Head movement?

peterskw

peterskw

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Let me start by saying I am just learning.

The other night in league play, the captain-who is much better than me- told me that once I get down for a shot, my head should not move. Every shot he was on me that I looked up and moved my head. I told him to look from the CB to the OB, I had to look up. He said everything you read says not to move your head.

When the CB is close to the OB, I don't have to look up, but for longer shots I don't know how it can be avoided.

Thanks for any thoughts, as this has really been bugging me.

Pete
 
Hey Pete, I used to have the same problem. One observation I made was that I was tending to look down a bit. I lifted my chin about 1/2" and my field of vision increased dramatically. I also practiced looking up without moving my head for a while. It felt a bit odd, but I eventually got used to it.

As for your captain, I agree with the above. He should not be bothering you during your play. Most of the time these kind of guys says, "Don't move your head" but provide you no solution. To me that kind of advise is the most worthless advise anybody can give.
 
Thanks

Thanks DlD and New Stroke. I'll try lifting my chin. You're both right! He wasn't helping me any during my match-though I know he was only trying to be helpful.

Pete
 
My biggest problem is not staying down on shots and I learned I was moving my head. So, I think your captain gave you great advice.

Here are more great tips: http://www.poolstudent.com/2009/04/30/12-tips-for-staying-down/

See number 8 on his list!!

A friend of mine and I were talking about this very topic and here is what I sent him via email:
--------------------------------------------------

Do this for me, and report back: :)

Shoot a few shots. Don't move any part of your body except your arm before the cueball stops moving.

Now, do it again, but THIS time, don't move even your head. Only move your eyes after you shoot the shot. Focus completely on keeping your head still, NO MATTER how uncomfortable it is. No matter how much you want to lift your head to see the object ball drop or to lift your head to see where the cueball is going. Then, recognize how your body feels after you really do keep still; after you really do NOT move your head. You will completely recognize how different your body feels when not moving. At first it seems awkward, but then it feels... like bliss. And, you will play better.
----------------------------

Good luck!!
-akaTrigger
 
You are 100% correct Trigger, only your arm should be moving. The less moving parts, the easier the fix if necessary.
 
Those are great tips. Thanks. And I do have to constantly work on keeping my head down.

My captain wasn't referring to staying down after the shoot-it was before shooting. He said a few times "You looked up twice again" which was when I was looking at the OB.

akaTrigger said:
My biggest problem is not staying down on shots and I learned I was moving my head. So, I think your captain gave you great advice.

Here are more great tips: http://www.poolstudent.com/2009/04/30/12-tips-for-staying-down/

See number 8 on his list!!

A friend of mine and I were talking about this very topic and here is what I sent him via email:
--------------------------------------------------

Do this for me, and report back: :)

Shoot a few shots. Don't move any part of your body except your arm before the cueball stops moving.

Now, do it again, but THIS time, don't move even your head. Only move your eyes after you shoot the shot. Focus completely on keeping your head still, NO MATTER how uncomfortable it is. No matter how much you want to lift your head to see the object ball drop or to lift your head to see where the cueball is going. Then, recognize how your body feels after you really do keep still; after you really do NOT move your head. You will completely recognize how different your body feels when not moving. At first it seems awkward, but then it feels... like bliss. And, you will play better.
----------------------------

Good luck!!
-akaTrigger
Click to expand...
 
Pete,
I have worked with hundreds of students, and the best advice I can give you is to ask your captain to save his comments until after your match.

In one respect, he is correct. Your head (or anything else for that matter, other than your forearm) shouldn't move when you are shooting. Lining up your shot requires your eyes to be on different objects at different times. (Personal eye patterns)

What I would suggest you try is to keep your eyes focused on the cue ball while you are doing your warm up strokes. Make sure the tip is going to make contact where you want it to. If you need to check your aim line, stop warming up and look up to your aim point, then come back down to the cue ball. Once you have finished warm-ups, move your eyes to your aim point and lock in. Then, with your eyes locked on your target, use a smooth back stroke, a short pause, and then finish your stroke with your eyes remaining on your target. This will keep your head still while you were shooting. Hold the shot in the finish position for a second before you begin to stand up. If possible, hold it until the cue ball has already contacted the object ball.

Steve
 
peterskw said:
Let me start by saying I am just learning.

The other night in league play, the captain-who is much better than me- told me that once I get down for a shot, my head should not move. Every shot he was on me that I looked up and moved my head. I told him to look from the CB to the OB, I had to look up. He said everything you read says not to move your head.

When the CB is close to the OB, I don't have to look up, but for longer shots I don't know how it can be avoided.

Thanks for any thoughts, as this has really been bugging me.

Pete
Click to expand...

Great advice by the captain. He should drill you everytime you move your head as in the long run he would be doing you the biggest favor you ever got in pool. You should be so lucky to have someone who actually cares.

When I was a captain I requested everyone to sound out if I moved my head. When I stopped moving my head, I shot 50% better.

If you have glasses, you will have a problem keeping your head still.
 
peterskw said:
Those are great tips. Thanks. And I do have to constantly work on keeping my head down.

My captain wasn't referring to staying down after the shoot-it was before shooting. He said a few times "You looked up twice again" which was when I was looking at the OB.
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Exactly - the key is staying down and not moving DURING the entire time you are down on the shot.

BTW, I still struggle with this. :(
 
NewStroke said:
You are 100% correct Trigger, only your arm should be moving. The less moving parts, the easier the fix if necessary.
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You make it sound so easy. :) I really do need someone to stand over me when I play and put a board over my head to keep me from lifting up. ;(
 
What if I have a terrible physical twitch, would he make fun of the twitch or tell me to be still? People always pick on the handicapped. It's not funny. How about me playing your "captain" an ahead set, loser wears a Speedo to the next APA event. I'll bet he won't pick on the handicapped then.

Or, how about I stand over him while he's playing and if he lifts his head, we slice him with a blade? Yeah, there's a proposition for the guy picking on the handicapped. We can't help our physical condition and we sure don't need to have someone make fun of us.

The Fish: always lookin' out for the disabled.
 
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akaTrigger said:
You make it sound so easy. :) I really do need someone to stand over me when I play and put a board over my head to keep me from lifting up. ;(
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Believe it or not, I learned this from shooting various firearms. Nearly all the principles apply. Even breathing like another post is discussing.

I think I would shoot pool much better if I could accelerate my cue to 4500 feet per second. :)
 
crawfish said:
What if I have a terrible physical twitch, would he make fun of the twitch or tell me to be still? People always pick on the handicapped. It's not funny. How about me playing your "captain" an ahead set, loser wears a Speedo to the next APA event. I'll bet he won't pick on the handicapped then.

Or, how about I stand over him while he's playing and if he lifts his head, we slice him with a blade? Yeah, there's a proposition for the guy picking on the handicapped. We can't help our physical condition and we sure don't need to have someone make fun of us.
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I thought you were just going to say stab him...cheers for a less violent but more humiliating approach :thumbup:!
 
Spimp13 said:
I thought you were just going to say stab him...cheers for a less violent but more humiliating approach :thumbup:!
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Since I hurt my back, I'm on all kinds of medication. I think it's mellowed me. Not sure if I like it. Normally, I would just gaff him like a swordfish.
 
crawfish said:
Since I hurt my back, I'm on all kinds of medication. I think it's mellowed me. Not sure if I like it. Normally, I would just gaff him like a swordfish.
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Maybe your neighbor could stick him for you. I think it would qualify as an act of kindness (although pre-meditated and not random). :D

BVal
 
BVal said:
Maybe your neighbor could stick him for you. I think it would qualify as an act of kindness (although pre-meditated and not random). :D

BVal
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Damn, you're good. I do need an apprentice in "the business."
 
peterskw said:
I told him to look from the CB to the OB, I had to look up.
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This sentence is the heart of the problem.

Let me ask you this: where were you looking as you were lowering yourself into shooting position? I'd bet you were looking at the cueball. You need to change this, and look at the object ball while lowering yourself into position, for two reasons:

1) If you're looking at the OB while you lower yourself, you will arrive at a shooting position where you can focus on the OB without having to move your head. Once in that position, you will glance back at the CB to get your tip position right, but you'll do this only with your eyes. Then your eyes can move back to the OB without head movement, or any body movement necessary.

2) If you're looking at the OB while you get down, this focus will guide into a shooting position that is much more accurately aligned with where you want to shoot the cue ball. Your body will learn to align itself to the shot if you visually focus on the point of aim while getting into position.

Then once you're down, glance back at the CB, do a practice stroke or two, pause, and refocus on the OB. If you're still not comfortable, eyes back to the CB for more practice strokes, pause, eyes back on the OB. Once you're comfortable, keep the eyes glued to the OB and shoot.

You will see much better accuracy and consistency by developing a consistently good eye pattern.

-Andrew
 
glasses & head movement or what works for you...

whitewolf said:
Great advice by the captain. He should drill you everytime you move your head as in the long run he would be doing you the biggest favor you ever got in pool. You should be so lucky to have someone who actually cares.

When I was a captain I requested everyone to sound out if I moved my head. When I stopped moving my head, I shot 50% better.

If you have glasses, you will have a problem keeping your head still.
Click to expand...

I wear glasses. And to give you a little of my back ground, I have been a seven for years on the APA. I'm probably consider a B or B+ player. I suggest that if you need glasses buy a second pair that are taller so the far away balls still can be seen. Take a look at Karen Corr and her big oval round glasses. In my opinion they are ugly, but this isn't a beauty show, just pool playing. However, saying this you will have a tendousy to squat or not to bend over quite so far.

When I was little my father held the butt of his cue over my head and if I moved he would tap me. Not knock me out or any thing, but would let me know that way, if I moved. He stood directly behind me so, he wouldn't be in my vision for a distraction. He also did this because I would all ways rising up before my stroke was completely finish. Hence wait until your object ball is pocketed, if you can, remember not to foul, if other balls are moving.

You should be able to but your head in to a position so, that you are only moving your eye balls. If your neck starts hurting squat a little and straigten your neck.

Hope this helps.

PS have fun and focus on your game during your matches/tournaments, later is the time for serious training/drills. :smile:
 
peterskw said:
When the CB is close to the OB, I don't have to look up, but for longer shots I don't know how it can be avoided.
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I wear narrow glasses and don't have to move my head to change focus between the CB and OB during a shot. If you have trouble keeping your head still while you move your eyes, here are two things you can try in addition to the other suggestions:

1) Make sure your bridge arm is completely straight. The more you bend your elbow, the more the CB will be closer to your body, and therefore the more it will be under your head instead of in front of it. An added benefit of straightening your bridge arm is that it's always in the same place for consistency. If you bend your elbow, you'll probably bend it differently for different shots, when you're fatigued, etc, and that means constantly changing your sight picture.

2) Bend over as far as you can in your stance. The farther down you are, the more the CB will be in front of you instead of under you. Snooker players and some pool players take this to an extreme and touch their chins to their cues, but you don't have to go that far to see the benefit.

Both of these techniques reduce the angle between the table and the line from your eyes to the CB. That puts the CB more in front of you and makes it appear vertically closer to the OB from your perspective so your eyes won't have to move as far between them.

Robert
 
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