Long post (surprise)...
Lately some topics have come up in the forums that I can completely relate too, things I've been thinking about for a while. So while I'm watching those threads for discussion and potential answers, I thought I'd put them together in one thread here in the hope that someone can shed light on 1 or more of the questions. As posted in the PSR thread, I realized lately that I keep tweaking things while I'm searching for answers, and I feel like if I could put some of these things to rest I could focus my mental energy in the right direction.
So, here is the list of questions I have been pondering for a while:
- Cut shots, especially when near the rail on the tighter tables I play on. If position isn't a huge concern, do you hit them with a center rolling ball, with just a tweak of english, or with 1/2 tip or more of english? There was a recent thread on this in the main section, but my last question in that thread never got answered. If using some outside is a good thing on cut shots, then doesn't curve, squirt, etc come into play and potentially negate the advantage of eliminating cling? Or do better players just adjust so well and so automatically (as I feel I used to) that they don't worry about it? I hate when I line up a shot to cinch it and at the last minute I try to throw some helping english on it and miss because I didn't account for the effects. If I could decide on a method to cinch the ball, position notwithstanding, one less thing to think about
- My PSR. This is being discussed now here, so I won't say too much more. Just trying to solidify a routine, decide on a rhythm/pattern that works consistently and fits with my personal approach, instead of changing or tweaking from day to day
- Spin. I spent 15 years playing with a ton of spin. Was very comfortable with it, learned a lot by watching the Filipinos at the time and from playing 3 cushion. Obviously I was constantly having to account for various factors, but I "guessed" right most of the time, felt my way into the shot. I still see some of those routes naturally, but know that sticking to center ball and playing a tighter game is probably best. Usually pretty good with this, and I can do things to try to figure out what’s best for me in various situations, but there are still moments where indecision creeps in, or my approach wavers
- Equipment. Thread just started recently about this by someone, coincidentally. I played with a Schon shaft for years, lot of deflection. Switched to a Z2 a few years ago when I started playing again, liked it and played well with it. But I always wondered what something more "standard" would be like, so I bought a 314-2 to try. I feel like I'm in between shafts - I love the more solid hit of the 314-2, and I'm more used to the thickness now than the Z. But I hate the deflection - I can't adjust as well with it, especially when trying to be more systematic with BHE etc. It seems very sensitive to speed - I can make one adjustment if I hit it smooth, but just a little more speed or pop and I miss. Then a full BHE adjustment seems to be too much, and I'm left with complete feel, which I was trying to avoid. But with the Z, now I feel like I'm shooting with a toothpick, and because I shot with it my "old" way I tend to use more english. However, I can adjust for english much better with that shaft, the adjustments just make more sense to me and I guess I "feel" it more. So stick with the 314 and like the center ball feel and get better with adjustments, or go back to the Z and pay more attention to making sure I'm at center ball, or try another shaft?
- Stroke. Don't have video of my earlier playing days (before 2001), but I was playing well, had a lesson with Jerry Briesath, and after that I was playing lights out. He was awesome! But now, after years off, I feel like I had to reconstruct my game. I probably play just as well now, just differently, and with less confidence and consistency. There are days I feel really smooth, but I wonder if I have excessive elbow motion or tension on the follow through. I still have an occasional issue with steering the cue ball, comes from other sports I think and making last minute adjustments. I can work on this, take lessons, get video feedback, etc., but just another thing that enters my mind
There are other things I'm sure, but these are the types of things I think about. Same types of things that helped me analyze and learn the game, when there were 100 things to think about. Now it's narrowed down, and I feel like if I could work with someone, have some nice discussions on things, and settle one or more of these types of questions, I would just work on it and drill it in and then forget about it. I've gone through this with other sports, I guess for me it's just a process I must go through, no shortcutting it I'm afraid. Maybe I'm just a basket case…
Again, long post, but any advice or comments are appreciated.
Scott
Lately some topics have come up in the forums that I can completely relate too, things I've been thinking about for a while. So while I'm watching those threads for discussion and potential answers, I thought I'd put them together in one thread here in the hope that someone can shed light on 1 or more of the questions. As posted in the PSR thread, I realized lately that I keep tweaking things while I'm searching for answers, and I feel like if I could put some of these things to rest I could focus my mental energy in the right direction.
So, here is the list of questions I have been pondering for a while:
- Cut shots, especially when near the rail on the tighter tables I play on. If position isn't a huge concern, do you hit them with a center rolling ball, with just a tweak of english, or with 1/2 tip or more of english? There was a recent thread on this in the main section, but my last question in that thread never got answered. If using some outside is a good thing on cut shots, then doesn't curve, squirt, etc come into play and potentially negate the advantage of eliminating cling? Or do better players just adjust so well and so automatically (as I feel I used to) that they don't worry about it? I hate when I line up a shot to cinch it and at the last minute I try to throw some helping english on it and miss because I didn't account for the effects. If I could decide on a method to cinch the ball, position notwithstanding, one less thing to think about
- My PSR. This is being discussed now here, so I won't say too much more. Just trying to solidify a routine, decide on a rhythm/pattern that works consistently and fits with my personal approach, instead of changing or tweaking from day to day
- Spin. I spent 15 years playing with a ton of spin. Was very comfortable with it, learned a lot by watching the Filipinos at the time and from playing 3 cushion. Obviously I was constantly having to account for various factors, but I "guessed" right most of the time, felt my way into the shot. I still see some of those routes naturally, but know that sticking to center ball and playing a tighter game is probably best. Usually pretty good with this, and I can do things to try to figure out what’s best for me in various situations, but there are still moments where indecision creeps in, or my approach wavers
- Equipment. Thread just started recently about this by someone, coincidentally. I played with a Schon shaft for years, lot of deflection. Switched to a Z2 a few years ago when I started playing again, liked it and played well with it. But I always wondered what something more "standard" would be like, so I bought a 314-2 to try. I feel like I'm in between shafts - I love the more solid hit of the 314-2, and I'm more used to the thickness now than the Z. But I hate the deflection - I can't adjust as well with it, especially when trying to be more systematic with BHE etc. It seems very sensitive to speed - I can make one adjustment if I hit it smooth, but just a little more speed or pop and I miss. Then a full BHE adjustment seems to be too much, and I'm left with complete feel, which I was trying to avoid. But with the Z, now I feel like I'm shooting with a toothpick, and because I shot with it my "old" way I tend to use more english. However, I can adjust for english much better with that shaft, the adjustments just make more sense to me and I guess I "feel" it more. So stick with the 314 and like the center ball feel and get better with adjustments, or go back to the Z and pay more attention to making sure I'm at center ball, or try another shaft?
- Stroke. Don't have video of my earlier playing days (before 2001), but I was playing well, had a lesson with Jerry Briesath, and after that I was playing lights out. He was awesome! But now, after years off, I feel like I had to reconstruct my game. I probably play just as well now, just differently, and with less confidence and consistency. There are days I feel really smooth, but I wonder if I have excessive elbow motion or tension on the follow through. I still have an occasional issue with steering the cue ball, comes from other sports I think and making last minute adjustments. I can work on this, take lessons, get video feedback, etc., but just another thing that enters my mind
There are other things I'm sure, but these are the types of things I think about. Same types of things that helped me analyze and learn the game, when there were 100 things to think about. Now it's narrowed down, and I feel like if I could work with someone, have some nice discussions on things, and settle one or more of these types of questions, I would just work on it and drill it in and then forget about it. I've gone through this with other sports, I guess for me it's just a process I must go through, no shortcutting it I'm afraid. Maybe I'm just a basket case…
Again, long post, but any advice or comments are appreciated.
Scott
