Just Hitting Some Balls....Feel Free To Critique

viperkiler said:
In my opinion your grip is to tight. Your elbow is dropping and it appears that your cue tip is elevating on the follow through with some of your open bridge shots. Both can be a sign of a tight grip.
Click to expand...

Snapshot9 said:
Hard to tell just from the one angle, BUT:

IMO, you stand too straight with your stick. You're back is bent instead of bending at the waist and keeping your back straight. You look like you bend both knees instead of keeping your back leg straight. And you're gripping the cue with a whole fist, which means you have to loosen the grip at the end of your stroke to follow through on the stroke or you are stopping your stroke prematurely because you can not bend your wrist.

If you have trouble with a certain type of shot all the time, it is because of what I mentioned above, and what was said about lining up the shot and steipping into it is also true.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'm holding my cue too tight but I'll take another look at that. That does seem to creep into my game from time to time.

I do bend both knees. I've tried keeping the back leg straight in the past and I just can't get comfortable like that. I'm a really inflexible guy and my back is the first thing to tire out when I'm playing. I've found bending both knees relieves a lot of the tension I feel in the lower back.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
Mark Griffin said:
Not commenting on the shooting -

The table appears to be an old AMF Grand Prix. They were made during the late 60's.

It sounds like you still have the plastic ball returns - kind of a tube with a slit in it.

They very seldom jam and all that BUT they eat the balls. Over time, these will really tear up the surface of the balls because they are 'fighting' as they go down and are not rolling.

just like bein on sandpaper - something you need to be aware of and you will need to change out the balls a lot more often.

mark Griffin
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark. I always wondered what model table I have. I'm really looking to upgrade in the next year. I will add the issue with the balls being scratched up to my list of negotiating items that I'm constantly discusssing with my better half.:thumbup:

I picked it up for $500 about 5 or 6 years ago and I've definitely gotten my monies worth.
 
The Renfro said:
Stuck this in it's own thread since I couldn't recall where I was reading where rhythm was addressed when my internet crapped out.....

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=252336
Click to expand...

I don't know what to do about the rhythm thing right now. I know I have different rhythms for different games. I definitely play faster when I'm playing 9 ball vs. 14.1. It's something I need to put some more thought into that's for sure.

I liked your post in the other thread and I think music definitely influences our rhythm. But if I have my choice, I prefer playing in total silence. Of course, this doesn't happen when you are playing in a pool hall. I have tried the classical music thing while practicing some 14.1 and that can have a pretty calming effect.
 
K.Mcphee said:
It doesn't look like you're working on anything. Your speed can't be judged because you are only whacking at balls from a set position which anyone can do. It'll be better if you do something like try to runout a rack of one pocket, then we can see your pocketing skills and cueball.
Click to expand...

You don't think I'm working on anything??? Pretend those are all 9 balls (or 8 balls if you prefer). I'm just working on my fundamentals and trying to pocket balls better. I'll post some 14.1 (or 9 ball ghost) for all to critique in the near future.
 
Well it was brought up in a sense here but never mentioned as a problem.....however I see it as one. For the most part your shooting from the same general cue ball location. Why are you switching from an opened to a closed bridge? I'd pick one and stick with it. If you choose a closed bridge of course you will have to practice using an opened bridge when shooting over a ball but why switch when there's nothing in the way? I developed this habit awhile back also but I can honestly say once I broke the habit and strictly use one bridge I think it's improved my game.

There are certain situations where you might have to change your bridge, I just didn't see one in your video.
 
BasementDweller said:
You don't think I'm working on anything??? Pretend those are all 9 balls (or 8 balls if you prefer). I'm just working on my fundamentals and trying to pocket balls better. I'll post some 14.1 (or 9 ball ghost) for all to critique in the near future.
Click to expand...

For what it's worth I think you're hitting most shots with too much speed. Some of those you rattled would have gone in with less speed. Hitting routine shots too hard is a bad habit that can be hard to break but the results are worth the effort. If that's really pretending to be a lone money ball on the table then just slowing your speed by about 30-40% would result in a better win average. Remember that you are practicing what you want to do later under pressure.

JC
 
deadnutz said:
Well it was brought up in a sense here but never mentioned as a problem.....however I see it as one. For the most part your shooting from the same general cue ball location. Why are you switching from an opened to a closed bridge? I'd pick one and stick with it. If you choose a closed bridge of course you will have to practice using an opened bridge when shooting over a ball but why switch when there's nothing in the way? I developed this habit awhile back also but I can honestly say once I broke the habit and strictly use one bridge I think it's improved my game.

There are certain situations where you might have to change your bridge, I just didn't see one in your video.
Click to expand...

You might be on to something there. I always use an open bridge when I hit the cue ball high. I usually use a closed bridge when I hit low. When I'm in the middle of the cue ball I've been using mainly an open bridge but it's not something I think a lot about so maybe I do go back and forth a bit. I've definitely started using more of an open bridge the last few years.

metmot said:
For what it's worth I think you're hitting most shots with too much speed. Some of those you rattled would have gone in with less speed. Hitting routine shots too hard is a bad habit that can be hard to break but the results are worth the effort. If that's really pretending to be a lone money ball on the table then just slowing your speed by about 30-40% would result in a better win average. Remember that you are practicing what you want to do later under pressure.

JC
Click to expand...

Good observation. I think you are right. I noticed that my stroke tends to break down when I stroke very hard or very soft. So, I tend to practice hitting the balls hard in an attempt to try to straighten out my stroke - thinking if I can hit them hard and make them I will be able to make them when I hit them softer. I do think I'm getting to the point where I like to hit them harder than I need to all the time. I'll keep this in mind.
 
BasementDweller said:
You might be on to something there. I always use an open bridge when I hit the cue ball high. I usually use a closed bridge when I hit low. When I'm in the middle of the cue ball I've been using mainly an open bridge but it's not something I think a lot about so maybe I do go back and forth a bit. I've definitely started using more of an open bridge the last few years.



Good observation. I think you are right. I noticed that my stroke tends to break down when I stroke very hard or very soft. So, I tend to practice hitting the balls hard in an attempt to try to straighten out my stroke - thinking if I can hit them hard and make them I will be able to make them when I hit them softer. I do think I'm getting to the point where I like to hit them harder than I need to all the time. I'll keep this in mind.
Click to expand...

Sloooooooooooooooow "FINAL" backswing, smooth, accelerating, forward swing at lag speed. Exceptions to everything but this is a good policy, imo.
 
Just a couple of things I was taught that might help.
1. If your playing spotty at the start of a session, " shortin up ". This means let out less cue in your bridge and moving your right hand up on the grip. What this does is help you " make balls " which is what you are trying to do now. Pool is like putting in golf: the more you make the more you make....the more you miss the more you miss. As you make more balls, your confidence builds and you can slowly go back to making balls and playing position with your norman bridge and grip.
2. " chinching " balls on a regular basis can hurt your overall game. Pool is about making balls AND playing position. Chinching balls and making balls while playing position use two different strokes and two different mind sets. I was taught by some great players to ALWAYS move the cue ball, thus giving you one stroke and one mind set. i always pratice 9 ball with 10 balls. This makes me move the cue ball when I shoot the 9. Think about it...you shoot 8 balls in while moving the cue ball, and then use a different stroke and a different mind set on the 9?....doesnt work. Whimpy, Taylor, Richie Florence, and many other great players always did something with the cue ball when shooting the 9.
3. On position play...when trying to move the cue ball around the table, walk to the area on the table where you want the cue ball to land. My buddy Gus ( The Golden Greek ) would tell me..." how can you move the cue ball 7-8-9-12 feet unless you walk to that area and look. He was right...as usual...lol
Good luck...its a great game
 
Ratta said:
Excellent!

This so called "stepping into the shot" is extremly important and helpful. If you re standing behind the *straight line* and stepping from there perfectly aligned into the shot, it will be an amazing help and will present you much more confidence.
I like to teach this as well- to stand behind the *ball* to step ready aligned intothe *baseline*.

keep shooting-and you re a good shotmaker :)

lg
Ingo
Click to expand...


Confidence. That is what kept running through my head when i watched you. You seem to lack confidence in your stroke. I think once you improve on your approach to the ball and your PSR you will become more deliberate in your actions and that will give you confidence in your stroke.

One thing I also noticed (some people say it's good some say it's bad) is that you tend to drop your elbow when you shoot. I'm not saying that you should change it or leave it, I'm just making you aware of it.

(I have read all the responses so I'm sorry if this is repeat info)

I need to post a video of me shooting from different angles, I'm sure there are allot of things I could improve on as well.

Chris
 
Gunn_Slinger said:
Just a couple of things I was taught that might help.
1. If your playing spotty at the start of a session, " shortin up ". This means let out less cue in your bridge and moving your right hand up on the grip. What this does is help you " make balls " which is what you are trying to do now. Pool is like putting in golf: the more you make the more you make....the more you miss the more you miss. As you make more balls, your confidence builds and you can slowly go back to making balls and playing position with your norman bridge and grip.
2. " chinching " balls on a regular basis can hurt your overall game. Pool is about making balls AND playing position. Chinching balls and making balls while playing position use two different strokes and two different mind sets. I was taught by some great players to ALWAYS move the cue ball, thus giving you one stroke and one mind set. i always pratice 9 ball with 10 balls. This makes me move the cue ball when I shoot the 9. Think about it...you shoot 8 balls in while moving the cue ball, and then use a different stroke and a different mind set on the 9?....doesnt work. Whimpy, Taylor, Richie Florence, and many other great players always did something with the cue ball when shooting the 9.
3. On position play...when trying to move the cue ball around the table, walk to the area on the table where you want the cue ball to land. My buddy Gus ( The Golden Greek ) would tell me..." how can you move the cue ball 7-8-9-12 feet unless you walk to that area and look. He was right...as usual...lol
Good luck...its a great game
Click to expand...

I use that technique of shorting my stroke up at times when I'm really struggling.

I don't really believe that the guys you mentioned were REALLY trying to accomplish something with the cue ball on those nine-ball shots. I doubt they ever sent the cue ball around 3 rails for shape on an imaginary ball if that's what you mean. I don't think any of the pros really have to even consider what they are doing with the cue ball on the money ball other than making sure they are steering clear of any possible scratch. Sometimes pros say things that they really don't mean - and this is one of those statements in my opinion.

As far as going to the planned resting place for the cue ball and checking it out - I don't know. I know a lot of guys do this (Ralph Souquet), but just as many guys don't. This really slows you down and I don't think it is always necessary.

Cdryden said:
Confidence. That is what kept running through my head when i watched you. You seem to lack confidence in your stroke. I think once you improve on your approach to the ball and your PSR you will become more deliberate in your actions and that will give you confidence in your stroke.

One thing I also noticed (some people say it's good some say it's bad) is that you tend to drop your elbow when you shoot. I'm not saying that you should change it or leave it, I'm just making you aware of it.

(I have read all the responses so I'm sorry if this is repeat info)

I need to post a video of me shooting from different angles, I'm sure there are allot of things I could improve on as well.

Chris
Click to expand...

You are spot on. I do lack confidence on those shots. That is why I'm not really even bothering to do anything with the cue ball. I'll move on to that in due time. I keep going back to this idea that I didn't spend enough time just potting balls early on in my development. There was a lot of one-pocket played where I began and I think this stunted my development quite a bit. I'm trying to make up for lost time now.

I'm been wondering about the elbow drop thing. I know I do it. I'm not sure if I want to attempt to eliminate it or not. I have noticed in the past year or so I can actually feel when I miss a shot because I have dropped my arm too soon. Getting rid of it altogether is something I'm on the fence about.

I've enjoyed the feedback I've gotten on this. I'm in the process of uploading me taking on the 9 Ball Ghost. That should be interesting.
 
BasementDweller said:
You are spot on. I do lack confidence on those shots. That is why I'm not really even bothering to do anything with the cue ball. I'll move on to that in due time. I keep going back to this idea that I didn't spend enough time just potting balls early on in my development. There was a lot of one-pocket played where I began and I think this stunted my development quite a bit. I'm trying to make up for lost time now.

I'm been wondering about the elbow drop thing. I know I do it. I'm not sure if I want to attempt to eliminate it or not. I have noticed in the past year or so I can actually feel when I miss a shot because I have dropped my arm too soon. Getting rid of it altogether is something I'm on the fence about.

I've enjoyed the feedback I've gotten on this. I'm in the process of uploading me taking on the 9 Ball Ghost. That should be interesting.
Click to expand...


If you think that you do want to try eliminating it, talk to Scott Lee. He seems to be the guy to go to on this. Makes a good point about sometimes when people drop their elbow that they are not hitting the cue ball exactly where they mean to and causing allot of problems.

I think one of my goals for this weekend will be to record myself shooting.

Chris
 
BasementDweller said:
You don't think I'm working on anything??? Pretend those are all 9 balls (or 8 balls if you prefer). I'm just working on my fundamentals and trying to pocket balls better. I'll post some 14.1 (or 9 ball ghost) for all to critique in the near future.
Click to expand...

If you are trying to work on your fundamentals you should tell us what you think they are. Some of the guys on here can actually tell you right or wrong. Looks like you were just hitting balls with no direction with the cue ball. I think if you are making balls during practice...you're not really working on anything. A good way to improve is to get a universal standard for certain fundamentals and have a guy shape you into it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top