Best advice for fixing stroke and line of aim

L

lvlss42190

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm a long time player but recently I picked up the drill instructors position and speed control book, The very first drill is a progressive drill for practicing the stop shot at different positions around the table.

As the drill gets harder (more distance between cue ball and object ball) I noticed that I have a really difficult time hitting a straight in shot with distance. I can stop the cue ball no problem, but actually making the ball is proving to be a very frustrating challenge. It's hard for me to say if my aim is just off a little bit or if I have always been off that little bit and never really noticed, but with the object ball on the center line of the table between side pockets 1 diamond off the side rail, and the cue ball 1 diamond off the end rail lined up for a straight in shot I always seem to miss the pocket by about a half diamond one way or the other (more frequently to the left than right) or I make it with no trouble

I've browsed around the internet plenty of times and Tor Lowry's stroke drill seems to be pretty solid, but I'm open to other suggestions if anyone thinks there's something better.
As far as my aim goes I don't know of any way to really improve upon it other than just time on the table so I'm definitely open to anything on this one if anyone has a suggestion.
 
There are a few possibilities, but try this first:

As an exercise --- try increasing the length of your follow through. It may feel like you're giving up some control, but you're not. Try it.
 
FranCrimi said:
There are a few possibilities, but try this first:

As an exercise --- try increasing the length of your follow through. It may feel like you're giving up some control, but you're not. Try it.
Click to expand...

Worth a try. I'll give it a chance in the morning and get back to you with my results. Appreciate the input.
 
Broke stroke

It worked for me so you may wanna try it.
I took two weeks off completely from playing
then I new I was ready so I quit all together. :thumbup:
Hopefully that will help . Gary G:grin:
 
lvlss42190 said:
I'm a long time player but recently I picked up the drill instructors position and speed control book, The very first drill is a progressive drill for practicing the stop shot at different positions around the table.

As the drill gets harder (more distance between cue ball and object ball) I noticed that I have a really difficult time hitting a straight in shot with distance. I can stop the cue ball no problem, but actually making the ball is proving to be a very frustrating challenge. It's hard for me to say if my aim is just off a little bit or if I have always been off that little bit and never really noticed, but with the object ball on the center line of the table between side pockets 1 diamond off the side rail, and the cue ball 1 diamond off the end rail lined up for a straight in shot I always seem to miss the pocket by about a half diamond one way or the other (more frequently to the left than right) or I make it with no trouble

I've browsed around the internet plenty of times and Tor Lowry's stroke drill seems to be pretty solid, but I'm open to other suggestions if anyone thinks there's something better.
As far as my aim goes I don't know of any way to really improve upon it other than just time on the table so I'm definitely open to anything on this one if anyone has a suggestion.
Click to expand...



The Stop Shot Drill is not a stroke practice drill! It is a stop shot drill.
I would recommend Mother Drill #1 from the SPF Family. Mother Drill #1 is all about your stroke and alignment.

I have no idea what a "longer" follow through would do. But if a longer follow through helps then what would happen if we followed through 25 inches. Longer is better?

randyg
 
randyg said:
The Stop Shot Drill is not a stroke practice drill! It is a stop shot drill.
I would recommend Mother Drill #1 from the SPF Family. Mother Drill #1 is all about your stroke and alignment.

I have no idea what a "longer" follow through would do. But if a longer follow through helps then what would happen if we followed through 25 inches. Longer is better?

randyg
Click to expand...

Just ask me, Randy, and I'll be happy to answer your question. Here's your answer.

Lengthening the follow through can result in correcting some issues that sometimes exist along with an abbreviated follow-through --- which is often a culprit in the situation the OP described. If the player is determined to lengthen the follow through it can change the timing of his stroke from poor to good; and even sometimes correct a twisting motion that often accompanies an abbreviated follow through right at impact. There are other things as well, but it's all in the details and I don't want the OP to get bogged down with too much information.
 
FranCrimi said:
Just ask me, Randy, and I'll be happy to answer your question. Here's your answer.

Lengthening the follow through can result in correcting some issues that sometimes exist along with an abbreviated follow-through --- which is often a culprit in the situation the OP described. If the player is determined to lengthen the follow through it can change the timing of his stroke from poor to good; and even sometimes correct a twisting motion that often accompanies an abbreviated follow through right at impact. There are other things as well, but it's all in the details and I don't want the OP to get bogged down with too much information.
Click to expand...



Now that's a great answer. The reason why is important.

randyg
 
lvlss42190 said:
I'm a long time player but recently I picked up the drill instructors position and speed control book, The very first drill is a progressive drill for practicing the stop shot at different positions around the table.

As the drill gets harder (more distance between cue ball and object ball) I noticed that I have a really difficult time hitting a straight in shot with distance. I can stop the cue ball no problem, but actually making the ball is proving to be a very frustrating challenge. It's hard for me to say if my aim is just off a little bit or if I have always been off that little bit and never really noticed, but with the object ball on the center line of the table between side pockets 1 diamond off the side rail, and the cue ball 1 diamond off the end rail lined up for a straight in shot I always seem to miss the pocket by about a half diamond one way or the other (more frequently to the left than right) or I make it with no trouble

I've browsed around the internet plenty of times and Tor Lowry's stroke drill seems to be pretty solid, but I'm open to other suggestions if anyone thinks there's something better.
As far as my aim goes I don't know of any way to really improve upon it other than just time on the table so I'm definitely open to anything on this one if anyone has a suggestion.
Click to expand...

As the distance between the QB and OB increases, the margin for error decreases.

On long straight in shots it may help you to line up on the shot line using the base (where the OB is touching the cloth - this is the center of the OB) of the OB.

Here is an alignment and stroke builder for you:

Diagonally from on corner pocket to another place the QB and OB in a straight line separated by 1 diamond, using high spin pocket the OB in the corner followed by the QB. Try this using 10 balls. Then keeping the QB at the same spot separate the QB and OB by 2 diamonds, make the OB in the corner followed by the QB. Try this using 10 balls. Repeat his exercise up to 4 diamonds distance between the QB and OB. You will discover any flaws you may have with your alignment and stroke. This is what I call the truth builder. It isn't easy but you will learn.
If you have an iphone or other type of video camera, position it inline with the shot from a frontal position. Review the video looking for errors in alignment and stroke.

My hat is off to snooker players that can pocket a straight in shot from distances of 10, 11 or 12 feet away.

You just have to pay real close attention to how your body is aligned for shots that are of some distance.

Have fun

John
 
Last edited:
One Pocket John said:
... My hat is off to snooker players that can pocket a straight in shot from distances of 10, 11 or 12 feet away.

...
Click to expand...
Snooker players have developed a special technique that allows them to do this. Very few pool players have caught on to it yet. It has helped me.
 
One Pocket John said:
Would you care to share Bob. :)

We all could use a little more help.

Thanks

John
Click to expand...

I don't know if it's the same technique he would be referring to, but I was always taught on a long shot to relax your pinky, and ring finger in your grip hand because it relieves upward pressure on the cue. which on a long shot can cause the cue to react in a manner different than intended.
 
One Pocket John said:
Would you care to share Bob. :)

We all could use a little more help.

Thanks

John
Click to expand...
First, I'd like you to watch a match (any one will probably do) between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby. Notice how they play and what is different between their fundamentals and yours.
 
Bob Jewett said:
First, I'd like you to watch a match (any one will probably do) between Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby. Notice how they play and what is different between their fundamentals and yours.
Click to expand...

I remember an interview with Ronnie, where he says he tried to copy Steve Davis right down to the n'th degree.
 
gregcantrall said:
I remember an interview with Ronnie, where he says he tried to copy Steve Davis right down to the n'th degree.
Click to expand...

And i remember how Mark Wilson once said, how impressed he was by seeing and hearing how snooker professionals work on their stroke and alignment :-)

With drills that the average pool player would always call " dry, boring and somehow senseless" :-)

Pool-Players are a species which is difficult to get out of their comfort-zone.
 
randyg said:
The Stop Shot Drill is not a stroke practice drill! It is a stop shot drill.
I would recommend Mother Drill #1 from the SPF Family. Mother Drill #1 is all about your stroke and alignment.

I have no idea what a "longer" follow through would do. But if a longer follow through helps then what would happen if we followed through 25 inches. Longer is better?

randyg
Click to expand...

The Drill Instructor has numerous excellent drills to help players. I agree that a stop shot drill is not a pure stroke drill--unless you are checking carefully to see if the cue ball stops absolutely dead and pure after impact.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top