Thoughts on weight training for a straight stroke

[One Pocket John]

I tried that and didn't feel like I was getting much out of it, so no. Just straight strokes through a narrow gap to make sure it's straight.

Yeah, you don't want to shoot at balls with this exercise.

MCB, thanks for the thread.

What I have done is to place a piece of tape where the cue ball would be and then place an OB in the corner pocket. This gives me something to aim at and at the same time train my eyes for proper movement from the imaginary QB to the OB.

By the way, I have whats called a kinetic tremor in my shooting arm and this exercise is working very well to reduce the shaking.

Even though I have only been doing this exercise for only a few days, it does have value and I will include it in all future practice sessions, which are everyday.

Thanks again and more to come as the three week testing period passes.

Man, I hope Earl doesn't read this thread.

John

 

[BeiberLvr]

Yeah props to the OP for coming up with this, or at least being the first person to bring it up.

I won't be playing until the weekend, so I've just been practicing it on the kitchen table. I do 3 sets of 15 reps with the weight. Rest. Then 3 sets without.

I'll see if it makes any positive difference when I play this weekend.

 

[One Pocket John]

Yeah props to the OP for coming up with this, or at least being the first person to bring it up.

I won't be playing until the weekend, so I've just been practicing it on the kitchen table. I do 3 sets of 15 reps with the weight. Rest. Then 3 sets without.

I'll see if it makes any positive difference when I play this weekend.

Good luck to ya this weekend.

What you will have to do is reacquire the feeling of the cue in your hand without the added weight (3lbs+vs. 18oz) in your hand. When you practice without the weight focus and feel the the weight of the cue in your hand.

You will do well. You will notice that you are hitting the OB with a more positive hit. Don't think about it just let it happen.

Have fun and good luck/skill :wink:
Let us know how the games go.

John

 

[One Pocket John]

10 Day Weight Update

Its been 10 days using the OP's weight suggestion.

What I do is get into the best shot line stance possible. The stance I use is one that allows my shooting arm to naturally fall down onto the shot line.

Then I begin the exercise. (everyday for the last 10 days.)
I have an OB in the corner pocket for something to aim at.

4 sets of 25 reps - with a 10-15min break between sets.

The focus of each rep is:
1. The feel of the cue weight on or near the first knuckle of my middle finger using a loose grip.
2. Feeling the stroke with my grip hand bringing the cue slowly back and then moving the cue forward with as smooth of an acceleration movement as I can manage to my finish.
3. Getting the eyes coordinated with the back and forward movement of the cue on the OB.
4. On the back swing I breath in, on the forward swing I breath out.

That's all I can think of for right now.

Word of caution, take at least a 30 minute break after completion. It will take some time hitting balls for you to get the feel of the cue weight back in your hand. Even then you may notice that you are hitting the balls too hard. Just keep loosening your grip until you connect with the cue.

One other thing I have noticed after using this exercise is that my cue delivery feels like my shooting arm is disconnected from the rest of my body and just shooting balls in the pockets.

I'll continue to add to this post as time passes.

For me, this is a good thing. Your mileage may vary.

Once again, many thanks to the OP. :smile:

John

 

[One Pocket John]

Over 3 weeks and 2300 reps completed

This is a heck of a workout.

On my table I have a straight black line on the cloth running from the corner pocket back to the other end of the table. I use this line to make sure that the tip of the cue and butt of the cue are always on the shot line during the workout.

Getting your body positioned correctly allowing your shooting arm to fall naturally on the shot line is very important. Other wise you will find yourself forcing the cue to follow a straight line.

This exercise also allows for the proper timing between the fingers on the grip hand and the contraction of the lower bicep muscle which closes the arm.

I'll continue to use this exercise maybe every other day and fewer reps. as part of my morning practice sessions.

Thanks again to the OP.

I also would like input from an instructor if they have tried it. Your opinions are valued.

Happy New Year all.

John

 

[FranCrimi]

This is a heck of a workout.

On my table I have a straight black line on the cloth running from the corner pocket back to the other end of the table. I use this line to make sure that the tip of the cue and butt of the cue are always on the shot line during the workout.

Getting your body positioned correctly allowing your shooting arm to fall naturally on the shot line is very important. Other wise you will find yourself forcing the cue to follow a straight line.

This exercise also allows for the proper timing between the fingers on the grip hand and the contraction of the lower bicep muscle which closes the arm.

I'll continue to use this exercise maybe every other day and fewer reps. as part of my morning practice sessions.

Thanks again to the OP.

I also would like input from an instructor if they have tried it. Your opinions are valued.

Happy New Year all.

John

All sounds good ---- Just one thing I want to mention regarding your comment about proper timing between grip hand fingers and arm.

Of course, there are exceptions to what I'm about to say here, but ---- If you just focus on executing with your arm, you won't have to be so concerned about your hand. It will follow your arm without trouble.

However, if you begin your stroke with (even subconsciously,) with a focus on the hand, you are setting yourself up for a poorly timed stroke.

Also, if you want to assure yourself of a straight stroke, shoot with your arm. Yes, there are exceptions, but not a whole lot.

 

[One Pocket John]

All sounds good ---- Just one thing I want to mention regarding your comment about proper timing between grip hand fingers and arm.

Of course, there are exceptions to what I'm about to say here, but ---- If you just focus on executing with your arm, you won't have to be so concerned about your hand. It will follow your arm without trouble.

However, if you begin your stroke with (even subconsciously,) with a focus on the hand, you are setting yourself up for a poorly timed stroke.

Also, if you want to assure yourself of a straight stroke, shoot with your arm. Yes, there are exceptions, but not a whole lot.

Thanks for the comments Fran.
I'll keep my eye out for this one. :smile:

John

 

[CJ Wiley]

the bicep was mostly decorative and it was interfering with my hand speed

I've messed around with weights most of my life. I was on the road with "Strong Arm John" who lifts weights almost every day. I would get to playing well, then my game would drop suddenly and I had trouble feeling the cue, it was like a toothpick.

After many years my martial arts instructor pointed out that the bicep was mostly decorative and it was interfering with my hand speed and acceleration at impact.

He was right, from that point on I stayed away from bicep exercises and my game remained consistent. I know it seems like the bicep is the most important aspect of the stroke, but it's actually the triceps and the elbow (Ronnie O'Sullivan recommends to feel like you're hitting the cue ball with your elbow).

This recommendation is true in my case, I'm not suggesting it's right for everyone - just keep it in mind in case it helps at a later date.

CJ Wiley

Keep it up, just be careful about developing your shoulders and especially the bicep muscle.....it can have a detrimental effect on your game.


CJ could you elaborate a little more on the above statement...are we discussing someone who quits playing pool and becomes Mr. Olympia or someone that is doing both every other day?