After reading various post about how well Shaw was playing at the US Open, I'm curious - what is he doing differently? A few players over the years reach invincibility. Mika, Shane, and now Shaw seems to be a force. Their game doesn't look any different but the records show otherwise.
Is Shaw's game different?
- Thread starter Jason Robichaud
- Start date
Shaw settles for whatever position he can get and continues shooting balls like it’s a practice table. When other plays get a little long or a little funny you can visibly see them prepare for the upcoming difficult shot. Shaw shoots those long ones or the shots with inside english three rail position all the same. He doesn’t just come up with the big shots, he shoots them without hesitation or doubt.
From what I see, certain players do something better than everyone for a period of time. They all play extremely well all around, but something stands out.
SVB has probably the best cue ball control I’ve ever seen. Yes, guys like Efren could do crazy things with the cue, but SVB rarely gets out of line and needs to do anything crazy. He gets close to perfect shape, not close.....perfect on a vast majority of his shots. Enough so that he stands out.
Shaw is probably the straightest shooting out there currently when it comes to pocketing. Of course everyone at that level is good at pocketing, but his stands out when you watch him. I took a several year hiatus from playing or watching pool. When I started again, I looked for SVB since he was on the rise when I tuned out. I found videos of him and stumbled onto him playing Shaw. I immediately looked for more videos of Shaw because he absolutely stood out.
Those things are what separates them I think. When you can look at players live or on video until a few obviously stand out for whatever reason. They stand out for that particular reason/s and that strength is what let’s them beat fields of tough world class players for as long as they can keep it up.
Right now nobody in the game has the executive levels of fire power that Shaw exhibits.
If he makes balls on the break and can see the next object ball, its all over. People talk about talent and Shaw exemplifies the paradigm.
I think he plays Nine Ball the way its supposed to be played. Fast and loose. Frankly its exciting to watch.
In every era there are certain players that rise to the top of the heap. This is one of those times.
Shaw plays like William Wallace fought, with a brave heart.
If he makes balls on the break and can see the next object ball, its all over. People talk about talent and Shaw exemplifies the paradigm.
I think he plays Nine Ball the way its supposed to be played. Fast and loose. Frankly its exciting to watch.
In every era there are certain players that rise to the top of the heap. This is one of those times.
Shaw plays like William Wallace fought, with a brave heart.
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Corey Deuel commented on one of his streamed matches this past open. He said something along the lines of “Shaw’s average distance from ball to ball is probably longer than most other pros”. It was something to that effect and is probably true. Personally, I don’t think that’s a style that will age well, but Shaw seems to be a special talent. Earl Strickland was the same when it came to pocketing balls and his game where it is now is miles from his peak.
We’ll have to wait and see how long Shaw will stay on top.
We’ll have to wait and see how long Shaw will stay on top.
Mark Wilson had a good read on Jayson's play. He said that Jayson is the one player that is fine with getting position routinely about 2 feet further further away from the object ball than any other player.
If your shot-making is the same as all other players (very good), but from a much further distance, while still maintaining the same cue ball control, that IMO is his huge advantage.
I wouldn't downplay his cue ball control at all either. When he needs to come with a very precise cue ball, he delivers more often than not.
His ability to spear in shots from a long distance with all types of english is second to none.
If your shot-making is the same as all other players (very good), but from a much further distance, while still maintaining the same cue ball control, that IMO is his huge advantage.
I wouldn't downplay his cue ball control at all either. When he needs to come with a very precise cue ball, he delivers more often than not.
His ability to spear in shots from a long distance with all types of english is second to none.
He likes room...
I am sure I saw an interview on You Tube where Shaw said he liked 10 foot tables as they give him room to move the cue ball around. I bet he does.
I am really hoping him and Shane match up on a 10' table for best 2 out of 3 sets in a race to 25. Winner breaks of course, a real shoot out. That or a race to 100.
I am sure I saw an interview on You Tube where Shaw said he liked 10 foot tables as they give him room to move the cue ball around. I bet he does.
I am really hoping him and Shane match up on a 10' table for best 2 out of 3 sets in a race to 25. Winner breaks of course, a real shoot out. That or a race to 100.
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Early in the year in an interview with Shaw, he said there was a 100K match setup with him and JL Chang to be played in Houston(I think) that got cancelled. It was b/c JL Chang and Kevin Cheng had to cancelled their trip to the US.
According to Oscar, JL Chang beat Shane bad gambling in China. So JL Chang is not afraid to play some.
Jason Shaw plays amazing and had a wonderful US Open, but he is an underdog to JL Chang in a long race of 9/10 ball.
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with most of you. His improved results comes from a couple of basic things. Lets call him JS2017 (vs JS2013).
JS2017 doesn't:
1. Miss as many easy balls. In the past he would not give some simple shots much respect and as such would miss more "simple" shots than his peers.
2. He has slowed down just a fraction. This improves issue above and gives him a sense of calm allowing him to make better decisions. Maybe not the kind of shots that say a Jeremy Jones would shoot but better decisions for Jayson.
Remember the meltdown at the 14.1 tourney with Earl. I'm not sure that would have gone down the same way today. About five years ago I had dinner with Jayson, Mike Dechaine and Justin Collett (during a TAR event) and made the statement that I was eating with future US Open champions. Maybe Mike will make me a genius one day.
JS2017 doesn't:
1. Miss as many easy balls. In the past he would not give some simple shots much respect and as such would miss more "simple" shots than his peers.
2. He has slowed down just a fraction. This improves issue above and gives him a sense of calm allowing him to make better decisions. Maybe not the kind of shots that say a Jeremy Jones would shoot but better decisions for Jayson.
Remember the meltdown at the 14.1 tourney with Earl. I'm not sure that would have gone down the same way today. About five years ago I had dinner with Jayson, Mike Dechaine and Justin Collett (during a TAR event) and made the statement that I was eating with future US Open champions. Maybe Mike will make me a genius one day.
Agree with all except Mike D winning an open, could happen but it would be an upset for sure.
To the other poster - you have action if he plays Chang JL
Jason
when I first started watching JS play he sold out more often and rarely played a good safe. now he plays smarter, plays safes more often and doesn't sell out. he makes hard shots like they are hangers. world class
I don't think Justin's chances of winning the U.S. Open are very good.
Come on. In Nick's world Danny D will be giving flawless and intriguing commentary while Justin takes down the title.
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Great observation and spot on. Shaw doesn't shake his head, bang the chalk on the table, or get too concerned with a funny roll to difficult position or being left difficult after the break - he just gets up there and fires it in.
His mental edge is above other players in that he won't get rattled.
In the finals yesterday, he gives up the jump shot back to Kaci, whip nailed it and ran out. Jayson just sat there and waited for his opportunity and when he got back to the table he continued to run out like he never left.
That was a big moment.
Bingo on this one too. Jayson has a safety game that is out of this world.
He punished both Ko brothers on some safeties that required a surgeon's touch that were spectacular. And the safety he played on Kaci when he left the 6 ball at far rail, cue ball hidden was a 9 foot touch shot that was so difficult it should have been replayed twice.
Sure he could. Just have to change the rules. Two shots of Bourbon after every rack. Nobody is getting past him.
