is there a better way to practice

Jdm34

jared marion
Silver Member
I seem to struggle with pre shot routine and I believe I miss a lot of shots because i dont hit center cue ball when I think I am going to I also have an inconsitant stroke for straightness that I have had no luck fixing. questions would be.

#1 could a hard tip with higher risk of miscueing help make me focus on center ball and pre shot routine?
#2 Is there a better stance for me I am 6 foot 5 inches.
 
I seem to struggle with pre shot routine and I believe I miss a lot of shots because i dont hit center cue ball when I think I am going to I also have an inconsitant stroke for straightness that I have had no luck fixing. questions would be.

#1 could a hard tip with higher risk of miscueing help make me focus on center ball and pre shot routine?
#2 Is there a better stance for me I am 6 foot 5 inches.

Hey Jared, why do you struggle with your pre shot routine? What's going on that makes you struggle with it?
 
i like to step back into my shot instead of coming into my shot i dont chalk every shot I change my mind or question what im doing while down on my shot.really just have a hard time changing old bad habbits.
 
i like to step back into my shot instead of coming into my shot i dont chalk every shot I change my mind or question what im doing while down on my shot.really just have a hard time changing old bad habbits.

I think I see your problem. Are these things you want to change and are having a hard time changing?

A different tip isn't the answer. Stepping into the shot will help your center ball hit. Staying back behind the shot and moving sideways until you are lined up, planting your back foot, and stepping into the shot will get your bridge hand behind the ball better than stepping back.

I like to think about the next shot while I chalk. Helps me remember to chalk every shot. I still forget on easy decision shots though.

Questioning while down on the shot is easy with the right mindset. You have to have the desire to improve. If you love the game, you will put in the effort to get back up when you know the shot is wrong or you aren't lined up correctly.
 
Is There a Better Way to Practice

I seem to struggle with pre shot routine and I believe I miss a lot of shots because i dont hit center cue ball when I think I am going to I also have an inconsitant stroke for straightness that I have had no luck fixing. questions would be.

#1 could a hard tip with higher risk of miscueing help make me focus on center ball and pre shot routine?
#2 Is there a better stance for me I am 6 foot 5 inches.


A different tip is not the answer.

As far as your other problems, there are many possible issues. My suggestion is to spend a few dollars and have a "Stroke Analysis" done by a qualified instructor. If you like the game, these will be some of the best dollars you ever spent. Check out this site to find an instructor in your area. http://playbetterbilliards.com/

Develop a very detailed "Pre - Shot Routine" and use it, this is a MUST. It does include using chalk after every shot. Think in the standing position and shoot in the down position. If you start thinking in the down position ... STOP - Start your pre-shot from the beginning and then shoot. (repeat if necessary)

At 6' 5" tall, try a wider stance. This should put you in a more comfortable stance, very important, and in a position to see down the target line better.

Keep Stroking ... STRAIGHT!!
 
i like to step back into my shot instead of coming into my shot i dont chalk every shot I change my mind or question what im doing while down on my shot.really just have a hard time changing old bad habbits.

Pick one issue at a time a spend a few weeks to a month,however long it takes to nail it down, focusing on it. So for the next few weeks focus on chalking after every shot, don't worry about the other stuff until you've built this new habit. After that work solely on stepping into the shot for the next little while and continue in this manner.

It's easier to build these new habits if you work on them individually.
 
i like to step back into my shot instead of coming into my shot i dont chalk every shot I change my mind or question what im doing while down on my shot.really just have a hard time changing old bad habbits.

Just so you know, everyone has trouble changing old bad habits, especially if they've been doing things that way for a long time.

The first thing you have to do is recognize which habits are wrong and which ones are okay to keep doing. It's only when you truly believe that what you're doing is wrong that you can begin to make a change, but if you really aren't convinced, you will keep doing what you're doing.

Download a video of yourself shooting and I as well as other instructors will be happy to take a look.

Actually, putting a hard tip on your cue is a pretty brave thing to do. Yes, you will have to focus more on your stroke, but that's really not the best way to make a change. You can still make mistakes with a hard tip.
 
3 phases to changing a habit

There are 3 phases to habit change and once you know them the process becomes much easier.

Before you go through the phases you must first identify both the habit you want to change and the new habit. After that you start the process.

Phase 1: The Honeymoon Phase

This is the period of time where making the change is easy. This is when the benefits are fresh on your mind and your motivation is high. Enjoy this time until you reach phase 2

Phase 2: The Fight Through

This is when it becomes harder to push yourself to do what you need to do. It is critical that you do not lose to the fight through phase. To beat this phase you have to do your new habit no matter what. You will not feel like doing it but the big picture is more important than instant gratification. There are 3 techniques to beat fight through.

1 recognition- realize that you are in phase two

2 ask yourself- How am I going to feel after I Do This? How will I feel if I don't do this?

3 look 5 years into the future- Your goal requires this habit and right now is the moment that is going to effect you in five years. This is a make or break moment.

If you give up during fight through even once, it will be hard to get back on track. Phase 2 doesn't last very long once you beat it. You usually only have to beat it 3 or 4 times until you move on to phase 3.

Phase 3: Second Nature

This is where the new habit starts to feel natural, like a part of your normal routine. You are not out of the woods yet though, it is possible for fight through to creep back in. 3 common interruptions that will send you back to fight through are

1 discouragement- You might not be progressing as fast as you want and start to lie to yourself by saying it's not worth it.

2 disruption- this would be like a life change that makes the habit harder to fit into your life.

3 loss of focus- don't lose track of your goal. Make time everyday to see yourself as you want to be and your focus should remain sharp.


The above can be applied to any area of your life where you have identified a habit you want to replace. Good luck!
 
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