My first progress video; feedback and advice is welcome

SamLambert

SamLambert

Daydreaming about pool
Silver Member
[UPDATE: 4-ball ghost video] My first progress video; feedback and advice is welcome

UPDATE :

So I said I would make a 4-ball ghost video yesterday or today after it was suggested in this thread. So here it is! 4-ball ghost, race to 9, with a few breaks at the end because I was very disappointed with those during my set, lost control of whitey on pretty much all of them.

I tried to incorporate what was said in this thread about my stance and stroke and others, I think that I forgot about it a few times though, but in general I think it's better. Once again feedback and advice is welcome!

The video will be available as soon as it's done processing at the following link : https://youtu.be/vYbclLrGBAI

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So I finally got around making that video I was supposed to make at the beginning of the month for my blog. Now that that's done, I would really like to have your opinion on anything, be it tips to have better video quality/production or tips on my playing, anything is welcome.

The video is still uploading, should be done within the hour :
Click here for the article containing the link on my blog

Alternatively, this is the link to go straight to the video :
https://youtu.be/hch1FXSe44o

I think that for future progress videos, I will be taking the Billiard University exams instead, I just don't think 14.1 is testing my skills thoroughly enough and it's too easy to end in a bad situation and screw up a few innings when still a beginner.
 
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SamLambert said:
So I finally got around making that video I was supposed to make at the beginning of the month for my blog. Now that that's done, I would really like to have your opinion on anything, be it tips to have better video quality/production or tips on my playing, anything is welcome.

The video is still uploading, should be done within the hour :
Click here for the article containing the link on my blog

Alternatively, this is the link to go straight to the video :
https://youtu.be/hch1FXSe44o

I think that for future progress videos, I will be taking the Billiard University exams instead, I just don't think 14.1 is testing my skills thoroughly enough and it's too easy to end in a bad situation and screw up a few innings when still a beginner.
Click to expand...

Vids still being processed. How long have you been playing again?
 
Pleinairrider said:
Vids still being processed. How long have you been playing again?
Click to expand...

Yeah the video was quite big. It just completed uploading a few minutes ago, processing now.

I starting playing at the beginning of July, so about 3 months and a half.
 
Well ....Sam for 3 1/2 months...not a bad stroke. Seems pretty straight. Wrist has a little 'release'... that seems to overcook draw shots... but you draw the ball pretty decent for playing such a short time.

Stance is pretty solid. Bridges seem stable. You have a pretty good shooting eye. Your cue ball needs work, ...but, who's doesn't?


The break shot at 19:15....was a shot that I wish I had. ;)


Keep at it, you appear to have some aptitude for pocketing balls.

Few of us would be posting a video for review, after playing only 3 1/2 months...that requires confidence and a willingness to accept constructive criticism. Good luck with both. Good play and improvement require confidence and learning from mistakes and new challenges.

Hang in there...

take care:


ps: at this early stage of learning....consider developing a 'left hand'.


pps: I'm not an instructor...just making comments from the rail.
 
If you want an honest critique.....


Too much head movement. Try to keep everything still except the stroking motion of the back arm.
If you use a technique Jerry Breiseth (sp) teaches about developing a "shooting system", I think you will see some benefits. I dont know if its on youtube by now or not, but it is on a BCA disc called "How to Play Pool Right". To be honest the whole tape would benefit you. Its an excellent primer for a beginning player on base concepts and the preshot routine.

Overall not bad if youve only been playing 3 months. Best advice I can give you though is to learn to read between the lines when it comes to pool instruction. Keep an open mind to all, take what is useful to you personally, then discard the rest.
 
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Awesome

SamLambert said:
So I finally got around making that video I was supposed to make at the beginning of the month for my blog. Now that that's done, I would really like to have your opinion on anything, be it tips to have better video quality/production or tips on my playing, anything is welcome.

The video is still uploading, should be done within the hour :
Click here for the article containing the link on my blog

Alternatively, this is the link to go straight to the video :
https://youtu.be/hch1FXSe44o

I think that for future progress videos, I will be taking the Billiard University exams instead, I just don't think 14.1 is testing my skills thoroughly enough and it's too easy to end in a bad situation and screw up a few innings when still a beginner.
Click to expand...

I see a lot of good things here Sam. Keep working, keep stroking I think you will be of some real speed sooner than you estimate.
 
At 3 months very impressive. I know people who have been playing MUCH longer and are decent players who can't get nearly the amount of draw you can. I agree with Chuck - take what means something and discard the rest.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
 
All the above guys gave great advice and pretty much seen what I did great starting ground for 3 months didn't watch the hole thing but some of what I did seem to hit a lot of shots real hard when not needed maybe try to hit softer anyway keep up the good work
 
Nice form... decided upon your shot before getting down to execute!

Sent from my SM-T530 using Tapatalk
 
You sure you have only been playing for 3 months ?

That looks impressive. Once advice, try to slow down your back-swing and have a more controlled stroke.
 
You have an excellent draw shot. STOP using it all the time. What cloth is on that table? What tip is on your cue?

You shoot well and seem to have a good eye for potting balls but now you need to focus on cue ball control if you want to win games. Start watching some videos of pros. They almost ALWAYS hit soft and move the ball forward around the table.
 
Looking good for the amount of time you have been playing.

Few things:

Stillness is your friend. Meaning that your body moves too much before, during, and after the stroke.

You are in the 'hit em hard' phase of your development. Try to focus on using spin to get where you want on the table rather than brute force. Draw looks cool but is hard to control with pinpoint accuracy. Focus on playing patterns that require follow and use running English to build speed off the rail. Always remember that the harder you hit a ball the smaller the pocket.

Both of the above could benefit from a reduced elbow drop. Focus on never dropping your elbow- you will sacrifice some power at first but in the long run you will become much more consistent and your play will improve greatly.

Your break shots- you are stroking too fast and irregular on your warm up strokes. A fast warm up stroke does not necessarily equate to a good break. Fast isn't necessarily bad but if the stroke are irregular you will have a difficult time controlling the white.

Your preshot routine isn't bad but it's also not very consistent. Focus on doing exactly the same thing every shot.
 
zpele said:
Looking good for the amount of time you have been playing.

Few things:

Stillness is your friend. Meaning that your body moves too much before, during, and after the stroke.

You are in the 'hit em hard' phase of your development. Try to focus on using angle to get where you want on the table rather than brute force. Draw looks cool but is hard to control with pinpoint accuracy. Focus on playing patterns that require follow and use running English to build speed off the rail. Always remember that the harder you hit a ball the smaller the pocket.

Both of the above could benefit from a reduced elbow drop. Focus on never dropping your elbow- you will sacrifice some power at first but in the long run you will become much more consistent and your play will improve greatly.

Your break shots- you are stroking too fast and irregular on your warm up strokes. A fast warm up stroke does not necessarily equate to a good break. Fast isn't necessarily bad but if the stroke are irregular you will have a difficult time controlling the white.

Your preshot routine isn't bad but it's also not very consistent. Focus on doing exactly the same thing every shot.
Click to expand...

Fixed that for ya..... :thumbup:
 
Impressive for only 3 1/2 months play. As a couple others suggested, develop a consistent cognitive pre shot routine. Bring back the cue sloooowly on the final back swing. Watch your tip as should be at the same level you are hitting the cue ball or lower when you are in the finished position. Good luck!
 
Ok Sam, here is the good, bad, and the ugly.....

The good;

You're fairly stable at the table. Your stance is ok...your stroke is somewhat in control...your learning the shot angles...and it seems your pretty patient.

The bad;

Your stroke, on too many occasions, is rushed...your shot selection needs work...you shoot many shots too hard...your cue ball speed control needs a lot of work...though some have commented positively on your use of draw, your use of spin and control of it in general needs a lot of work...your cue ball position and thought process towards that needs professional instruction. To that, in some cases, you don't need to hire a proffesional instructor for that BUT in your case since you want to be pro level in 5 years it is a MUST. 5 years is not enough time, part time, to first of all play enough AND watch top players in action. Which is a must if you want to really "learn" the game and compete at the level your aspiring towards. By the way I don't mean watch top players on videos where you can't ask questions and get a response but in person "hands on". Watching video will then help when you have a better grasp on the game, and hopefully help you execute better. Even with instruction 5 years is a stretch but if you truly have only picked up a cue 3 months ago then you may have enough natural ability to soak in the info and make the nessesarily adjustments and get there...

The ugly;

I hate the glove.. :eek::)

Find a good professional player/instructor and start "working out" with them. You need to become one with the table and balls and right now you have a limited "connection"... I wish you the best. :)
 
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