Another Video Thread

BeiberLvr

BeiberLvr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This was back in July on the Poison Tour (Amateur). One loss side race to 5. Only my 2nd time on a live stream on the toughest table in the room.

I've improved since then, but I'd say at the time I was playing about 75% of my A game. So there's definitely some flaws including a dogged 9ball at about the 13 minute mark.

Any critiques would be appreciated.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24316983

Note: For some reason it's not the full match, but if I remember correctly I did end up winning 5-3.
 
BeiberLvr said:
This was back in July on the Poison Tour (Amateur). One loss side race to 5. Only my 2nd time on a live stream on the toughest table in the room.

I've improved since then, but I'd say at the time I was playing about 75% of my A game. So there's definitely some flaws including a dogged 9ball at about the 13 minute mark.

Any critiques would be appreciated.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24316983

Note: For some reason it's not the full match, but if I remember correctly I did end up winning 5-3.
Click to expand...

I noticed a tendency to poke the ball. I think you may be using that to try to control the cue ball. I've even seen a shot or two where you actually pulled the cue back after contact as opposed to following through.

I think you have to learn to trust that you can take a fuller, smoother stroke and still control the cue ball. It's a psychological barrier that you'll have to cross, but you can, if you work at it.

That's the mental part.

Then you have to actually work on your stroke, which is the physical part. Start with your backstroke. You can start by bringing the cue back nice and slowly. It should feel slower than your comfort zone.

There's more in-between but I think you already know the theory if you study the game. Just make sure you follow through. It will help assure you that your stroke timing was right.

P.S. You play very nice game, btw. Keep it going.
 
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Thanks Fran. Most of what you mentioned has been corrected in the last 6 months.

I did try SPF for awhile, and realized recently it's not for me. So now I get down in the set posistion, take 3 warm up strokes and then fire.

I'll try to record a video of me doing some drills or playing a few racks of 9ball this weekend.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Thanks Fran. Most of what you mentioned has been corrected in the last 6 months.

I did try SPF for awhile, and realized recently it's not for me. So now I get down in the set posistion, take 3 warm up strokes and then fire.

I'll try to record a video of me doing some drills or playing a few racks of 9ball this weekend.
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I'm don't really understand why you would post a link showing us the way you no longer play, yet you're asking for critiques.
 
FranCrimi said:
I'm don't really understand why you would post a link showing us the way you no longer play, yet you're asking for critiques.
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Sorry Fran. I should have said that my stroke has become slightly better, still not perfect though.

I also felt like there might have been other things to critique as well. Shot selection, stance, other fundamentals...

I appreciate your comments.
 
Spf

BeiberLvr said:
Thanks Fran. Most of what you mentioned has been corrected in the last 6 months.

I did try SPF for awhile, and realized recently it's not for me. So now I get down in the set posistion, take 3 warm up strokes and then fire.

I'll try to record a video of me doing some drills or playing a few racks of 9ball this weekend.
Click to expand...

You may not fully understand SPF. It doesn't disallow practice strokes.

That jerk back that Fran describes is a very important thing. The longer you keep doing that, the harder it will be to develop a proper stroke.

Jerry Briesath's "pose" after every shot can help you with this. When you finish your business stroke, POSE for a second or two (unless you need to move to get out of the way of rolling balls). That jerk back after striking the cue ball accomplishes nothing but confusing your muscle memory (adding an unnecessary motion).

Have you considered an actual lesson with an instructor?
 
BeiberLvr said:
Thanks Fran. Most of what you mentioned has been corrected in the last 6 months.

I did try SPF for awhile, and realized recently it's not for me. So now I get down in the set posistion, take 3 warm up strokes and then fire.

I'll try to record a video of me doing some drills or playing a few racks of 9ball this weekend.
Click to expand...

What is SPF?

Thanks
randyg
 
Donny Lutz said:
You may not fully understand SPF. It doesn't disallow practice strokes.

That jerk back that Fran describes is a very important thing. The longer you keep doing that, the harder it will be to develop a proper stroke.

Jerry Briesath's "pose" after every shot can help you with this. When you finish your business stroke, POSE for a second or two (unless you need to move to get out of the way of rolling balls). That jerk back after striking the cue ball accomplishes nothing but confusing your muscle memory (adding an unnecessary motion).

Have you considered an actual lesson with an instructor?
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Hi Donny,

Thanks for responding.

I believe I understand SPF. When I was using it the past couple months, I was doing pretty much what I am now. Get down, take my warm up strokes. Stop with the cue at the CB [Set]. Pull back as smoothly as possible with a slight pause at the end of the back stroke [Pause], and then stroke through the CB and try to hold position [Finish]

The only difference now is that I skip over the Set part. For me, I found that my mind would wander in the Set position. This isn't a knock at SPF, because I know for a fact that it will work for a lot of people. There are plenty of pros that shoot similar.

At this point in time, I feel that my stroke is much improved from the video in this thread (although still not perfect), but I'll let others be the judge of that if I can hopefully get an updated video posted this weekend. Right now I feel that my biggest weaknesses are

1. Inconsistent fundamentals. When they're good, I feel that they're really really good. However, sometimes they're a little lacking.

2. Pattern play, especially in 14.1 My high run is only 36, and I average 7 or 8. In 9ball against the ghost in races to 7, I can usually get 3 or 4 games, but I've never actually won a race. Although in the games I don't win, I can usually get to the 6 or 7. I can beat the 6ball ghost, and do okay against the 7ball ghost.

3. 9ball break. It's either really good or really bad.

I'm sure there's more that I'm just forgetting at the moment.

I did talk to Scott Lee about possibly taking a lesson if he visits Colorado, and if I have the money at the time. I would love to take a lesson from an instructor, but like most, money is a little tight.

Thanks again!
 
A quick comment, the "set" position should not be real long (unless you are training yourself). half a second or so perhaps (2 seconds for training). The set is nothing more than an unconscious decision point that the brain confirms the point of contact. If you don't like it, another warm up cycle should follow. What this does is allows the brain to process the shot. If this does not occur, there is no chance to for the process to become totally subconscious, and therefore it requires thinking which in turns makes it inconsistent.

Of course practicing with focus on the fundamentals (as opposed to result) will help reduce the variation and improve performance consistency.
 
Steve...Just a minor point. The set allows the unconscious (trained) brain to "green light" the shot, based on all the factors, including the intended outcome and incoming position for the next shot. In order for that to 'happen' unconsciously, while playing, you have train and practice consciously. Nice explaination though! :thumbup:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

boyersj said:
The set is nothing more than an unconscious decision point that the brain confirms the point of contact. .
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BieberLvr...Everybody who plays good stops their cue at the CB. It isn't so much a matter of how long...but all good players do it. Most of them do it intentionally. SPF is individual to each person. We teach a certain method, that is then modified by the shooter, as they become more proficient with their own measurable process. Hope to see you in CO one of these days. :D

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

BeiberLvr said:
I believe I understand SPF. When I was using it the past couple months, I was doing pretty much what I am now. Get down, take my warm up strokes. Stop with the cue at the CB [Set]. Pull back as smoothly as possible with a slight pause at the end of the back stroke [Pause], and then stroke through the CB and try to hold position [Finish]

The only difference now is that I skip over the Set part. For me, I found that my mind would wander in the Set position. This isn't a knock at SPF, because I know for a fact that it will work for a lot of people. There are plenty of pros that shoot similar.

At this point in time, I feel that my stroke is much improved from the video in this thread (although still not perfect), but I'll let others be the judge of that if I can hopefully get an updated video posted this weekend. Right now I feel that my biggest weaknesses are

1. Inconsistent fundamentals. When they're good, I feel that they're really really good. However, sometimes they're a little lacking. That's because you have no way to measure what you're doing...process or results.

2. Pattern play, especially in 14.1 My high run is only 36, and I average 7 or 8. In 9ball against the ghost in races to 7, I can usually get 3 or 4 games, but I've never actually won a race. Although in the games I don't win, I can usually get to the 6 or 7. I can beat the 6ball ghost, and do okay against the 7ball ghost.

3. 9ball break. It's either really good or really bad.Again, consistency is the key to everything...the break included. Most people misunderstand that the break is not about brute force...it's about speed and timing!

I'm sure there's more that I'm just forgetting at the moment.

I did talk to Scott Lee about possibly taking a lesson if he visits Colorado, and if I have the money at the time. I would love to take a lesson from an instructor, but like most, money is a little tight.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
 
I recorded about 9 different videos today. The first one I uploaded is just me breaking a rack, taking ball in hand, and trying to run out. When I first started doing this about a month ago, I was averaging anywhere from 3 to 5 misses per rack. Now I'm down to about 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IEuw64fipU&feature=youtu.be

I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the video.
 
BeiberLvr said:
I recorded about 9 different videos today. The first one I uploaded is just me breaking a rack, taking ball in hand, and trying to run out. When I first started doing this about a month ago, I was averaging anywhere from 3 to 5 misses per rack. Now I'm down to about 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IEuw64fipU&feature=youtu.be

I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the video.
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You're right. I see a much improved stroke from the previous video. Good work.

Other than keep working at your game, which you obviously are, I'd suggest that you experiment a bit with beefing up your level of intensity at times. I don't mean tightening up, but rather staying with the shot a little longer, staring it down, just some subtle things. Right now your level isn't causing you to miss in practice, but when the heat is on, it's all the more difficult to be casual.
 
BeiberLvr...Aside from the first two shots, I liked what I saw, for the most part. Your first shot, the stick moves backwards after contact...:nono: On the second shot, your cue ends up in the air...:nono: After that you started shooting almost perfect SPF stroke shots. Like Fran mentioned, you need to stay down longer on the shots, especially when you have no reason to move...stay down until the OB goes in...we call it the "freeze", and it's a vital part in the successful outcome of the physical and psychological process.:grin:

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

BeiberLvr said:
I recorded about 9 different videos today. The first one I uploaded is just me breaking a rack, taking ball in hand, and trying to run out. When I first started doing this about a month ago, I was averaging anywhere from 3 to 5 misses per rack. Now I'm down to about 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IEuw64fipU&feature=youtu.be

I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the video.
Click to expand...
 
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