My new improvement

[sidepocket7]

I wanna make this a quick post. I have found out, more recently, that my game has shot up a ball better due to the fact that I have focused on letting my stroke go. In other words, I have been using the full lenght of my stroke on most shots, and it seems to straighten the whole process out. Better ball pocketing, more confidence, etc. I was just wondering if something similar has happened to anyone else. Thoughts.....
-Dave

 

[DrCue'sProtege]

I wanna make this a quick post. I have found out, more recently, that my game has shot up a ball better due to the fact that I have focused on letting my stroke go. In other words, I have been using the full lenght of my stroke on most shots, and it seems to straighten the whole process out. Better ball pocketing, more confidence, etc. I was just wondering if something similar has happened to anyone else. Thoughts.....
-Dave

Not sure if this is what you are talking about Dave, but i sometimes notice i play "timid" and worry about where the CB is going to go, or getting snookered, or missing position. i also notice sometimes i play aggressive and confident and fire away, and that also works sometimes. i think the difference in the two is that when i play timid i come up short on position. when i play aggressive i come up right there or long on position.

just my $.02.

Mike

 

[stljohnny]

I think the central point here is that you are executing your complete stroking motion - so you are getting the most results - regardless of speed or shot - you are performing the entire sequence of events.

When you "half-stroke", you're more likely to miscue, miss the ball, miss position. The action of modifying the stroke you probably worked hard to build is the cause for any of those results. If you half-ass anything else, does it work? Sometimes - but not always - and almost never with the best results, right?

 

[sidepocket7]

After I address the cueball, figure out my plan, etc. ( preshot routine), I begin my warm-up strokes. Instead of using half strokes, I am actually now even full stroking practice strokes, and when I am ready to pull the trigger, I come through the cueball with a longer, very straight/clean stroke. I would describe it as being an aggressive and very full arm swing. We I go at the cueball as I used to ( using half strokes that are much shorter) I notice that I feel as though I am holding back. It took quite a bit of practice to obtain a full stroke, and by going at it like this, and in this mind-set, my finish is long and consistently straight. I have watched many videos of SVB stroking, and I have tried to emulate his style, so maybe the "visual" aspect is showing up in my game??? Oh yes, and anythng half-hearted ends up in a shameful display!!! Do you think it is wrong to go at a change in your game by trying to emulate a great players mechanics??

 

[jalapus logan]

I wanna make this a quick post. I have found out, more recently, that my game has shot up a ball better due to the fact that I have focused on letting my stroke go. In other words, I have been using the full lenght of my stroke on most shots, and it seems to straighten the whole process out. Better ball pocketing, more confidence, etc. I was just wondering if something similar has happened to anyone else. Thoughts.....
-Dave

You are absolutely correct with this observation. Ball pocketing and cue ball control are greatly enhanced by executing a proper stroke. Can't play great pool without it.

 

[stljohnny]

Do you think it is wrong to go at a change in your game by trying to emulate a great players mechanics??

Not at all - as long as it's something that feels natural to you. Personally, I've tried to imitating SVB, Mika and Bustamante in various forms. Can't say I adopted any of them completely, but I think you should try a bunch, keep what you like (what works) and toss the rest. I have a bit of a loop, ala Bustamante, but I also keep my elbow still like SVB on the final stroke. I started off playing by trying to be very textbook, like Jasmin Ouchan I guess. No stick wavering at all, very mechanical. It was a lot of effort and almost distracting from the shot. Then I tried to be a little looser, like Mika and it felt a bit more comfortable. There are times, like when I'm on the rail, that I still use a very mechanical stroke, and other times, like when I'm in the middle of the table, that I'll use a very loose and free stroke.

 

[sidepocket7]

The is really kinda strange that you mentioned Mika and Busty, cause I have also tried to use Mika's "bicycle" pump stoke, and I didn't like it at all. The up and down motion through me off, but it works wonders for him!!!! I have tried extensively to copy Django's stroke, and found that I cannot control the cue stick very well with my wrist hanging that loose. When I am in dead punch and shooting the lights out, I often shoot with a suuuuper loose cue, especially on cut shots, where I am almost throwing the cue on a line to the object ball. Mind you, this state of play rarely occurs, and I quickly found out that trying to force it to come out, by way of using Busty's style, is a no-no. I am sticking with what has been working lately. This is a change that has stuck with me now, and it is only breeding more confidence. I appreciate all the good input and opinions expressed here, as it helps me get a feel for what others are doing on the felt.