nut, but I already knew that because I am a mind reader too!
 
NewStroke said:
I've given up shooting with a pool cue. I now use psychic energy to play. I am shooting at about 97.884%

I know you are thinking I am a nut, but I already knew that because I am a mind reader too!
Click to expand...

Than you should probably see the men in white coats coming to get you as well.
 
Nice job. As long as you're having fun playing, that's what counts. The right way is not always the best way for everyone!
 
ShootingArts said:
I do know that New Years is for resolutions and Lent is the time to give things up but I felt like getting ahead of the curve this year.

So far I've given up the pause before the final backstroke and after it.

I've given up shooting with my fore arm perpendicular to the cue or the floor on all shots.

I've given up aiming systems.

I've given up the idea of one stroke style for all shots.

I've given up trying to set my feet in the same position all of the time.

So far I am shooting better than I have in a long time and I'm enjoying shooting pool much more. Since coming back to pool a few years ago I had tried to respect all of the sacred cows and play pool "the right way". I have played with great style and some grace, there were just those little matters of the balls falling in the hole and getting shape that were giving me problems. Now my style makes them smile and grace is something said before supper but the balls are falling and shape is getting better all the time. Seems like that might have been the object of the game anyway, something I had forgotten along the way.

Hu
Click to expand...

Well said....it seems sometimes we get lost in the details and lose some of the fun of this game we love.....good post...

Personally, I've been trying to focus on one thing during pool....be smooth and be fearless....the smooth keeps me under control, the fearless part keeps me creative and aggressive....
 
ShootingArts said:
I do know that New Years is for resolutions and Lent is the time to give things up but I felt like getting ahead of the curve this year.

So far I've given up the pause before the final backstroke and after it.

I've given up shooting with my fore arm perpendicular to the cue or the floor on all shots.

I've given up aiming systems.

I've given up the idea of one stroke style for all shots.

I've given up trying to set my feet in the same position all of the time.

So far I am shooting better than I have in a long time and I'm enjoying shooting pool much more. Since coming back to pool a few years ago I had tried to respect all of the sacred cows and play pool "the right way". I have played with great style and some grace, there were just those little matters of the balls falling in the hole and getting shape that were giving me problems. Now my style makes them smile and grace is something said before supper but the balls are falling and shape is getting better all the time. Seems like that might have been the object of the game anyway, something I had forgotten along the way.

Hu
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've given up thinking about things you don't need to be thinking about..."I've got to get THIS right, I've got to get THAT right"...and gone back to the real basics...just playing the game and having fun. I wish I knew how to teach THAT! I'd make a million!

Roger
 
ShootingArts said:
I do know that New Years is for resolutions and Lent is the time to give things up but I felt like getting ahead of the curve this year.

So far I've given up the pause before the final backstroke and after it.

I've given up shooting with my fore arm perpendicular to the cue or the floor on all shots.

I've given up aiming systems.

I've given up the idea of one stroke style for all shots.

I've given up trying to set my feet in the same position all of the time.


Hu
Click to expand...

Sounds as if you have given up everthing that is taught by the BCA trained instructors.

Did you buy Max's DVD? He addresses all of those and shows a lot of variety.


I have finally decided to give up on the APA. Got fed up with the team that I am on, the LO and as a bonus saved the $25 annual membership fee that is due.
 
Last edited:
shootingarts said:
so far i've given up the pause before the final backstroke and after it.

I've given up shooting with my fore arm perpendicular to the cue or the floor on all shots.

I've given up aiming systems.

I've given up the idea of one stroke style for all shots.

I've given up trying to set my feet in the same position all of the time.

So far i am shooting better than i have in a long time and i'm enjoying shooting pool much more

Seems like that might have been the object of the game anyway, something I had forgotten along the way.

hu
Click to expand...

*tap*tap*tap*
 
Last edited:
Sounds like you got a gameplan !

ShootingArts said:
I do know that New Years is for resolutions and Lent is the time to give things up but I felt like getting ahead of the curve this year.

So far I've given up the pause before the final backstroke and after it.

I've given up shooting with my fore arm perpendicular to the cue or the floor on all shots.

I've given up aiming systems.

I've given up the idea of one stroke style for all shots.

I've given up trying to set my feet in the same position all of the time.

So far I am shooting better than I have in a long time and I'm enjoying shooting pool much more. Since coming back to pool a few years ago I had tried to respect all of the sacred cows and play pool "the right way". I have played with great style and some grace, there were just those little matters of the balls falling in the hole and getting shape that were giving me problems. Now my style makes them smile and grace is something said before supper but the balls are falling and shape is getting better all the time. Seems like that might have been the object of the game anyway, something I had forgotten along the way.

Hu
Click to expand...


What I'm going to try & give up for new years is booking losers...Don't think I will be able to completely but I'ma gonna try real hard...lol
 
funny how mechanics can be perfect and your play can get worse...

I always go back to golf in mechanics areas. Look at the PGA tour, while a number of pros have similar swings, there are many that have VERY unconventional swings that work just as well (and in most cases BETTER) for them. Instructors would have had a heyday trying to change things in Palmer's or even Nicklaus' swings....

Both games have an inherent element of FEEL in them, and if perfect mechanics loses that FEEL for you - or all the (swing) thoughts in your head get in the way - you may NEVER play better doing things the "right way".

Good for you Hu, hope you play your best your way!!
 
ShootingArts said:
Now my style makes them smile and grace is something said before supper but the balls are falling and shape is getting better all the time. Seems like that might have been the object of the game anyway, something I had forgotten along the way.

Hu
Click to expand...

Hu,
I feel your JOY.

It took me a very long time to come to the realization that there is a simple process to playing this game.

First, TRUST what I know (lock into the decision to shoot the shot)

Secondly, Perform my PRE-SHOT Routine (it still amazes me how calming this is to my nerves and those distractions)

and lastly, but still very important, ACCEPT the results. Dwelling on the results during a match distracts from the process and performance.

t
 
I haven't, yet

TheBook said:
Sounds as if you have given up everthing that is taught by the BCA trained instructors.

Did you buy Max's DVD? He addresses all of those and shows a lot of variety.
Click to expand...



I got sidetracked somewhere along the way and haven't bought his DVD's. I think he posted from on the road when I meant to and I decided to wait to insure there wasn't any confusion. Then I simply forgot about it. I do want to see his DVD's though.

In response to other posts, I'm not knocking BCA or any other instructors. However, best estimate I hit several million balls before I quit playing for a couple decades. After trying for several years the current playing styles just refuse to feel natural to me. In theory if I adopted the more consistent playing styles of today I would be a better player. In reality what has been grooved in and still feels natural works better for me. After watching hundreds of hours of video I have also noted that many of the top players have found their own path to playing good pool without trying to fit in a certain mold.

My goal now is to rebuild as much of my old game as I can find then I may go to an instructor to fine tune a few things. This old dog isn't adverse to learning new tricks but I'm going to brush up on the old ones first!

Hu
 
Glad to hear you can finally get out from the 6. We were worried about ya.

;)


KK9 <-- still wouldn't be surprised that some of the changes you abandoned, haven't tweaked their way into your game just a smidge...
 
I too took about 20 years off and have just started playing again. After watching some vids of Willie Hoppie and Willie Mosconi. I decided you don't have to have a great form to be a great player. I started trying to feel the contact with the cue ball and accelerate through the cue ball. My game has improved alot in the last few weeks. I still try to improve my form , but it is not the end all of my practice anymore.

Oh and I still suck, just not as bad as I used to.

Larry
 
huge

63Kcode said:
I too took about 20 years off and have just started playing again. After watching some vids of Willie Hoppie and Willie Mosconi. I decided you don't have to have a great form to be a great player. I started trying to feel the contact with the cue ball and accelerate through the cue ball. My game has improved alot in the last few weeks. I still try to improve my form , but it is not the end all of my practice anymore.

Oh and I still suck, just not as bad as I used to.

Larry
Click to expand...

The cue tip can't accelerate through the cue ball of course but the motion of your hand can accelerate until after the cue ball has left the tip. That one little thing is huge.

Hu
 
TheBook said:
Sounds as if you have given up everthing that is taught by the BCA trained instructors.
Click to expand...

Here, now. I'm a BCA trained instructor, and I resemble that remark. :rolleyes:

Seriously, I think maybe Hu just graduated from what we teach as being "basic" to the game (stance, grip, bridge, etc.), into what we teach as being "fundamental" to the game (elements making up good stroke execution). I think it is Scott Lee who teaches that all players must find their own personal "template" for arriving at a consistent and repeatable stroke. There is a generic template that we all recommend, but there are usually adjustments that have to be made before the player finds his/her own personal template. And once found...you just play. :grin-square:

Roger
 
ShootingArts said:
The cue tip can't accelerate through the cue ball of course but the motion of your hand can accelerate until after the cue ball has left the tip. That one little thing is huge.

Hu
Click to expand...

While you cannot physically accelerate the tip THROUGH the cue ball (as you already noted), the mental thought of attempting to accelerate the cue tip THROUGH the cue ball, helps many players to follow through with an accelerating cue at least before the cue hits the cue ball and that is all good.

JoeyA
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top