Still more stroke grooving

[dquarasr]

Again, working on stroke using the "Mighty X drill". This time focusing on developing a consistent, repeatable stroke cadence and timing.

Goal to start is for the CB to follow the OB into the corner at pocket speed.

I notice that if I focus on stroke timing and cadence, my success rate dramatically improves.
- Line up, get down on the shot.
- Do the eye back/forth between OB and CB, make fine tuning / verification cue is on the shot line.
- Two feather strokes (1, 2).
- Smooth takeback.
- Focus on accelerating VERY SMOOTHLY, ensuring the cue is at the perfect terminal speed when it contacts the CB.

I went from missing occasionally, to making nearly every shot (with CB not quite straight enough into the corner), to being able to follow the OB into the pocket about 80-90% of the time, with a run of about 10 in a row making both OB and CB. Very satisfying.

Then I tried upping the stroke speed a bit. Iffy at first until I got used to the longer backstroke and timing it. I had similar great results.

Then I tried stop shots, again, upping the speed a little bit at a time. Again, getting used to the timing and acceleration.

Next up is to vary speed shots one after the other, randomly going from slow cue speed to higher, such as rolling the OB in, to forced draw.

I think this exercise will really help me in potting balls. After I am comfortable with the cadence and timing of various speed straight-in shots, I'll start adding angle, then after that, side spin.

Recently, I have pretty much been able to quit consciously thinking about the mechanics of cueing. But for my point in continuing development (APA SL5/5), I think this is the next logical thing for me to work on.

As always, comments welcome.

 

[xX-Wizard-Xx]

why feel the need to post this .... just get out there play

 

[Patrick Johnson]

why feel the need to post this .... just get out there play

Because somebody else (not you, apparently) might get something useful from his experience. And because this is a “discussion” forum, where people, you know… discuss things.

pj
chgo

 

[dquarasr]

why feel the need to post this .... just get out there play

Because I don't have a YouTube channel to post pool videos that anyone would be interested in? I mean, shortstops might have some cred, but an SL5/5?

And I am interested in feedback on whether I am barking up the right tree.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... Next up is to vary speed shots one after the other, randomly going from slow cue speed to higher, such as rolling the OB in, to forced draw. ...

I think this is a very important part of any drill. Something needs to be varied.

I've seen some players shoot the exact same shot over and over for half an hour. I think it's rare that such repetition is helpful.

 

[WilliamK]

Practicing weak shots is good, but how many times do we have a chance to get our bridge hand on table? How often do we need to bridge over a ball or cushion to strike the top or side of the object ball?

 

[dquarasr]

Practicing weak shots is good, but how many times do we have a chance to get our bridge hand on table? How often do we need to bridge over a ball or cushion to strike the top or side of the object ball?

Yup, but if I miss shots where I can have a stable bridge hand, how can I expect to make shots off the rail or over another ball?

Yes, I know these other shots need to be in my repertoire, but what is your point bringing it up? This game has so many nuances. I can only work on a few things at a time and I consider stance, alignment, cueing straight, and timing foundational.

Spin, banking, kicking, and the rest of the needed skill set are of course important, but don’t you agree that building (AND MAINTAINING) a solid foundation is a prerequisite to the other special skills?

 

[dquarasr]

Practicing weak shots is good, but how many times do we have a chance to get our bridge hand on table? How often do we need to bridge over a ball or cushion to strike the top or side of the object ball?

P.S. if we’re managing whitey well, getting a solid bridge should be a very high percentage.

 

[dquarasr]

Practicing weak shots is good, but how many times do we have a chance to get our bridge hand on table? How often do we need to bridge over a ball or cushion to strike the top or side of the object ball?

P.P.S. And don’t you also agree that good timing also helps with bridging over a ball or off a cushion?

 

[WilliamK]

Unless your usual stance is shooting from the hip, then you should find that when shooting over a ball or off a cushion, that sighting, cue alignment and stroke are totally different.

 

[dquarasr]

Unless your usual stance is shooting from the hip, then you should find that when shooting over a ball or off a cushion, that sighting, cue alignment and stroke are totally different.

Tru dat, I am aware.

Thanks.

 

[FranCrimi]

You should play real games in between drill sessions. It's very important to be able to convert what you learned in the drill to actual play.

 

[bbb]

why feel the need to post this .... just get out there play

You should be encouraging him not inhibiting him
jmho
icbw

 

[3kushn]

I've seen some players shoot the exact same shot over and over for half an hour. I think it's rare that such repetition is helpful.

Unless you're seeking the many ways to make the OB to send the CB to different areas.

 

[dquarasr]

You should play real games in between drill sessions. It's very important to be able to convert what you learned in the drill to actual play.

Yes, thanks. I do this. Today I would intersperse 9-ball racks with this drill. I was getting out in 1 or 2 innings; most times runs ended not because of missing but because of shape. Yes, I still missed a few shots I maybe should have made, but after drilling my overall play was better than my typical play. (I usually keep track of stats when I practice.)

Thanks.

 

[dquarasr]

Unless your usual stance is shooting from the hip, then you should find that when shooting over a ball or off a cushion, that sighting, cue alignment and stroke are totally different.

Agreed. When jacking up, I use Niels’s tip of aligning with my left (forward) foot. I’m not yet perfect, but I certainly make more this way than I had been making.

 

[FranCrimi]

A 9 ball player who played high stakes matches taught me this many years ago.

In addition to practicing your general fundamentals: You must find a solution to every shot you face in a game. No shot in any game should be a throwaway. You must make every shot you face work to your advantage against your opponent. Do not allow one single inning go to waste in a game in terms of effort. Yes, missed shots happen and you can analyze and work on them. But this is really where most amateurs fail. They let up, get too casual, don't pay attention, miss a good safety opportunity, etc.

When you do give up an inning, you absolutely must know what happened and why. Before your match, you must be 100% committed to this process. If you can eliminate the careless and unnecessary mistakes, your game will skyrocket.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... When you do give up an inning, you absolutely must know what happened and why. Before your match, you must be 100% committed to this process. If you can eliminate the careless and unnecessary mistakes, your game will skyrocket.

Watching lower level players in tough situations -- maybe an uncomfortable bridging position -- they seem to want to get the shot over with as quickly as possible. They make no attempt to learn or deal with the problem.

 

[FranCrimi]

Watching lower level players in tough situations -- maybe an uncomfortable bridging position -- they seem to want to get the shot over with as quickly as possible. They make no attempt to learn or deal with the problem.

I've seen that too. I think it all comes down to the level of passion a player has for the game.

 

[dquarasr]

A 9 ball player who played high stakes matches taught me this many years ago.

In addition to practicing your general fundamentals: You must find a solution to every shot you face in a game. No shot in any game should be a throwaway. You must make every shot you face work to your advantage against your opponent. Do not allow one single inning go to waste in a game in terms of effort. Yes, missed shots happen and you can analyze and work on them. But this is really where most amateurs fail. They let up, get too casual, don't pay attention, miss a good safety opportunity, etc.

When you do give up an inning, you absolutely must know what happened and why. Before your match, you must be 100% committed to this process. If you can eliminate the careless and unnecessary mistakes, your game will skyrocket.

Yes, great advice. I try to analyze every shot, visualize outcomes, make the right choice, and learn from mistakes.

Also, I have recognized that my decision-making needs improvement. I think I’m sorta on the right track, though:

APA 8: lifetime win % 68.52, fall 70%
9: 60.34 lifetime, summer 63.64% (didn’t play 9 this past fall)

MVP twice in last year.

And it’s not because I shoot all that well. I try to make the best percentage shot, every shot. Sometimes, though, I go for the hero shot. (Only) Sometimes I actually make it. Sometimes I get greedy trying to make the perfect shape when good shape is good enough.

I also find myself getting “caught up in the moment”. For instance, in 8, I’ll set up for my next shot, not get exactly the shape I wanted, but still shoot at the ball I set up for rather than looking at the layout anew. I need to slow down my brain and reevaluate the table after every shot, not get “caught up in the moment”.

Learning, learning, learning.