Christmas Tip

Most people think they know exactly where they hit the cb. Here's a little experiment for you to do in practice. Instead of using your normal bridge length, shorten it to about 4-6 inches. If you aren't already down pretty low, for just a few racks, get down low on the cue.

Shoot a few racks that way. I believe most will be surprised at how much english they get when they actually do hit where they think they have been hitting. ;)

Sometimes a shot comes up that requires extreme precision, shoot it the way I mentioned above for the most in accuracy.

If you find that you are getting a lot more english than you thought you would, then you know that you have a flaw in your stroke somewhere and need to correct it.

Neil as i have aged ive noticed that i cant get down as far on the stick as i used to,before shoulder pain came along i was down as far as chin on shaft,it just hurts to much to get down in that low posistion any more,and i miss easier shots more and more,do you have any idea what could help in this situation,thank you neil!
 
If I may interject a suggestion, it's one that Pat Fleming also recommends. Throw some balls on the table, forget about the pockets all together and just shoot the CB into OBs in such a fashion as to create a dead stop shot.

Shoot the OBs into rails, anywhere, just shoot dead on to the OBs and attempt to stop the CB dead.
 
Most people think they know exactly where they hit the cb. Here's a little experiment for you to do in practice. Instead of using your normal bridge length, shorten it to about 4-6 inches. If you aren't already down pretty low, for just a few racks, get down low on the cue.

Shoot a few racks that way. I believe most will be surprised at how much english they get when they actually do hit where they think they have been hitting. ;)

Sometimes a shot comes up that requires extreme precision, shoot it the way I mentioned above for the most in accuracy.

If you find that you are getting a lot more english than you thought you would, then you know that you have a flaw in your stroke somewhere and need to correct it.

Good tip! I also find it's worth mentioning to focus on smooth easy strokes. You don't need to hit the cue ball as hard as most people think to move it around the table.

It's interesting on the snooker table, how hard players try to slam in the black off the spot to move it around the angles. All you need is a little follow and a smooth stroke.
 
Good tip! I also find it's worth mentioning to focus on smooth easy strokes. You don't need to hit the cue ball as hard as most people think to move it around the table.

It's interesting on the snooker table, how hard players try to slam in the black off the spot to move it around the angles. All you need is a little follow and a smooth stroke.

Great point.

I try and remind myself of this as often as possible. Unfortunately for me, it's usually after I rattled the corner, trying to put too much juice on it to get whitey to the other end of the table. In my mind I know it doesn't need that much oomph, but for some reason I try and really smack it. After said "rattle", I usually come back to earth and hit it the right way, for a while. :p

Super reminder.
 
One of my biggest problems my whole playing career has been hitting the cue ball in the center when I was actually putting english on it. For me, Joe Tucker's Third Eye Stroke Trainer helped tremendously.
A joyous Christmas, Neil!
 
Good tip Neil. You're right, a lot of players believe they are hitting the QB lower than they really are. Another reason for this is gripping the cue too tight on the final stroke to the QB. Johnnyt
 
The shaft determines where to hang on to it. Play a full ball stop shot while hitting left or right (extreme) on CB. When you can do that, you know where to place the bridge hand. Too long or short of bridge the CB will deflect off line.
 
Try this- once you have your aim down pat, slowly pull the cue back making sure that it stays on the correct line. Pause, then slowly start it moving forward. After a couple inches, pick up speed to your desired speed. Make sure you are holding the cue loosely.

As far as my experiment, if you have to stay more upright, still shorten your bridge length to where there is almost no change in the tip placement with movement in the butt of the cue. That will ensure that you actually do hit the cb where you think you are.

Also, when upright more, make sure you have a consistent preshot routine so that your head is in the same place over the cue each time.

Thank you neil,i will do as you say,and see what happens!
 
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