Drop shoulder for better force follow shots?

[Billy_Bob]

I read that for some shots such as force follow, it is better to drop your shoulder (and upper arm) during the stroke!

Ok I've been learning *NOT* to drop my shoulder, just swing lower arm only like pendulum, etc.

I've been having trouble with the "hook shot" in 99 critical shots lately. This requires a lot of follow with a medium stroke... So I try the droping shoulder business when shooting this shot and darned if that cue ball didn't go all the way up table like it should!

So this makes sense to me. I've been not droping my shoulder lately and having problems with force follow shots which I could do before.

I'll need to experiment with this more, but wanted to ask if this makes sense.

Should I not drop my shoulder for most shots, but drop my shoulder for some shots?

 

[Snapshot9]

my ... my .... my

Where do all you guys come up with all these techniques????

You NEVER drop your shoulder on any shot .... YOu simply cue the cueball
in the right place to begin with to execute a 'force follow' shot ...

 

[td873]

a 'force follow' shot ...

1) Which type of "force follow shot" are you referring to? (just some semantics shenanigans

2) Shoulder drop is generally not considered a good thing.

3a) Elbow drop is debatable: Lots and Lots of pro's drop their elbow.

3b) Piston or Pendulum -> IMO, both work, so pick what works for you and stick with it.

-td

 

[Egg McDogit]

When I really try to juice the ball, the momentum of my stroke kind of carries my elbow and shoulder through til they drop. Then again, I'm the posterchild for bad fundamentals though - with my 3 foot pump stroke. I think most people would tell you to keep your shoulder locked at all times.

peace
-egg

I read that for some shots such as force follow, it is better to drop your shoulder (and upper arm) during the stroke!
...
Should I not drop my shoulder for most shots, but drop my shoulder for some shots?

 

[TheBook]

Everyone says that you should not drop your shoulder and swing your forearm like a pendulum? Watching the pros you will see that their shoulder remains steady but they do drop their elbow.


I think everyone is confusing dropping their shoulder with dropping their elbow.

 

[Billy_Bob]

Sorry, drop elbow is what I meant.

How about if I start over with my question...

I've been learning to not drop my elbow and I've noticed that the better players in my area don't do this. Also I have an instructional video which teaches not to drop my elbow - just swing lower arm as pendulum.

But I read that when shooting shots which need a lot of follow, such as the hook shot in 99 critical shots (See below), you get more follow when dropping your elbow. I tried this and it works better when I drop my elbow.

So question: Should I drop my elbow on some shots such as this, but not others?

Wei...
http://endeavor.med.nyu.edu/~wei/pool/

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[ceebee]

So question: Should I drop my elbow on some shots such as this, but not others?

Here is something for you to think about.

The Elbow Joint is like a Hinge. That hinge controls the upper arm & forearm to function in a planer manner. I.E. that hinge controls the motion of the forearm to be radially flat (2 dimensional).

The Shoulder Joint is a Ball Socket. (3 dimensional) A ball socket allows for lots of movement, controlled by lots of muscles.

When you "drop your elbow", you are causing lots & lots of muscles to coordinate their movement. You have a 2D Elbow & a 3D Shoulder.

Good Luck.

 

[bruin70]

if the tip of the cue remains relatively level throughout the stroke, you are dropping your elbow. if the tip dips a little your are not. almost all the good players drop their elbow except on "small" shots. orttman does it ALL the time. his cue points in exactly the same line at the end that it does in the beginning

 

[JoeyInCali]

if the tip of the cue remains relatively level throughout the stroke, you are dropping your elbow. if the tip dips a little your are not. almost all the good players drop their elbow except on "small" shots. orttman does it ALL the time. his cue points in exactly the same line at the end that it does in the beginning

Very good point.
Some let the cue slip like Efren.
I did a test shot. I shot a spot shot, drawing the cueball to the side rail without dropping the elbow. I was able to do it easily. I don't think dropping the elbow is necessary for power.
But, for a smooth piston stroke follow thru, it's a must ( but not exaggerated ).
Some like the pendulum stroke as well.

 

[bruin70]

Very good point.
Some let the cue slip like Efren.
I did a test shot. I shot a spot shot, drawing the cueball to the side rail without dropping the elbow. I was able to do it easily. I don't think dropping the elbow is necessary for power.
But, for a smooth piston stroke follow thru, it's a must ( but not exaggerated ).
Some like the pendulum stroke as well.

with strokes that you have to let out a little, i believe there is an inherent smoothness when you the drop elbow.

 

[Jon]

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned, is that if you could ask a pro if he/she their elbow dropped after a particular shot, they probably couldn't tell you.
It's a natural thing for some people.
I have to "think during the shot" to NOT drop my elbow.

 

[bruin70]

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned, is that if you could ask a pro if he/she their elbow dropped after a particular shot, they probably couldn't tell you.
It's a natural thing for some people.
I have to "think during the shot" to NOT drop my elbow.

yeah,,,it's just part of the process. they want to keep a straight stroke is their main goal. the elbow drop is natural.