At what step does the “RAM” shot come into play?
I've found this to be completely true. When you get down after properly aiming, your body almost falls into place, there are not really many adjustments. The only thing you need to do is take a glance at the tip and see where it is on the CB. If the shot feels off, get back up and start the process over.You're still holding that aim in mind as you bend over for good. You don't want to be changing it then. I found after years that if I was changing my aim after being down on the shot, I had done something wrong just before. When I didn't tweak my aim while down, I made more shots so I decided to aim while up and never change that while down. It has made my aiming much more accurate. That's why my call to do it standing.
Jeff Livingston
Step 6: FINISH…this shot now.
Observe, analyze, and integrate results. This can take from an instant up to ten seconds or so. If returning to the chair, who knows how long? This time is best used wisely. Now is when a player learns…or not.
Emotion can overwhelm the newer player who erred, so he misses important input here by focusing on the wrong things. Handling errors properly is a fast way to improvement. Players miss. Exploring exactly what happened reduces misses and increases fun.
A high-level player might get emotional, but he could actually be taming this wild power by mixing it into Step 1 of his next shot(s), not as a distraction from this shot. This power transfer can be learned over time for the player who hasn’t yet mastered his emotions at the table.
The developing player stops bad habits by doing this step every shot. If a player doesn’t know exactly what he did right, it is hard to repeat; if he doesn’t know exactly what he did wrong, it’s easy to repeat.
If not honest with himself here, this step loses most of its power for any player, the same as in Step 1…
Jeff Livingston
I like to fire-up before shooting too. Usually a good medium strength sativa.6 STEPS OF THE POOL SHOT:
Step 1: FIRE UP
Step 2: CHOOSE
Step 3: AIM
Step 4: SET-UP
Step 5: SHOOT
Step 6: FINISH
THE CONCEPT:
Breaking the shot into 6 steps provides a simple framework of it. Then the shot is built and corrected upon that.
A new player might simply focus on doing each step while competing, to calm nerves and reduce mistakes. The time to work in-depth on improving each step and putting them together, is during dedicated practice time.
A higher-level player can use the 6 steps to confirm the fundamental structure of his shot without losing any of the good parts of it. He is already working at the ingredient level (the steps within the steps) for very precise, deep levels of control.
A developing player can quickly see if his shot has the 6 steps in order and build upon that while fixing ingredients as needed.
How far a player takes this is up to his goals and attitude, all blended within Step 1…
This six step description sums up nicely the shooting cycle. The more precisely a player can perform the first 5, the more meaningful the 6th becomes. Meaningful feedback makes a player better. I can almost feel the "patience" required to performing these steps reading the description.
I like to fire-up before shooting too. Usually a good medium strength sativa.
I added my video to my post above. Although I am a relatively fast player, I do all of the steps you listed.How many times have you seen a player (not me, of course ) getting mad immediately after missing then never understanding the why of it?
Pre shot routines are spoken of all the time, but Post shot? rare.
Thanks for the input.
Jeff Livingston
I added my video to my post above. Although I am a relatively fast player, I do all of the steps you listed.
I added my video to my post above. Although I am a relatively fast player, I do all of the steps you listed.
I don't ever adjust my aim when down on my shot. I've already aimed in the standing position. Thus, when I'm in the shooting position, I only shoot. If you change your aim here, you are working hard against your confidence that you aimed correctly when you had a good look from above already.Interesting.... Originally after only reading the list I would have chopped 1 & 2 off. After reading you're explainations. I'd flip 3 & 4 as well.
Anyone that claims that they don't alter the aim (even minutely) after getting down on the ball on anything other than the most inconsequential is lying to themselves.
I am not a professional player, and/or an instructor so please weigh my opinion as such.
I disagree with this statement. By the way, the guy you responded to JV is a good player, not a low level amateur. Maybe you can post up 10 ball video beating the ghost 7-0 like he does here.I don't ever adjust my aim when down on my shot. I've already aimed in the standing position. Thus, when I'm in the shooting position, I only shoot. If you change your aim here, you are working hard against your confidence that you aimed correctly when you had a good look from above already.
Either trust yourself or don't. But, I trust my aim. If something looks wrong when you get down, then get up, but don't start correcting your aim after you got down on the shot. That's a huge mistake of lower level amateurs.
I agree with this. I visualize the shot in both the standing position and when down on the ball. Some small adjustments are often necessary, especially in light of what spin is needed.Interesting.... Originally after only reading the list I would have chopped 1 & 2 off. After reading you're explainations. I'd flip 3 & 4 as well.
Anyone that claims that they don't alter the aim (even minutely) after getting down on the ball on anything other than the most inconsequential is lying to themselves.
I am not a professional player, and/or an instructor so please weigh my opinion as such.
I agree with this. I visualize the shot in both the standing position and when down on the ball. Some small adjustments are often necessary, especially in light of what spin is needed.
But, tell me one great player that starts aiming after they get down on the ball? Because JV does not look like he ever adjusted his aim once he was down on the ball.I disagree with this statement. By the way, the guy you responded to JV is a good player, not a low level amateur. Maybe you can post up 10 ball video beating the ghost 7-0 like he does here.
I said some small adjustments are often necessary, very simple. You disagreed with that. JV said the same. I'll wait for your videos.But, tell me one great player that starts aiming after they get down on the ball? Because JV does not look like he ever adjusted his aim once he was down on the ball.
Also, I never said he was a low level amateur, only that is a mistake many low level players make. Have you ever missed with BIH? Happens when you adjust your aim after you get down on the shot.
You can call Mark Wilson or Randy and ask if that is what they teach? I mean, they are only two of the best instructors in the country, but hey, what do they know, right? lol