In general, I do the latter. But I guess when I'm reallly close to the ball, I tend to aim closer to center. I'm not sure at what point I cross over from going low vs center.
Freddie <~~~ maybe I just do it and don't think about anymore
How do AZ'ers shoot a stop-shot?
- Thread starter DrClean
- Start date
Freddie <~~~ maybe I just do it and don't think about anymore
I see. Personally, I like to shoot as softly as possible, so I would prefer increasing the draw up to 80% or 90% of max over adjusting from medium to firm speed if given the choice.
Aaron
I hit nice and low, with the minimum speed needed to guarantee I don't roll forward. It's usually ok if I draw back an inch by accident.
I feel like most players instinctively learn to stop balls this way as they get good at pool, but maybe that's not right. Anyone here using center ball at most distances, who considers themselves at least a B?
I see beginners trying to use dead center ball at various distances because to them that's shooting 'by the book'. But arguably using center is tougher, your tip placement must be precise, and at some distances you'll need to hit twice as hard with center ball (vs low). That extra force increases the odds of a miss or of hitting the wrong spot on the cue ball.
There's a very common rail cut where this sort of low & soft stop action is needed to hold position, so basically a player needs to be comfortable with low'n'soft no matter what.
I feel like most players instinctively learn to stop balls this way as they get good at pool, but maybe that's not right. Anyone here using center ball at most distances, who considers themselves at least a B?
I see beginners trying to use dead center ball at various distances because to them that's shooting 'by the book'. But arguably using center is tougher, your tip placement must be precise, and at some distances you'll need to hit twice as hard with center ball (vs low). That extra force increases the odds of a miss or of hitting the wrong spot on the cue ball.
There's a very common rail cut where this sort of low & soft stop action is needed to hold position, so basically a player needs to be comfortable with low'n'soft no matter what.
With respect, the underlined portion...which I've copied below was not the "intended subject of this thread."
"Obviously, if you simply need to stop the cueball on a straight-in shot, you can use whatever spin/speed combination you are most comfortable with."
The OP asked the following question....
"Do you find yourselves shooting with a consistent speed and adjusting for cue/obj ball distance with english? Or do you tend to shoot with very low english and adjust your speed, depending on the distance?"
So, the question had nothing to do with "comfort" and everything to do with whether we tend to control SKID with shot speed or low tip to CB contact.
We could CHOOSE to do either regardless of our "comfort level."
Of course, our choice might result from what we are most comfortable doing but the underlined portion you referred to simply was not the OP's question.
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EagleMan
You and I seem to have the same idea, but we're opposite on what we change.
I see no need to adjust speed when it comes to stop shots since position isn't required other than "stop." I hit all stop shots firmly. I wouldn't say "hard" but I certainly hit them with conviction. That allows me to hit as close to center as possible. So, I vary the tip offset slightly and hit all shots fairly the same-- firm.
Allowing friction to play a factor (or a large factor) has always caused me issues in the past. Ramming through cloth friction with speed allows me to control the CB a lot more. That's where drawing the CB a ball back (from a distance) or rolling a ball forward, etc, comes into play. Trying to "feather" that with constant low and adjusting speed (once again, at a distance) isn't easy. Forcing through friction allows me to figure on the true physics of ball collision sans as much spin as possible versus hoping I get to that point after the "slow spinny slide."
I suppose one could argue either way, but I don't like the combination of cuing up super low and shooting with a slow stroke unless you have to do "something" w/ the cue ball. I know these topics are all personal preference, but I've always felt "conviction" leads to less dogging under pressure when your heart is pounding.
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That is the way I interpret it. Maybe we use the word comfort differently.
I think he's saying, in effect, that we all know there are myriad ways to hit a stopshot (pick a tip position and go to the speed that works, or pick a speed and go to the tip position that works, or consider varying both according to the circumstances), and that he's interested in the particular situation where you don't care about the object ball speed and are concerned only with cinching the stop.
So the question is when you are cinching the stop, with what approach are you most comfortable? What is your go-to approach when stopping the cueball is your main or only objective?
Do you think this is not what he's asking?
Yes, in fact, it is - as has been confirmed by the OP in this thread and by PM.
The various ways of hitting stop shots and the importance of knowing them all is surely useful info, but it's not what the OP asked for.
pj
chgo
Yes I do. But that isn't what was stated in the sentence you underlined...which was...
"Obviously, if you simply need to stop the cueball on a straight-in shot, you can use whatever spin/speed combination you are most comfortable with."
The original question was WHICH METHOD DO YOU USE?...and a response that you should "use whatever you are comfortable with" is essentially a non-response. I think the OP was interested in WHY people chose to shoot stop shots the way they do.
That was my only point...together with the thought that it would require no "patience" to read posts which were, in fact, specifically responsive.
No worries.
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EagleMan
This is what I do, I will shoot it in generally with whatever type of speed I may be having trouble with that day. If I just struggled with a slow shot, I will shoot it at slow speed. If I am playing with no speed issues, I will shoot it in harder than needed because I get confidence of shots, that I just fire in...This is my thing.
Of course, I don't know what the OP stated in a PM to you...only what he has posted on the forum...which included...
"Originally Posted by Patrick Johnson
Interesting question - seems nobody understands it.
I hit the same place on the CB (very low) and change speed depending on distance.
pj
chgo
Wow. Thank-you. At least somebody knows I'm not asking how I should shoot a stop. Or, what drills to practice. I'm curious as to the thought process of other players on how they most easily get a consistent stop at various distances."
So...the above clarification...which was quite different from his original post...and somewhat contradictory*.... states that he was not interested on being advised on how HE should shoot stop shots but rather...how WE shoot them.
Most of the responsive posts completely conformed to the above clarification.
I would also note, that you amended your above reply which said you hit the "same place" on the CB to words to the effect that you hit the same place (low) whenever you can...but not always.
I was just responding to the comment that nobody understood the question when, in fact, most of the replies were quite responsive to both the original question and the clarification cited above.
It is of course possible that you interpreted the original question according to the OPs "intent" but one which was not contained in the orignal question. If so...you get extra credit for clairvoyance!!!! (-:
EagleMan
* Not making a THING out of this but in the "clarification" the OP states that he was not interested in how he should shoot a stop shot...but then goes on to say...."I'm curious as to the thought process of other players on how they most easily get a consistent stop at various distances."
So, asking about the thought process of how folks go about shooting a consistent stop shot at various distances...is in fact...a question about how we shoot stop shots.
So...NO disrespect to ANYONE. But I just felt it was inappropriate to suggest that others didn't understand and/or respond to the question when A) many did respond to the original question AS WRITTEN and B) the question itself...and its clarification...were fundamentally contradictory (and the "clarification was internally contradictory) and therefore confusing.
LOL. Of course not.
pj
chgo
Quote:
EagleMan:
[snip too much about too little]
LOL. Of course not.
pj
chgo
Sorry that you felt the need/justification to be dismissive about my post. But then again...you were equally dismissive about MOST of the other posts in this thread when you expressed the opinion that we were unable to understand the OP's question...so I certainly don't feel singled out.
Oh well. (-:
But then again...possibly YOU didn't perceive that the OP's questions/clarifications were contradictory on their face and therefore, were (unintentionally) confusing...which calls into question the powers of perception of anyone who DID understand them (or thought they did) (-:
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EagleMan
PS: I think that the vast majority of your posts are right on and I've learned a thing or two because of them.
But you DO get a bit uppity from time to time as your comments in this thread demonstrate.
So here...try this...
OP Question...When adding 1+2 do you add 1 to 2 or 2 to 1?
Answer: 1 to 2.
Answer: 2 to 1.
OP Response...I didn't ask what you added to what. I was asking about your thought process leading up to solving that problem.
PJ #1...None of you understand the question. I always add 1 to 2.
PJ #2...That is unless I feel like adding 2-1.
(-"
EagleMan:
[snip too much about too little]
LOL. Of course not.
pj
chgo
Sorry that you felt the need/justification to be dismissive about my post. But then again...you were equally dismissive about MOST of the other posts in this thread when you expressed the opinion that we were unable to understand the OP's question...so I certainly don't feel singled out.
Oh well. (-:
But then again...possibly YOU didn't perceive that the OP's questions/clarifications were contradictory on their face and therefore, were (unintentionally) confusing...which calls into question the powers of perception of anyone who DID understand them (or thought they did) (-:
(-:
EagleMan
PS: I think that the vast majority of your posts are right on and I've learned a thing or two because of them.
But you DO get a bit uppity from time to time as your comments in this thread demonstrate.
So here...try this...
OP Question...When adding 1+2 do you add 1 to 2 or 2 to 1?
Answer: 1 to 2.
Answer: 2 to 1.
OP Response...I didn't ask what you added to what. I was asking about your thought process leading up to solving that problem.
PJ #1...None of you understand the question. I always add 1 to 2.
PJ #2...That is unless I feel like adding 2-1.
(-"
If you want anybody to actually read what you post, I suggest making it about something other than your personal drama of the moment.
pj <- and way shorter
chgo
Personally, I think a lot of this has to do with what I'm trying to do with the OB. If I'm just trying to drop it then I'm going to vary how far down the CB I go depending on the distance between OB and CB to use my basic 101 pool stroke.
But then, if I'm concerned about pocket speed or perhaps taking out a few ball on my opponent's side or perhaps shooting some kind of safety at a rotation game, then the answer is that I've got to be comfortable at all speeds and spins.
Lou Figueroa
I have been consistently respecful of your posts so I am a little surprised by your dismissive and now insulting comments regarding mine.
And whether you like it or not, there has been no "personal drama" expressed by me in this thread but rather commentary on the issue of the stop shot...which many talented players think is among the most important shots in pool.
And whether you realize it or not...you have been extremely critical and condescending to nearly every member who has posted in this thread by accusing them of not being capable of understanding a question.
And wheter you care or not (clearly feeding you a quote for your reply) I have a had LOT of green rep comments on my posts...and no reds (clearly tempting you to send one) from anyone.
So, while I have read YOUR PERSONAL OPINIONS...it is clear that YOU are creating the "drama" in this thread and I can say without fear of reasonable contradiction YOU ARE NOT the word's most noted authority on what the length of posts should be on this forum.
If they're too long for YOU....I have a hint for ya....DON'T READ THEM as you MUST have been doing in order to form a rational opinion as to the merit of their content.
Your opinions on the merit of my posts were formed rationally....weren't they???????????????
EagleMan