Need help improving fundamentals

leminhnam

leminhnam

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
After more than 1 year struggling at the same speed, I decided to work on my fundamentals to take my game to the new level. I tried everything I can think of but it seems I still there with no improvement. I tried new stance, new grip, new wrist (slightly twist, no twist), new bridge, new bridge length, new back swing (longer, shorter), new stroke, anything even switch my playing cue from Predator to my current SW player to feel the diffenrence between LD and non-LD shafts.
This afternoon I asked a friend to record a short clip for me so I can ask experienced players and instructors here how should I work on my fundamentals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h24D16QM2Ss&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Any help would be very much appreciated!!!
Thank you
Nam
 
nam...I think you have a pretty good process already. You could grip a little looser, and your hand looks like it should be a couple inches further back on the grip. You could stop a little longer, at the CB, so you don't rush the stroke. Other than those things, I liked what I saw a LOT, and wouldn't change what you're doing.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

leminhnam said:
After more than 1 year struggling at the same speed, I decided to work on my fundamentals to take my game to the new level. I tried everything I can think of but it seems I still there with no improvement. I tried new stance, new grip, new wrist (slightly twist, no twist), new bridge, new bridge length, new back swing (longer, shorter), new stroke, anything even switch my playing cue from Predator to my current SW player to feel the diffenrence between LD and non-LD shafts.
This afternoon I asked a friend to record a short clip for me so I can ask experienced players and instructors here how should I work on my fundamentals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h24D16QM2Ss&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Any help would be very much appreciated!!!
Thank you
Nam
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
nam...I think you have a pretty good process already. You could grip a little looser, and your hand looks like it should be a couple inches further back on the grip. You could stop a little longer, at the CB, so you don't rush the stroke. Other than those things, I liked what I saw a LOT, and wouldn't change what you're doing.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Thank you so much sir. I really appreciate your help.
"your hand looks like it should be a couple inches further back on the grip" <---- This is exactly what I thought to myself when I see me playing the first time in the clip. :thumbup: Thank you
"You could grip a little looser" <---- I know that my grip is a little tight and I need a more relaxed and loose grip but I have two issues when trying to loosen my grip:
- I don't feel a firm stroke and my cue ball control is worse than current grip
- When I do the practice stroke, I can feel that my cue is not moving in a straight path. (we call it kayaking here :D)
So I am kind of confused as a tight grip is against any instructions.
"You could stop a little longer, at the CB, so you don't rush the stroke". I would definitely work on this in the next practice session.

Nam
 
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Pausing at the cue ball makes a big difference. It keeps you from rushing shots, helps with your eye patterns. If you take it a step further a try to implement a pause in back stroke, it can make a big difference too. Unfortunately the latter is tough to implement in a way that feels natural without an instructor. But it's doable just requires hard work and dedication.

I see you have a snooker table available to you. I'd take advantage of it if you're not already. You don't need to become a snooker player, but learning the game will tighten up your stroke. Just make sure that you carry any good habits you develop on the snooker table over to the pool table, a lot players get lazy when they go back to a pool table. I'd also learn a little english billiards, it's fantastic for improving cue ball control.
 
Cameron Smith said:
Pausing at the cue ball makes a big difference. It keeps you from rushing shots, helps with your eye patterns. If you take it a step further a try to implement a pause in back stroke, it can make a big difference too. Unfortunately the latter is tough to implement in a way that feels natural without an instructor. But it's doable just requires hard work and dedication.

I see you have a snooker table available to you. I'd take advantage of it if you're not already. You don't need to become a snooker player, but learning the game will tighten up your stroke. Just make sure that you carry any good habits you develop on the snooker table over to the pool table, a lot players get lazy when they go back to a pool table. I'd also learn a little english billiards, it's fantastic for improving cue ball control.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your opinions. :thumbup:
"Unfortunately the latter is tough to implement in a way that feels natural without an instructor" <---- This is very true. I tried to practice it myself but not feel natural
 
Any other critique????? I am trying desperately to bring the game to the next level
Thanks in advance for any input
 
You playing looks good to me, Lemin. Nice job on clearing that table. I agree with pausing at the CB more. Slow things down a bit, don't stroke so hard.

This kind of feedback would be nice, for those of us who don't have access, or at least easy access, to professional instruction. I am a real lone wolf of a player. We have a small ranch in the middle of nowhere, about 80 miles from the nearest decent size city (Austin, TX). I have a nice table setup in a "pool room" in our house. I'm the only one that ever even goes near it. It's just me, unless I can train one of my cows to shoot... (-;

It would be great to be able to post a short video of a shot and get some feedback on my stance, etc.
 
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Nam, I get the feeling that you are afraid when you are shooting. You often stop your cue stick at the point of impact with very little and sometimes no follow through.

Do not be afraid to miss shots. You may find that when you allow yourself to miss shots, you will make more shots. Besides, missing is part of the learning process. So if you do miss, you should not feel that you have failed. Telling yourself that it is okay to miss will help you to relax your stroke a bit more.

My recommendation to you is to practice letting your stroke out. You can do that by taking full strokes as a practice exercise. Don't hold back your follow through. Let it go.

Sometimes players make the mistake of thinking that if they restrict their cue stick movement, it will give them more control. You say you have a problem stroking straight. I think that's because you may be trying too hard to restrict your stroke. Restriction does not equal control. It is just restriction.

Also, you need to develop more of the eye of the tiger. Stare down your shots. Do not get up too soon. Keep your head still when you stroke and let only your eyes move as they watch the ball roll into the pocket.
 
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Ruark...Check your PM's

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Ruark said:
You playing looks good to me, Lemin. Nice job on clearing that table. I agree with pausing at the CB more. Slow things down a bit, don't stroke so hard.

This kind of feedback would be nice, for those of us who don't have access, or at least easy access, to professional instruction. I am a real lone wolf of a player. We have a small ranch in the middle of nowhere, about 80 miles from the nearest decent size city (Austin, TX). I have a nice table setup in a "pool room" in our house. I'm the only one that ever even goes near it. It's just me, unless I can train one of my cows to shoot... (-;

It would be great to be able to post a short video of a shot and get some feedback on my stance, etc.
Click to expand...
 
Ruark said:
You playing looks good to me, Lemin. Nice job on clearing that table. I agree with pausing at the CB more. Slow things down a bit, don't stroke so hard.

This kind of feedback would be nice, for those of us who don't have access, or at least easy access, to professional instruction. I am a real lone wolf of a player. We have a small ranch in the middle of nowhere, about 80 miles from the nearest decent size city (Austin, TX). I have a nice table setup in a "pool room" in our house. I'm the only one that ever even goes near it. It's just me, unless I can train one of my cows to shoot... (-;

It would be great to be able to post a short video of a shot and get some feedback on my stance, etc.
Click to expand...

Feel free to start your own thread and post a link to a video of your shooting. I'm sure we'll all be happy to help.
 
FranCrimi said:
Nam, I get the feeling that you are afraid when you are shooting. You often stop your cue stick at the point of impact with very little and sometimes no follow through.

Do not be afraid to miss shots. You may find that when you allow yourself to miss shots, you will make more shots. Besides, missing is part of the learning process. So if you do miss, you should not feel that you have failed. Telling yourself that it is okay to miss will help you to relax your stroke a bit more.

My recommendation to you is to practice letting your stroke out. You can do that by taking full strokes as a practice exercise. Don't hold back your follow through. Let it go.

Sometimes players make the mistake of thinking that if they restrict their cue stick movement, it will give them more control. You say you have a problem stroking straight. I think that's because you may be trying too hard to restrict your stroke. Restriction does not equal control. It is just restriction.

Also, you need to develop more of the eye of the tiger. Stare down your shots. Do not get up too soon. Keep your head still when you stroke and let only your eyes move as they watch the ball roll into the pocket.
Click to expand...

Fantastic review. Thank you sir!

"Nam, I get the feeling that you are afraid when you are shooting" <---- Very true. As I said before, in order to bring my game to the next level, I tried everything. I don't know whether it is a cue switch (I play with a Predator cue for so long) or my fundamentals are not settled or what. But my confidence is remarkably declined. A player who I gave the 8 ball all day long now can give me the 8 as I am on the quest to improve my game.
But I strongly believe fundamentals will help me in longer term because I have seen a lot of players in my pool house playing at the same speed as two years ago.

"Also, you need to develop more of the eye of the tiger. Stare down your shots. Do not get up too soon. Keep your head still when you stroke and let only your eyes move as they watch the ball roll into the pocket." <---- When I bend my back a little more and follow through longer as you recommended, my back hand will hit my chest near the finish position and I, somehow, have a feeling that it change the stroke result whether it's true or not. So that's why my stroke is as current.
How should I do?
 
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Ruark said:
You playing looks good to me, Lemin. Nice job on clearing that table. I agree with pausing at the CB more. Slow things down a bit, don't stroke so hard.

This kind of feedback would be nice, for those of us who don't have access, or at least easy access, to professional instruction. I am a real lone wolf of a player. We have a small ranch in the middle of nowhere, about 80 miles from the nearest decent size city (Austin, TX). I have a nice table setup in a "pool room" in our house. I'm the only one that ever even goes near it. It's just me, unless I can train one of my cows to shoot... (-;

It would be great to be able to post a short video of a shot and get some feedback on my stance, etc.
Click to expand...

thank you for your feedback
 
When I bend my back a little more and follow through longer, my back hand will hit my chest near the finish position and I, somehow, have a feeling that it change the stroke result whether it's true or not. So that's why my stroke is as current.
How should I do?
 
leminhnam said:
Fantastic review. Thank you sir!

"Nam, I get the feeling that you are afraid when you are shooting" <---- Very true. As I said before, in order to bring my game to the next level, I tried everything. I don't know whether it is a cue switch (I play with a Predator cue for so long) or my fundamentals are not settled or what. But my confidence is remarkably declined. A player who I gave the 8 ball all day long now can give me the 8 as I am on the quest to improve my game.
But I strongly believe fundamentals will help me in longer term because I have seen a lot of players in my pool house playing at the same speed as two years ago.

"Also, you need to develop more of the eye of the tiger. Stare down your shots. Do not get up too soon. Keep your head still when you stroke and let only your eyes move as they watch the ball roll into the pocket." <---- When I bend my back a little more and follow through longer as you recommended, my back hand will hit my chest near the finish position and I, somehow, have a feeling that it change the stroke result whether it's true or not. So that's why my stroke is as current.
How should I do?
Click to expand...

Nam, I am a woman, although you can not tell by my name. I too have experienced the decline in my game many times. I used to play on the women's pro tour here in the U.S., and now I am a master level instructor and I still compete locally and I still experience times of decline in my game.

Many players are afraid to experiment with their game for the very reason of the fear of decine. Decline is part of the process of finding a better game. Sometimes we can be fortunate to find something that works right away, but most of the time it is a difficult process with much personal pain and suffering. But do not worry, because the process will not fail you. It may take a little time, but you will emerge stronger than you were before.

If you feel that hitting your chest is obstructing your stroke, then it most likely is doing just that. The answer is not to restrict your follow through but to adjust your stance to accommodate a full stroke.

For each shot try to visualize the line that you want the cue ball to travel in on it's way to the object ball. Then extend that line off the table and make sure your back foot is either on that line or slightly to the left of that line. (Right now it is to the right of that line which is why you are crowding your arm). Then take about a half step more ahead of your back foot with your front foot, (Do not allow your front foot to drift too far ahead.) --- shoulder width apart or slightly more. You will find yourself leaning slightly back and to the right as you place your head over your cue. This should free up your arm so that it doesn't hit your chest.

This is just my recommendation for you as a starting point for you to begin experimenting with your stance.
 
FranCrimi said:
Nam, I am a woman, although you can not tell by my name. I too have experienced the decline in my game many times. I used to play on the women's pro tour here in the U.S., and now I am a master level instructor and I still compete locally and I still experience times of decline in my game. Many players are afraid to experiment with their game for the very reason of the fear of decine. Decline is part of the process of finding a better game. Sometimes we can be fortunate to find something that works right away, but most of the time it is a difficult process with much personal pain and suffering. But do not worry, because the process will not fail you. It may take a little time, but you will emerge stronger than you were before. If you feel that hitting your chest is obstructing your stroke, then it most likely is doing just that. The answer is not to restrict your follow through but to adjust your stance to accommodate a full stroke. For each shot try to visualize the line that you want the cue ball to travel in on it's way to the object ball. Then extend that line off the table and make sure your back foot is either on that line or slightly to the left of that line. (Right now it is to the right of that line which is why you are crowding your arm). Then take about a half step more ahead of your back foot with your front foot, (Do not allow your front foot to drift too far ahead.) --- shoulder width apart or slightly more. You will find yourself leaning slightly back and to the right as you place your head over your cue. This should free up your arm so that it doesn't hit your chest. This is just my recommendation for you as a starting point for you to begin experimenting with your stance.
Click to expand...
"Decline is part of the process of finding a better game." <---- I love what you said
"Most of the time it is a difficult process with much personal pain and suffering." <---- the transition is very painful. There was a moment that I even want to give up and go back to my Predator and my same old style because I can't bear it watching a nomally weaker opponent "slaughter" me any way he wants when I can't finish an easy money ball and leave him an easy shot. Thank you for pointing out my crowding arm and the instruction about the stance. Your contribution is greatly appreciated Instructor Fran. I will work on what you and Instructor Scott Lee suggest.
 
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Thank you Instructors

I would like to thank all of you who gave me inputs on how to improve my fundamentals, especially Instructor Scott Lee and Instructor Fran Crimi. I really appreciate your instructions!!! AZ is a great place where I learn a lot of things over the last 2 years.
I am very happy now
All the best,
Nam
 
Nam...just a different perspective on one of your comments. If, with a straight stroke, your grip hand comes into your chest, maybe that is your natural finish position. For me, my hand always ends up hitting my chest. If it doesn't, I feel like something went wrong with my stroke. Remember, by the time that happens, the cue ball is already long gone from the tip, so it really doesn't change the shot at all.
Steve
 
pooltchr said:
Nam...just a different perspective on one of your comments. If, with a straight stroke, your grip hand comes into your chest, maybe that is your natural finish position. For me, my hand always ends up hitting my chest. If it doesn't, I feel like something went wrong with my stroke. Remember, by the time that happens, the cue ball is already long gone from the tip, so it really doesn't change the shot at all.
Steve
Click to expand...

I totally understand what you were saying. But I feel very "uncomfortable" when my gip hands hit my chest. As I said before, I don't know why but my performance was sharply reduced when I have that feeling because, mentally, I think the chest obstructs my cue to follow through and alters the desired result.
To support my standpoint, I would like to ask you two questions:
Why do we need to follow though as the cue ball is long gone after contact with the tip? and seriously, I've seen a guy with quite impressive speed who usually pokes the ball rather than stroke through it.
Why do we feel this cue or that cue has a great feel to it? Partially, we feel the hit of a cue somehow by the way vibration travels back and forth along the cue when the CB is long gone. So, does it really matter how our grip hands feel the vibration after contact?
 
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