A Question for CJ

[One Pocket John]

CJ,
Exactly how did you learn to accelerate to and thru the QB on a pool shot/stroke?
What practice method can a player use to make this happen?

Thanks

John

 

[CJ Wiley]

These two drills will improve acceleration in one afternoon when someone is diligent.

From my experience many players are {mentally} attempting to "hit the object ball," (instead of hitting the primary target - the cue ball) which makes them accelerate too early. It's vitally important to reach your highest level of acceleration exactly at impact. "the moment of truth is the moment of impact"

Spreading out all the balls and banking them {one rail} using a quick, accelerated stroke makes us focus on the ball we're hitting.....when this becomes easier start freezing balls to the diamonds and bank them in the pockets (from the frozen position) - this has a "side effect" of improving a player's "kicking" from learning how the diamonds connect to the pocket using no spin (or a touch of inside if you prefer).

Another way to improve acceleration is to use the cue ball and put it 3 inches from the object ball (straight in to a pocket), practice drawing the cue ball back to where it started.....go from 3" to 4" to 5" etc. until you see what your range is.....4' is pretty difficult to draw back accurately to it's starting point.

These two drills will improve acceleration in one afternoon when someone is diligent.

CJ,
Exactly how did you learn to accelerate to and thru the QB on a pool shot/stroke?
What practice method can a player use to make this happen?

Thanks

John

 

[One Pocket John]

From my experience many players are {mentally} attempting to "hit the object ball," (instead of hitting the primary target - the cue ball) which makes them accelerate too early. It's vitally important to reach your highest level of acceleration exactly at impact. "the moment of truth is the moment of impact"

Spreading out all the balls and banking them {one rail} using a quick, accelerated stroke makes us focus on the ball we're hitting.....when this becomes easier start freezing balls to the diamonds and bank them in the pockets (from the frozen position) - this has a "side effect" of improving a player's "kicking" from learning how the diamonds connect to the pocket using no spin (or a touch of inside if you prefer).

Another way to improve acceleration is to use the cue ball and put it 3 inches from the object ball (straight in to a pocket), practice drawing the cue ball back to where it started.....go from 3" to 4" to 5" etc. until you see what your range is.....4' is pretty difficult to draw back accurately to it's starting point.

These two drills will improve acceleration in one afternoon when someone is diligent.

Thanks CJ and Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to you and yours.

John

 

[CJ Wiley]

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well...enjoy the New Year

I have something just for you, no one else.

Try putting the cue ball about 6 inches from the object ball, then draw it back 6 inches. Instead of how you usually hit it, make your hand go to the cueball, then draw it back quickly......like it's being recoiled. Extend the distance to 12", 18" and 24".

This goes against natural instincts, but try it a few times and you'll see what it does for your acceleration.....I think about recoiling my hand on certain shots, but the tip doesn't actually come back.....it's just a good mental visual to have to assure max. acceleration.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well...enjoy the New Year my friend.

Thanks CJ and Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to you and yours.

John

 

[One Pocket John]

I have something just for you, no one else.

Try putting the cue ball about 6 inches from the object ball, then draw it back 6 inches. Instead of how you usually hit it, make your hand go to the cueball, then draw it back quickly......like it's being recoiled. Extend the distance to 12", 18" and 24".

This goes against natural instincts, but try it a few times and you'll see what it does for your acceleration.....I think about recoiling my hand on certain shots, but the tip doesn't actually come back.....it's just a good mental visual to have to assure max. acceleration.

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well...enjoy the New Year my friend.

Thanks for the advise.

So far, there is nothing you have suggested that has been put on the shelf.
At almost 68 years old I love learning about this wonderful game.

Have a good one. Oh, since I'm using an ankle weight on my cue I would like to cancel my sword order. J/K :smile:

John

 

[CJ Wiley]

with a sharp, straight blade it really turns your game into a weapon.

That's funny, I actually went through a phase of using wrist/ankle weights for stroke training. I still prefer the sword, because it forces the perception of the cue being a blade......and with a sharp, straight blade it really turns your game into a weapon.

Happy Holidays

Thanks for the advise.

So far, there is nothing you have suggested that has been put on the shelf.
At almost 68 years old I love learning about this wonderful game.

Have a good one. Oh, since I'm using an ankle weight on my cue I would like to cancel my sword order. J/K :smile:

John

 

[One Pocket John]

That's funny, I actually went through a phase of using wrist/ankle weights for stroke training. I still prefer the sword, because it forces the perception of the cue being a blade......and with a sharp, straight blade it really turns your game into a weapon.

Happy Holidays

Funny how you should mention this. I look at my cue as being a dart. (like throwing darts (QB) at a dart board (OB)) and aiming at a bullseye.
I guess I should explain what I mean by this, I use the right, center and left side of the cue for aiming at the contact point on the OB. Have been for decades, Feel very comfortable with this method.
I guess this is why TOI has been so easy for me to incorporate into my game.

Thanks again.

John

 

[Mikjary]

Funny how you should mention this. I look at my cue as being a dart. (like throwing darts (QB) at a dart board (OB)) and aiming at a bullseye.
I guess I should explain what I mean by this, I use the right, center and left side of the cue for aiming at the contact point on the OB. Have been for decades, Feel very comfortable with this method.
I guess this is why TOI has been so easy for me to incorporate into my game.

Thanks again.

John

When I warm up, I envision myself throwing the cue ball underhanded at the object ball with several windups before I release the ball. It relaxes my arm like a warm up stroke and I actually use less practice strokes when I'm down on the shot.

This works really well for me when I don't have time to warm up before I get into a match. My mind relaxes and focuses quickly without ever doing much shooting.

Best.
Mike

 

[CJ Wiley]

The release in pool is much like the release when throwing a dart.

Yes, you are aiming what I call the "Touch of Inside" by aligning with the side of your shaft. I'm more comfortable using the cue ball, although Shane uses his ferrule so it's received professional credentials.

The release in pool is much like the release when throwing a dart. The hand comes back and returns with acceleration.....EXACTLY at the point of contact (or original hand starting position) - no matter what the level of player they have to make it a priority to always be releasing the wrist/hand/fingers precisely at the moment of tip/cue ball contact. "the moment of truth is the moment of cue ball contact" - CJ Wiley

Funny how you should mention this. I look at my cue as being a dart. (like throwing darts (QB) at a dart board (OB)) and aiming at a bullseye.
I guess I should explain what I mean by this, I use the right, center and left side of the cue for aiming at the contact point on the OB. Have been for decades, Feel very comfortable with this method.
I guess this is why TOI has been so easy for me to incorporate into my game.

Thanks again.

John

 

[CJ Wiley]

Snooker players think of "hitting with their elbow,"

That sounds like a good way to warm up.

I actually like "throwing" the cue and catching it to establish my backhand grip position when I'm warming up. If your hand position is off chances are the elbow is not in the best position. Snooker players think of "hitting with their elbow," and this is a thought worth experimenting with.

Happy New Year My Friend.

Play Well in 2015

When I warm up, I envision myself throwing the cue ball underhanded at the object ball with several windups before I release the ball. It relaxes my arm like a warm up stroke and I actually use less practice strokes when I'm down on the shot.

This works really well for me when I don't have time to warm up before I get into a match. My mind relaxes and focuses quickly without ever doing much shooting.

Best.
Mike

 

[One Pocket John]

Thanks CJ.
And the best to you and yours.

The OB is the target. The OB just happens to be in the way of where you want to roll the QB.

John

 

[Mikjary]

That sounds like a good way to warm up.

I actually like "throwing" the cue and catching it to establish my backhand grip position when I'm warming up. If your hand position is off chances are the elbow is not in the best position. Snooker players think of "hitting with their elbow," and this is a thought worth experimenting with.

Happy New Year My Friend.

Play Well in 2015

Ditto! :thumbup:

Best,
Mike

 

[One Pocket John]

Ditto! :thumbup:

Best,
Mike

That sounds like a good way to warm up.

I actually like "throwing" the cue and catching it to establish my backhand grip position when I'm warming up. If your hand position is off chances are the elbow is not in the best position. Snooker players think of "hitting with their elbow," and this is a thought worth experimenting with.

Happy New Year My Friend.

Play Well in 2015

When I warm up, I envision myself throwing the cue ball underhanded at the object ball with several windups before I release the ball. It relaxes my arm like a warm up stroke and I actually use less practice strokes when I'm down on the shot.

This works really well for me when I don't have time to warm up before I get into a match. My mind relaxes and focuses quickly without ever doing much shooting.

Best.
Mike

I like my stroke to finish on every shot. Thats why my grip hand will change positions on the butt of the cue on every shot. Sometimes I'll have a 2" follow thru or it could be a 4" 6" 8" 10" or 12" follow thru.
I get what you all are saying but I always like my cue follow thru to end up at the same location on the finish of the stroke. ( the shooting arm cant go any further unless the elbow drops) and I try to keep that to a minimum))
Most of my shots are at a 6" to 8" follow thru.
This is all by the feel of the shot by the way.

Thanks for sharing. :smile:
John

 

[Mikjary]

I like my stroke to finish on every shot. Thats why my grip hand will change positions on the butt of the cue on every shot. Sometimes I'll have a 2" follow thru or it could be a 4" 6" 8" 10" or 12" follow thru.
I get what you all are saying but I always like my cue follow thru to end up at the same location on the finish of the stroke. ( the shooting arm cant go any further unless the elbow drops) and I try to keep that to a minimum))
Most of my shots are at a 6" to 8" follow thru.
This is all by the feel of the shot by the way.

Thanks for sharing. :smile:
John

I'm not sure if things change at all on my shot/stroke. One thing I did notice was before I get down, my fingers and hand opening and closing several times as I held the cue stick and visualized. It was purely automatic and I was surprised my hand did this, even now.

Just by briefly visualizing a back and forth motion of my arm and throwing the cue ball at the object ball, my body aligned well and my arm got right to a ready relaxed position. I should work with this more and extend my visualization to pocketing and position play. Who knew? :grin:

Best,
Mike

 

[rennerb6]

C J, you're talking about a "slip stroke"!? Basically. I'll slip stroke about an inch or so. ?

 

[CJ Wiley]

No, I don't use a slip stroke, although I may let the cue slip back as I'm targeting the cue ball (practice strokes).

When your hand slips back without deviating the cue it falls into a slot, or groove. Once you establish this slot/groove you want to strive to make the movement of the cue as efficient as possible. To do this consistently it's essential to maintain a connection that starts at the elbow, runs down the forearm, through the hand, all the way to the tip (you need your body connected to the tip because the tip is your only connection to the game).

C J, you're talking about a "slip stroke"!? Basically. I'll slip stroke about an inch or so. ?

 

[rennerb6]

I got ya, but the slip'stroke', to me is like letting the cue free fly towards the qb but at last.. Split sec, I will handle the cue, weather it be for draw left, right, etc.... Demonstrating it is way easier than xplain in it. May be that I only 'slip' to a point then stroke it properly? I do have control etc.. Feel like NOT making sense. On the phone or in person, it makes sense. Have played around the country. Known many players, w their $$$$in my pocket
You mentioned surf the other day.! Denver, ogden, etc. Medina, Cheyenne pete, but ive kinda had this slip stroke for 35+yrs. Ha. Like to catch ya in Dallas one day. Im down in Abilene last few yrs... I'll let ya go bro.! Thanks for the reply.!

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

I'm not CJ but I'll tell you what I do to get true acceleration throughout the stroke. I pause ever so slightly at the end of the backstroke and then deliberately start the forward stroke slowly. Watch most top snooker players and you will see they do the same thing.

I used to be a fly casting instructor, and the hardest thing I found to teach is the timing involved in smooth acceleration. Flaws in casting stroke timing have a much more profound effect on a fly cast than they do on a pool stroke. Even with a decelerating cue stroke you will probably still make the ball. You may get crap action on the CB, but the ball will go in if you deliver a straight stroke along the proper shot line.

If you accelerate too quickly or erratically with a fly cast you will put a bend in the rod when and where you don't want it. This will force the rod tip downward, bringing the line along with it, and creating what is called a "tailing loop" (the fly drops below the plane of the unrolling line). This will kill the cast in mid air, and will likely tie an overhand knot right in the middle of your expensive fly line.

What I have seen over and over (and particularly with men) is that the caster rushes the stroke at the beginning and runs out of gas at the end. I used to tell guys to thrust their rod tip up and back at the end of the backstroke, and to wait until they felt the pull of the line, then to begin the forward stroke with a dragging motion before applying full power. This usually gave them the slow start requiring for continuous acceleration and a smooth, straight cast.

I've transferred that "dragging" feeling to the beginning of my pool stroke and it has really done wonders for me. The cue gets through the ball in a much more convincing way now, and the action on the CB is greater in spite of feeling like I am using less force. Well, I am using less force, but the power delivery is greater because the cue never stops increasing in speed throughout the stroke. And less force means a straighter stoke in most cases, so the CB goes where I want it to go.

As an aside, I've noticed in the hundreds of people that I've taught to fly cast that this problem occurs almost exclusively with male casters. Females casters are mostly naturals in this regard. This may be because woman lack the upper body strength of men, and learn to use proper timing at an early age to accomplish what we machos try to accomplish with brute strength. Therefore, women in both sports often have more elegant stroke timing than the men do.

 

[yankee817299]

Good reply Sloppy Pockets. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[rennerb6]

Sloppy pockets, cool analogy. ! I too, fly fish. Back in the day I lived in Wyoming. I used to 'bullwhip' the line and fray the LEADERS. As to pool, I can also see the relationships between the two. Cool analogy. Try to keep it in mind. Yeah man........!