Fine Tuneing your aiming/shooting.

JoeyA

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
Silver Member
Everyone knows that you need a straight stroke but few people know how important it is to have a VERY, level stroke.

Another poster once mentioned that hitting the cue ball with follow and draw have dramatic differences when cutting an object ball. I've even mentioned in past years that I seem to be able to cut a ball better when using follow versus draw.

I think you would be doing yourself a big favor by setting up the same shot over and over shooting it the way you normally do and then shooting the same exact shot over and over using a VERY, level cue. You might even need to get someone to watch your stroke to see how level it really is.

The truth is that many of us "think" we have a very, level stroke and many of us "think" we hit the center of the cue ball every time (when we are trying to hit the center of the cue ball) but that simply isn't true, at least not all of the time.

Sometimes when I am playing pool, I know that I am aligned poorly but shoot the shot anyway, knowing from experience that the shot "should go anyway" but that is a terrible habit I am trying to break.

If you set up the same shot and shoot it over and over, a variety of different ways you will start to understand that there is a lot more to making a shot than just aiming correctly..

Another peculiarity in my game is that it far easier for me to line up correctly if I use about 1/8" below center rather than one tip above center, especially on cut shots. I can "see" the shot better using a touch of bottom versus using a full tip of follow.

I'm just rambling but I can tell you that I continue to develop respect for the different places you can hit the cue ball and still make or miss the pocketing the ball.

I think one of the reasons I "think" I am playing better is the regular shooting of the same shot dozens of times, over and over hitting the cue ball at different spots.

I think I have finally "realized" how I need to hit the cue ball to go three rails for shape on the 9 ball.

CueTable Help

(and still make the object ball)

JoeyA
 
That a really nice post... totally agree that the stroke need to be more level...if you are shooting down on the ball...it really hard to keep the ball on a straight path because a little of right or left will masse the ball from it's straight path generally cause you to miss an important shot. That's probably one of the reason no one like to be near the rail especially in 9-ball...because you have to jack up a little and the risk of missing the ball is much higher.

Duc.
 
I keep my elbow static. This way the cue returns to level at the bottom of my swing and I never have to worry about it....SPF=randyg
 
In my opinion,cuemaster98's reason for a more level stoke is dead on. You might still make a ball hitting a little off center with a level stoke. When you have to jackup, any ball can be missed for this reason.
 
Cuemaster98 said:
That a really nice post... totally agree that the stroke need to be more level...if you are shooting down on the ball...it really hard to keep the ball on a straight path because a little of right or left will masse the ball from it's straight path generally cause you to miss an important shot. That's probably one of the reason no one like to be near the rail especially in 9-ball...because you have to jack up a little and the risk of missing the ball is much higher.

Duc.
Click to expand...

A lot of people "think" they are shooting level because they are close to level. The almost instant curving or mini-masseing of the cue ball occurs more often than you think, especially where the cue ball travels long distances.

Until you sit there hitting ball after ball, you just don't get it. (Well, at least I didn't get it) :D Now that I'm getting it, I hope I can "keep it". :)
 
table length cuts

JoeyA said:
A lot of people "think" they are shooting level because they are close to level. The almost instant curving or mini-masseing of the cue ball occurs more often than you think, especially where the cue ball travels long distances.

Until you sit there hitting ball after ball, you just don't get it. (Well, at least I didn't get it) :D Now that I'm getting it, I hope I can "keep it". :)
Click to expand...

Joey,

Back when I could see edges I always shot table length super thin cuts with follow even if I had to use a touch of side to keep the cue ball out of a pocket. This helps get the cue stick closer to level because we are limited as to how much we can lower the butt by the rail if nothing else. I still use that half tip or tip of follow, unfortunately not with as good of results.

You made another excellent point, extremely few people who don't look at the cue ball last hit it nearly as well as they think they do. I have tested this without people knowing what I was looking for and some very good players "failed" the test. I fail it too unless I work on hitting the cue ball where I want to regularly. Interestingly, some bangers that looked at the cue ball last did hit it perfectly where they tried to. Could Ralf have a point? Naaah, if he did he could play as good as you and me! :D

If I get up on the right side of the rock tomorrow I'll be at Buff's.

Hu
 
This ball helps people to see where they hit the cueball.

cuesight_2106_17769150


http://www.cuesight.com/csbbtb.html

I will be doing a video later this week to show the swerve and deflection effects of an off center hit with both a level stroke and an elevated specs.

In pool one can "get away" with a lot on a lot of shots just due to the size of the pockets.

While watching the Color of Money match I can see that Efren plays pocket speed a lot and uses the rails much more than Strickland. Strickland does it when he NEEDS to for position, Reyes seems to just be in the habit of playing the shots into the rail even when he doesn't need to. Not to say that Reyes is not hitting the cueball where he wants to, certainly he is but what I get from it is that one doesn't have to hit the cueball only a certain way to make the object ball split the pocket in order to play high level pool.

Which is why you can see players with so many diverse methods who succeed in pool.

I find that I can instantly feel it when I have messed up the delivery and generally it results in a missed shot.
 
oeyA
You've brought up whats I call disiplined practice. Its very difficult to learn families of shots unless you set them up exactly the same and shoot them over and over. It takes disipline to do the work of grabbing the balls and setting them back up but the only way to truly learn the shot IMO. Throwing a rack of balls out and hitting them doesn't teach much.

If you haven't already, try out CJ's finger tip bridge for a level cue. It goes against convension but.......


JBCase Sure wish they made that practice ball in 61.5mm What I do is take a ball and put a couple of dots on it with a sharpie.
 
Next time we run a batch of the CueSight balls I will ask them to do some carom balls if possible.
 
JB Cases said:
This ball helps people to see where they hit the cueball.

cuesight_2106_17769150


http://www.cuesight.com/csbbtb.html

I will be doing a video later this week to show the swerve and deflection effects of an off center hit with both a level stroke and an elevated specs.

In pool one can "get away" with a lot on a lot of shots just due to the size of the pockets.

While watching the Color of Money match I can see that Efren plays pocket speed a lot and uses the rails much more than Strickland. Strickland does it when he NEEDS to for position, Reyes seems to just be in the habit of playing the shots into the rail even when he doesn't need to. Not to say that Reyes is not hitting the cueball where he wants to, certainly he is but what I get from it is that one doesn't have to hit the cueball only a certain way to make the object ball split the pocket in order to play high level pool.

Which is why you can see players with so many diverse methods who succeed in pool.

I find that I can instantly feel it when I have messed up the delivery and generally it results in a missed shot.
Click to expand...

John,
That's a great looking training ball and although I haven't used it, I have no doubt that this would show you where you are hitting the cue ball.

HOWEVER, it will not show if you have a level stroke or not.

3kushn said:
oeyA
You've brought up whats I call disiplined practice. Its very difficult to learn families of shots unless you set them up exactly the same and shoot them over and over. It takes disipline to do the work of grabbing the balls and setting them back up but the only way to truly learn the shot IMO. Throwing a rack of balls out and hitting them doesn't teach much.

If you haven't already, try out CJ's finger tip bridge for a level cue. It goes against convension but.......


JBCase Sure wish they made that practice ball in 61.5mm What I do is take a ball and put a couple of dots on it with a sharpie.
Click to expand...

3KushN, CJ's finger tip bridge is one of the reasons for my attention to a level stroke. I'm assuming you're talking about the one where the palm doesn't touch the table?

Earl Strickland reportedly sports and teaches a raised bridge for follow shots.

Yeah, "disciplined practice" is what separates the better players from the also ran. :thumbup:
 
ShootingArts said:
Joey,

Back when I could see edges I always shot table length super thin cuts with follow even if I had to use a touch of side to keep the cue ball out of a pocket. This helps get the cue stick closer to level because we are limited as to how much we can lower the butt by the rail if nothing else. I still use that half tip or tip of follow, unfortunately not with as good of results.

You made another excellent point, extremely few people who don't look at the cue ball last hit it nearly as well as they think they do. I have tested this without people knowing what I was looking for and some very good players "failed" the test. I fail it too unless I work on hitting the cue ball where I want to regularly. Interestingly, some bangers that looked at the cue ball last did hit it perfectly where they tried to. Could Ralf have a point? Naaah, if he did he could play as good as you and me! :D

If I get up on the right side of the rock tomorrow I'll be at Buff's.

Hu
Click to expand...

What do you think about me making the following offer to all of the players in Buff's tournament?:

If you beat me in the tournament AND win the tournament, you give me $25. If you don't win, you don't give me anything. :D :D :D
 
You're absolutely correct JoeyA.

I think there are a few people who've mis-understood what you're talking about from their comments and posts.

Not where you are cuing the cue ball, but where the energy of the cue stick is driving the cue ball. I.E. Across the table vs. into the table (even slightly).

The smallest elevation of the butt can cause dramatic side movement (masse') when using english, intended or not.

Glad you brought this up..
 
Last edited:
"Earl Strickland reportedly sports and teaches a raised bridge for follow shots. "

Where can I get the Strickland "Finger Extensions" for follow shots?
 
JoeyA said:
What do you think about me making the following offer to all of the players in Buff's tournament?:

If you beat me in the tournament AND win the tournament, you give me $25. If you don't win, you don't give me anything. :D :D :D
Click to expand...

JoeyA,

I always said you are all heart. With offers like that, . . . all I can say is what a guy!

Looks like no pool for a couple of days, maybe Thursday or Friday. Work is the curse of the drinking class, and pool bums. Gotta make hay while the sun shines.

Hu
 
This reminds me of a drill I was shown a few years ago.

CueTable Help



Objective is to pocket the 1 ball and drive the cueball into each other ball successively. As you contact balls, you remove them from the table and count total strokes required to complete the drill. As you progress, you work your way down the vertical axis of the cueball, and it can be a real eye opener. Finding vertical center and making the cueball exactly follow the tangent line is not quite as easy as it sounds, and I would assume that much of our misperception is due to cue angle.

Aaron
 
It's just another Epiphany!

Ponytail said:
You're absolutely correct JoeyA.

I think there are a few people who've mis-understood what you're talking about from their comments and posts.

Not where you are cuing the cue ball, but where the energy of the cue stick is driving the cue ball. I.E. Across the table vs. into the table (even slightly).

The smallest elevation of the butt can cause dramatic side movement (masse') when using english, intended or not.

Glad you brought this up..
Click to expand...

You articulated the item I am talking about quite well. Thanks!

But, for those of you who pass over this thread nonchalantly, you will NEVER know the difference unless you practice the shots over and over with the various angles of cue stick (and like Ponytail says, the intended or unintended english can cause dramatic movement on the cue ball).

The information you learn can be quite impressive when you finally "get it".

Thanks,
 
LAMas said:
"Earl Strickland reportedly sports and teaches a raised bridge for follow shots. "

Where can I get the Strickland "Finger Extensions" for follow shots?
Click to expand...

Paypal me $125 (which will cover my entry fee into the Seminole Pro Tour tournament at Johnny Archer and Kim Davenport's Marrietta Billiard Club next month) and I will see what I can do about getting you the instructions on how to build your own. :D

(I'll send Earl some jelly)
 
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