Fundamentals for carom

[Big Bad Bern]

I have been going through some of my old pool mags lately rereading articles about the old legends and it got me to thinking. I read about guys like Harold Worst and Johnny Irish who were both great carom players and could go days without missing a ball playing pool. I wonder how their fundamentals differ from todays pool players and also from todays carom players.

Do carom fundamentals differ from BCA taught fundamentals? If so how?

Could some one explain the stance, stroke, grip that are taught today ( pictures would be greatly appriciated) and do they differ from the fundamentals taught to say Willie Hoppe ( I know his fundamentals were a little uniquebut he is the only player I know from his era).

any and all help would be greatly appriciated

Thanks

Bern

 

[3kushn]

Take a look at Dalys Billiard Book. Maurice Daly the great Straight Rail player came long before Hoppe. The first 30 pages are on Stance Bridge Stroke the next 20 on basic caroms and english. The book is still in print and some libraries also carry it. I paid $8 for a new copy about 15 years ago.

A couple of distintions I see between now and then is the old timers stood taller at the table. You might try this if you play on a 10 table. It helps me to see and visualize the angle better. I tend to loose the angle the further down I get. The other thing I don't see much now is addressing the shot away from the table and stepping into it. I've noticed even some of the pro pool players puttting their back foot in the bucket.

 

[Big Bad Bern]

Thanks for the info 3kushn. I'll check my library for Daly's book.
The only ten foot tables I have access to here in Canada are snooker tables, but I will try standing taller like you suggest.

Do carom players drop their elbows during their stroke, or is it more of a pendulum.

Thanks again for your help

Bern

 

[3kushn]

Everything I try to tell people normally is'nt from my own experience but from lessons from professionals and lots of reading. I'm not a certified instructor by any means. Only an avid student.

I've had dozens of lessons from Harry Sims former 3C National Champ a few times. He professes an arm stroke vs the wristy pool stroke. I've also seen a video lesson on Cross Table shots narrated by Walt Harris and the teacher also says to use an arm stroke. Now, I don't believe this means that the elbow should drop (my opinion) I discussed this with Mark Wilson who staunchly objected to the whole idea. Now that being said I believe that in 3C play vs pool that generally 3C stroke has a longer follow through which will look like the elbow dropped but the ball is well on its way by then.

There are always exceptions to the fundamentals in any sport. I think you're on the right track trying to look at what the old masters of the game did. How did these guys run thousands of caroms. Study the fundamentals work at them for months before you determine this or that doesn't work for you. If all the masters for instance tell you that you should always step into the shot, hold the cue very lightly, follow through and ..... who am I to argue. I just have to work on it.