Nope, it's an addiction.
I won a blonde of my choosing, or perhaps a pale ale. (ohhh, you thought I wanted another ex-wife ... hmmm ... no.).
An Over Looked Part of The Game
- Thread starter tom mcgonagle
- Start date
Nope, it's an addiction.
I won a blonde of my choosing, or perhaps a pale ale. (ohhh, you thought I wanted another ex-wife ... hmmm ... no.).
That would be me in my almost had hair days.
I agree with you Ken, the physical side can be harder to evaluate on your own. I was actually talking more about patterns and shot selection in the original post, but obviously I didnt make it clear enough.
There are things that can be done on your own to evaluate some mechanics. Like shooting the cue ball off of the spot and freezing, and seeing if your cue has gone straight across the spot or if it is finishing to one side or the other. Or shooting a thin cut shot and making yourself stay still until the cue ball stops rolling.
An example of what I meant in my original post would be playing three rail shape and scratching in the corner. Too many people say it was bad luck instead of thinking about how they could have shot it differently so they wouldnt have scratched. Or when they are playing shape and accidentally run into another ball. How many players ask themselves what they could have done differently? Not many, most just get mad at themselves for making a mistake and go set in their chair to fume.
Woody
Great thread Tom. Your right, the bridge isnt discussed often on here and rarely gets the attention it deserves. I kind of laughed when I saw what you were looking for because I had stopped at the poolroom today and the bridge had actually come up in a discussion. I also agree that the stance is often overlooked. One of the biggest (and most frustrating at the start) things I changed after working with Mark Wilson was my stance. And I started working on it again over the last couple of weeks after viewing some of Max Eberle's material. I think he has one of the best ways of explaining the stance.
Woody
"...after viewing some of Max Eberle's material. I think he has one of the best ways of explaining the stance."
I concur:
Approaching the shot after considering all of the elements of the shot that needs to be executed - the stance, including the bridge location may be the most important to attain the most consistent performance. This may include getting up if all is not right and reestablishing a corrected stance.
I concur:
Approaching the shot after considering all of the elements of the shot that needs to be executed - the stance, including the bridge location may be the most important to attain the most consistent performance. This may include getting up if all is not right and reestablishing a corrected stance.
Ding Ding Ding!!! I think we have a winner!
I think the bridge hand is a big danged deal, as well. I try as often as possible to use an open bridge as it allows for a much better sightline. I close it up, however, on shots requiring medium to big stroke, for stability. Probably, this is obvious to most.
As for breaking, lots can be discussed about this.
However, cue ball control for position is a much harder subject to discuss in any appreciable way as there is so much nuance and every break creates a new pattern puzzle. I think the closest we can get to better understanding cue ball control and getting good shape can be found on, for instance, Dr. Daves Encyclopedia of Pool Shots, cd series. There's just too much variance with speed and spin to write about it all without posting the electronic pool table like Neil often does here to discuss how best to address a particular situation. But that is the limitation; realistically, we're limited to highlighting particular situations but really can't expand on how to make the shots while getting good on the next three or four balls.
I think that for those trying to work hard on this major aspect of the game, I suggest studying Dr. Dave's incredible cd set and Practice, Practice, and Practice some more.
Great thread, Tom!
k:
Best,
Brian kc
As for breaking, lots can be discussed about this.
However, cue ball control for position is a much harder subject to discuss in any appreciable way as there is so much nuance and every break creates a new pattern puzzle. I think the closest we can get to better understanding cue ball control and getting good shape can be found on, for instance, Dr. Daves Encyclopedia of Pool Shots, cd series. There's just too much variance with speed and spin to write about it all without posting the electronic pool table like Neil often does here to discuss how best to address a particular situation. But that is the limitation; realistically, we're limited to highlighting particular situations but really can't expand on how to make the shots while getting good on the next three or four balls.
I think that for those trying to work hard on this major aspect of the game, I suggest studying Dr. Dave's incredible cd set and Practice, Practice, and Practice some more.
Great thread, Tom!
k:Best,
Brian kc
Once you learn how to play at a high level its all a mental game.