Help with my stroke

Videos are great (including my own), up to a point. That said, they cannot answer a question, nor do they replace having a qualified instructor to show YOU specifically what you're doing inconstistently, or how to fix it. The offer is still open to you (but I need to hear from you by phone). It's an investment in your game that will pay dividends for years to come.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Dockter said:
Thanks Tex, I'll look into as soon as I have some spare time next week. I've also been told Manning on youtube is worth a look.

I'm going to practice again tomorrow hopefully making for an odd week when I got to shoot 4 nights in a row, normally it's only 1 or 2 in the summer.

I'm actually surprised at how many messages I've got of players at the same skill level as me that haven't posted because at times the forums can be harsh. I want to thank everyone for the feedback so far and I only ask that if someone else does this you are all as kind to them as you have been to me. Also, thanks to everyone that has messaged me giving encouragement and more tips.It seems whenever I get down I find an encouraging message and I really appreciate that. If I can put even half the advice given into practice I should be able to become at least a C shooter. :)
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Scott Lee said:
Videos are great (including my own), up to a point. That said, they cannot answer a question, nor do they replace having a qualified instructor to show YOU specifically what you're doing inconstistently, or how to fix it. The offer is still open to you (but I need to hear from you by phone). It's an investment in your game that will pay dividends for years to come.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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I appreciate it Scott, but there are just to many factors that will play into meeting up with you. If one test script fails on Saturday I'll likely be stuck working late into the night, if the girlfriend gets tired of shopping, and no clue how much time I would have. Don't wait around for me because it would take a miracle to be able to meet up for any significant amount of time.
 
Well, I found a new table to practice on. It's tough to not get frustrated but these pockets are a lot tighter and I think it will help me improve. Normally this area is only open on the weekends when the bar gets a little more busy and they don't let anyone shoot on the 9 footers. The one next to the one I'm playing on is Shane's Diamond and no one is allowed to touch it but I talked to co owner today and he told me just to let whoever is working know that I have his permission to play on the Gabriel and I can't beat the price. :)

I only recorded one tonight because I got to talking and started shooting and realized I don't put near the stress on myself as when the camera is on.

https://youtu.be/o59EatfFa18
 
Dockter said:
Well, I found a new table to practice on. It's tough to not get frustrated but these pockets are a lot tighter and I think it will help me improve. Normally this area is only open on the weekends when the bar gets a little more busy and they don't let anyone shoot on the 9 footers. The one next to the one I'm playing on is Shane's Diamond and no one is allowed to touch it but I talked to co owner today and he told me just to let whoever is working know that I have his permission to play on the Gabriel and I can't beat the price. :)

I only recorded one tonight because I got to talking and started shooting and realized I don't put near the stress on myself as when the camera is on.

https://youtu.be/o59EatfFa18
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So what are you trying to work on right now?

stroke, position play, read the table. etc?

everything all at once :)
 
Dockter said:
Well I finally found some time to video myself today and I didn't realize how terrible my stroke is. I've long said I'm the worst shooter on the forum and after watching myself shoot I'm pretty sure I was right.

If someone that has some experience as an instructor or hell anyone for that matter can tell me how I can work on this shoot me a message.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmP4oyt6Ud8AVzVGF4gsYJQ

edit: uploading a couple more.
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I have a Pool School in Fargo this August.

If you are interested just email at:
goettlicher@verizon.net

randyg
 
Recorded one more tonight after doing some of Dr. Dave's drills. I didn't realize it while I was shooting but you can definitely see when I become frustrated and I stop looking at my shots. Not to mention making dumb choices for shots.

On a better note I got a new jump handle from NewSherrifinTwn and although I'm not confident in my jumping yet I love the design. He is a hell of a guy.

After this recording the rest of my team showed up and going from the 9ft table to a few Valleys is kind of funny. The pockets seem huge and it feels a lot easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twtDF3hfL3U
 
Finally recorded a couple more. As you can see I still have no psr. I'm trying to study shots more but I tend to get lazy. I've been practicing on a 9 ft Gabriel with tight pockets and when that's taken a 7 ft Diamond. Tonight the girlfriend came with and shot darts so I played upstairs. The pockets seem HUGE. I'm doing terrible at any long shots.
 
Dockter said:
Recorded one more tonight after doing some of Dr. Dave's drills. I didn't realize it while I was shooting but you can definitely see when I become frustrated and I stop looking at my shots. Not to mention making dumb choices for shots.

On a better note I got a new jump handle from NewSherrifinTwn and although I'm not confident in my jumping yet I love the design. He is a hell of a guy.

After this recording the rest of my team showed up and going from the 9ft table to a few Valleys is kind of funny. The pockets seem huge and it feels a lot easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twtDF3hfL3U
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Your stoke looks quite a bit better than the earlier video, your tip actually goes in the line of the shot on the follow through now and no more waiving the tip before contact in the shots I watched. Pocketing balls better and position will come with time.
 
ChicagoRJ said:
Bridge hand is not stable. Get the palm of your hand on the table.

Bridge length is too LONG. You're playing on a Valley, shorten that bridge distance up, you'll see a big improvement in making balls.

Shooting off rail, You using a standard open hand bridge, and then putting it on top of the rail, and thus you perception is now way different from most of your other shots. I'd much prefer you use the rail as your bridge, with your thumb as the guide, and folding your finger over top of the shaft.

Your practice strokes are smooth, but on your shooting stroke, you tighten up your grip and you stroke suffers because of it. The grip should be just as loose when making contact with the cue ball as it was during your practice strokes. Might be the biggest flaw I saw. So, lighten up, literally ;)

Seem to be just "shooting" balls. No real plan. Get use to pointing to the spot with your cue tip where you want the cb to go for next shot. The camera does not lie, and thus, you'll know if you are getting in the vicinity.

Be smooth, and hit the balls "quiet". You seem to want to hit lots of shots hard. Practice hitting most shots way below center with less speed. Keep the cb from moving too much, get a feel for moving the cb around with less effort/power.

Oh, and you need a shave ;)
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and what is this?

"Anyone but me could run this table easy. I'm not even close."
"Once again out of position all game find a way to the 8 and choke. Twice. "
"Out of position all game but found a way out thanks to huge pockets"
"I've long said I'm the worst shooter on the forum and after watching myself shoot I'm pretty sure I was right. "


Mental warfare on yourself? I'm guessing you are the kind of guy that shoots good enough that everyone takes you seriously enough, you get up 4-0 in a race to 5 and then lose 5 strait cause you mentally implode. Dogging a few 8's in the process for the match because it's just plain easier to miss/lose than it is to really focus and try your hardest?? Play good in league and lose to those same players you beat in league while in a tourney situation?? Maybe that's just ,me...i'd say you basically shot exactly how I shoot. lol great here and there...can't make a ball 2 feet from the pocket other days. I shoot lazy
 
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thehoneybadger said:
and what is this?

"Anyone but me could run this table easy. I'm not even close."
"Once again out of position all game find a way to the 8 and choke. Twice. "
"Out of position all game but found a way out thanks to huge pockets"
"I've long said I'm the worst shooter on the forum and after watching myself shoot I'm pretty sure I was right. "


Mental warfare on yourself? I'm guessing you are the kind of guy that shoots good enough that everyone takes you seriously enough, you get up 4-0 in a race to 5 and then lose 5 strait cause you mentally implode. Dogging a few 8's in the process for the match because it's just plain easier to miss/lose than it is to really focus and try your hardest?? Play good in league and lose to those same players you beat in league while in a tourney situation?? Maybe that's just ,me...i'd say you basically shot exactly how I shoot. lol great here and there...can't make a ball 2 feet from the pocket other days. I shoot lazy
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Lol, I agree, I get frustrated and down on myself. I play okay in league but I had a pretty good year in tournaments, but that's in C and I want to get better. I finished 25-32 in SD state and 9-12th in an MPA tournament. I shot decent in the team tournaments but not nearly as well as I did in singles.
 
Timothy Rose said:
was hard not to cringe watching that vid bro! ...dunno where to start?
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Super constructive....

The guys is asking for help. No need to be a dick.


The only thing I haven't seen yet is keeping your cue as level as possible. That might helps minimize missed shots.
 
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Dockter said:
Recorded one more tonight after doing some of Dr. Dave's drills. I didn't realize it while I was shooting but you can definitely see when I become frustrated and I stop looking at my shots. Not to mention making dumb choices for shots.

On a better note I got a new jump handle from NewSherrifinTwn and although I'm not confident in my jumping yet I love the design. He is a hell of a guy.

After this recording the rest of my team showed up and going from the 9ft table to a few Valleys is kind of funny. The pockets seem huge and it feels a lot easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twtDF3hfL3U
Click to expand...

Your stroke looks a lot better! Good job on that, I personally believe that if you want to work on fundamentals, you definitely should do drills. Randomly shooting balls in won't do you a lot of good at this stage of your developement. Make it really competitive and keep score!

I have a suggestion for a drill you could try for the planning part of your game. Start with the 4 ball ghost. Use a 9 ball rack and remove balls until the 4 highest are left after the break, so that you can practise your break as well. Break the balls and take a picture with your phone of the layout. Plan your run out in your mind, with a specific shot for each ball, then execute that plan with ball in hand on your first shot. If you don't execute the way you planned, set up the balls as they were after the break and do it again. NO LAZY SHOTS! You need to get the approximate position you planned (within reason). If you get lazy, put up a sheet of paper to land on (cut out the center, like on the Dr. Dave drills), you might need quite a large one in the beginning. You are of course allowed to adjust your plan if you see a better option after failing. But once a plan is selected it must be followed for the entire run. If that gets too difficult or too easy, remove or add balls accordingly. I think a lot of people will be surprised by the difficulty of this drill. There is no shame in starting with as little as 3 balls here and a bar box will still be pretty challenging, depending on position zone sizes etc. Remember that you need perfect position. NO stretching or shooting off the rail. Play position on the final shot as well (try to get a stop shot or if that is too difficult play position for the middle of the table). Perfect practise makes perfect play!

I
 
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Straightpool_99 said:
I have a suggestion for a drill you could try for the planning part of your game. Start with the 4 ball ghost. Use a 9 ball rack and remove balls until the 4 highest are left after the break, so that you can practise your break as well. Break the balls and take a picture with your phone of the layout. Plan your run out in your mind, with a specific shot for each ball, then execute that plan with ball in hand on your first shot. If you don't execute the way you planned, set up the balls as they were after the break and do it again. NO LAZY SHOTS! You need to get the approximate position you planned (within reason). If you get lazy, put up a sheet of paper to land on (cut out the center, like on the Dr. Dave drills), you might need quite a large one in the beginning. You are of course allowed to adjust your plan if you see a better option after failing. But once a plan is selected it must be followed for the entire run. If that gets too difficult or too easy, remove or add balls accordingly. I think a lot of people will be surprised by the difficulty of this drill. There is no shame in starting with as little as 3 balls here and a bar box will still be pretty challenging, depending on position zone sizes etc. Remember that you need perfect position. NO stretching or shooting off the rail. Play position on the final shot as well (try to get a stop shot or if that is too difficult play position for the middle of the table). Perfect practise makes perfect play!

I
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I'm going to do this, thanks for the suggestion.
 
Straightpool_99 said:
Your stroke looks a lot better! Good job on that, I personally believe that if you want to work on fundamentals, you definitely should do drills. Randomly shooting balls in won't do you a lot of good at this stage of your developement. Make it really competitive and keep score!

I have a suggestion for a drill you could try for the planning part of your game. Start with the 4 ball ghost. Use a 9 ball rack and remove balls until the 4 highest are left after the break, so that you can practise your break as well. Break the balls and take a picture with your phone of the layout. Plan your run out in your mind, with a specific shot for each ball, then execute that plan with ball in hand on your first shot. If you don't execute the way you planned, set up the balls as they were after the break and do it again. NO LAZY SHOTS! You need to get the approximate position you planned (within reason). If you get lazy, put up a sheet of paper to land on (cut out the center, like on the Dr. Dave drills), you might need quite a large one in the beginning. You are of course allowed to adjust your plan if you see a better option after failing. But once a plan is selected it must be followed for the entire run. If that gets too difficult or too easy, remove or add balls accordingly. I think a lot of people will be surprised by the difficulty of this drill. There is no shame in starting with as little as 3 balls here and a bar box will still be pretty challenging, depending on position zone sizes etc. Remember that you need perfect position. NO stretching or shooting off the rail. Play position on the final shot as well (try to get a stop shot or if that is too difficult play position for the middle of the table). Perfect practise makes perfect play!

I
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Still can't send you a greenie but would if I could. I'm going to do both suggestions. I do play the 9 ball ghost on occasion. Rarely run out and probably average 4-5. I'm also getting the bullseye billiard shot book on my phone so I can find specific shots to practice. I really appreciate the feedback from everyone. Thanks for taking the time.
 
I'll be posting a video soon and you'll see just how bad i am..

Patience is what I'm learning the most, if you practice and pay attention to everything it will all come together... Just takes time.

How long have you been playing?
How many hours do you practice a week.. Dedicated practice?
 
Darkridder said:
I'll be posting a video soon and you'll see just how bad i am..

Patience is what I'm learning the most, if you practice and pay attention to everything it will all come together... Just takes time.

How long have you been playing?
How many hours do you practice a week.. Dedicated practice?
Click to expand...

I've been playing for 8 years but the first 6 was a doubles league with my grandpa. I didn't really care at that point, it was a night out with my grandpa, we both drank a lot cared little for how we played. It was bar rules, only call the 8, fouls were bih behind the headstring, take what you break. I showed up, hit everything hard, cared little about how I played.

2 years ago I got into real leagues and fell in love with the game. I've watched many videos and get on the table as much as I can. I live in an apartment that there just isn't room for a table in but look forward to the day I can play at home. I normally get out 3-4 days a week for 2-5 hours a shot. One day my whole team shows up but the other times I'm shooting alone or every once in awhile someone will ask if they can shoot with me.

I need to learn to pay attention to everything even when practicing. I'm normally pretty focused when I shoot other people but when I'm shooting alone I get lazy and probably miss more easy shots than I do hard ones. Hard ones I focus and study the shot, "easy" shots I just get down and shoot half the time without even looking at the actual shot. Someone made a great comment to me about there being no easy shots and I need to get that through my head even when I'm playing alone.
 
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