Body English and Cue Ball "Steering"

Billy_Bob

Billy_Bob

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Does this "body english" thing really work?

I've seen players, after they shoot, start leaning their body in an attempt to get the cue ball to change direction one way or the other. The more they need the cue ball to change course, the more they will lean. Sometimes the player almost falls over they are leaning so much!

Then other players, after they shoot, will attempt to "steer" the cue ball by swinging their cue to the left or right. The more they need to get the cue ball to change direction, the more they will swing their cue. For one league player I saw, everyone was advised to keep their distance while this person was shooting so they would not get whacked by her cue after she shot.

Then also there is "talking" to the cue ball. Telling it to slow down or keep going. I think the louder you yell at the cue ball, the more it listens! :)
 
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i think it works, many times ive pointed at the cueball and said STOP!, and it would right on the edge of the pocket....i think its the soundwaves
 
No, but

the balls roll more favorbly if you call them nice names, baby, honey, as opposed to *****, you f*****g dog, etc.. ..... They kind of react the same way a wife would by calling them the same names ..... lol

The so-called body english is usually because of a lack of confidence in their game, as is any abnormal 'ticks' or actions when playing or stroking the cue ball. This is the way a real good player judges how good someone else plays is by their stance and mechanics when they play. Anyone having abnormal type style or actions will usually choke when the pressure is on, brought down by their own imperfections. There are exceptions to the rule, like Keith McCready with his side arm approach to stroking, but they are usually far and few inbetween.
 
Billy_Bob said:
Does this "body english" thing really work?

I've seen players, after they shoot, start leaning their body in an attempt to get the cue ball to change direction one way or the other. The more they need the cue ball to change course, the more they will lean. Sometimes the player almost falls over they are leaning so much!

Then other players, after they shoot, will attempt to "steer" the cue ball by swinging their cue to the left or right. The more they need to get the cue ball to change direction, the more they will swing their cue. For one league player I saw, everyone was advised to keep their distance while this person was shooting so they would not get whacked by her cue after she shot.

Then also there is "talking" to the cue ball. Telling it to slow down or keep going. I think the louder you yell at the cue ball, the more it listens! :)
Click to expand...

This sounds a lot like how I learned to ride a skate board.
 
Yes

Billy_Bob said:
Does this "body english" thing really work?

I've seen players, after they shoot, start leaning their body in an attempt to get the cue ball to change direction one way or the other. The more they need the cue ball to change course, the more they will lean. Sometimes the player almost falls over they are leaning so much!

Then other players, after they shoot, will attempt to "steer" the cue ball by swinging their cue to the left or right. The more they need to get the cue ball to change direction, the more they will swing their cue. For one league player I saw, everyone was advised to keep their distance while this person was shooting so they would not get whacked by her cue after she shot.

Then also there is "talking" to the cue ball. Telling it to slow down or keep going. I think the louder you yell at the cue ball, the more it listens! :)
Click to expand...

I have played players that can body english around 1/2 of a ball. Very impressive.
 
Snapshot9 said:
the balls roll more favorbly if you call them nice names, baby, honey, as opposed to *****, you f*****g dog, etc.. ..... They kind of react the same way a wife would by calling them the same names ..... lol

The so-called body english is usually because of a lack of confidence in their game, as is any abnormal 'ticks' or actions when playing or stroking the cue ball. This is the way a real good player judges how good someone else plays is by their stance and mechanics when they play. Anyone having abnormal type style or actions will usually choke when the pressure is on, brought down by their own imperfections. There are exceptions to the rule, like Keith McCready with his side arm approach to stroking, but they are usually far and few inbetween.
Click to expand...

To be serious for a moment there is a reason why that behaviour perpetuates...
I remember a definition of "superstitious behavior" from when I was a psych major studying operant conditioning...
"Superstituous behavior is that behavior which is is reinforced by introducing stimulii (positive reinforcers) into an organism's environment independent of that organism's behavior."
The classic example is elevator call button pushing. After you push it once it doesn't matter how many times you push it, but if you push it over and over the elevator will eventually come after pushing it, thereby reinforcing multiple button pushing behavior.
The same thing is happening with "body english". Sometimes the cue ball will do exactly what the shooter wants (it would have done it anyway) when the shooter engages in the body english, stop sign with the hand, cue waving, or whatever. It doesn't matter a wit that the person knows intellectual that this behaviour didn't effect the cueball, it is reinforced regardless and the behaviour is perpetuated.
 
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gforces1911 said:
I have played players that can body english around 1/2 of a ball. Very impressive.
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what about over a ball from less than a ball width? Now that would be something.
 
I've seen guys slow the cueball down or make it speed up by patting they're hand on the table like they're patting they're dog. Very impressive stuff.
 
I hear Mike Massey can induce a 90-degree masse with only body english. He's definitely got the strongest body english in pool.
 
I talk to the balls while I am playing straight pool. I can't remember what I tell though when I am playing well.
 
Nice post, What really gets me is when I shoot and my opponent jumps to the table and begins to lean in hopes to steer the ball away from the pocket...
 
Billy_Bob said:
Does this "body english" thing really work?

I've seen players, after they shoot, start leaning their body in an attempt to get the cue ball to change direction one way or the other. The more they need the cue ball to change course, the more they will lean. Sometimes the player almost falls over they are leaning so much!

Then other players, after they shoot, will attempt to "steer" the cue ball by swinging their cue to the left or right. The more they need to get the cue ball to change direction, the more they will swing their cue. For one league player I saw, everyone was advised to keep their distance while this person was shooting so they would not get whacked by her cue after she shot.

Then also there is "talking" to the cue ball. Telling it to slow down or keep going. I think the louder you yell at the cue ball, the more it listens! :)
Click to expand...


I spend at least 10 minutes a day working on my "body english". It looks like it is starting to work so I might increase my time a little more.....randyg
 
Billy_Bob said:
Does this "body english" thing really work?

I've seen players, after they shoot, start leaning their body in an attempt to get the cue ball to change direction one way or the other. The more they need the cue ball to change course, the more they will lean. Sometimes the player almost falls over they are leaning so much!

Then other players, after they shoot, will attempt to "steer" the cue ball by swinging their cue to the left or right. The more they need to get the cue ball to change direction, the more they will swing their cue. For one league player I saw, everyone was advised to keep their distance while this person was shooting so they would not get whacked by her cue after she shot.

Then also there is "talking" to the cue ball. Telling it to slow down or keep going. I think the louder you yell at the cue ball, the more it listens! :)
Click to expand...

All of these things work.

Well, maybe some people hope they work and some even pray they work.

Running toward the hole where the cue ball seems destined to fall with your head held low watching the path of the cue ball also seems to help keep the cue ball from entering the hole.
:-)

JoeyA
 
Many players use different techniques to change the cue ball and the object ball direction. This is not just a natural reaction---it does really work for some and not for others. Why? For those who are successful--- the secret was safe until now. For those who try to imitate unsuccessfully---you now have the chance to improve your game by leaps and bounds.

This amazing formula that I have mixed from common household chemicals produces that effect. Just apply it to your chalk, bake in a microwave as directed and viola. For two photo's of Alexander Hamilton (this is code for U.S. citizens only), and I will send a 6 months supply. Only available while supplys last.

If you have an extra copy of Winning One Pocket---I will trade for a 1 years supply. Just PM Tennessee Joe.
 
Blowing on the cueball helps your opponent scratch and negates all of their body english, pleading and swerving their cue sticks. :D
 
Cameron Smith said:
I talk to the balls while I am playing straight pool. I can't remember what I tell though when I am playing well.
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Do they talk back to you ? :eek:

Dave
 
Hey, if it makes you feel better after shooting a tough shot, go for it. Only on the tough shots though, and be sure you do it only when you KNOW the ball's gonna pot. After 4 or 5 shots like that, your opponent will start worrying... LOL

In any case, there are times when body english just feels sooooo good.

And be sure to give a resounding "Yeaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!" when the balls pots, and do a little ritual dance, twirl your cue, you know the routine!! Be sure to make your opponent feel like he has a real loser he's up against, and then go for the gold.

Flex
 
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Execellent!

I have found that when I am going to scratch, and my oppenents back is turned, it never seems to find the pocket.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
Many players use different techniques to change the cue ball and the object ball direction. This is not just a natural reaction---it does really work for some and not for others. Why? For those who are successful--- the secret was safe until now. For those who try to imitate unsuccessfully---you now have the chance to improve your game by leaps and bounds.

This amazing formula that I have mixed from common household chemicals produces that effect. Just apply it to your chalk, bake in a microwave as directed and viola. For two photo's of Alexander Hamilton (this is code for U.S. citizens only), and I will send a 6 months supply. Only available while supplys last.

If you have an extra copy of Winning One Pocket---I will trade for a 1 years supply. Just PM Tennessee Joe.
Click to expand...


Man, I have to have some right now. Where do I send all my cash too, quick......randyg
 
Let it go, let it flow, and dance to the music. Sing along, don't look down, and get rid of the frown....this is the magic bullet....LOL
Dance with your date, go with the flow, crank up the music and take the path of least resistance....that was a nice pierrette buddy...the secret is out and we can all go home now...LOL
 
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