I've noticed my accuracy improves when I shorten my backstroke.
I realize it is difficult to speak in generalities and what might work for someone might not work for me, but is there a recommended length for the backstroke?
How long is your typical bridge length (between the cue ball and the loop/area of the hand that bridges the cue stick)?
That's much shorter than the bridge length of the average player.Most shots around 6".
That's much shorter than the bridge length of the average player.
Ugh. OK, I was eyeballing and estimating it from my down-on-the-shot stance. I just measured it from where the cue rests on my fingers to the edge of the CB, using a tape measure. About 10 inches.
(That's what she said.)
The front stroke should be as long as the backstroke, IMO. SPF
That's much shorter than the bridge length of the average player.
Since I posed my question, I have been using a shorter backstroke and my accuracy has increased quite dramatically. I am much more confident at the table, even on very long shots or long shots with the CB frozen on the rail. As a by-product, I am shooting with much slower CB speed and that has had a positive impact on my position play as well. Win-win.
And very importantly, for me, I have been able to replicate the improvement day-to-day, session-to-session. Previous "corrections" I thought were really helping me (stance, aiming, vision center) were not repeatable because it had more to do with my stroke than anything else. I'd seem to have figured something out, play better one session, only to have it disappear the next session at the table. At least this "fix" seems to have stuck, every session since.
And something Scott Lee told me privately also resonated: we aim well fairly naturally, so I started trusting my aim and that, too, has helped tremendously. Previously while down on the shot I had been obsessing on whether my aim was on-target because so many shots were missed (turns out because of mechanics). Trusting my aim improved my potting because 1) it wasn't my aim that was the problem and 2) my stroke was much more relaxed; aim was one less thing to think about.
So, since this journey on trying to significantly improve my shot accuracy started a few months ago, I have come full circle, returning to a much more natural stance, confident aim, and a smoother, shorter stroke (including a natural control of my wayward elbow).
A shorter backstroke will give you more accuracy but you have to be careful of not falling into the trap of poking shots. Then your timing will go off and it will start to have an adverse effect. The ability to figure out what's needed for each shot is the key. Every shot shouldn't necessarily be executed the same way.
Yes, that is true. However, IMHO, many average players have way too long a bridge, and a lousy backstroke that goes a third of the way back before lunging forward.
The long bridge comes from emulating the pros who use their cues with very long bridges like surgeons' scalpels.
If most amateurs went to 6" or 7" bridges with full, smooth backstrokes the entire length of the bridge, pool would benefit, IMHO.
No. This is wrong and I can't let it go. Bridge length is more often than not a function of a player's ability to see the shot line. Players who stand low usually have longer bridge lengths than players who stand taller because it brings them back a little more from the shot. It has nothing to do with copying pros. It happens naturally.
The statement above about a long backstroke is also wrong. Just because a player may need a long bridge length to see the shot better, it doesn't mean they have to have a full backstroke as well. If you teach those things to players, you're leading them down the wrong path.
I said people with 6" or 7" inch bridges can benefit by stroking smoothly back all the way, not people with long bridges.
I'll add, and I know you'll agree, some people have overlong bridges. I see people with two foot bridges and that is heading for trouble.
"Just because a player may need a long bridge length to see the shot better, it doesn't mean they have to have a full backstroke as well."
True, but the goal is also to avoid backstrokes that vary in length and lead to poked forward strokes. Players with overlong bridges tend to come back a few inches on one shot, ten inches on another shot, half an inch on another, leading to problems with timing.
Why? Why should people with 6 or 7 inch bridge lengths bring the cue all the way back? What's your reasoning on that?
Why do backstrokes that vary in length lead to poked strokes? I don't understand.
Overlong bridges? Timing?
Timing, yes, eased with what I suggest:
For players who strive for a consistent stroke pace with smooth acceleration, the longer the forward stroke, the more acceleration.
Take a student who hits X cue ball speed with a five inch bridge, because their cue travels for five inches of smooth acceleration before the cue ball. But with a five-inch bridge and a two- or three-inch backstroke, they have to lunge awkwardly to get the five-inch speed. I see this "guess and go" move often.
Committing to a full length (smooth) backstroke allows you to dial in cue ball speed by setting bridge length. By getting a student to concentrate on a smooth and gentle stroke, they learn to stop jabbing at or through the cue ball while gaining great confidence with cue ball speed. And that smooth backstroke and forward stroke is of great benefit, of course.
Most shots short of an open break need no more than a 7-inch bridge if the backstroke is full, complete. I've seen "pokers and jabbers" gain great confidence with cue ball speed and lose the "pokiness" in minutes.
You know what this sounds like, Matt? This sounds like it's coming from an amateur who hasn't played the game nearly long enough or hasn't improved nearly enough to truly understand it.
I gave you this advice a long time ago and I'll say it again. Become a better player and you'll understand the game better.
One half inch, huh? "Then I encourage them to take a full smooth backstroke and a full forward stroke based on that short intentional backstroke." I'd invite everyone who sees this to try it and let us know how they make out and just how smooth it is.
I'm sorry, but I try, I really try not to get involved in this insanity but that last post is just possibly the most ridiculous post of all time on this forum.