Pool's "Best Practices"

Funny how it's different strokes for different strokes.

Building muscles for a pool stroke which is more about speed control then strength is not beneficial.

For me, the best thing that has happen to my stroke is learning the guitar. I've gain a better sense of speed control of the cue from learning how to strum the strings, in addition I'm getting a better sense of rhythm, which has help slow my playing down some.

The stroke is all about speed control. How that is accomplished, the motions of the needed body parts to do so will change from shot to shot.

Do all the exercises you want, but if you do nothing to improve speed control of the cue, the exercises are useless for pool.

Watch a guitarist, or a violinist. Watch how they make the music.

Sometimes now, I feel as if I'm making music while playing pool.

Fwiw...the biggest problem in discussing pool is there are no industry standards to be used by all for discussion purposes.
 
(((Satori))) said:
Even if that were true, you cant ignore the benefits of feeling and looking better.

If I live to be 70, then cool, but I want to look like this.
https://youtu.be/lOQqpxxWho8
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Very true, but I cannot go back to that life. I lived and breathed it for about 10 years.

I would rather go quicker than to live longer with reduced mental capacities. Seen it my family and I dont want it.
 
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peteypooldude said:
What baffles me about PJ is that he seems to know it all but his pool game tells a different story. Could it be that he listens to no one? I think I'd put some time on the table giving some of these theory's a chance instead of trying to debunk what better players are telling me
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That post of mine was made in 'jest' as to how he plays word games. I'm fairly sure that PJ knows how to use at least some english.

That said, I agree with you.

I had been spinning & throwing balls for 45 years when CJ brought up TOI. To me that was like 'What? Is he nuts?' But... since it was coming from someone that is obviously a much better player than I have ever been, I read on with an open mind. I then went to the table & tried it & saw potential immediately.

Could I use it to play a game or a match against someone & win with it right away? I doubt it. But, the potential was there. So, I asked a few questions & CJ answered them. Things came into place. Now TOI is fighting a member of my team that is 45 years it's senior to become my main method. I'd say that they now flip back & forth to fight for 65% or more. It might actually depend on the weather that changes so much down here in New Orleans as to which one gets more playing time.

If I had to make a recommendation to a young individual between what I chose as a playing method & TOI, I'd recommend TOI with my way as a tool if needed when.

It's like CJ had said, if you are not getting better then you are falling back, or some words to that effect.

Patrick is Patrick. If he's happy with his game then that's fine.

As I've said, CJ is certainly offering up his way but he has said that his way may only fit 37% of those playing the game & if it does not fit now then put it aside as one may want to bring it out at sometime in the future.

Fran Crimi made a post awhile back about what type of connection to the cue that she finally settled on using. I took it to the table & found that it works quite well. It's not for me at this time but I still use it now & then to keep my hand in it so to speak. Who knows, it may be a good fit for me in a year or two.

You Shoot & Stay Well,
Rick
 
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duckie said:
Funny how it's different strokes for different strokes.

Building muscles for a pool stroke which is more about speed control then strength is not beneficial.

For me, the best thing that has happen to my stroke is learning the guitar. I've gain a better sense of speed control of the cue from learning how to strum the strings, in addition I'm getting a better sense of rhythm, which has help slow my playing down some.

The stroke is all about speed control. How that is accomplished, the motions of the needed body parts to do so will change from shot to shot.

Do all the exercises you want, but if you do nothing to improve speed control of the cue, the exercises are useless for pool.

Watch a guitarist, or a violinist. Watch how they make the music.

Sometimes now, I feel as if I'm making music while playing pool.

Fwiw...the biggest problem in discussing pool is there are no industry standards to be used by all for discussion purposes.
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Fairly good post, Greg.
 
There are different types of pool strokes other than a 'pendulum' swing.

Hold the cue 'short' with the hand in front of the elbow. It's different.
 
DTL said:
When you say "pool stroke", I'm assuming you mean the last one that actually puts the balls in motion. The triceps have nothing to do with the forward pool stroke. The triceps pull (contract) the stick back and then relax when the stick is pushed (stroked) forward by the biceps. A good backstroke is important but no one has ever pocketed a ball on the backstroke.
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I know what you are saying, but I actually did pocket a ball on the backstroke one time! Tight quarters and I had my cue too level to the table. Hit another ball, and it actually went in! :embarrassed2:
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Good question. What's the issue with push vs. pull? Why do we care which is which?

pj <- had to ask, didn't I?
chgo
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Because DTL says "if one is gonna try to teach in the form of words (or in person), they need to get it right."


He had an issue with Fran's post... even though Fran was right.
 
Thanks, when things get too serious around here I tend to throw out some one liners to lighten the mood. Sometimes they are appreciated other times not.



(((Satori))) said:
Your sense of humor is spot on. It's good to be able to joke around here a little.:thumbup:
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If the bridge hand is x amount of inches. What would be a good final strokes distance? Tip away from cue ball. I had my wife doing spot shots with a shorter stroke but also only using a forward motion. She was making just about all of them. New to her using a shorter stroke with a pause. She shot lights out last night on an Irving K. Shooting off the rail she was much more consistent. I just didn't know what a good length was from tip to cue ball.
 
jburkm002 said:
If the bridge hand is x amount of inches. What would be a good final strokes distance? Tip away from cue ball. I had my wife doing spot shots with a shorter stroke but also only using a forward motion. She was making just about all of them. New to her using a shorter stroke with a pause. She shot lights out last night on an Irving K. Shooting off the rail she was much more consistent. I just didn't know what a good length was from tip to cue ball.
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The closer the better for tip/ball accuracy on the shot stroke, so long as you don't get so close on practice strokes that you tend to bump the CB. I line up with my tip within 1/2" of the CB (or less).

pj
chgo
 
Not what I am referring to. Sorry. So on you final stroke you pull the cue back. Some bring the tip back the their Bridge hand. Some bring the tip back much shorter. My wife would get chalk on her bridge hand because she brought the tip back that far. I felt it made her very inconsistent and wanted to shorten her stroke. I just don't know what's to short. So it's long back swing vs short back swing.
 
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