Aptitude for pool and aptitude for instruction or critique of instruction can be mutually exclusive. One does not require the other. Don't all the instructors say you don't have to play at pro level to teach people? I thought I heard something like that.
KMRUNOUT
Yes, I have said that. That does not really fit here though. One is teaching proven methods. (the instructors) The other is saying those proven methods don't work, and the only thing he has to back up his statement is his own playing using his methods. His methods have kept him at a C level for way too long.
Now, some of you want an essay on it, here you go:
No one is saying that the pendulum stroke is the only way to play correctly. Nor, that for each and every player it is the best way to play. There are many roads to the top. Some are much easier than others, some work for some while not for others.
Some want to cite todays top players and then categorically toss out the pendulum stroke because so few SEEM to be using it, or don't even know what it actually is. What those people fail to realize is that if you were to stop-action most players, very often the elbow does not drop before contact with the cb. Then the elbow drops, usually significantly. But all they see is "their elbow drops, so mine should too". While failing to realize what can happen, and usually happens when one drops their elbow before contact significantly.
Some, actually a only a few compared to how many play the game for years, have learned to get their cue straight at contact with the cb no matter how crooked it is before contact. They have their desired repeatability. Some can get that early on, some after a few years of playing, most- never do get that repeatability.
So, should one that after a few years has not yet achieved that repeatability keep on doing what they are doing, hoping that by doing the same thing they will all of sudden one day get different results? Amazingly, most do. Some even argue about how that is the best way to play.
A large part of the game is about repeatability. What is the best way to achieve that? Using many components that all have to be timed just right, or by using one simple movement that does the exact same thing each and every time?
Why do some have so much trouble with the pendulum stroke after diligently trying it for a significant period of time? Actually, the answer to that is really very simple. The fix can be simple or difficult, depending on the person. Usually, it is because they are not set up correctly, so they still are steering the cue while trying not to steer it. That is fixed by a re-alignment so the cue naturally goes straight.
The other problem I see is that the person now trying to switch to a totaly different type of stroke must spend extra mental resources (concentration) to make sure they are doing what they are trying to do. This is a necessary drawback to learning a new way to do anything. The problem arises, when they fail to eventually incorporate the new pattern into their subconscious and make the new pattern automatic. Instead, they always focus on the new pattern. So, they end up trying to focus on several things at once (very hard to do if not impossible) while playing, and then blame the failure of their game on the new thing and not on where it actually belongs. That is, their failure to incorporate the new thing and then not think about it, but just let it happen like you want it to.
So, for the masses, that have been doing the elbow drop without much success, maybe it's time to try something that gives more repeatability, incorporate it properly, and see what it does for you. When done "training" with it, you may just find that your game has come up a ways.:wink:
As far as dropping the elbow after contact. Go ahead if that is your choice. Just realize that there really is no reason to do so. And, if you do drop, be very, very, careful that your timing is good enough that you don't start dropping before contact. Because when you do do that, you are now incorporating all kinds of other timing issues into your stroke. If your timing was off on one part, why would one want to incorporate more things that require more timing issues??
