Any more pool "secrets"?

N

nrhoades

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
A great player once told me that the learning process of pool was the most fun part of his career. This forum, a few professional lessons, and a lot of squeezed in practice over the past few months has launched me off of the plateau I've been stuck on for years.

I'm excited and I have been feeling post happy because I'm having fun.

These are the major things I've learned recently:

1. Pendulum stroke (within the past week). I learned what this feels like, and what it means to stay down and move only my forearm.

2. Front/back hand English to deliver the pool ball anywhere with spin. Knowing squirt.

3. Anticipating swerve, and predicting where it'll break. Awesome for soft shots and safeties.

4. Knowing that shooting from the rail with top left or right won't squirt very much, but will swerve a lot. Compensating for this lets me make spin shots from the rail for position. A great piece of knowledge.

5. Learning how to read the rack before breaking. Looking for slugs, and gates for the side balls.

6. Learning that the elbow needs to move in, out, or up to get power out of a break shot (Joe Tucker's Breaking Secrets DVDs)

7. Don't ever crush the cue ball out of control.


Now that you guys know where I stand knowledge wise, is there anything else you would I suggest I learn?

Thanks

Nate
 
okinawa77 said:
Clockwise or counter-clock wise?
Click to expand...

If you rotate the shaft in your left hand, then the shaft is rotated clockwise with the chalk being applied counter clockwise. If you rotate your shaft in your right hand, then the shaft is rotated counter clockwise with the chalk being applied clockwise.:thumbup:

Ssshhhh...it's a secret.:wink:
 
LAMas said:
If you rotate the shaft in your left hand, then the shaft is rotated clockwise with the chalk being applied counter clockwise. If you rotate your shaft in your right hand, then the shaft is rotated counter clockwise with the chalk being applied clockwise.:thumbup:

Ssshhhh...it's a secret.:wink:
Click to expand...

Now, I'm in a real pinch. I'm ambidextrous.
I guess if I'm not shooting good with my right, then I'll just switch to my left.

Ssshhh...don't tell anyone I can shoot with my left hand...it's a secret.

I actually don't spin the cue or chalk when chalking, I wipe from center to edge....oh crap...did I just say center to edge (CTE).

Not only is it an aiming system....it's a chalking system, too.
 
okinawa77 said:
Now, I'm in a real pinch. I'm ambidextrous.
I guess if I'm not shooting good with my right, then I'll just switch to my left.

Ssshhh...don't tell anyone I can shoot with my left hand...it's a secret.

I actually don't spin the cue or chalk when chalking, I wipe from center to edge....oh crap...did I just say center to edge (CTE).

Not only is it an aiming system....it's a chalking system, too.
Click to expand...

If you don't spin your cue, then you can't get the chalk on all of the tip surface. CTE will only wipe across a small line on the surface of the tip.
You need to spin the cue...errr you might get some chalk on your ferrule though.

Ferrule%201.jpg
 
While this thread has taken a humorous turn, there is still a lesson to be learned. There are no pool secrets. To someone learning pool this may seem counter-intuitive since they feel that their game will jump once they pick up on some new stroke or aiming "secret". In reality those secrets simply keep you focused on striking the ball where you wish and with a good stroke. So I guess the only secret is to hit the cueball exactly where you wish, stand still and follow through.
 
HA!

Forget it. The word "secret" was supposed to have its own humorous twist, since there aren't really any "secrets", but it would appear as a "secret" to someone who doesn't know any better. I guess typing quotes isn't the same as watching someone do it with their fingers.

Now I just need to wait for this thread to die, and hope my shame dies with it :thumbup:
 
henho said:
While this thread has taken a humorous turn, there is still a lesson to be learned. There are no pool secrets. To someone learning pool this may seem counter-intuitive since they feel that their game will jump once they pick up on some new stroke or aiming "secret". In reality those secrets simply keep you focused on striking the ball where you wish and with a good stroke. So I guess the only secret is to hit the cueball exactly where you wish, stand still and follow through.
Click to expand...

There are pool secrets. A pool secret is something that is not commonly known among the majority of the pool society.

I think most people are looking for a single secret method that will make them a great player.

And what you stated is along the lines of the secret to playing great pool.

One word can be used to signify the concept for this secret to pool, but in the understanding of the word, you can write a book about it's meaning and it's practical application.

There are pool secrets.
 
next thing

Now that you guys know where I stand knowledge wise, is there anything else you would suggest I learn?

There is one skill that I value highly. It's my skill of observation.

I am able to observe what good players are doing and learn from them.
I am able to observe what flaws/weaknesses other players have and re-enforce the proper techniques within myself, as well as use their weaknesses against them.
I am able to observe playing conditions and adjust to them.
I am able to observe my playing performance and make adjustments.
 
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