The value of "going home"...aka finishing your stroke!

zombiewoff...Wait until you've been doing the same thing for a couple of months! LOL It sounds like you've got the basics of the concept. Now what you need to do, is to teach yourself how to do that same swing, at high speed (power stroke, or break), without clamping down on the cue, with your grip hand...which is very common, and especially manifests itself, with, among other things...a twisting wrist motion. You also have to be able to do the same swing at lag, or pocket speed, and make sure you finish the same way. Many times, when we shoot softly, we tend to stop the tip artificially, instead of letting it go where the natural finiah is. When you can do that same swing, at any speed, with a loose grip, then speed control is very easy to learn.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

zombiewoff said:
I do not often post as one can see from my post count (or lack thereof) but I've been paying attention to my finish since this thread first appeared and I must say that for me, its made quite a difference; all good. I've heard and read about a good follow through for years and thought I was doing that, but the original post actually put into words a way for me to tell that I was doing it the same each time and a way to make it repeatable. I now have a finish position that was never there before. I know that the few days that I've been paying attention to my finish is not enough to get it ingrained as second nature, but it has already made a difference in my game. It is such a simple thing, but had never been presented in a way that was so easy to understand and repeat; it gives instant feedback too. While I've learned many things on this forum, this one thread has made more of an impact on my game than any other that I've read thus far. Regardless of others views, I for one am thankful for this thread and the information that has been presented. I'm under no illusion that my game is great, but it is now a bit better. Thank you!
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I'm pumped!!!

I just wanted to share my experience tonight. Scott is headed up my way soon, and I spoke with him on the phone this evening to coordinate some lessons for myself and a couple of others. We chit chatted about the finish which Scott and other SPF teachers call the "home" position. Anyway, I jung up the phone and headed to the pool hall.

I wasn't playing especially great tonight. There were some decent players there, but mostly people were just hanging out playing games together, having a few drinks and blowing off some steam for a Friday night. At one point, I started very consciously sending my stroking hand home on my shots. DAMN is this effective!!! One shot I often have trouble with is the one where the OB is like a diamond from the corner pocket on the end rail or just off it, and the cue ball is at the other end of the table, with like a 45 degree cut. Well facing this shot tonight, I told myself "aim it up, and just send my hand home." It totally worked, and also it seemed I automatically hit the right speed. This came up over and over. I do this total BALLBUSTER of a drill involving 41 balls. They have a table with dots on the cloth at every single intersection of every diamond, and on the rails to at every diamond. You have to run out without touching another ball. I did 40 balls one time and had to bank the 41st---it hit the point uughh!! Anyway, tonight I did 39, which is still awesome for me. Over and over I had long semi straight shots that I had to hit at lag speed, and they just kept going in! On one I had the cueball hanging in the jaws of the corner pocket, and the OB near the center of the table, at a slight angle. I had to slow roll it to keep from hitting another ball. Center of the pocket!! I was just going on and on saying to myself and another guy there how awesome this concept works. Now I'm REALLY pumped for my follow up lesson. Thanks Scott!! And Zombiewolf, I knwo exactly what you are talking about. Grats to you for picking this up and working with it. It will really help you as you get more consistent at it.

KMRUNOUT
 
You're welcome Kerry! It is amazing how easy speed control becomes, once you grasp the concept, and give it some time to ingrain! :grin-square: SPF really does make it all so much simpler to do...without thinking...which should be every poolplayer's goal. Think standing up...shoot without thinking. See you next weekend Kerry!

Anyone in the S. ME, S. NH, MA, RI, CT area who wants to learn this, or bone up on it, I have some time available. PM me if interested. I'll be headed to NYC midweek, to sweat some of Shane's match, and then on down through Philly to Baltimore, DC and N. VA.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Scott Lee said:
Anyone in the S. ME, S. NH, MA, RI, CT area who wants to learn this, or bone up on it, I have some time available. PM me if interested. I'll be headed to NYC midweek, to sweat some of Shane's match, and then on down through Philly to Baltimore, DC and N. VA.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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Scott,
when are you going to be in the Indiana area again?

Mike
 
"Going Home insures a straight stroke ever time"

If you don't "go home", where do you go????
SPF=randyg
 
After watching the WPBA matches on tv this afternoon, I thought I might offer a short treatise on the value having a 'finish point' for your stroke. This refers to a pendulum swing, and having your stroke end at the same place, every time (in a normal SOP shot situation).
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How about those who let the cue slip out of the "grip hand " ?:D
 
BRKNRUN said:
How does your cradle hand change at home position from what it was at address/impact?
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My cue stick pivots in my cradle.
At impact my knuckles are level (parallel) with the cue. At HOME, my knuckle point up towards my chin....SPF=randyg
 
randyg said:
My cue stick pivots in my cradle.
At impact my knuckles are level (parallel) with the cue. At HOME, my knuckle point up towards my chin....SPF=randyg
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Do your knuckles point up only because of the forward movement of your arm or do you also use some wrist flicking? (not asked with an eye towards being critical.. just curious.. as I think using the wrist is ok if needed for the shot or preferred by the player)
 
JimS said:
Do your knuckles point up only because of the forward movement of your arm or do you also use some wrist flicking? (not asked with an eye towards being critical.. just curious.. as I think using the wrist is ok if needed for the shot or preferred by the player)
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No wrist flick, just the natural movement of my forearm....SPF=randyg
 
randyg said:
My cue stick pivots in my cradle.
At impact my knuckles are level (parallel) with the cue. At HOME, my knuckle point up towards my chin....SPF=randyg
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Does that mean when you slip the cue , the tip still dips upon contact, not going through a straight line like Efren?
Thnx
 
JoeyInCali said:
Does that mean when you slip the cue , the tip still dips upon contact, not going through a straight line like Efren?
Thnx
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No way. On a pendulum Stroke the cue stick is level (to the table)at the time of contact. What I choose to do with my cue stick after contact is called "my FINISH". I can repeat the same stroke on every shot.
SPF=randyg
 
After reading your original post Scott, I have been shooting better. I know you showed me that last year but I guess its kinda slipped. This last week your thoughts and post have been in the back of my mind when practicing my stroke. Finishing the stroke has really helped me roll the ball softly with good control. It just feels better. I guess better late than never on implamenting a practice regiment!
 
center pocket said:
After reading your original post Scott, I have been shooting better. I know you showed me that last year but I guess its kinda slipped. This last week your thoughts and post have been in the back of my mind when practicing my stroke. Finishing the stroke has really helped me roll the ball softly with good control. It just feels better. I guess better late than never on implamenting a practice regiment!
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This has been my exact experience. Last night I played a strong 7 in my area for my weekly APA match. There were at least 2 times I got out of line and had to razor cut my object ball and go long distance for shape. Perfect both times. Broke and ran the last 2 racks. It felt great. I went home a lot in the process of sending my opponent home lol!. Going home works.

KMRUNOUT
 
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