Sam,
As other have said, slow down the back-swing and keep the head still, otherwise the fundamentals are pretty good.
I'm guessing you're using a low-deflection cue. Even so, you're often bridging 18+ inches. I reckon you'd be better off with a mid-deflection cue at this stage and bridging around 12-15 inches much more often, to get better accuracy on the CB.
That said, your fundamentals are pretty good.
I like that you're bashing them. You can learn to play dribble shots later on. Some guys play for 40 years and can never bash a ball because all they do is dribble shots 98% of the time. The stroke shot tests alignment and helps you learn the harder shots.
A lot of positional issues but it shouldn't be your focus now. If you start messing with off center hitting a lot, it will slow the development of pure potting fundamentals.
14.1 isn't too bad a game to start on, but more as a drill, to give pocketing options. If you play the game seriously it requires a lot of soft shots with english here and there, so if you focused on scoring at it, you're practice could become less focused on good stroking and more about strategy and tweaking with english, nip draw shots and so on.
There should be no rush to get all skills at a high level at once. Get the fundamentals strong first, and you've made good progress on that in 3 months.
Get the rhythm of the stroke smoother, get the hit on the vertical axis more accurate, get the head steadier, and don't worry too much about how many you pot in a row. Get more satisfaction that you executed the shots with ease.
When you feel you're hitting a bit more accurately, but still firm, with more ease, and you are sure your head is more still, then your fundamentals are at the stage to start on some positional drills to control the CB better.
Later, comes game and scoring strategy. If one focus on this aspect too early, their fundamentals often take a step backwards.
I'm sure several here can provide positional drills to work on when your fundamentals tune in.
So, the main points again:
Easy back swing.
Steady body throughout.
Keep head still.
Shorten Bridge.
Hit center axis CB more accurately.
Generally, try to get silky smooth with power and accuracy, on almost purely center axis CB potting. Don't spend more than 5% of your time on shots with english until you have a stroke so smooth, strong and accurate that people may wonder if you're a pro.
Anyone who sees your jabby fast feathering and head up and down movement and regular super long bridge can tell in 30 seconds that you're not. These are the things to work on.
But, you've a great eye and hit pretty straight.. the sky is the limit if you improve step by step.
Colin
As other have said, slow down the back-swing and keep the head still, otherwise the fundamentals are pretty good.
I'm guessing you're using a low-deflection cue. Even so, you're often bridging 18+ inches. I reckon you'd be better off with a mid-deflection cue at this stage and bridging around 12-15 inches much more often, to get better accuracy on the CB.
That said, your fundamentals are pretty good.
I like that you're bashing them. You can learn to play dribble shots later on. Some guys play for 40 years and can never bash a ball because all they do is dribble shots 98% of the time. The stroke shot tests alignment and helps you learn the harder shots.
A lot of positional issues but it shouldn't be your focus now. If you start messing with off center hitting a lot, it will slow the development of pure potting fundamentals.
14.1 isn't too bad a game to start on, but more as a drill, to give pocketing options. If you play the game seriously it requires a lot of soft shots with english here and there, so if you focused on scoring at it, you're practice could become less focused on good stroking and more about strategy and tweaking with english, nip draw shots and so on.
There should be no rush to get all skills at a high level at once. Get the fundamentals strong first, and you've made good progress on that in 3 months.
Get the rhythm of the stroke smoother, get the hit on the vertical axis more accurate, get the head steadier, and don't worry too much about how many you pot in a row. Get more satisfaction that you executed the shots with ease.
When you feel you're hitting a bit more accurately, but still firm, with more ease, and you are sure your head is more still, then your fundamentals are at the stage to start on some positional drills to control the CB better.
Later, comes game and scoring strategy. If one focus on this aspect too early, their fundamentals often take a step backwards.
I'm sure several here can provide positional drills to work on when your fundamentals tune in.
So, the main points again:
Easy back swing.
Steady body throughout.
Keep head still.
Shorten Bridge.
Hit center axis CB more accurately.
Generally, try to get silky smooth with power and accuracy, on almost purely center axis CB potting. Don't spend more than 5% of your time on shots with english until you have a stroke so smooth, strong and accurate that people may wonder if you're a pro.
Anyone who sees your jabby fast feathering and head up and down movement and regular super long bridge can tell in 30 seconds that you're not. These are the things to work on.
But, you've a great eye and hit pretty straight.. the sky is the limit if you improve step by step.
Colin
