Hitch in stroke, any idears?

prewarhero

prewarhero

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Latley I have developed a hitch in my stroke. It is not all the time. But mainly on long shots, especially with a slight cut, and I need to apply some type of english. It is right in the middle of my final foward stroke, it is like my arm just doesn't want to stay straight. I can feel my arm pull out a little. Other times I can deliver my normal smooth stroke. Any ideas on how I picked this up from nowhere, or how to correct it? I did just start using a heavier cue, but I have used this cue in the past with no problems. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?
Thanks,
Jordan
 
Jordan,

I had the same problem..or should I say, I still have that problem. A man in Chicago, at a tournament, made a comment to me once. He said, "Boy, that girl plays good, but she's never going to get anywhere with that hitch in her stroke." I overheard the comment and immediately started noticing the hitch in my stroke. For months it bothered me, then I decided that it has probably always been there and to forget about it. After all, what does the guy know. The moral to the story: It's all mental. Once you noticed the hitch, now you are thinking about it everytime that long shot comes up. Because of that you are more aware of what is happening and you are almost looking for it to be there. Sometimes a change in your stroke comes up when you haven't played in a while, you change equipment, or you have stuff on your mind. All things that make you more aware of flaws.

Try practicing without thinking about it. Forget that the thought of a hitch in your stroke ever came up. Or, you can say to yourself "I have to put a smooth stroke on this ball" and become totally focused on what you are doing. They are two very different extremes, but either one may work.

Hope it helps a little.
Sarah
 
I had the same thing, the problem was how my body and bridge hand were aligned to my cue.

Try playing one-handed for a few hours, I hear this works wonders to help you find your natural stroke. After doing this make sure you remember how important your bridge hand placement is when you get down on the shot, alot of people have never even thought about that. You don't just put it on the line of the shot, you put your stroking arm on the line of the shot FIRST and then your bridge hand. If you do it the other way around you are almost guaranteed to have a 'hitch' in your stroke.
 
I was missing too many long shots, just pulling my arm at the very end of my stroke. My friend, a local pro, told me to visualize the cue ball a couple of inches further out from my bridge than it really was. That helped me a ton to stroke through the c.b. And the shot percentage went way up. Helped me anyway. Good luck

Andy
 
DawgAndy said:
I was missing too many long shots, just pulling my arm at the very end of my stroke. My friend, a local pro, told me to visualize the cue ball a couple of inches further out from my bridge than it really was. That helped me a ton to stroke through the c.b. And the shot percentage went way up. Helped me anyway. Good luck

Andy
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NOTE: Placing your grip hand too far forward or too far back will cause you to create a stroke that isn't wanted. Check that first.

Address is EVERYTHING, you can't point a Winchester incorrectly & expect to hit the target. Firing a Winchester only requires a little finger movement. Address Alignment is your best friend or your worst nightmare.

Another way to rid yourself of problems is to mentally picture yourself stroking through the cue ball, not just hitting the cue ball in a precise spot. A good continuos stroke will solve a lot of problems. One other thing, don't guide your cue as you stroke, just stroke the cue through to a finish. Your mind cannot think quick enough to guide the cue through the shot. In competition, you have to trust your stroke, so when you practice, pull the cue back slowly, loading the stroke for the precise amount effort required for the shot, pause slightly & stroke the cue forward through to a finish.

You can practice & develop your stroke, by shooting the cue ball into the end rail & see if the cue ball rebounds to your tip. The upgrade practice of shooting the cue ball into an object ball at a point on the end rail to see if the object ball will come back & hit the cue ball is a great stroke tester. If you can't be successful doing this, don't give up, this is requirement for shooting straight. Long shots are missed because no one shoots absolutely straight every time.

Good Luck
 
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sarahrousey said:
Jordan,

I had the same problem..or should I say, I still have that problem. A man in Chicago, at a tournament, made a comment to me once. He said, "Boy, that girl plays good, but she's never going to get anywhere with that hitch in her stroke." I overheard the comment and immediately started noticing the hitch in my stroke. For months it bothered me, then I decided that it has probably always been there and to forget about it. After all, what does the guy know. The moral to the story: It's all mental. Once you noticed the hitch, now you are thinking about it everytime that long shot comes up. Because of that you are more aware of what is happening and you are almost looking for it to be there. Sometimes a change in your stroke comes up when you haven't played in a while, you change equipment, or you have stuff on your mind. All things that make you more aware of flaws.

Try practicing without thinking about it. Forget that the thought of a hitch in your stroke ever came up. Or, you can say to yourself "I have to put a smooth stroke on this ball" and become totally focused on what you are doing. They are two very different extremes, but either one may work.

Hope it helps a little.
Sarah
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Sarah, While I don't know if you have reviewed Bert Kinister's "60 Minute Workout for 9 Ball" tape, it sure has helped me. In particular, Shot #1... He insists on shooting that shot 100 times every other day. He's right about it grooving a pure stroke, and learning the feel and hit to make it really consistent.

He says it's the most important shot in pool. I"ll leave the appreciation of that comment to those more qualified than me to comment upon, but from what I can tell from shooting it hundreds and hundreds of times, I can say that it leads to incredible confidence in knowing HOW to shoot the cue ball center ball, with a pretty strong hit. When the cue ball is shot correctly for Shot #1, it makes a distinctive sound and feel that is delightful... I think this shot will cure the hitch problem...

Best,

Flex
 
Flex said:
Sarah, While I don't know if you have reviewed Bert Kinister's "60 Minute Workout for 9 Ball" tape, it sure has helped me. In particular, Shot #1... He insists on shooting that shot 100 times every other day. He's right about it grooving a pure stroke, and learning the feel and hit to make it really consistent.

He says it's the most important shot in pool. I"ll leave the appreciation of that comment to those more qualified than me to comment upon, but from what I can tell from shooting it hundreds and hundreds of times, I can say that it leads to incredible confidence in knowing HOW to shoot the cue ball center ball, with a pretty strong hit. When the cue ball is shot correctly for Shot #1, it makes a distinctive sound and feel that is delightful... I think this shot will cure the hitch problem...

Best,

Flex
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IMO, kinister is second in line only to the Monk as the worst investment in instruction i've ever made.

i'm sure there material helped some people, but the monk's books never really explained anything, and kinister's videos basically showed the same exact drill over the course if 1 freakin tape.

VAP
 
thanks

Thanks for all your input. Sarah, it was good to hear from you again. I do analyze my stroke on just about every shot.

But amazingly, I have also been thinking about my bridge avd placement and when it is off it is way to close. This would explain the hitch in my stroke.

Thanks,
everyone.
Jordan
 
Sometimes people don't even realize that they have a hitch.

If you want to see to what degree that your "hitching", you should get out a camcorder, and set it up, and film yourself while practicing.

It will reveal almost all flaws, and you will have a good visual impression of what your doing wrong.

some people don't even believe that they have a hitch, almost like they are in denial, and then they see the film, and have a sort of epiphany, finally realizing what they were doing wrong.

you can also see how the corrections are working as time goes by, and have the before and after films that you can refer to in the future.

Golfers do it all the time. Why shouldn't poolplayers.

Practicing being straight and consistent will definitely help.
 
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vapoolplayer said:
IMO, kinister is second in line only to the Monk as the worst investment in instruction i've ever made.

i'm sure there material helped some people, but the monk's books never really explained anything, and kinister's videos basically showed the same exact drill over the course if 1 freakin tape.

VAP
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Well, VAP, I'm sorry you thought Kinister's videos weren't worth the money. Actually, I heard that many of his tapes weren't that good, but that the first one in the series, the 60 minute workout, was a very good one, and also the Advanced Fundamentals, as well as the Mighty X video.

These three are pretty good, I think. The first one I got was the advanced fundamentals. Kinister's explanation regarding alignment and the two drills -- the one handed shooting drill, and the table length draws, really set me on track.

This past week I ordered the other two, and have started the 60 minute workout and it also has picked my game up a bit. Last night I played some fellows who I almost never beat and won 2 out of 3 games. Kinister has definitely helped my game, as did Fast Larry when I took a lesson from him.

Other friends told me that buying the 9 ball runout tapes aren't necessary.

I'd be interested to know if you have seen the "Gauntlet" tape. I've heard the drills are pro-level drills and very tough.

Please feel free to disagree; I value your opinions.

Best,

Flex
 
I too am sorry you thought Kinister's videos weren't worth the money.
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I have a few Kinisters' Videos & I really like them. The Mighty X is a great drill, the 6 Point Star & The 9 Point Star are great drills for learning. The Ladder is the toughest. It is a world class drill and your game shows a raise in skill level, in just a couple of weeks. I also like the 8-Ball & 9-Ball bank drills..

I do have a few Videos from Burt that are so-so, however if I learn anything for the $29.95 that wins me a tournament or match, it was money well spent.
 
prewarhero said:
Latley I have developed a hitch in my stroke. It is not all the time. But mainly on long shots, especially with a slight cut, and I need to apply some type of english. It is right in the middle of my final foward stroke, it is like my arm just doesn't want to stay straight. I can feel my arm pull out a little. Other times I can deliver my normal smooth stroke. Any ideas on how I picked this up from nowhere, or how to correct it? I did just start using a heavier cue, but I have used this cue in the past with no problems. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?
Thanks,
Jordan
Click to expand...
First thing is to never say what is wrong with me,, eliminate any negative thought process... say what am I doing when i am doing it right.. practice is the only way to correct it..repetivness is the only way..you might shoot one stroke 10 times a week, thats 40 a month...you will never correct it....practice 100 a day,,,, thats 3000 in a month...pay attention to your stroke...you can practice 100 bad strokes a day and perfect a bad habit
 
whitewolf said:
I got a free Kinister CD when I ordered some pool magazine. I totally agree with you. After watching the first 15 minutes I had to turn it off. He talked about shooting a straight in shot and demonstrating how you set it up at a short distance at first, etc. etc. etc. until I was completely bored out of my mind. I even offered to give the CD away.
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Judging from what I've seen in a number of pool halls, many could benefit from the sort of stuff that bores you nuts...

I know some people itching to find someone really good to help them improve their game.. It ain't easy, folks...


I think many people will benefit from exactly the sort of advice he gives...

Flex
 
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