Extremely elaborate pre-shot routines

Straightpool_99

I see dead balls
Silver Member
There is a coach (that I will not name) that recommends an extremely elaborate pre-shot routine, which among other things recommend physically moving to the side to look at the contact point line on every shot, standing on the contact point to pocket line. There are lots of other steps as well. For a big cut a table length away, that's quite a walk. I see lots of people using this, but funnily enough they often take their eyes off that point when they take their long walk back to the cue ball! That time spent walking is wasted as long as you don't keep your eyes on the object ball. What do you think?

Not only that but for rhytm games like straight pool and snooker it completely destroys the dead punch rhytm you get into on a run. By that I mean when you are on a run in these games your speed tends to pick up, there is less doubt and you hit balls cleaner and with more authority. What you are in fact doing with this dance routine is to override your instincts, making it harder to get in dead stroke.
 
I always tell people to walk around to look at the shot from the line of the contact point, maybe not on every shot but if you are more than a few feet from the ball and have a decent cut angle, it's a good idea. My son ignores me at times and always misses cut shots that should be pretty simple due not doing it since he misjudges the angle from his stance. When I see him look at the shot before getting down to shoot it, he makes the shots a lot more.

It's like putting your finger on the rail where you want the ball to hit. Or putting your tip down on the table where you want the ball to end up, it does help.

I walk around the table a bit anyway, and just take a half second to glance at the shot from the direct angle to the pocket.
 
physically moving to the side to look at the contact point line on every shot, I see lots of people using this, but funnily enough they often take their eyes off that point when they take their long walk back to the cue ball! That time spent walking is wasted as long as you don't keep your eyes on the object ball. What do you think?

^^ don't agree with this part.......it gives you a better idea of what the cut angle is, even if you take your eyes off the OB when walking back to the CB..


however I agree with you that the shooter doesn't need to do this on every shot.
 
Playing like that shows that the player doesn't know the reference angles of the pool table. He is not able to recognize the angle and the cb-ob relationship that leads to the pocket.

In other words, this player is completely unfamiliar with trigonometry, geometry, etc....

These guys should not play the game. The game is for smart people.
 
Playing like that shows that the player doesn't know the reference angles of the pool table. He is not able to recognize the angle and the cb-ob relationship that leads to the pocket.

In other words, this player is completely unfamiliar with trigonometry, geometry, etc....

These guys should not play the game. The game is for smart people.

I think that statement is horrible. "The game is for smart people". I think there are probably a lot of players that aren't familiar with trigonometry and geometry that would probably show you a few things on the pool table. This game is sometimes for fun and for competition. I think we need more "smart" people like you teaching newbies how to play and then everyone can be smart and more people can enjoy the game.
 
Playing like that shows that the player doesn't know the reference angles of the pool table. He is not able to recognize the angle and the cb-ob relationship that leads to the pocket.

In other words, this player is completely unfamiliar with trigonometry, geometry, etc....

These guys should not play the game. The game is for smart people.

LOL, let us see a video of you playing. Im guessing C player.. lol.

Not that there anything wrong with that...
 
I think that statement is horrible. "The game is for smart people". I think there are probably a lot of players that aren't familiar with trigonometry and geometry that would probably show you a few things on the pool table. This game is sometimes for fun and for competition. I think we need more "smart" people like you teaching newbies how to play and then everyone can be smart and more people can enjoy the game.

Truth hurts..... Sometimes.....
If you ever visit Greece, let me know.....
 
LOL, let us see a video of you playing. Im guessing C player.. lol.

Not that there anything wrong with that...

When it's ready I will let you know. Now go hit some balls with your straight stroke and "perfect" fundamentals.......
Aaaa, and your "LD SHAFT" which shoots lights out. But without this you can't spin a ball to save your life..... Looolllll !!!!!

Omg this forum is full of retards
 
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Pre shot -

Look at the table layout and see if you have any problem balls.

Find your shot and play position for 2 balls ahead.

Never bend your neck to see your angle always stand directly infront of contact point to pocket.

Now stand straight up infront of the cue-ball find your line while standing.

Come down on your line and do your practice strokes while dialing in the shot.

If you start to doubt what you are doing.. Do not shoot! repeat process :-)

Someone told me this a long time ago i don't know if it works.

Play well my friends!
 
I can't recall any great potters who need to walk around to check the OB to pocket line, other than to check how close it is to a rail.

If you play well and often, you can pretty much pot as well if the pocket is hidden, just from experience of the table dimensions as perceived by nearby rails.

Colin
 
When it's ready I will let you know. Now go hit some balls with your straight stroke and "perfect" fundamentals.......

Omg this forum is full of retards

LOL!. Salty fellow.

This is what beginners should do to improve.
 
I mean if you are an experienced player then play how you play. But if you are trying to teach someone something you want them to learn the fundamentals.
 
I have never had to apply Trig functions when playing.

Am I missing something?

;)

Playing like that shows that the player doesn't know the reference angles of the pool table. He is not able to recognize the angle and the cb-ob relationship that leads to the pocket.

In other words, this player is completely unfamiliar with trigonometry, geometry, etc....

These guys should not play the game. The game is for smart people.
 
I have never had to apply Trig functions when playing.

Am I missing something?

;)

Never said you have to do this. Just learn the reference angles of the pool table. The angles that are always there. And then you start recognizing the potting angles. I didn't mention anything scientific or any extreme calculations.
 
Never said you have to do this. Just learn the reference angles of the pool table. The angles that are always there. And then you start recognizing the potting angles. I didn't mention anything scientific or any extreme calculations.

No you only said "completely unfamiliar with Trigonometry, and Geometry", and of course "The game is for smart people"

:rolleyes:
 
I can't recall any great potters who need to walk around to check the OB to pocket line, other than to check how close it is to a rail.

If you play well and often, you can pretty much pot as well if the pocket is hidden, just from experience of the table dimensions as perceived by nearby rails.

Colin

There are all level of skill players. I've just started and a lot of my playing is league on 7 ft tables. On those I have a "pocket sense" that I do not have on a 9ft table. I do find myself subconsciously, (I know, how would I know...) or sometimes consciously referencing the table, where the other pockets are etc. as a check on some shots. Some players do not have that, even on a smaller table, so they look at the shot from an angle or two. I don't mind as long as it doesn't take too long. Not everyone is a "great potter".
 
There are all level of skill players. I've just started and a lot of my playing is league on 7 ft tables. On those I have a "pocket sense" that I do not have on a 9ft table. I do find myself subconsciously, (I know, how would I know...) or sometimes consciously referencing the table, where the other pockets are etc. as a check on some shots. Some players do not have that, even on a smaller table, so they look at the shot from an angle or two. I don't mind as long as it doesn't take too long. Not everyone is a "great potter".

The beauty of this game is that there are as many ways to play it as there are players.
 
No you only said "completely unfamiliar with Trigonometry, and Geometry", and of course "The game is for smart people"

:rolleyes:

Yes, I did. You are an instructor. Have you ever asked a student about the potting angle when you place the ob at the center of the table and the cb behind the ob? Do you know how many guys will tell you this is a 45???? Do you know how many guys will tell you that a 45 is a half ball hit ?????? I think you know.

That's what I was describing and mentioned trigonometry !!!!!! Not Rocket Science !!!!!!!

P.S. Do you know that the above mentioned shot is a Back Cut ?????? We can discuss this if you wish.
 
I do know I am smart enough to not get into this with someone that seems to have issues.


Yes, I did. You are an instructor. Have you ever asked a student about the potting angle when you place the ob at the center of the table and the cb behind the ob? Do you know how many guys will tell you this is a 45???? Do you know how many guys will tell you that a 45 is a half ball hit ?????? I think you know.

That's what I was describing and mentioned trigonometry !!!!!! Not Rocket Science !!!!!!!

P.S. Do you know that the above mentioned shot is a Back Cut ?????? We can discuss this if you wish.
 
Sorta on topic

At the risk of returning to the original topic of complex or elaborate pre-shot routines...


We have a guy at the senior center who has some pre-shot rituals...sorta the same thing..;)

He starts by removing the chalk from the table and returning it to the rightful owner.

He then circles the table looking at stuff around the room.

He wanders off, and straightens the pictures on the wall, and re-positions any misaligned chairs back against the wall, evenly spaced relative to neighboring chairs.

Upon returning to the table, he gets down on the shot briefly, gets back up, takes one step back, pirouets ?? 360 degrees, gets back down and smacks the shit out of the balls...usually something goes.:p


Hard to argue with success...just hard to play him.

..and no, he doesn't click his heels 3 times before shooting...for this we're thankful.:D:D:D

...any disruption as in ''come on...shoot!", starts the process over again.

..we think there are some non pool issues on display here...but are smart enough to not ask..:rolleyes::rolleyes:

..actually, he is a decent guy...just challenged....aren't we all?;)



///back to IQ wars...:p
 
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