Acceleration style

nataddrho

nataddrho

www.digicue.net
Silver Member
I'm almost done with completely rebuilding my stroke for the better. The only style I have left to decide on is

1) Vary the stoke power based on backstroke length, same bicep force for most shots
2) Vary the stroke power based on bicep power, same backstroke length for most shots

I see pros and high level players have success with both styles. Right now I do number 2, based purely on habit. I no longer have any elbow drop.

Should I explore 1?

Nate
 
I am at a total loss when I read this earlier and I want to respond but have no clue what to write!

I guess,,,,,,, play what feels comfortable and what the shot requires:)
 
nataddrho said:
I'm almost done with completely rebuilding my stroke for the better. The only style I have left to decide on is

1) Vary the stoke power based on backstroke length, same bicep force for most shots
2) Vary the stroke power based on bicep power, same backstroke length for most shots

I see pros and high level players have success with both styles. Right now I do number 2, based purely on habit. I no longer have any elbow drop.

Should I explore 1?

Nate
Click to expand...


I feel like #2 would be more controllable. It's easier to manage an equal backstroke length visually, but hard to maintain both muscle power, wrist action, AND varying backstroke length. I generally keep the same backstroke length, similar but vary bicep power, but use a varying wrist snap.
 
I switched over to style 1 a few years ago and I became more consistent with cue ball control and I find it helps me settle into my playing rhythym. Also, playing with a similar stroke speed on most shots seems to make my stroke stand up better in pressure situations.

Definitely worth a try, just to see if it works for you.
 
I highly recommend number one. I somewhat recently have figured out that the softer the shot, the shorter the backstroke should be, and vice versa. If you agree that your cue stick should have a smooth and constant acceleration when it's moving forward to the cue ball, it's really hard to make an argument against the backstroke length being directly proportional to the speed of a shot. I also rocommend getting in the habit of shortening up your bridge for soft shots. This will force you to keep the shorter backstroke. This has made a significant difference for me, hopefully you'll experience the same! Good luck.
 
#1. Same tempo and level of force with varying stroke length. A lot like putting in that you don't hit it harder for a longer putt but just increase stroke length. Much easier to develop rhythm/touch this way, imo.
 
I think you are being too analytical & mechanical about it.

We're playing a game & one that has a whole host of 'requirements' during a session in order to play very well.

An artist does not use the same paint stroke technique when painting an entire canvas.

It's about the desired end result & one has to be proficient with delivering the cue tip to the ball in a variety of manners.

I doubt that any great player had their focus on the method of delivery over just delivering it to get the result that that they wanted.

Is it the ends or the means that are important? Focus on the ends & the means will take care of themselves.

Feel is very important & it is usually the best barometer to tell one whether to wear a short or long sleeve shirt. Trust your feel.

Just food for thought & you may be more of a structured paint by numbers type & then what I have to say here is of no use to you.

Best Wishes & Good Luck with 'building' of your stroke.
 
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#1. I think you'll find that it's more a combination of the two, but varying the speed of you cue as the primary control mechanism will cause unwanted deceleration (slowing down on approach, which isn't good). Even if you went with the same draw back and follow through on all shots, you really can't; finesse shots often won't allow it, so now you're forced to do something unnatural and bad things happen.
 
Once you stop thinking about pedantic things like this you will become a much better player. All professionals across all pocket billiard platforms control speed by experience and natural ability. Some will naturally gravitate to number 1 or number 2 but none actually decide upon it consciously in their journeys.

I am a number two type player, much like a Ronnie O'Sullivan. My pull back is mostly all the way back for all types of shots. What I have noticed is when I accelerate. If say I want to hit a shot soft, I pull back all the way and slowly push the cue forwards then I reach a point and accelerate from their. Of I want to hit it extremely soft I still pull back all the way but I won't accelerate until my tip is about an inch from the white. Its how I've always played and what comes naturally to me. It has no advantages or disadvantages.

Putting too much thought into this will hold you back.
 
Original poster is very astute.

#1 is the only option that will give you long term consistency.

Each shot requires a length of stroke....with the back stroke of equal length to the forward stroke. And....the good news is.....a very high percentage of shots can be executed with the same exact stroke.....you're just higher....lower....a bit left....or a bit right....on the cue ball. Exeptions.....are as followes....Soft hit....short backstroke and shorter bridge.. Harder hit....longer back stroke and bridge. Pulling back the same distance then controlling speed by how fast you go forward....is a recipe for inconsistency.
 
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moose man said:
I highly recommend number one. I somewhat recently have figured out that the softer the shot, the shorter the backstroke should be, and vice versa. If you agree that your cue stick should have a smooth and constant acceleration when it's moving forward to the cue ball, it's really hard to make an argument against the backstroke length being directly proportional to the speed of a shot. I also rocommend getting in the habit of shortening up your bridge for soft shots. This will force you to keep the shorter backstroke. This has made a significant difference for me, hopefully you'll experience the same! Good luck.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with this. I found out when I try to shoot harder with a short backstroke I am more likely to jerk the cue off line.
 
Ronnie actually varies his grip pressure for different types of shots.

Pidge said:
I am a number two type player, much like a Ronnie O'Sullivan. My pull back is mostly all the way back for all types of shots. What I have noticed is when I accelerate. If say I want to hit a shot soft, I pull back all the way and slowly push the cue forwards then I reach a point and accelerate from their. Of I want to hit it extremely soft I still pull back all the way but I won't accelerate until my tip is about an inch from the white. Its how I've always played and what comes naturally to me. It has no advantages or disadvantages.

Putting too much thought into this will hold you back.
Click to expand...
 
railbird99 said:
Ronnie actually varies his grip pressure for different types of shots.
Click to expand...
He always holds it loosely actually. He just varies when he squeezes the grip for the amount of spin and cue ball movement. So on a stun run through he will clench way before he hits the white, on a force follow shot he will clench after the white has been hit. That's straight from the horses mouth.

He has one of the loosest grips of the top 32. Its partly why he can move the cue ball with so little effort.
 
I switch between the two.

Natural #2 but have learned to play both ways.

randyg
 
I wonder if like other sports, techniques and methods evolve as one gets better. Some techniques and methods require more practice and precision, but can produce better results once and if they are mastered.

For a beginner and intermediate players like me, method 1 was much easier to learn and maintain but I see many high level players use method 2.
 
It's the grip pressure, regardless of when he applies that pressure.

Speaking of straight from the horse's mouth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHeeJy_SJFw&feature=youtu.be&t=700

Pidge said:
He always holds it loosely actually. He just varies when he squeezes the grip for the amount of spin and cue ball movement. So on a stun run through he will clench way before he hits the white, on a force follow shot he will clench after the white has been hit. That's straight from the horses mouth.

He has one of the loosest grips of the top 32. Its partly why he can move the cue ball with so little effort.
Click to expand...
 
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