Correcting My Swoop/Inside Out Stroke

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DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok, so, my instructor basically recommended I shoot this diagrammed shot in an attempt to keep me from going inside/Out on my stroke. Actually he used six balls and not the two that I have diagrammed.

However, instead of balls I use those balls of string/twine that you get at Walmart for about $2 apiece. They are heavier and much easier to move back into place in case you veer to one side. And believe me, I veer.

The idea is to stroke through the balls without touching them. Obviously the closer they are the harder it is to do.

Instructors? What do you think? Are the balls of string a good idea here? Maybe I need six balls of string since Steve Boyer had me using six balls.

r/Mike

https://pad.chalkysticks.com/b7bd3
 
Rule number one: When you're working with an instructor, work with him or her. If you have any questions, ask that person directly. You have to trust the person you've chosen to help you or you will never make any progress.

If you're not satisfied after you've given things your best effort and have moved on past that particular person, then it's different, but you really should give that person a chance to help you. Asking for instructors to second guess another one isn't helpful. Of course there are exceptions, but this doesn't seem to be one of them.
 
This is the drill that I am talking about. I found a couple more balls of string to use. And please, I know its a 2-Ball in front of the balls but it doesn't really matter which ball you shoot. Just assume its a CB. I don't want to go down and get the CB after every shot.

Thoughts Instructors, posters, anyone, including ENGLISH!?

r/Mike
 

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FranCrimi said:
Rule number one: When you're working with an instructor, work with him or her. If you have any questions, ask that person directly. You have to trust the person you've chosen to help you or you will never make any progress.

If you're not satisfied after you've given things your best effort and have moved on past that particular person, then it's different, but you really should give that person a chance to help you. Asking for instructors to second guess another one isn't helpful. Of course there are exceptions, but this doesn't seem to be one of them.
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Oh I trust the guy that helped me and showed me this. I was just wondering what everyone thought of my replacing billiard/pool balls with balls of string? And if someone wants to chime in on this drill that is fine too.

I saw on video what my issue was when the instructor video'd me. I agreed 100% with his assessment.

r/Mike
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
Well, yes and no. I do have a sore back a lot. But it really doesn't bother me much when I am playing. I suppose every now and then I notice it.

r/Mike
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You might try putting your chin low enough that the cue stick rubs on it. You may have to adopt a wider stance. This can tell you a lot about the straightness of your stroke.
 
I know a player that on the back stroke takes the cue out side and on the forward stroke straightens it out as he strikes the cue ball.
And he can run multiple racks of 9 or 10 ball from time to time.
Really a good player.
 
https://pad.chalkysticks.com/46d91

As a side note, I was shooting this shot tonight with the Elephant Ball and checking the black strip for my tip placement after the shot. I was shooting this with about a tip of left English. And I was quite surprised that I was missing my aim point almost all the time.

Maybe I just need to take two weeks off and then quit.

r/Mike
 
Bob Jewett said:
You might try putting your chin low enough that the cue stick rubs on it. You may have to adopt a wider stance. This can tell you a lot about the straightness of your stroke.
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Well, I guess I can try that. I've tried everything else for nearly 18 years now and still I aint worth a sh~t.

r/Mike
 
FranCrimi said:
Rule number one: When you're working with an instructor, work with him or her. If you have any questions, ask that person directly. You have to trust the person you've chosen to help you or you will never make any progress.

If you're not satisfied after you've given things your best effort and have moved on past that particular person, then it's different, but you really should give that person a chance to help you. Asking for instructors to second guess another one isn't helpful. Of course there are exceptions, but this doesn't seem to be one of them.
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listen to fran
 
Well said.


QUOTE=FranCrimi;5561896]Rule number one: When you're working with an instructor, work with him or her. If you have any questions, ask that person directly. You have to trust the person you've chosen to help you or you will never make any progress.

If you're not satisfied after you've given things your best effort and have moved on past that particular person, then it's different, but you really should give that person a chance to help you. Asking for instructors to second guess another one isn't helpful. Of course there are exceptions, but this doesn't seem to be one of them.[/QUOTE]
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
Oh I trust the guy that helped me and showed me this. I was just wondering what everyone thought of my replacing billiard/pool balls with balls of string? And if someone wants to chime in on this drill that is fine too.

I saw on video what my issue was when the instructor video'd me. I agreed 100% with his assessment.

r/Mike
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I understand, but I'm pretty strict about sticking to the person you're working with until you're done. No second guessing, even for the simplest thing.

I had a client once who took a weekly lesson with me, and each time we met, I could tell he hadn't worked on anything I suggested. There was no change in his game at all. I confronted him after a couple of lessons and asked why he wasn't accepting my suggestions. He told me that he showed a friend of his (who supposedly teaches) what I taught him and told him he didn't have to make those changes to his game. He refused to stop listening to his friend so I had to cut him loose. He was wasting his money.

This was a pretty extreme case, but it happens a lot and on many levels. You've been asking a lot of questions here. If you're taking lessons with someone, ask them directly. Don't confuse yourself with possible conflicting answers.
 
No Second Opinions

Fran is right. When you have a coach or instructor, commit 100% to that person. It is not fair to them or yourself to do otherwise.

I give you credit for the sense to seek out a coach or instructor. Now do it right and make a total commitment for the duration of the relationship.:thumbup:
 
Tom Rossman, Diana Minor, Mark Wilson, Scott Lee, Nick Varner, and Steve Boyer. I've taken lessons from them all and still heed and do the things I learned from them all.

Seems contrary to the learning curve/experience to not ask for others help and to just focus on one person. Plus none of these instructors live next door to me and I don't want to email them every day and call them every day. I play and practice a few hours every day. So I come here and see what other suggestions I can get.

Believe me, nobody is stepping on anybody else's toes here. I've heard conflicting things from different instructors a lot in the last 18 years. I am sure none of the instructors listed above mind anyone else chiming in with their thoughts.

r/Mike
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
Ok, so, my instructor basically recommended I shoot this diagrammed shot in an attempt to keep me from going inside/Out on my stroke. Actually he used six balls and not the two that I have diagrammed.

However, instead of balls I use those balls of string/twine that you get at Walmart for about $2 apiece. They are heavier and much easier to move back into place in case you veer to one side. And believe me, I veer.

The idea is to stroke through the balls without touching them. Obviously the closer they are the harder it is to do.

Instructors? What do you think? Are the balls of string a good idea here? Maybe I need six balls of string since Steve Boyer had me using six balls.

r/Mike

https://pad.chalkysticks.com/b7bd3
Click to expand...




Back to your original post......I wouldn't use the balls of string because they're too heavy.

Joe Tucker has a similar drill where he places golf tees close together and you hit through golf tees. You could try that instead if you don't want to set up all those balls every time.

here's his video.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L478bfv0Bas

I think the point of the balls is that they're sensitive to the slightest touch....same with the golf tees. The balls of yarn are so heavy, you might brush one and not even see a reaction out of it.

I'm not an instructor...but I'd done this drill a lot. It's a great drill.

In your case...I'd do specificity what the instructor told me....if they said to use a row of 6 ball...then I'd use a row of six balls.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
Tom Rossman, Diana Minor, Mark Wilson, Scott Lee, Nick Varner, and Steve Boyer. I've taken lessons from them all and still heed and do the things I learned from them all.

Seems contrary to the learning curve/experience to not ask for others help and to just focus on one person. Plus none of these instructors live next door to me and I don't want to email them every day and call them every day. I play and practice a few hours every day. So I come here and see what other suggestions I can get.

Believe me, nobody is stepping on anybody else's toes here. I've heard conflicting things from different instructors a lot in the last 18 years. I am sure none of the instructors listed above mind anyone else chiming in with their thoughts.

r/Mike
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Now that's a lot of people you've taken lessons from. I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not saying you should never post questions here because you've taken lessons. I'm saying that you shouldn't try to confuse yourself WHILE you're working with an instructor. Stick with that person for your questions until you're no longer taking lessons with them.

Doesn't that make sense?
 
FranCrimi said:
Now that's a lot of people you've taken lessons from. I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not saying you should never post questions here because you've taken lessons. I'm saying that you shouldn't try to confuse yourself WHILE you're working with an instructor. Stick with that person for your questions until you're no longer taking lessons with them.

Doesn't that make sense?
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Well, to be honest, no, not really. At least to me it doesn't.

This is a pool game, a hobby. Its not Nuclear Digital Data Computer MicroSystems Engineering or Celestial Mechanics.

And to be honest again, I took the lesson from Instructor John Doe the other day. To claim I am "COMMITTED" to him now and him alone now just isn't right. I might never see him again, who knows. That's why I continue to ask and post on here. This forum is available 24/7 while Instructor John Doe isn't.

Oh well, it is what it is, I guess.

r/Mike
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
Well, to be honest, no, not really. At least to me it doesn't.

This is a pool game, a hobby. Its not Nuclear Digital Data Computer MicroSystems Engineering or Celestial Mechanics.

And to be honest again, I took the lesson from Instructor John Doe the other day. To claim I am "COMMITTED" to him now and him alone now just isn't right. I might never see him again, who knows. That's why I continue to ask and post on here. This forum is available 24/7 while Instructor John Doe isn't.

Oh well, it is what it is, I guess.

r/Mike
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Okay, I'm starting to understand how you think. You take lessons, but you don't commit to a particular instructor for a specific period of time. You're not alone. I've seen this before.

By doing that, you're missing out on something special -- which is, first -- in giving the instructor sufficient time to get to know you and your tendencies, which is how they can really start to help you --- And second, a chance for you to really get to know your instructor and how he or she thinks. Lessons are a two-way street.

Take Nick Varner for instance --- How long did you work with him? He's a champion and a heck of a nice guy and very intelligent. How awesome that is! Did you get to understand how he thinks? Did you give him enough time to understand how you think?
 
I understand what you are talking about Fran. But the fact of the matter is with all the lessons I have had over the years from several different instructors along with all the work and effort I have put in myself i'd say I am about at that point where I either get it or I don't.

I went to Steve Boyer in Evansville about three weeks ago to see if he could help me with my straight in draw shot problem. I saw on video what I was doing. About 45 minutes ago I found my old tripod to use with my old VHS Camcorder and in about another 45 minutes I am going to video myself and see if I have made any improvements on my inside out/veering/steering/swooping stroke that is inconsistent and causing me to hit the CB at various spots. Which, in turn, causes me to miss some shots left and some shots right.

I'll be disappointed if I haven't made any improvement.

r/Mike

p.s. If I would have won that $1.4 Billion Powerball Lottery a few weeks ago I would move to Owensboro and take a lesson from Nick Varner 2-3 times a week. Then we could really begin to know and understand each other. But since I didn't win the once a year two hour session is about it.
 
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