How to Control Draw and Follow Distance Accurately and Consistently

dr_dave

dr_dave

Instructional Author
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FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses and demonstrates how to use stroke length to accurately and consistently control follow and draw distance for a wide range of shot distances and follow and draw amounts. Also presented and demonstrated is a Follow Matrix Drill for putting your topspin follow skills to the test. Check it out:


Contents:
  • 0:00 - Intro
  • 0:24 - Draw/Follow Distance Control
  • 2:37 - Follow Matrix Drill
  • 5:57 - Follow Matrix Challenge
  • 9:44 - More Info
Supporting Resources:
As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
 
Last edited:
thanks for the video
just so i dont assume anything
you mention the cue ball loses speed when it hits the rail
why?
 
bbb said:
thanks for the video
just so i dont assume anything
you mention the cue ball loses speed when it hits the rail
why?
Click to expand...

There is friction between the ball, cushion, and table during cushion compression. Also, a ball rolling into a cushion comes out with stun, causing drag. See:

 
The variable that I didn't see addressed is the elevation of the contact point on the cueball. Perhaps I just overlooked.
My guess is that the length of backstroke is used to change velocity at impact. Seems logical and perhaps effective. It's worth a try.
Changing the location of the impact at the same velocity is something that I have experiments with. Finding my limits in practice is enlightening, even surprising at times.
Willie Mosconi promoted a short draw drill that I enjoyed practicing. A crescent of balls to be pocketed in the side that required precision shape in order to stay on a good angle to get shape on the next ball in the crescent. The number of balls that could be pocketed in one inning was an indicator of my progress in short draw precision.
 
Perhaps gauging velocity could be practiced with eyes closed. 😉
Mark Williams has put eyes closed shots on display, In Competition! 🤔
To gage the precision of the strike (in practice of course) look at the colision between tip and ball. The first data number I need is my degree of precision in location and velocity at impact. Well I can't remember where I left my slide rule, so like windage it's best guess.
 
Frosty said:
It’s easy, play everyday.
Click to expand...

"Hit a Million Balls" (HAMB) solves most things in pool, assuming one learns from mistakes and knows how to correct errors.

For those who haven't yet put in all the time and effort, the 1/8 "rules of thumb" in the video might help.
 
dr_dave said:
"Hit a Million Balls" (HAMB) solves most things in pool, assuming one learns from mistakes and knows how to correct errors.

For those who haven't yet put in all the time and effort, the 1/8 "rules of thumb" in the video might help.
Click to expand...
I believe the information you disseminate is invaluable to novices and mid level players, and that you’re a treasure to the billiard community, no disrespect was intended. You are correct, HAMB, or 4-10 hours a day solves a lot of problems.
 
dr_dave said:
FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses and demonstrates how to use stroke length to accurately and consistently control follow and draw distance for a wide range of shot distances and follow and draw amounts. Also presented and demonstrated is a Follow Matrix Drill for putting your topspin follow skills to the test. Check it out:


Contents:
  • 0:00 - Intro
  • 0:24 - Draw/Follow Distance Control
  • 2:37 - Follow Matrix Drill
  • 5:57 - Follow Matrix Challenge
  • 9:44 - More Info
Supporting Resources:
As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Using draw length to control distance was a bit hard for me to get the hang of. One thing that has really helped is to think of it like the plunger on a pinball table. This not only helped "feel" and visualize the effect, but also slowed down my backstroke a bit and helped me with a smoother, more consistent acceleration through the stroke.
 
Fvalstounge said:
Using draw length to control distance was a bit hard for me to get the hang of. One thing that has really helped is to think of it like the plunger on a pinball table. This not only helped "feel" and visualize the effect, but also slowed down my backstroke a bit and helped me with a smoother, more consistent acceleration through the stroke.
Click to expand...

I love the pinball plunger analogy. I use that with students sometimes.
 
dr_dave said:
I love the pinball plunger analogy. I use that with students sometimes.
Click to expand...
I also use golf putting as an analogy. Anybody who has golfed (or played putt-putt) before relates to that one. Longer putt … longer club-head pull-back. Same smooth acceleration into the ball.
 
dr_dave said:
There is friction between the ball, cushion, and table during cushion compression. Also, a ball rolling into a cushion comes out with stun, causing drag. See:

Click to expand...
Doesn't the cushion itself also produce less than 100% restitution of the inbound speed?

pj
chgo
 
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