Holding the cue ball and missing

N

nrhoades

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In the past 6 years since picking up a cue for the first time I've come from a non-pool-player to atleast a C+ when playing under pressure. I'm confident and aware of my stroke and body line, and don't need to work on those much anymore. I know I'm capable of A speed (50+ balls out of 100 in 10 racks of ten ball) if I can iron out a few bad habits.

The next hurdle: The only shots that I miss that I shouldn't are on thick angles when I try to hold the cue ball more than I should. I need to learn to tune in a bit more to how much the cueball MUST slide to the left or right nomatter what in order to pocket the OB. I think when the pressure is on (or a video camera is on) I try to limit the cueball movement for some reason and play worse. I have a feeling that this is really just only going to be solved with more table time.

The Brainwash drill has been helping me recognize it more.

Are there any other drills you suggest?
 
For me it was a similar problem, maybe not the exact same, I try to hold shots when really
I should stun across to the side rail and then bounce out. I don't have a drill but I basically have sworn off holding balls.
I go across the table every time and it's kept me from the temptation to do something that would blow the out.
 
nrhoades said:
In the past 6 years since picking up a cue for the first time I've come from a non-pool-player to atleast a C+ when playing under pressure. I'm confident and aware of my stroke and body line, and don't need to work on those much anymore. I know I'm capable of A speed (50+ balls out of 100 in 10 racks of ten ball) if I can iron out a few bad habits.

The next hurdle: The only shots that I miss that I shouldn't are on thick angles when I try to hold the cue ball more than I should. I need to learn to tune in a bit more to how much the cueball MUST slide to the left or right nomatter what in order to pocket the OB. I think when the pressure is on (or a video camera is on) I try to limit the cueball movement for some reason and play worse. I have a feeling that this is really just only going to be solved with more table time.

The Brainwash drill has been helping me recognize it more.

Are there any other drills you suggest?
Click to expand...

In sum, you're asking why do you miss which is a GREAT question to ask yourself. To be honest, there might be some suggestions out there about drills to perform or approaches to consider but you can't beat raw practice. If there's a routine shot you feel you consistently miss, that's your new drill. Set it up over and over again until you can make it 10 times in a row. My other suggestion is to read The Inner Game of Tennis (http://www.amazon.com/The-Inner-Game-Tennis-Performance/dp/0679778314). It's a great book on how to improve one's game and can easily be applied to pool. Everything this short books talks about is precisely how I feel about learning pool. You have to practice this. Don't try too hard but try. Keep at it until the balls start to drop.
 
you probably know this but on a thicker cut shot you can hold the cue bal by hitting it thicker and using spin to throw it into the pocket
the softer you hit it more of the english will take
 
CreeDo said:
For me it was a similar problem, maybe not the exact same, I try to hold shots when really
I should stun across to the side rail and then bounce out. I don't have a drill but I basically have sworn off holding balls.
I go across the table every time and it's kept me from the temptation to do something that would blow the out.
Click to expand...

That might help. For now I can say that if the stroking line does not intersect both the OB and pocket, then I gotta move the cueball atleast to the center of the table. That might help me get a feel for this a bit better.
 
I assume you know this...on thicker cuts, collision-induced throw ("clinging") is what gets you...you compensate for this with either spin (gearing/outside English) or CB deflection that makes the actual hitter very slightly thinner (think TOI). You could also just aim a smidge thinner--that works for most folks. Whichever you choose to use depends largely on your preference and what you need to do with the CB after collision. I assume you generally miss thick?

You will see A LOT of players use outside English (also called "helping English") when cutting shots, especially thinner ones. That works pretty well (that's why they do it), but it can lose the CB quite a bit. Since you're missing your shot trying to hold it on (thicker) cuts, you might want to try off-setting about 1/8 of a tip to the inside of the CB (TOI). It works VERY well. (NOT a plug, just a thought) ;)
 
West Point 1987 said:
I assume you know this...on thicker cuts, collision-induced throw ("clinging") is what gets you...you compensate for this with either spin (gearing/outside English) or CB deflection that makes the actual hitter very slightly thinner (think TOI). You could also just aim a smidge thinner--that works for most folks. Whichever you choose to use depends largely on your preference and what you need to do with the CB after collision. I assume you generally miss thick?

You will see A LOT of players use outside English (also called "helping English") when cutting shots, especially thinner ones. That works pretty well (that's why they do it), but it can lose the CB quite a bit. Since you're missing your shot trying to hold it on (thicker) cuts, you might want to try off-setting about 1/8 of a tip to the inside of the CB (TOI). It works VERY well. (NOT a plug, just a thought) ;)
Click to expand...

Not the case for me. My misses are completely my fault. I change my aim slightly at the last minute trying to "eat" more of the OB with the cue ball. I know how to use spin to suck the hold if I need to.

I need to practice recognizing under which circumstances the CB simply must travel. Probably more than a few degrees is all it takes.
 
Needing weight said:
Good stuff here guys!

But what is the "brainwash" drill??
Click to expand...

BRAINWASH!!!!

1. Scatter 15 balls on the table, maybe two to three ball diameters from any rail (closer to rail the harder). Leave them open, no terrible clusters.

2. Ball in hand.

3. Run out without having the cue ball touch a pocket.

Best thing for learning how to think ahead in pattern games, and staying absolutely in line. Errors propagate quickly. If it gets too easy, move balls closer to the rail.
 
Don't feel like the lone Ranger.

Try getting a ball in hand, cutting the side pocket to get shape on my next ball, but miss the side. How the heck does a person miss with a ball in hand?

I'm an expert on it. If anyone needs advice on how to do this consistently, I could make a DVD.
 
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