6 Steps of the Pool Shot

To which article are you referring? I don't remember writing an article recently dealing with aiming. BTW, all my articles are here:


And all of my aiming advice can be found here:


Enjoy,
Dave

It was the March issue, not the April.

Title of article: SPECIAL DELIVERY

You didn't address aiming as much as delivery, of course, but it's in there, with your "set and check" ingredient, if you will allow me that label.


Jeff Livingston
 
It was the March issue, not the April.

Title of article: SPECIAL DELIVERY

You didn't address aiming as much as delivery, of course, but it's in there, with your "set and check" ingredient, if you will allow me that label.

Got it. For those interested, here's the article: “10 Secrets of a Good Stroke” ("Special Delivery" in BD, March, 2021).
 
Got it. For those interested, here's the article: “10 Secrets of a Good Stroke” ("Special Delivery" in BD, March, 2021).

That article is very similar to what I'm trying to convey in this thread, a list of ttd for a successful shot.

There don't seem to be many resources that go into this kind of detail, and maybe it's because science-minded guys like it this way while other players can't make their heads wrap around the pool shot like us geeky guys do?


Jeff Livingston
 
Got it. For those interested, here's the article: “10 Secrets of a Good Stroke” ("Special Delivery" in BD, March, 2021).
Ok, Doc. I'm going to put you on the spot. How many times, in all the lessons and instruction boot camps and such you have given over the years, did you tell someone to start adjusting their aim once they were down on their shot?

That, if they thought they got down on the incorrect line they should then adjust their aim to correct that previous error in getting down on the shot?
 
RJ, do it your way.

If others do it "wrong," you've got an advantage over them when competing.

What others do it handled in Step 6, Finish. Integrate Others' Actions. I'd suggest for your game working on that ingredient.


Jeff Livingston
 
RJ, do it your way.

If others do it "wrong," you've got an advantage over them when competing.

What others do it handled in Step 6, Finish. Integrate Others' Actions. I'd suggest for your game working on that ingredient.


Jeff Livingston
So, you want me to "Integrate the Actions of Others". Well, that's what I'm doing. For the record, this is NOT my way, but how I was taught by more than a dozen experts. So, I take no credit in it, as my hand was not involved in the creation of the correct method, as I'm nothing more than a student of the game myself.

So if others want to do it the other say, that's up to them. I'm not saying they can't ;) But, I'm not going to let bad info be put out there without a challenge. Because the next student I teach will say, "well, I read online that you should make corrections after you are down on the shot" as it helps you on tough shots. arrrrrrrrgh ;) lol
 
Ok, Doc. I'm going to put you on the spot. How many times, in all the lessons and instruction boot camps and such you have given over the years, did you tell someone to start adjusting their aim once they were down on their shot?

That, if they thought they got down on the incorrect line they should then adjust their aim to correct that previous error in getting down on the shot?

Everybody makes small adjustments to aim and alignment when down on shots to make sure everything looks perfect before "pulling the trigger." The problem is doubting and changing your aim away from the "shot picture" you saw when you were "aiming while standing."
 
Everybody makes small adjustments to aim and alignment when down on shots to make sure everything looks perfect before "pulling the trigger." The problem is doubting and changing your aim away from the "shot picture" you saw when you were "aiming while standing."
Doc, first, not everyone can possibly do the same thing. And, you didn't answer my question.

How many students have you taught to do exactly that? That, once they get down, on the shot, and if it does not look right, start adjusting their aim at that time? Or do you teach, if it looks wrong at the shooting position, then get back the hell up :)

Just give me a number ;)
 
So, you want me to "Integrate the Actions of Others". Well, that's what I'm doing. For the record, this is NOT my way, but how I was taught by more than a dozen experts. So, I take no credit in it, as my hand was not involved in the creation of the correct method, as I'm nothing more than a student of the game myself.

So if others want to do it the other say, that's up to them. I'm not saying they can't ;) But, I'm not going to let bad info be put out there without a challenge. Because the next student I teach will say, "well, I read online that you should make corrections after you are down on the shot" as it helps you on tough shots. arrrrrrrrgh ;) lol

We love ya, man.


Jeff Livingston
 
Everybody makes small adjustments to aim and alignment when down on shots to make sure everything looks perfect before "pulling the trigger." The problem is doubting and changing your aim away from the "shot picture" you saw when you were "aiming while standing."
Doc, first, not everyone can possibly do the same thing. And, you didn't answer my question.

How many students have you taught to do exactly that? That, once they get down, on the shot, and if it does not look right, start adjusting their aim at that time? Or do you teach, if it looks wrong at the shooting position, then get back the hell up :)

Just give me a number ;)

My statement is accurate concerning what I teach. And I have taught this to all my students. Sorry but I don't have a accurate total number for you.

However, I understand your point. While down on a shot, one should not change the aim they saw when they were "aiming while standing." However, if the aim and alignment do not look right after one is down on the shot (based on what one saw when "aiming while standing"), fine adjustments are appropriate. Obviously, if any big adjustments are being made while down on the shot, one should stand up and restart their pre-shot routine. I also teach this to every student.

I guess part of the issue here is what you really mean by "aim" and "alignment."
 
My statement is accurate concerning what I teach. And I have taught this to all my students. Sorry but I don't have a accurate total number for you.

However, I understand your point. While down on a shot, one should not change the aim they saw when they were "aiming while standing." However, if the aim and alignment do not look right when one comes down on the shot (based on what one saw when "aiming while standing"), fine adjustments are appropriate. Obviously, if any big adjustments are being made while down on the shot, one should stand up and restart their pre-shot routine. I also teach this to every student.

I guess part of the issue here is what you really mean by "aim" and "alignment."

re Bold...

I have a way that lessens the chance of setting up out of the plane of aim. It involves eye movement.

If you read my ingredients for the Setup Step, you might see that I first move my eyes to the cueball before moving my body down. This is vital. Here's how: Your tip, in realtion to the cueball, can be used to make sure the cue isn't pivoting outside the plane of aim. When moving down, don't let the tip waggle at all so the cue stays in that plane. It works for me, what if it worked for you, too?

Then the aim CAN be had standing up and transferred more successfully going down.


Jeff Livingston
 
My statement is accurate concerning what I teach. And I have taught this to all my students. Sorry but I don't have a accurate total number for you.

However, I understand your point. While down on a shot, one should not change the aim they saw when they were "aiming while standing." However, if the aim and alignment do not look right after one is down on the shot (based on what one saw when "aiming while standing"), fine adjustments are appropriate. Obviously, if any big adjustments are being made while down on the shot, one should stand up and restart their pre-shot routine. I also teach this to every student.

I guess part of the issue here is what you really mean by "aim" and "alignment."
I agree, alignment is ok, such as feet, grip, elbow, tuck in the chicken wing, whatever it takes to get ready to shoot. But, if it looks like it's "aim" and not "adjustment" then something is wrong, and it's "do over" time ;) Moving the bridge hand is OUT OF THE QUESTION at this point. And I would hope most would not start to wiggle their cue to now compensate for what they think is the wrong picture. Just a recipe for disaster long term. If you can't trust the picture you just saw while standing, why trust the one while down.

The old saying is "Never shoot from the aiming position, and never aim in the shooting position". Maybe there was some new secret aiming discovery I'm unaware of, but until I get the official memo, I'm not budging from that principle, lol

Be well Doc.
 
My statement is accurate concerning what I teach. And I have taught this to all my students. Sorry but I don't have a accurate total number for you.

However, I understand your point. While down on a shot, one should not change the aim they saw when they were "aiming while standing." However, if the aim and alignment do not look right after one is down on the shot (based on what one saw when "aiming while standing"), fine adjustments are appropriate. Obviously, if any big adjustments are being made while down on the shot, one should stand up and restart their pre-shot routine. I also teach this to every student.

I guess part of the issue here is what you really mean by "aim" and "alignment."

re Bold...

I have a way that lessens the chance of setting up out of the plane of aim. It involves eye movement.

If you read my ingredients for the Setup Step, you might see that I first move my eyes to the cueball before moving my body down. This is vital. Here's how: Your tip, in realtion to the cueball, can be used to make sure the cue isn't pivoting outside the plane of aim. When moving down, don't let the tip waggle at all so the cue stays in that plane. It works for me, what if it worked for you, too?

Then the aim CAN be had standing up and transferred more successfully going down.

Agreed. This is a very important part of the pre-shot routine ... to focus on the OB as you come down into your stance. This is a key component of DAM, and all good instructors teach this. However, it is rare to end up in the initial stance with perfect aim and alignment every time, even with this good approach, and small "adjustments" while down in the stance are often required.
 
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Agreed. This is a very important part of the pre-shot routine ... to focus on the CB as you come down into your stance. This is a key component of DAM, and all good instructors teach this. However, it is rare to end up in the initial stance with perfect aim and alignment every time, even with this good approach, and small "adjustments" while down in the stance are often required.
So, it's rare to come down with perfect aim and alignment every time, that must mean it does happen most of the time. So, those few "rare" instances where you lined up wrong and came into the shot incorrectly, the best course of action is to then get up and do it right, not correct a mistake from the wrong site line.

It's such a small thing to get up and do it over, versus trying to correct the mistake while your feet and everything else is completely off line, no ?
I mean, the time is literally just a few seconds to stand up, take a look, move into the shot and place your bridge on the table, on the line. I just don't see any logical reason why you would try and change something at that time. Start over. The game is too precise not to do it right the first time.

If that was the case, folks should just rush into the shot, and if it's not right when they get down, no worries, you can just "auto correct" when you get down and fix everything at that time. I mean, I assume you are saying fixing the aim when in the shooting position is just as good and/or easy as obtaining the information and aim when you are in the standing position, no?
 
Hmmmm, famous last words ;) Let me know what page the part of "correcting" your aim when down on your shot. I don't see it in your material. Lots of GREAT info in your material, I love it. But, I could not find the part about aiming in the shooting position?

Important keys are to aim while standing, with your vision center along the line of the shot, and have laser focus on the OB target as you drop straight down into your stance

Don’t forget to actually aim
(while standing), and keep your eyes “quiet” during cue alignment and aim checks. Also, maintain full concentration only on stroke execution during the final stroke. During the stroke, you should not be second-guessing anything about the shot. Everything should be decided and figured out before you settle into your stance. Don’t think while you are shooting - Dr. Dave
 
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Agreed. This is a very important part of the pre-shot routine ... to focus on the OB as you come down into your stance. This is a key component of DAM, and all good instructors teach this. However, it is rare to end up in the initial stance with perfect aim and alignment every time, even with this good approach, and small "adjustments" while down in the stance are often required.

FYI, my original post had an error. The focus should be on the OB (not the CB) when about to drop down into your stance, to help guide you straight down along the correct aiming line, changing your focus to the CB as the tip approaches the CB. FYI I've corrected the post.
 
FYI, my original post had an error. The focus should be on the OB (not the CB) when about to drop down into your stance, to help guide you straight down along the correct aiming line, changing your focus to the CB as the tip approaches the CB. FYI I've corrected the post.

I thought that was the case as I've seen you do that in a video or maybe in the BD article.

Have you ever tried looking at the CB when dropping down into your stance?


Jeff Livingston
 
I thought that was the case as I've seen you do that in a video or maybe in the BD article.

Have you ever tried looking at the CB when dropping down into your stance?


Jeff Livingston
Jeff, now you're just being silly ;) lol
 
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