Why do pro's hit hard in practice?

Goldcues

Goldcues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have seen pro's practice between matches at big events many times. I have noticed that many, if not most, tend to shoot shots much harder in this warm up practice time then they normally would in a match.
Why is this?
SVB, Mike Dechaine, Shawn Putnam, etc.
Seems like when it counts most, they would want to practice the way they will play.
I'm sure there is a smart reason for it and that I should be doing it too, but I would like to know what that reason is.
Any ideas? Any pro's out there that can help explain this?
 
I'm not a pro, but I can give you two reasons why I do it:
1) It's fun
2) It gets my arm loose
 
It's just a warm-up, not really practice. They usually use that time to get their stroke locked in and to determine how the table plays (rails, speed, etc.). They might hit a couple of slow shots to check for a roll, but there's not much value beyond that.
 
It gives them needed information on ball collisions and squirt and how that effect has on the outcome of obj. ball and cue ball movements/collisions. These conditions are never static, they are in constant change with dirt/humidity, cloth wear and other factors. Beginning players are not aware of changes, but get confused by ''it worked last time''. Since pool deals with such infinite/finite variables, they are magnified during play when conditions change, and they always do. Plus their own game/physical and mental is never the same twice from hour to hour.
 
I'm no pro but I think it has something to do with "airing out" or just letting loose with the stroke.

If you can execute a pure stroke firmly and accurately, then it's all that much easier to execute a pure stroke at a reduced and perhaps more easily controlled speed.

It's kind of like going through a great stretch routing before you participate in an athletic event. You have to get the muscles loosened up to perform at top speed.

Just my opinion.
 
rrick33 said:
I'm no pro but I think it has something to do with "airing out" or just letting loose with the stroke.

If you can execute a pure stroke firmly and accurately, then it's all that much easier to execute a pure stroke at a reduced and perhaps more easily controlled speed.

It's kind of like going through a great stretch routing before you participate in an athletic event. You have to get the muscles loosened up to perform at top speed.

Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

Exactly. They're letting their stroke out.
 
There are numerous reasons:

1. Forces muscles to move fluidly, in order to get rid of muscle tension.

2. Puts the mind in a state of "just do it", rather than in "thinking mode". If you spend too much time playing "properly", then you give the mind too much time to think, unecessarily. This is bad, at the beginning of a match.

3. Forces the generation of an adreneline surge earlier, so it can be "burned off" before the combat begins.

Short Bus Russ - C player
 
Watching quite a few pros warm up, this is my theory...If you've got a kink in your stroke or your mechanics are a little "off", a firm stroke will amplify your issue...plus, it's easier to loosen up you shoulder/arm with a few firm stroke shots. If you can make them firm, you'll make them with finesse, too. If you see them miss more than a couple of these rifle shots, you'll see them amp it way down and really cinch them to make sure they're not way off. Then, they'll amp back up, then wait for the lag.
 
Goldcues said:
I have seen pro's practice between matches at big events many times. I have noticed that many, if not most, tend to shoot shots much harder in this warm up practice time then they normally would in a match.
Why is this?
SVB, Mike Dechaine, Shawn Putnam, etc.
Seems like when it counts most, they would want to practice the way they will play.
I'm sure there is a smart reason for it and that I should be doing it too, but I would like to know what that reason is.
Any ideas? Any pro's out there that can help explain this?
Click to expand...

Great question. We hit 'em a bit harder because, as one would expect, it loosens up the stroke a bit.
It's like a nice warm-up for the body—not just the arm.
It also provides some important information as to the "play" of the rails, "roll" of the felt, and to gauge
how a player generally feels at any given time; although these last factors aren't as important as simply just "getting loose."

There is also one other psychological factor (for some of us pros):
We enjoy a bit of free-wheeling, and when others are watching us warm-up, we like to show off the intricacies of our stroke.

You'll see the same thing at a professional golf tournament.
Just watch some of the pros warming up on the range and/or putting green.
If you look closely enough, some of those "warm-up" shots/putts evoke subtle "hot-dogging."

Human nature I suppose.
 
Last edited:
If you have only a short time to warm up, hitting harder shortens the time needed.

It also lets your opponent(s) see how good you are at high speed pocketing. This can be scary and give you an edge.

Jeff Livingston
 
Im most inaccurate with long shots struck hard... therefore as part of a warm up routine I try firing those in.
 
Some feel there's an intimidation factor, like they're showing the opponent they're relaxed and casual and just banging balls around... doing funsie shots instead of preparing for the match.

In theory the opponent is supposed to be wowed by their super stroke which is capable of drilling warp speed shots with plenty of spin.

Also, shooting at hard speed is just more difficult, so you practice those shots for the same reason you work on your long shots instead of your hangers.
 
Last edited:
rrick33 said:
I'm no pro but I think it has something to do with "airing out" or just letting loose with the stroke.

If you can execute a pure stroke firmly and accurately, then it's all that much easier to execute a pure stroke at a reduced and perhaps more easily controlled speed.

It's kind of like going through a great stretch routing before you participate in an athletic event. You have to get the muscles loosened up to perform at top speed.

Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
I believe this is pretty much the reason for it. It shows if their stroke is off. If its good at highest speed then at normal stroke speed its fine.
 
Goldcues said:
I have seen pro's practice between matches at big events many times. I have noticed that many, if not most, tend to shoot shots much harder in this warm up practice time then they normally would in a match.
Why is this?
SVB, Mike Dechaine, Shawn Putnam, etc.
Seems like when it counts most, they would want to practice the way they will play.
I'm sure there is a smart reason for it and that I should be doing it too, but I would like to know what that reason is.
Any ideas? Any pro's out there that can help explain this?
Click to expand...

I'm no pro, but I can shoot pretty straight...I do this too. I think the idea is that it really magnifies the feeling of coming straight through the ball, and confirms your sighting. When you can blast the ball in the center of the pocket, it gives a great feeling first of all, but also gives a loud confirmation that your stroke is smooth, straight, and feeling good. Backing down the speed is really easy, but you need to be dead straight first. I think that is what is going on.

KMRUNOUT
 
CreeDo said:
Some feel there's an intimidation factor, like they're showing the opponent they're relaxed and casual and just banging balls around... doing funsie shots instead of preparing for the match.

In theory the opponent is supposed to be wowed by their super stroke which is capable of drilling warp speed shots with plenty of speed.

Also, shooting at hard speed is just more difficult, so you practice those shots for the same reason you work on your long shots instead of your hangers.


Posted from Azbilliards.com App for Android
Click to expand...

That's probably correct, most pro's have big strokes and even bigger egos so beyond getting loose there is some intimidation involved.
 
I think it's a given that everybody likes the feeling of shooting a ball with authority and then splitting the wicket. :) It's the sound the ball makes as it hits the back of the pocket. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top