FOLLOW SHOT CONTROL Principles and Drills

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a video that discusses and demonstrates everything you need to know about follow-shot control principles, including useful drills for learning how to use topspin with precision and consistency. Check it out:

Contents:
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Stroke Length Control
2:17 - 7.5x Speed Factor
4:08 - Rail-Rail Speed Reference
5:52 - Cling Caution
7:57 - Wrap Up or More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

 

[BD23]

Thanks, Dr. Dave!

 

[Moe Szyslak]

Ah, that 3", 10" cling bit is interesting. I've had that happen and didn't really make the connection.

 

[dr_dave]

Thanks, Dr. Dave!

You’re welcome. I aim to swerve.

 

[dr_dave]

Ah, that 3", 10" cling bit is interesting. I've had that happen and didn't really make the connection.

For those interested, here’s an article (with good illustrations) on the topic:

“Throw Follow-up: Part IV: Follow Cling” (BD, October, 2014)​

 

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a video that discusses and demonstrates everything you need to know about follow-shot control principles, including useful drills for learning how to use topspin with precision and consistency. Check it out:

Contents:
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Stroke Length Control
2:17 - 7.5x Speed Factor
4:08 - Rail-Rail Speed Reference
5:52 - Cling Caution
7:57 - Wrap Up or More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

Did anybody find the info and advice in this video helpful, or was the "math" too much? During editing, I was wondering if I should have left the "math" out.

 

[The_JV]

Did anybody find the info and advice in this video helpful, or was the "math" too much? During editing, I was wondering if I should have left the "math" out.

I honestly didn't watch the vid until you asked for this critique.

If I was going to be extremely forth coming. I'd say the inclusion of the math is fine. However you spent a bunch of time commenting on OB results. Which imo are moot. IF I was going to be critical. I'd would say that it would have been more beneficial to spend that time explaining the dynamics of tangent slide before 'follow' takes hold. Difficulty determining this is typically what I see from those adopting strong follow shots.

Thanks for the vid

 

[dr_dave]

I honestly didn't watch the vid until you asked for this critique.

Thanks for watching and for the feedback.

If I was going to be extremely forth coming. I'd say the inclusion of the math is fine. However you spent a bunch of time commenting on OB results. Which imo are moot. IF I was going to be critical. I'd would say that it would have been more beneficial to spend that time explaining the dynamics of tangent slide before 'follow' takes hold. Difficulty determining this is typically what I see from those adopting strong follow shots.

FYI, this topic is illustrated, discussed, and demonstrated in detail here:

cue ball path speed effects​

Thanks for the vid

You're welcome. I aim to swerve.

 

[David in FL]

Another great video.

I've always told my league players "never draw "ball in hand". It's become a bit of a joke, but it's also sunk in...

Of course, there will be the occasional exception when it makes sense, but for the vast majority of situations and especially for less skilled players, there's almost always a better option going forward.

Thanks for reinforcing it...!

 

[bbb]

Did anybody find the info and advice in this video helpful, or was the "math" too much? During editing, I was wondering if I should have left the "math" out.

i dont think the math was overbearing.
thanks for the video
as mentioned above the 3 inch/10inch distance to get the cue ball struck face to hit the object ball and possibly produce kling is a nice nugget of info to know......

 

[The_JV]

FYI, this topic is illustrated, discussed, and demonstrated in detail here:

cue ball path speed effects​

Forgive me if you happened to mention or post a link to that info page somewhere in the video. I must have missed it. I made the effort to hunt for the page you linked to in the above quote. After referencing your vid details, and following a couple of links found there and on your website. I was able to find it.

IMHO, that tangential slide proves more difficult to compensate for when using follow .vs. draw. I can't explain why, and would expect it to be very similar if not identical.

Again, I just happen to believe that regurgitating some of that info rather than OB results would have been more of a one stop shop for the use of follow.

Thanks again

 

[Poolmanis]

I liked video. I think just couple example safety shots where these principles are very helpful would be nice touch. Just to give couple practical nice shots so they are more likely to try this!

 

[dr_dave]

Another great video.

Thanks.

I've always told my league players "never draw "ball in hand". It's become a bit of a joke, but it's also sunk in...

Of course, there will be the occasional exception when it makes sense, but for the vast majority of situations and especially for less skilled players, there's almost always a better option going forward.

Thanks for reinforcing it...!

Well stated. FYI, I have good videos that deal with this topic specifically:

 

[dr_dave]

i dont think the math was overbearing.
thanks for the video
as mentioned above the 3 inch/10inch distance to get the cue ball struck face to hit the object ball and possibly produce kling is a nice nugget of info to know......

I thought people might like the follow cling nugget.

 

[dr_dave]

I liked video. I think just couple example safety shots where these principles are very helpful would be nice touch. Just to give couple practical nice shots so they are more likely to try this!

Great minds think alike. That was in my original filming plan, but then I got worried the video would then be too long. I could do a follow-up video, but I don't think it would be well received since the current video is not performing (on YouTube) as well as my typical videos. My time would probably be better spent working on other topics on my list of video ideas (which is quite long and constantly growing).

 

[straightline]

If you add some jump to those close shots, the stun gets deflected into forward motion, allowing more flex on the distances.

 

[Poolmanis]

Great minds think alike. That was in my original filming plan, but then I got worried the video would then be too long. I could do a follow-up video, but I don't think it would be well received since the current video is not performing (on YouTube) as well as my typical videos. My time would probably be better spent working on other ideas on my list of video ideas (which is quite long and constantly growing).

I know what you mean. This kind of simple uses of physics for your advantage is not "media sexy" that sell videos.
Rules like how long both balls go would cut years off from many players path to learn if learnt properly from start. Of course that would need little boring drills to be used and there is not many people who want to do boring drills...