Arm under the shoulder swinging straight?

Benward452

Benward452

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The title is what Dr. Cue had said over and over when he was putting on a session at our university.

How important is it to have your arm under your shoulder swinging straight to have a consistent and proper stroke?

I, for instance, do not have my arm under my shoulder, but inside my shoulder closer to my body.

I have also seen some really proficient and well known players who shoot very outside their shoulder... I forget the pros name but he learned to play at a really young age and he wasn't tall enough to see shoot correctly over the table so he started to shooting outside his body.

If this is an important aspect to a solid stroke, how can one go about correcting their stroke to become more aligned, shoulder and arm?

It's difficult to tell when I am lining up a shot if I am shooting inside my body because I am so use to the feel of it.

Thanks in advance,

Ben
 
Thanks Neil!

I have been playing for about 3 1/2 years, not very long... I am only 21. I guess to explain my speed I can run out probably once or twice every 10 racks of 9-ball and have a high run in straight pool of about 30...

I am not that great, but feel like I should be playing a lot more consistent than I am. Some days I can play pretty well stringing racks together well while others, it's exciting to make a 5 and out...

I appreciate the advice and will give the method you said a try. I think I am steering, but I am not positive...
 
another quick and easy test is to set your bridge hand on the rail, with the cue aligned along the line between the rail and cushion. use your full stroke, and see if the tip follows the line, or if it ends up moving to one side or the other.

A good pool stroke is one that moves the cue forward in a straight line.

Steve
 
Thanks Steve, I appreciate the advice.

Edit:

So I just tried this and my stick pushes to the right with a full stroke... How can I start to correct this? I know it's going to be hard to change, but I want to get better and believe this is one of the fundamental things wrong with my game holding me back. Thanks!

Ben
 
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You might have a little chicken wing thing going on, you might be twisting your wrist, you may not be aligning yourself properly to begin with. It would be much easier to diagnose if I could see you shoot.

Maybe you can understand why we frequently suggest finding a qualified instructor to work with you. There are so many little things that can cause big problems. You need someone to observe you who is trained to identify those little flaws, and help you take corrective action to fix them.

Where are you located? Maybe we can find someone who can help.

Steve
 
Your elbow acts like a hinge. If your forearm is perpindicular to your elbow, you can't stroke anywhere but straight provided your shoulder or elbow doesn't move at all and keep a loose grip.

A couple of tricks I've heard. The first one being, place your cue on the rail with one hand whilst standing up. Then bend down into it. Your forearm should be perpindicular.

The other way to check is assuming your wrist is straight, your knuckles should be pointing directly at the floor.
 
Steve, I can understand totally what you are saying.

I am located in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and help!
 
Almost

pooltchr said:
another quick and easy test is to set your bridge hand on the rail, with the cue aligned along the line between the rail and cushion. use your full stroke, and see if the tip follows the line, or if it ends up moving to one side or the other.

A good pool stroke is one that moves the cue forward in a straight line.

Steve
Click to expand...

Hi Steve_

I use the rail/cushion stroke alignment test. What does it mean when the tip stays aligned (straight stroke) during the backstroke and also while going forward the normal bridging distance(8-10 inches), but veers left about 1/2 a tip when you get 3-5 inches beyond CB impact when the forearm runs out of pendulum travel from the stationary elbow?

Does it matter much? CB pretty well on it's way by then?

Thanks
 
Yes, it could. But if it is happening well after contact, it may not be a big issue. The problem would be if it was happening sooner, which could result in unwanted cue ball spin. And if you don't know what is happening, it's tough to know exactly when it is happening.

Steve
 
pooltchr said:
Yes, it could. But if it is happening well after contact, it may not be a big issue. The problem would be if it was happening sooner, which could result in unwanted cue ball spin. And if you don't know what is happening, it's tough to know exactly when it is happening.

Steve
Click to expand...

I was more concerned about a possible alignement issue. I would think that if everything is lined up properly your cue should go straight through.
 
It is certainly a possibility to consider. I know people probably get tired of hearing it, but this is just another example of how many different little things can create problems with a stroke. On the forum, we can only offer different suggestions, but some face to face time with a qualified instructor can not only identify the problems, but develop a plan to address the specific issues.

Steve
 
pooltchr said:
It is certainly a possibility to consider. I know people probably get tired of hearing it, but this is just another example of how many different little things can create problems with a stroke. On the forum, we can only offer different suggestions, but some face to face time with a qualified instructor can not only identify the problems, but develop a plan to address the specific issues.

Steve
Click to expand...



So Steve, any reputable teachers in the SW Pennsylvania area that I should look into?

Thanks!
 
I'm pretty sure Scott Lee travels through your area a few times a year. You've also got Tom Simpson in Columbus OH...but I don't know just how far that would be for you.

I would PM Scott and see what his schedule looks like.

Steve

(Oh, yeah, there's a guy named Steve down in North Carolina if you're up for a road trip! LOL)
 
Hi Benward452;
There are a number of good Instructors you could see in the Cleveland, Ohio area, Lance Kepler, Jeff Clark and Kim Vergottini. Also if you wanna drive a little further you could come see me in Port Clinton, Ohio.
I will be doing a clinic at the 7th Annual U.S. Open Wheelchair 8-Ball Championship, being held at Scoreboard Billiards on July 22 and the tourney runs July 23-25, 2010 in Northfield, Ohio. This event is sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America... If anyone interested in participating or would just like to meet up let me know.
 
My apologies. I didn't even think about Denny, or Jeff Clark, who is another top notch instructor.

You've got a lot of good options up your way.

Steve
 
I will be in SW PA the 2nd week of August. The OP can PM me for details.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

pooltchr said:
I'm pretty sure Scott Lee travels through your area a few times a year. You've also got Tom Simpson in Columbus OH...but I don't know just how far that would be for you.

I would PM Scott and see what his schedule looks like.

Steve

(Oh, yeah, there's a guy named Steve down in North Carolina if you're up for a road trip! LOL)
Click to expand...
 
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