Grip hand, elbow, shoulder and vision

[Mirza]

I've noticed that when my grip hand, elbow, shoulder and vision center are all in line I rarely miss makeable shots, but I also noticed that when I do miss it is usually because I have a tendency to pull my grip hand closer to my body which then makes my elbow out of line with shoulder and my vision, it makes my elbow angled to it.

Is there any trick to make them all always stay in line while I bend down?

 

[bbb]

i find coming straight down rather than coming down at an angle helps
check your pm

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I've noticed that when my grip hand, elbow, shoulder and vision center are all in line I rarely miss makeable shots, but I also noticed that when I do miss it is usually because I have a tendency to pull my grip hand closer to my body which then makes my elbow out of line with shoulder and my vision, it makes my elbow angled to it.

Is there any trick to make them all always stay in line while I bend down?

I try to be aware of how it feels when the stick, my grip hand, elbow, back shoulder and vision all line up in the same vertical "shot plane" - with the goal of building "muscle memory" for that position.

For me it takes a little contortion to get it right (and, at my age, earlier fatigue and sometimes even some soreness), but it's worth it to see the shots so clearly. I'm mostly aware of the elbow and shoulder positions, since those are the parts most often out of whack for me.

pj
chgo

 

[rikdee]

I try to be aware of how it feels when the stick, my grip hand, elbow, back shoulder and vision all line up in the same vertical "shot plane" - with the goal of building "muscle memory" for that position.

For me it takes a little contortion to get it right (and, at my age, earlier fatigue and sometimes even some soreness), but it's worth it to see the shots so clearly. I'm mostly aware of the elbow and shoulder positions, since those are the parts most often out of whack for me.

pj
chgo

As to your accurately described "shot plane" components, I additionally remain aware of my right foot position relative to the shot plane. I find my shot line can slightly cross the visual line of aim if either my right shoulder is slightly "drooped" or my right foot drifts toward the left.
I tend to produce a straight stroke when the shot plane is over my right heel. As my foot drifts leftward, the tendency is to do what the OP described - pull the cue slightly inward and thus produce a stroke which ever-so-slightly crosses the visual line of aim, especially on firm strokes. A droopy shoulder can also cause a stroke which crosses the aim line in the exact same fashion. My PSR includes getting down with a square shoulder line, but not pulled back or ridgid as in standing to military attention. Elbow atop the cue is critical for me.

Rick

 

[Patrick Johnson]

As to your accurately described "shot plane" components, I additionally remain aware of my right foot position relative to the shot plane. I find my shot line can slightly cross the visual line of aim if either my right shoulder is slightly "drooped" or my right foot drifts toward the left.
I tend to produce a straight stroke when the shot plane is over my right heel. As my foot drifts leftward, the tendency is to do what the OP described - pull the cue slightly inward and thus produce a stroke which ever-so-slightly crosses the visual line of aim, especially on firm strokes. A droopy shoulder can also cause a stroke which crosses the aim line in the exact same fashion. My PSR includes getting down with a square shoulder line, but not pulled back or ridgid as in standing to military attention. Elbow atop the cue is critical for me.

Rick

Good point. Thanks.

pj
chgo

 

[MattPoland]

When I try to visualize my shot while standing up, my chest is not square/perpendicular to the shooting line. If it is, I’m twisting as I step into the shot and can land with some variance to my ideal position. So lately I focus more on looking at the shot (slightly) over my shoulder so that I step into the shot with less twist (if any). With that, I have higher confidence that my alignment isn’t fighting against muscle tension.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Patrick Johnson]

When I try to visualize my shot while standing up, my chest is not square/perpendicular to the shooting line. If it is, I’m twisting as I step into the shot and can land with some variance to my ideal position. So lately I focus more on looking at the shot (slightly) over my shoulder so that I step into the shot with less twist (if any). With that, I have higher confidence that my alignment isn’t fighting against muscle tension.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Does this mean you have your feet in final position while upright visualizing the shot?

pj
chgo

 

[MattPoland]

Does this mean you have your feet in final position while upright visualizing the shot?



pj

chgo

Not necessarily. I like my back foot to be on the shooting line near the front of my arch. If I’m away from the table visualizing the shot, I feel my back foot step on the line as I approach the shot. If it’s an easy shot, I may be upright with my back foot already in position and just need my front foot to step forward parallel to the shooting line. The key thing is that my lead shoulder is already pointing to the shooting line “some” while I’m standing. The amount 30 degrees - 45 degrees is based on the tips shared recently in other threads about stick/body alignment when you just hold the stick at the balance point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro