set and Pause

I began working on the "pause" in the '70s, when I saw the best players using it. It was a challenge as I'd played a long time without it. For me, the slight pause at address point is to confirm the target point on the cue ball. The pause at the end of the back stroke is sort of unnecessary if you have a nice slow pullback. A jerk back and then a pause doesn't help much. I like to think of the final backstroke as my relaxation stroke. Too long a pause at the back defeats the purpose, giving you a chance to lose focus (become distracted), and requires a new message to be sent to the involved small muscles. With A nice relaxed grip and proper wrist action, it feels almost like the cue wants to come forward on its own. Also the "business" stroke should be accelerating gently and smoothly from the "pause" to the moment of impact on most shots.

^^^This^^^

I pause at final address to the cue ball to get my line and relax everything. Then, my action stroke is smooth and with enough power to get the cueball where I need it.
 
Matt...No need to, because what you said is correct. ALL poolplayers pause, or stop...for some degree of time. Most of the "physics" guys don't want to label the stop a "pause" unless it is for a specific time frame (i.e. 1 second or more). That said, most good ones pause three times...at the CB, prior to the final backswing; at the end of the backswing, to facilitate a change of direction, and forward acceleration of the cuestick; and again at the end of their stroke, wherever that might be. Even players who don't think they make these stops, still do. We teach all three stops, and label them Set, Pause, Finish. We also assign values to each stop, to enable the student to be able to "grade" themselves. The amount of time you pause is not particularly important (with the exception of the pause at the CB, which should be a little longer for most of us). It's not how long you pause, but how well you transfer. Now...take that dunce cap off, and take a bow for answering properly. :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Lol, thanks for the clarification! I will now go back to my corner with my dunce cap on :).
 
Thread title: "set and Pause"

My dog finds this easy. I ask her to "Set!" and she does, just setting there, wagging her tail (brushing the floor with it in the process). Then, I say "Pause!" and she gives me one of her pause, allowing me to shake it. Or, I can ask "Give me five!" and she reaches up and high-fives me with one of her pause.

What's the big deal?

-Sean <-- "oh wait, I'm playing the homonym game, aren't I?" :D
 
My dog finds this easy. I ask her to "Set!" and she does, just setting there, wagging her tail (brushing the floor with it in the process). Then, I say "Pause!" and she gives me one of her pause, allowing me to shake it. Or, I can ask "Give me five!" and she reaches up and high-fives me with one of her pause.

What's the big deal?

-Sean <-- "oh wait, I'm playing the homonym game, aren't I?" :D

Sean, you're so full of S.H.I.T. (slipping humor into threads) :thumbup:!!!

Maniac (playing the acronym game ;))
 
True, Mike...and nothing has changed. The dictionary defines a pause as a temporary cessation of something. There is no regulation as to length of a pause, nor does it have to be conscious to constitute one, imo. We do teach a conscious stop though, to allow the student to incorporate it into their process. It is merely a label. We could say most good players stop their cue at least 3 times (whether they know it or not). We label these stops Set, Pause, Finish so as to differentiate which stop is which (and it also describes what happens at each stop). The stops are to ultimately enable the player to set up and deliver the cuestick smoothly, accurately, and repeatably. The great thing is that essentially we agree on what to do...it's just how we describe it that differs. :D

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Here's just one of the many discussions we've has on this issue.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=135403&highlight=pause
 
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... ALL poolplayers pause, or stop...for some degree of time. Most of the "physics" guys don't want to label the stop a "pause" unless it is for a specific time frame
Scott,

As Mike has pointed out, this has been discussed far too much in the past. It's all a matter of semantics.

"Stop" means come to rest. Everybody agrees that this must occur between every back stroke and forward stroke.

"Pause" means stay stopped for more than an "instant" (i.e., for a non-zero amount of time). Not every stroke has this.

I like to use the phase "deliberate pause" to describe what people like Allison and Buddy do. They are definitely stopping for more than an instant between the final backstroke and forward stroke.

For more info, see my resource page dealing with the "pause."

Regards,
Dave
 
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Scott,

As Mike has pointed out, this has been discussed far too much in the past. It's all a matter of semantics.

"Stop" means come to rest. Everybody agrees that this must occur between every back stroke and forward stroke.

"Pause" means stay stopped for more than an "instant" (i.e., a non-zero amount of time). Not every stroke has this.

I like to use the phase "deliberate pause" to describe what people like Allison and Buddy do. They are definitely stopping for more than an instant between the final backstroke and forward stroke.

For more info, see my resource page dealing with the "pause."

Regards,
Dave

Dave:

Actually, I like your modified terminology -- "deliberate pause." Being a math major myself, I'm on Mike's side concerning this. There is a very dramatic difference between the change in direction that a child on a swing takes (a true pendulum), and someone reaching out, catching that child's swing at one far extreme and holding it there for a split second before letting it go.

As we math and electronics majors know, there is a dramatic difference between a sinusoidal wave, and a square wave or a clipped sawtooth wave. A square wave (clipped saw tooth wave) has distinct "pauses" built in -- it "holds" there for a measurable period of time before it changes direction. The sinusoidal wave has no pause -- but yet, it still changes direction! To say that a pendulum "has a pause built-in 'just because' it changes direction" shows a misunderstanding of what a pause really is from a true definition standpoint. That word "temporary" used in "temporary cessation" means TIME. Meaning, a measurable period of time. Instantaneous change in direction (such as that in a true pendulum or a child's swing, or even elliptical motion of a locomotive's wheel pushrods) is not a measurable period of time. I think that's the word that's being missed.

Pairing the word "deliberate" up with the word pause is a good idea to avoid the arguments over terminology. (Although I think we are remiss if we can't even agree on a simple word like "pause" -- especially when used in a teaching position.)

-Sean
 
There are alot of muscles involved in the stroke. Shoulder, arm, wrist , hand.

Just using the elbow as a example. Bending the elbow requires one muscle to expand while the opposite muscle contracts. Changing the direction of the bend requires the muscle to reverse what they were doing. Pausing at the back stroke gives the muscles time to reset, so to speak.

Some people are just more fluid in movements than others which is why it appears they do not use a pause, but their muscles still have to reverse what they were doing, ain't no way around this.

Try this, get all in your set position with the cue tip almost touching the cue. Now stroke forward. Do not use any kind of backstroke.

When I did this, I found that a big backstroke is really not needed. Just whatever felt right to get the cue into a position to stroke forward comfortably as required by the shot.



You go ahead and train all those muscles.

I use the Tricep & Bicep only.
randyg
 
dave...That's not what the dictionary says. I agree that not all players' strokes have a 'deliberate' pause at the end of the backswing. They still have to stop temporarily, to change direction (the amount of time, as you noted, is discretionary)...and the ultimate goal is a smooth transition. We call that stop, "Pause", and it's purpose is a smooth transition to the accelerated forward stroke. You may call it whatever you please. It's worthy of note that we recommend to our students that they make this stop a more "deliberate pause"...for training purposes. Some will keep it as part of their process...others will shorten it to whatever allows them an easy transition.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

"Pause" means stay stopped for more than an "instant" (i.e., for a non-zero amount of time). Not every stroke has this.
 
Matt...No need to, because what you said is correct. ALL poolplayers pause, or stop...for some degree of time. Most of the "physics" guys don't want to label the stop a "pause" unless it is for a specific time frame (i.e. 1 second or more). That said, most good ones pause three times...at the CB, prior to the final backswing; at the end of the backswing, to facilitate a change of direction, and forward acceleration of the cuestick; and again at the end of their stroke, wherever that might be. Even players who don't think they make these stops, still do. We teach all three stops, and label them Set, Pause, Finish. We also assign values to each stop, to enable the student to be able to "grade" themselves. The amount of time you pause is not particularly important (with the exception of the pause at the CB, which should be a little longer for most of us). It's not how long you pause, but how well you transfer. Now...take that dunce cap off, and take a bow for answering properly. :thumbup:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com


I think a teaching program that accepts and incorporates sound scientific principles -- even if it means revamping some major underpinnings of a lesson plan -- ends up with more credibility than one that is in denial about the science and insists on sticking with its own voodoo.

Lou Figueroa
 
I think a teaching program that accepts and incorporates sound scientific principles -- even if it means revamping some major underpinnings of a lesson plan -- ends up with more credibility than one that is in denial about the science and insists on sticking with its own voodoo.

Lou Figueroa

Oh no, you didn't..... :D
 
Oh no, you didn't..... :D


lol. Alright maybe a poor choice of words.

All I'm saying is if you were claiming "*everybody* pauses whether they know it or not," and then a respected science guy points out what a pause is and isn't, you're better off, credibility-wise, embracing the science and changing what you teach to: "some guys pause."

Lou Figueroa
 
Scott,

As Mike has pointed out, this has been discussed far too much in the past. It's all a matter of semantics.

"Stop" means come to rest. Everybody agrees that this must occur between every back stroke and forward stroke.

"Pause" means stay stopped for more than an "instant" (i.e., for a non-zero amount of time). Not every stroke has this.

I like to use the phase "deliberate pause" to describe what people like Allison and Buddy do. They are definitely stopping for more than an instant between the final backstroke and forward stroke.

For more info, see my resource page dealing with the "pause."

Regards,
Dave

dave...That's not what the dictionary says. I agree that not all players' strokes have a 'deliberate' pause at the end of the backswing. They still have to stop temporarily, to change direction (the amount of time, as you noted, is discretionary)...and the ultimate goal is a smooth transition. We call that stop, "Pause", and it's purpose is a smooth transition to the accelerated forward stroke. You may call it whatever you please. It's worthy of note that we recommend to our students that they make this stop a more "deliberate pause"...for training purposes. Some will keep it as part of their process...others will shorten it to whatever allows them an easy transition.
Scott,

Everybody seems to agree that a non-rushed, non-jerky, and smooth transition is important. Some people can do this more effectively and consistently with a deliberate or distinct pause. Others can do so with a seamless or smooth transition.

FYI, here's the "physics" perspective: if your back stroke blends seamlessly into the forward stroke, then the speed of the cue is constantly changing. The speed can be thought of as negative during the back stroke and positive during the forward stroke. At the instant of transition, the speed is zero. However, if there is no deliberate pause, the speed does not remain zero for any amount of time at all. Based on the generally accepted definition of "pause," the stop needs to be held (stay at zero speed) for a period of time to be considered a "pause." This is not the case with a seamless transition, where the speed is gradually changing from negative values to positive values, passing through zero only for an instant. FYI, this explanation applies to any speed value (i.e., there is nothing special about zero). For example, consider the cue speeding up gradually between 1 mph and 5 mph. The speed hits 3 mph for only an instant during the acceleration, but there is no "pause" at 3 mph. Now, if you stop accelerating at 3 mph, and hold the speed constant at 3 mph for a period of time, then you could say there is a "pause" in the acceleration. Again, the smooth transition through a speed of zero is no different. If you don't hold the speed at zero for a distinct period of time, then, strictly speaking, there is no "pause."

Again, I don't want to argue this, I just wanted to clarify how many people will interpret the word "pause." That's why I prefer using phrases like "deliberate" or "distinct" "pause" and "smooth" or "seamless" "transition." These phrases are less likely to be misinterpreted.

Regards,
Dave
 
Who of you use a pause before shooting? Is it something you have done from the start, or did you have to learn it.

I am learning to Pause. I'm in the process of doing it consistently.
 
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You go ahead and train all those muscles.

I use the Tricep & Bicep only.
randyg

No, you don't and if you really believe that, then you aren't a very good instructor.

You may think you only use those muscles in a stroke do, but this only shows your limited view in what it takes to really stroke the cue ball.

So sad that there are so many "instructors" on here that really only know a small amount.
 
I use a pause. I play a lot better with the pause. The "trick" is to make it natural and automatic. If you are thinking about it, you will most likely mess up something else. While learning to make it automatic, as with anything else you change in your game, expect to go back a little in your game to get farther ahead in the long run.

I couldn't agree more. It also gives your brain a chance to settle into the shot and communicate with your muscles IMHO
 
No, you don't and if you really believe that, then you aren't a very good instructor.

You may think you only use those muscles in a stroke do, but this only shows your limited view in what it takes to really stroke the cue ball.

So sad that there are so many "instructors" on here that really only know a small amount.

Good thing you've figured it out then :)
 
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Hi there,

when i started again, i really "lost" my PSR completley. The first 2-3 months were not that good. But now back with set and pause. Very similar to the style Niels Feijen is executing. With a short stop at cueball (point of no return) at the last "checkpoint"- and than a bit longer pause at the end of my backstroke.

Not working for everyone, cb every is individual.
How many shown up before: it s just about Transition (Triceps, Biceps), keeping it simple, makin reproducable processes, inserting it bulletproofed into your personal pre-shot-routine.

lg
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