How a pro hits the ball

M

mnShooter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have just started to hit the ball with total control on about 90% of my shots. I am trying to find a word or some words that can describe how the shot is hit.

Some of the words I've came up with are firm, controlled, crisp, accurate. But these words don't really give the proper understanding of the hit. Can anyone give me the proper term for the way pros hit the ball?

Also are there any drills that can help develop and solidify this type of a stroke?

Thanks,
Aaron
 
mnShooter said:
I have just started to hit the ball with total control on about 90% of my shots. I am trying to find a word or some words that can describe how the shot is hit.

Some of the words I've came up with are firm, controlled, crisp, accurate. But these words don't really give the proper understanding of the hit. Can anyone give me the proper term for the way pros hit the ball?

Also are there any drills that can help develop and solidify this type of a stroke?

Thanks,
Aaron
Click to expand...

I think control is key here. When shooting, gradually accelerate your cue completly to the point of the OB you are hitting. No jerky motions, just relaxed.

If you play golf at all, the purpose of your back swing is to simply place the club in position. How hard you swing happens around mid way on the down swing, not in the beginning of your down swing. This is exactly the same in a pool stroke. It must be gradual or expect lots of misses. Even when Earl is pissed and is hittting the balls super hard, you might notice that it is an accelerated stroke, not a hard one from start.
 
I have a drill that will show even the slightest glitch in your stroke: Put a ball on the spot, put the CB 5-6 inches back straight out from the the near corner pocket. Then shoot into the near corner pocket, draw the CB back to where it was, put another ball up on the spot and shoot. Do this as long as you can, without touching the CB. I got about 5 balls in before I was so out of line I couldn't make anymore balls, the object is CB and stroke control....you can't hit a rail with the CB. Average was 6 or 7 I was told...I got to where I could do 18 or so...but I'm me, it will surely expose flaws you never knew were there...:p
________
 
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so much of pool is FEEL that i think developing a senstivity to stroke may lie in some kind of osmosis. watch a lot of video until you find some pro you have synergy with. that's the way i do it.

mika, when describing how he hit the cb on a tough cut shot, said he "clicks" the cb. take it for what it's worth, but many times this word has refocused me on how i should address the ball.
 
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Samy Strokes said:
A word I've come to use is torque. What mika was quoted as saying is an excellent aproxamation as well.
Click to expand...

"click" is more onomotopoetic, and so i can assimilate it easier because it's a "feely" type thing.
 
SmoothStroke

mnShooter said:
I have just started to hit the ball with total control on about 90% of my shots. I am trying to find a word or some words that can describe how the shot is hit.

Some of the words I've came up with are firm, controlled, crisp, accurate. But these words don't really give the proper understanding of the hit. Can anyone give me the proper term for the way pros hit the ball?

Also are there any drills that can help develop and solidify this type of a stroke?

Thanks,
Aaron
Click to expand...
A Smooth Stroke comes to mind. Many players practice shot drills but not many practice stroke drills.There are a handful of stroke drills. Stroke drills as shot drills should be practiced short and increase the distance until you can perform the stroke required when called upon.Repetition builds muscle memory.You can play for a week or a month and all of a sudden the game tells you this is the stroke you need for this task. The Problem is you haven't seen this shot and stroke in 16 days. If you don"t practice stroke drills you may either let up on the stroke or bang it,, if you get lucky you might perform it. Feel is the best, you know when you hit it smooth. Ball click is a great way to hear the stroke. Set up a stop shot about 12 inches,,object ball to cueball to pocket, shoot a few racks and listen to the sound of the click when they make contact. When you feel its perfect name it 1 click. increase the cueball distance 12 inches at a time until you are shooting from the back rail. At that distance ball click should be no more than a 2 click. When you can perform the above and all other strokes when called upon ,you know you have put your time in on the table. A Smooth Stroke,,,without it what good is any of the rest. Good Luck
 
mnShooter said:
I have just started to hit the ball with total control on about 90% of my shots. I am trying to find a word or some words that can describe how the shot is hit.

Some of the words I've came up with are firm, controlled, crisp, accurate. But these words don't really give the proper understanding of the hit. Can anyone give me the proper term for the way pros hit the ball?

Also are there any drills that can help develop and solidify this type of a stroke?

Thanks,
Aaron
Click to expand...


The word you are looking for is "Sub-conscious Motor Function".

What they learn in practice is auto in game....randyg
 
Old school Pool

What I was told to do as a kid, was simply to put
a dime 14 inches in front of your cue, and stroke your
cue repeatedly, and your cue should dip at the end
and touch the dime everytime for a true straight stroke.
I can't help but smile sometimes at some of the solutions
offered for various Pool problems. I learned the basic
simple 'Charles Atlas' or 'Joe Weider' solutions, and they
still work just as good today.
 
mnShooter said:
I have just started to hit the ball with total control on about 90% of my shots. I am trying to find a word or some words that can describe how the shot is hit.

Some of the words I've came up with are firm, controlled, crisp, accurate.
Click to expand...

Smooth with a great finish.

Fred <~~~ and less filling than your regular stroke
 
Ronoh said:
Correctly?
Click to expand...


Ha ha. That would be correct. Although not very descriptive. What I have noticed is if I stroke the ball with authority it goes where I want. If I hit it with any hesitation or too loosely it goes anywhere but where I want to.
 
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showboat said:
I have a drill that will show even the slightest glitch in your stroke: Put a ball on the spot, put the CB 5-6 inches back straight out from the the near corner pocket. Then shoot into the near corner pocket, draw the CB back to where it was, put another ball up on the spot and shoot. Do this as long as you can, without touching the CB. I got about 5 balls in before I was so out of line I couldn't make anymore balls, the object is CB and stroke control....you can't hit a rail with the CB. Average was 6 or 7 I was told...I got to where I could do 18 or so...but I'm me, it will surely expose flaws you never knew were there...:p
Click to expand...


I'll have to try this one. My draw position is one of the worst parts of my game. But they always said draw for show follow for dough or something like that (or was it putt for dough).
 
mnShooter said:
But they always said draw for show follow for dough .
Click to expand...

"They" were idiots.

Fred <~~~ thinks players better be able to do both at any given moment.
 
mnShooter said:
I'll have to try this one. My draw position is one of the worst parts of my game. But they always said draw for show follow for dough or something like that (or was it putt for dough).
Click to expand...

I've heard that too...I use follow before draw if can achieve the same results...the drill is to show flaws in your stroke, i.e. you get more and more out of line after every ball, from a crooked stroke...it teaches speed control aswell....something I personally have been sucking at lately....
________
 
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pete lafond said:
I think control is key here. When shooting, gradually accelerate your cue completly to the point of the OB you are hitting. No jerky motions, just relaxed.

If you play golf at all, the purpose of your back swing is to simply place the club in position. How hard you swing happens around mid way on the down swing, not in the beginning of your down swing. This is exactly the same in a pool stroke. It must be gradual or expect lots of misses. Even when Earl is pissed and is hittting the balls super hard, you might notice that it is an accelerated stroke, not a hard one from start.
Click to expand...

Pete can you describe this type of stroke more? I was watching a video of Earl playing today, and I can't see him doing what you are describing. I tried what you are describing today also, and it makes me feel like I have to tense up or jerk the cue in the middle of the stroke to accelerate, which doesn't get good results. I started examining my normal style of stroke and it seems that I accelerate slightly after I begin the forward motion. Halfway thru seems impossible without tensing up muscles.
 
Well I tried the drill. I'd say I averaged 5-6. My max was 9. Very hard to keep straight. Cool drill though. There's another drill where you alternate corners but your draw length has to be pinpoint in order to make more than 2 balls.
 
LastTwo said:
Pete can you describe this type of stroke more? I was watching a video of Earl playing today, and I can't see him doing what you are describing. I tried what you are describing today also, and it makes me feel like I have to tense up or jerk the cue in the middle of the stroke to accelerate, which doesn't get good results. I started examining my normal style of stroke and it seems that I accelerate slightly after I begin the forward motion. Halfway thru seems impossible without tensing up muscles.
Click to expand...


I use "halfway" because it is a very smooth acceleration and many try to power the stroke from the very beginning which causes a jerky motion. In a golf swing and pool stroke, I do start earlier than half way but it is always smooth and gradual.

Earl has great power in his stroke when he is pissed off. If you watch him it is pure acceleration with no jerky motions. What I am trying to establish is that many pool strokes try to power it by taking the cue back then forward. What happens is that the momentum is going back and then shifted forward abruptly which is what causes a jerky motion. Do not fight the backward momentum, this is one reason players slow down their break shots and get greater success. What is happening is that they create a jerky motion resulting in a bad stroke (break) because the acceleration is not smooth and control is lost as a result..

A good way to practice the feel of the correct stroke is to stop at the back stroke completely and then start the forward stroke slowly picking up speed. Smooth is key no matter how hard you need to stroke and then follow through so it seems like the cue tip extends to the point of contact on the OB.
 
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