Do you stroke and then stop your stroke before you hit the cue ball?

[Lock N Load]

Hey Scott, you must have a lot of stop sign tickets?

Lock N Load...There is no difference between a pause and a stop. They are both stops...just a different duration. ALL good poolplayers stop their cue, at the CB, prior to pulling the trigger. The primary reason for this is to allow your subconscious brain decide if you're "ready or not"!...also to double check aim points. ALL good poolplayers pause at the end of their backswing (to create a smooth transition between the backswing and the forward accelerated stroke)...some do it shorter or longer than others. Now...if you don't know that there is no difference, then I don't know what to say!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

So you are saying that a stop sigh and a Yield sign are the same? Well if you are the yield at a stop sign and see what happens? Thanks for your input.
Many Regards,
Lock n Load.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Lock N Load, I read most of the posts in this thread, and I have to say I don't understood what you are tying to say. Can you rephrase please?

 

[Neil]

...........

 

[Lock N Load]

You are right, Neil.

When at a yield sign, you slow down, you don't pause. A pause is a stop of a short duration, not a slowing down of speed while still keeping motion going.

That said, I take a couple of warm up strokes to ensure a straight stroke, then take a long stop at the cb, pull back slowly, short stop, then go forward.

A pause is a stop as well as a stop is a stop! But the ticket will say you did not stop at the stop sign. Most people will say they paused at the stop sign.
I am mixed up now Neil!!!
Many Regards,
Lock n Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Hello Iusetoberich, I received all good responses to my thread!

Lock N Load, I read most of the posts in this thread, and I have to say I don't understood what you are tying to say. Can you rephrase please?

Now you say you do not understood what I am tying to say? What is tying??? First of all! How do you want me to say it? Please the thread subject real careful! I tried to put it in other words but it did not say what I meant!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Let me know what part you do not understand?

Lock N Load, I read most of the posts in this thread, and I have to say I don't understood what you are tying to say. Can you rephrase please?

Thanks.
Many Regards,
Lock N load.

 

[gunzby]

If you did, then what is the purpose of stroking if your are going to stop stroking before you hit the cue ball? Why not stroke and hit the cue ball while still stroking? That is a complete stroke!!! Your input is needed on this subject!
Many Regards,
Lock N load.

Added note.
A pause and a stop are two different things! If you pause at a stop sign you will get a ticket! If you stop at a stop sigh you won't get a ticket!
If you pause at the end of your stroke, that is one thing! If you stop at the end of your stroke then that is a whole different thing!!! Now if a person does not know the difference between them now, I do not know what to say!

I understand what you mean, but a pause is still a stop. You must stop your backstroke to begin your forward stroke. In the stop sign scenario you would stop to go in reverse before you went forward.

I'm guessing you mean a long pause vs. a short pause. The length of the pause depends on comfort levels. You might notice that Allison Fisher has a long pause. This is because she eyes the CB until she finishes her backstroke and then pauses as she eyes the OB.

I use an average pause. If I am having trouble I go with a longer pause. My guess to the minimum length of a pause would be long enough to not jerk while beginning your forward stroke.

 

[thefonz]

on oldie but....

A cop stops a man for running a stop sign and the subject gives the cop a lot of grief explaining that he did stop.
After several minutes, the cop explained to the gentleman that he didn't stop, he just slowed down a little.
The gentleman said 'Stop or slow down, what's the difference?'.
The cop pulled the guy out of the car and worked him over for about a minute and then said, 'Would you like for me to stop or just slow down?'

 

[gunzby]

A pause is a stop as well as a stop is a stop! But the ticket will say you did not stop at the stop sign. Most people will say they paused at the stop sign.
I am mixed up now Neil!!!
Many Regards,
Lock n Load.

Hope I cleared it up for ya unless you are talking about stuttering during your forward stroke. Otherwise you must stop going backward in your backstroke in order to go forward. You can call it a pause, or a stop either way the backstroke ends and the forward stroke begins.

 

[Snapshot9]

I think

I pause my cue slightly when at the cue ball right before my final hit stroke.

 

[Lock N Load]

It is clear now, and thanks.

Hope I cleared it up for ya unless you are talking about stuttering during your forward stroke. Otherwise you must stop going backward in your backstroke in order to go forward. You can call it a pause, or a stop either way the backstroke ends and the forward stroke begins.

Good input is appreciated.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[Lock N Load]

Good story, I am still laughing.

A cop stops a man for running a stop sign and the subject gives the cop a lot of grief explaining that he did stop.
After several minutes, the cop explained to the gentleman that he didn't stop, he just slowed down a little.
The gentleman said 'Stop or slow down, what's the difference?'.
The cop pulled the guy out of the car and worked him over for about a minute and then said, 'Would you like for me to stop or just slow down?'

Thanks for the good input.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Now you say you do not understood what I am tying to say? What is tying??? First of all! How do you want me to say it? Please the thread subject real careful! I tried to put it in other words but it did not say what I meant!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

1. You are confusing the point you are trying to make by using traffic signal analogies. "Stop", "yield", "ticket", are not precise terms that mean the same thing to every person.

2. The stroke has several transition places: at the cue ball, and at the back of swing. Furthermore, these transitions might be different during practice strokes and the final delivery stroke. I can't tell which transition place, during warmup or final stroke, you are referring to when you talk about "stop". You need to be more precise in your description.

3. All that said, I still can't quite figure out which technique you are in favor of. However, you are using many exclamation points, and that makes it seem you are quite strongly in favor of just one technique, and that is the only one that should be used. Well there are pro level players that play with all possible variations of the transition places in paragraph #2. So in other words, any method can work.... although as Scott Lee wrote, some of them might be better for your eyes and body to switch focus to the final delivery stroke.

4. I'm not trying to be an a$$, I just legitimately did not understand your post.

 

[dr_dave]

When at a yield sign, you slow down, you don't pause. A pause is a stop of a short duration, not a slowing down of speed while still keeping motion going.

That said, I take a couple of warm up strokes to ensure a straight stroke, then take a long stop at the cb, pull back slowly, short stop, then go forward.

Excellent post! Here's a quote from my what is a pause? resource page:

Strictly, the word "pause" does imply stopping for more than an "instant." When a player has an obvious "pause" between the end of their back-swing and the beginning of their forward-swing, I like to refer to it as a "deliberate pause" or a "distinct pause." Here, the implication is clear: the cue is held stationary (stopped) for more than an instant.

Strictly speaking, if the cue stops only for an "instant," there is no "pause." An "instant" does not involve any passage of time. A "pause" does imply a "stop" (zero speed) for a distinct amount of time. For example, when a free-swinging pendulum changes direction at is highest point, it does "stop" for an "instant," but it does not "pause." The speed gradually and smoothly changes from negative (in the backward direction) to positive (in the forward direction), through zero. The speed does not stay at zero for any amount of time. At the tiniest fraction of a second before the speed is zero, the pendulum is moving slowly in one direction (negative speed); and at the tiniest fraction of a second after the speed is zero, the pendulum is moving slowly in the other direction (positive speed). The speed is zero only for an "instant." Not even the smallest fraction of time passes during that instant.

This explanation applies to any speed (i.e., there is nothing special about zero). For example, consider the cue speeding up gradually between 1 mph and 5 mph. The speed hits 3 mph for only an instant during the acceleration, but there is no "pause" at 3 mph. Now, if you stop accelerating at 3 mph, and hold the speed constant at 3 mph for a period of time, then you could say there is a "pause" in the acceleration. Again, the smooth transition through a speed of zero is no different. If you don't hold the speed at zero for a distinct period of time, then, strictly speaking, there is no "pause."

People will interpret the word "pause" in different ways; but as long as one is clear and consistent with the meaning, and people know what you mean, that's all that matters. Again, I like to use the phrase "deliberate pause" when there is a distinct "pause" in the action (i.e., the stop occurs for more than just an "instant"). For example, both Allison Fisher and Buddy Hall (and others) obviously have a "deliberate pause" before their final forward stroke. I think the phrase "pause for only an instant" is also OK when there is no "deliberate pause"; although, it is strictly not proper. When somebody rushes or jerks the transition between back and forward motion, there still is a "stop for an instant" (because the cue still changes direction and has zero speed for an instant). I would call this a "pauseless and rushed" transition.​

And here are many reasons why stroke pauses are useful.

Regards,
Dave

 

[metallicane]

Yes I try to pause like Buddy Hall.

 

[Falcon Eddie]

A pause and a stop are two different things! If you pause at a stop sign you will get a ticket! If you stop at a stop sigh you won't get a ticket!
If you pause at the end of your stroke, that is one thing! If you stop at the end of your stroke then that is a whole different thing!!! Now if a person does not know the difference between now I do not know what to say!
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.

I think the pause and stop in a pool stroke can be micro seconds apart if not more. The purpose of either for me is to make sure I am looking exactly at my focus point and being confident before I pull the trigger. The time of that (pause or stop ) varies from shot to shot depending on the latter. But , everyone has their own way of getting the job done.

 

[Pangit]

The "Pause" seems to be inherent to quality Snooker players. Hence, Allison's reference. Just watch video. All the greats on the big table "pause". Most pool player's don't pause...that's why pool players don't move over and win the big money on the Pro Snooker tour.

 

[Lock N Load]

Whew! Dr_Dave, I needed that help bad!!

Excellent post! Here's a quote from my what is a pause? resource page:

Strictly, the word "pause" does imply stopping for more than an "instant." When a player has an obvious "pause" between the end of their back-swing and the beginning of their forward-swing, I like to refer to it as a "deliberate pause" or a "distinct pause." Here, the implication is clear: the cue is held stationary (stopped) for more than an instant.

Strictly speaking, if the cue stops only for an "instant," there is no "pause." An "instant" does not involve any passage of time. A "pause" does imply a "stop" (zero speed) for a distinct amount of time. For example, when a free-swinging pendulum changes direction at is highest point, it does "stop" for an "instant," but it does not "pause." The speed gradually and smoothly changes from negative (in the backward direction) to positive (in the forward direction), through zero. The speed does not stay at zero for any amount of time. At the tiniest fraction of a second before the speed is zero, the pendulum is moving slowly in one direction (negative speed); and at the tiniest fraction of a second after the speed is zero, the pendulum is moving slowly in the other direction (positive speed). The speed is zero only for an "instant." Not even the smallest fraction of time passes during that instant.

This explanation applies to any speed (i.e., there is nothing special about zero). For example, consider the cue speeding up gradually between 1 mph and 5 mph. The speed hits 3 mph for only an instant during the acceleration, but there is no "pause" at 3 mph. Now, if you stop accelerating at 3 mph, and hold the speed constant at 3 mph for a period of time, then you could say there is a "pause" in the acceleration. Again, the smooth transition through a speed of zero is no different. If you don't hold the speed at zero for a distinct period of time, then, strictly speaking, there is no "pause."

People will interpret the word "pause" in different ways; but as long as one is clear and consistent with the meaning, and people know what you mean, that's all that matters. Again, I like to use the phrase "deliberate pause" when there is a distinct "pause" in the action (i.e., the stop occurs for more than just an "instant"). For example, both Allison Fisher and Buddy Hall (and others) obviously have a "deliberate pause" before their final forward stroke. I think the phrase "pause for only an instant" is also OK when there is no "deliberate pause"; although, it is strictly not proper. When somebody rushes or jerks the transition between back and forward motion, there still is a "stop for an instant" (because the cue still changes direction and has zero speed for an instant). I would call this a "pauseless and rushed" transition.​

And here are many reasons why stroke pauses are useful.

Regards,
Dave

They were eating me alive. Now since you stepped in and helped me out I feel better! Dr_Dave you are the Man!!!!! Thanks! I am glad you are my friend....
Many Regards,
Lock n Load.

 

[naji]

Lock N Load...There is no difference between a pause and a stop. They are both stops...just a different duration. ALL good poolplayers stop their cue, at the CB, prior to pulling the trigger. The primary reason for this is to allow your subconscious brain decide if you're "ready or not"!...also to double check aim points. ALL good poolplayers pause at the end of their backswing (to create a smooth transition between the backswing and the forward accelerated stroke)...some do it shorter or longer than others. Now...if you don't know that there is no difference, then I don't know what to say!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

My opinion your warm up strokes are needed to ensure proper alignment, by then your aim is 100% set
You pause to allow the brain to focus on where to hit, if you look at OB last then that is where your look before your pull the trigger, or if you look at CB last that is where your focus. It is hard to focus on a subject if your hands are in motion
The term pause is used while warming up, you pause for second(s), stop term is used when you do not follow through and your stroke stops midway just after it hits the CB, of which the brain already decided to slow down just prior to hitting CB, main reason fear of hitting fingers at table edge, !! it hurts