More detrimental advice

[nrhoades]

I think I've been mislead by my previous league team mates, whos only piece of advice to me was to follow through. I think this lead to a dropping-shoulder habit by trying to ensure the tip goes way past the cue ball.

A few days ago I tried something new. I only moved my forearm, and noticed that my follow through was very small (about 4 to 6 inches past the cue ball), and that I had to jerk my arm forward violently to get power. Then I realized that my backstroke was only 3 inches at most.

So I reversed things.

What I do now is I bring my ferrule all the way back, so that it touches my bridge hand's thumb, and then stroke forward only using my forearm. The tip doesn't go more than 4 inches past the cue ball, my stroking hand hits my chest, but the cue goes dead straight.

I then ran two and a half racks of straight pool.

Does this a sound epiphany?

 

[enzo]

I think I've been mislead by my previous league team mates, whos only piece of advice to me was to follow through. I think this lead to a dropping-shoulder habit by trying to ensure the tip goes way past the cue ball.

A few days ago I tried something new. I only moved my forearm, and noticed that my follow through was very small (about 4 to 6 inches past the cue ball), and that I had to jerk my arm forward violently to get power. Then I realized that my backstroke was only 3 inches at most.

So I reversed things.

What I do now is I bring my ferrule all the way back, so that it touches my bridge hand's thumb, and then stroke forward only using my forearm. The tip doesn't go more than 4 inches past the cue ball, my stroking hand hits my chest, but the cue goes dead straight.


I then ran two and a half racks of straight pool.

Does this a sound epiphany?

yes, not listening to league players most definitely is an epiphany. really though, this is probably a big problem with the leagues.... unqualified people are teachers.

 

[brandoncook26]

I think I've been mislead by my previous league team mates, whos only piece of advice to me was to follow through. I think this lead to a dropping-shoulder habit by trying to ensure the tip goes way past the cue ball.

A few days ago I tried something new. I only moved my forearm, and noticed that my follow through was very small (about 4 to 6 inches past the cue ball), and that I had to jerk my arm forward violently to get power. Then I realized that my backstroke was only 3 inches at most.

So I reversed things.

What I do now is I bring my ferrule all the way back, so that it touches my bridge hand's thumb, and then stroke forward only using my forearm. The tip doesn't go more than 4 inches past the cue ball, my stroking hand hits my chest, but the cue goes dead straight.

I then ran two and a half racks of straight pool.

Does this a sound epiphany?

That is how it should be done (the way you do it now). You only need to move your arm below the elbow to execute a powerful stroke. Your follow through when hitting your chest is usually around 6" (give or take a little). It takes a while to develop a powerful stroke when only moving your forearm.

Trying to force your shoulder into the follow through is trying to get results without putting in all the work. You are on the right path. Keep it going.

 

[onepocketron]

That is how it should be done (the way you do it now). You only need to move your arm below the elbow to execute a powerful stroke. Your follow through when hitting your chest is usually around 6" (give or take a little). It takes a while to develop a powerful stroke when only moving your forearm.

Trying to force your shoulder into the follow through is trying to get results without putting in all the work. You are on the right path. Keep it going.

I agree. My follow through when my back hand hits my chest is around 4-6 inches. That is all that is needed.
Set up an easy shot and practice to work on the feel and finish. Do this for a short while every day if possible (10 shots or so). The focus here is the feel/finish, not anything else.
When you play, just concentrate on playing and forget focusing on what you did in practice. Too much thought about this will cause your game to suffer. Practice time is for practice, and playing time is for playing and having fun.

 

[Cameron Smith]

A four inch follow through is fine. But if your jabbing at the cueball on occassion that's bad. Furthermore, many players tend to cut their stroke short and jab at difficult shots. So it might not be bad advice, it depends on how you play in competition,

 

[scottjen26]

What you are doing now is more of a traditional pendulum stroke. Taking the cue back smoothly almost to your bridge opening, pause (slight or more, up to you), then smooth transition forward with only the forearm moving and your elbow not dropping. Typically the follow through will be 4 - 6" with this type of motion, it should come to a natural stop either by hitting your chest or when your forearm and upper arm meet and can't bend anymore.

You can certainly extend your tip down the line of the shot as well, many good players do, that requires you to drop your elbow somewhat during the stroke, the key is to keep the motion smooth and not drop the elbow before contact or grip the cue too hard and get the shoulder or hand involved. Many good players play that way, but it certainly doesn't add any benefit to the pure pendulum style, which is more efficient and a simpler motion. I for one have a hard time not dropping my elbow somewhat, I used to drop it more than I do now but based on a recent lesson and a lot of practice I've reduced but not eliminated it. Just feels more comfortable to me.

Perhaps your teammates intended to give you good advice based on something you were doing before, but most people, especially intermediates, don't really understand as much as they think they do… Glad you figured it out.

 

[Brian in VA]

Congratulations! That's what Randy G, Scott Lee, and a host of other SPF teachers teach in their schools. And it works, as you've discovered.

Brian in VA

 

[nrhoades]

Congratulations! That's what Randy G, Scott Lee, and a host of other SPF teachers teach in their schools. And it works, as you've discovered.

Brian in VA

Yay

---

Funny. All I wanted to type was "Yay", but the forum requires a minimum of 10 characters. Bet you didn't know that.

 

[dardusm]

Yep it's the pendulum stroke. The less moving parts the better. One more piece of advice, to control the speed of the stroke especially on soft shots either move your bridge hand closer to the cueball or shorten the length of the final stroke. I have dropped my shoulder forever and learned last year the pendulum stroke via lessons with Stan Shuffett.

I haven't made the change yet as it affects the way my cueball reacts but it's on my list. When I do drop the shoulder, it is after contact so it's not critical but could have an impact on improving my game down the line.

 

[randyg]

I think I've been mislead by my previous league team mates, whos only piece of advice to me was to follow through. I think this lead to a dropping-shoulder habit by trying to ensure the tip goes way past the cue ball.

A few days ago I tried something new. I only moved my forearm, and noticed that my follow through was very small (about 4 to 6 inches past the cue ball), and that I had to jerk my arm forward violently to get power. Then I realized that my backstroke was only 3 inches at most.

So I reversed things.

What I do now is I bring my ferrule all the way back, so that it touches my bridge hand's thumb, and then stroke forward only using my forearm. The tip doesn't go more than 4 inches past the cue ball, my stroking hand hits my chest, but the cue goes dead straight.

I then ran two and a half racks of straight pool.

Does this a sound epiphany?

I think you have done a fine job. Please continue.

"More often than not, it's usually the lower skilled player that gives the most advice"....randyg

 

[LC3]

Congratulations! That's what Randy G, Scott Lee, and a host of other SPF teachers teach in their schools. And it works, as you've discovered.

They'll also set you up with drills that will help you refine the stroke and understand its components.

 

[dr9ball]

Sounds like evidence of the usefulness of a good Pendulum stroke to me!

I think I've been mislead by my previous league team mates, whos only piece of advice to me was to follow through. I think this lead to a dropping-shoulder habit by trying to ensure the tip goes way past the cue ball.

A few days ago I tried something new. I only moved my forearm, and noticed that my follow through was very small (about 4 to 6 inches past the cue ball), and that I had to jerk my arm forward violently to get power. Then I realized that my backstroke was only 3 inches at most.

So I reversed things.

What I do now is I bring my ferrule all the way back, so that it touches my bridge hand's thumb, and then stroke forward only using my forearm. The tip doesn't go more than 4 inches past the cue ball, my stroking hand hits my chest, but the cue goes dead straight.

I then ran two and a half racks of straight pool.

Does this a sound epiphany?

 

[walrus_3d]

yes, not listening to league players most definitely is an epiphany. really though, this is probably a big problem with the leagues.... unqualified people are teachers.

Right, because bar players give much better advice than league players...

Anyway I think the only problem with the advice to "follow through" is that it gives the impression that you have to force the cue to follow through the ball. I think the best way to phrase that advice is "allow the cue to follow through naturally." If you have a short backstroke, your natural follow through should be short, and a long backstroke should have a longer follow through.
Congratulations, to the OP, sounds like you've made a huge leap forward in your game.

 

[pooljunkie4ever]

Along with a full back stroke, don't forget to incorporate the pause.
Being trying to incorporated this, not easy, but I know if I ever get it,
I will play more consistant.

 

[TATE]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpqqQu19Jgw

I think I've been mislead by my previous league team mates, whos only piece of advice to me was to follow through. I think this lead to a dropping-shoulder habit by trying to ensure the tip goes way past the cue ball.

A few days ago I tried something new. I only moved my forearm, and noticed that my follow through was very small (about 4 to 6 inches past the cue ball), and that I had to jerk my arm forward violently to get power. Then I realized that my backstroke was only 3 inches at most.

So I reversed things.

What I do now is I bring my ferrule all the way back, so that it touches my bridge hand's thumb, and then stroke forward only using my forearm. The tip doesn't go more than 4 inches past the cue ball, my stroking hand hits my chest, but the cue goes dead straight.

I then ran two and a half racks of straight pool.

Does this a sound epiphany?

Here's a good example to follow: Check out Nils Feijen shooting on the video at 4:24:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpqqQu19Jgw

What I like about Niels stroke is how he holds his finish after contact through the cue ball. You can get a good look here at his technique, which is very consistent.

There is nothing wrong with the elbow dropping after contact,which is what Niels does. Although he does not pull it back very far or follow through very far, Niels has a powerful stroke. He has a crisp cue delivery and holds his finish after each shot.

Chris

 

[randyg]

Right, because bar players give much better advice than league players...

Anyway I think the only problem with the advice to "follow through" is that it gives the impression that you have to force the cue to follow through the ball. I think the best way to phrase that advice is "allow the cue to follow through naturally." If you have a short backstroke, your natural follow through should be short, and a long backstroke should have a longer follow through.
Congratulations, to the OP, sounds like you've made a huge leap forward in your game.

Follow through should be the same amount regardless of back stroke....randyg