First I would like to say thank you for your incredible generosity to take the time to reply to this post. A little background: I am 50 years old, just started playing a year ago, I immediately bought a table, and joined a house league at the local pool hall. Everyone at the pool hall has been so helpful and welcoming. In nine ball I’m a four (but I think I get lucky and I’m probably more like a three) and in eight ball I’m a four or five... I think four is more accurate. I’m only five one and cross eye dominant. I work a ton and don’t have a lot of time to practice so now that I’m working from home I’m trying to practice as much as possible. I really want to drill down my fundamentals so I don’t have to think about them when I’m playing a game. I’m making my way through Tor Lowery’s pool drills.
Attached are two videos. One shot from the side, one from the front. All criticism on what I am doing wrong is welcome. I just want to get better.
Here are the two videos. The first one is from the side and the second from the front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5b6d1U1V0Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuMXclcJhDg
Couple observations about what's happening. First of all, you seem concerned about not generating enough speed/power to move the CB around. If that's the case then I'd suggest making a video of you shooting actual shots and trying to get 2-3 rail position. That would be helpful in determining what is needed for improvement. The problem with the videos you posted is that you're just lagging balls into the pocket without really trying to get any power into the shot.
As Bob pointed out, the power comes mostly from speed of stroke. Length, smoothness and pace of acceleration are the primary factors. All of that happens before tip contact with CB. Follow through is just the result of what came before. Perhaps I'm strange but in 50+ years I've never once thought to myself "make sure you follow through". It would be putting the cart before the horse.
What I do see in the videos is 2 things:
When you move your right hand back what you think is about 4" it's actually only about an inch and a half or so because at the same time you move your grip hand you are also moving your bridge hand almost the same amount. So in effect not much has really changed.Your follow thru is slightly longer but not 4", more like an inch and a half or so.
If you moved your right hand back 4" and left your bridge hand in the original place it would feel very uncomfortable and that's why your bridge hand moved along with your grip hand. It's a very natural thing to have happen.
The other thing was that you and others noticed and discussed the relationship between your forearm and the plane of the cue.It should be fairly close to 90*. Again, as Bob pointed out, you're fairly good, in both positions actually. Which,if you think about it, would tend to confirm my assertion that you moved both hands on the cue for your second set of 3 shots. If you only moved your grip hand 4" then the cue/forearm relationship would be noticeably off.
What you need to look at is the angle between your forearm and your upper arm. It also should be close to 90*. That, more than anything, is what's limiting your stroke length/follow thru. That angle is somewhat dictated by your body type/size. Standing up straighter may help though then relearning to aim will be an issue. I also think a shorter cue may help.
Not an instructor.
