How do you get down?

cueball2010

cueball2010

Member
I am an APA 6. I try to implement the best practices when getting down to shoot a ball. Most of the time I pick a spot on the object ball, but sometimes I envision the line of the object ball to the pocket. Then I get my body lined up behind the cueball to take the shot. I step in with the right foot, stick, shoulder, arm stay aligned. Most of the time when my bridge hand gets down the tip of my cue is not exactly lined up on the cueball spot I want to hit. The tip is usually a few millimeters to a centimeter off.

So, to remedy this: For center ball hits, I just slide my bridge hand a couple millimeters left or right to be perfectly aligned with center. Then I take a few pre-shot strokes and shoot. I do the same thing for english. If I get down perfectly pointing my cue tip at center of cueball then I slide my bridge hand to the left or right to impart the correct about of english. For english I am following FHE. For center ball I will adjust my backhand if the pre-stroke alignment doesn't look/feel correct. If I have to adjust my backhand so much where it doesn't feel normal then I re-adjust my feet without standing back up.

Recently a guy much better then me. Probably a 670+ fargo in his prime. We practice once in a while. He called me out on this. He said on almost every shot that I was adjusting my bridge hand after I got down. I said yes and explained why. He said, No, just get down on the ball and shoot. He said that it will take some practice.

I started trying to get down the correct way. I can get down with the correct tip position if I try hard, but it has also introduced a new problem. I am getting down either to close to to far away from the cueball with my stance.

I'm not sure if anyone was able to follow what i just explained, but if you did, could you please give me some tips on getting my bridge hand down in the correct position and my stance so that when I put my bridge hand down I am not to far or too close to the cueball? or is there anything wrong with me micro adjusting my bridge hand?
 
its not something that can be explained online
if your a 6 getting down on the ball isnt your issue now
as long as its the most comfortable for you, thats the correct way to get down on a shot
 
Texas Carom Club said:
if your a 6 getting down on the ball isnt your issue now
Click to expand...
Agreed. I am also a SL6. The way I get down on a shot is so ingrained into my muscle memory/pre-shot routine that I never even think about it.

Don't overthink it. You'll end up with "analysis paralysis".

Maybe watch this:
 
Last edited:
Get down.. I get up and start dancing.

Seriously you if cannot work it put alone try a certified SPF instructor. SPF is a proven stroking system.
 
GoldCrown said:
Get down.. I get up and start dancing.

Seriously you if cannot work it put alone try a certified SPF instructor. SPF is a proven stroking system.
Click to expand...

its fine for absolute beginners to start working your way up if you want to improve
i dont think thats what this guy is
no short stops or semi pros ive been around will know what that supposed to mean
, they be like , no need for sunscreen in a pool room guy
 
How do I get down?

These days I just tip over.

At one point I got down on the shot pretty good. I don’t have the ability to describe it. Like pizza, lots of words but isn’t going to paint the picture. Sorry I can’t help out.

One thing I can say with certainty after a zillion years of playing, when you do get down correctly and are lined up, everything else falls into place pretty easy. It took me forever to learn to got on the shot correctly. CJ does a pretty good job of describing it in a few videos. Look into those.

Best
Fatboy👍
 
Texas Carom Club said:
its fine for absolute beginners to start working your way up if you want to improve
i dont think thats what this guy is
no short stops or semi pros ive been around will know what that supposed to mean
, they be like , no need for sunscreen in a pool room guy
Click to expand...
Just making a suggestion. Have you worked with a SPF instructor. The focus is on a consistent stroke each and every time. Stance. Body. Grip. And a consistent PSR. Just my .02. Sounds like the OP is looking for that kind of guidance ..
 
cueball2010 said:
I am an APA 6. I try to implement the best practices when getting down to shoot a ball. Most of the time I pick a spot on the object ball, but sometimes I envision the line of the object ball to the pocket. Then I get my body lined up behind the cueball to take the shot. I step in with the right foot, stick, shoulder, arm stay aligned. Most of the time when my bridge hand gets down the tip of my cue is not exactly lined up on the cueball spot I want to hit. The tip is usually a few millimeters to a centimeter off.

So, to remedy this: For center ball hits, I just slide my bridge hand a couple millimeters left or right to be perfectly aligned with center. Then I take a few pre-shot strokes and shoot. I do the same thing for english. If I get down perfectly pointing my cue tip at center of cueball then I slide my bridge hand to the left or right to impart the correct about of english. For english I am following FHE. For center ball I will adjust my backhand if the pre-stroke alignment doesn't look/feel correct. If I have to adjust my backhand so much where it doesn't feel normal then I re-adjust my feet without standing back up.

Recently a guy much better then me. Probably a 670+ fargo in his prime. We practice once in a while. He called me out on this. He said on almost every shot that I was adjusting my bridge hand after I got down. I said yes and explained why. He said, No, just get down on the ball and shoot. He said that it will take some practice.

I started trying to get down the correct way. I can get down with the correct tip position if I try hard, but it has also introduced a new problem. I am getting down either to close to to far away from the cueball with my stance.

I'm not sure if anyone was able to follow what i just explained, but if you did, could you please give me some tips on getting my bridge hand down in the correct position and my stance so that when I put my bridge hand down I am not to far or too close to the cueball? or is there anything wrong with me micro adjusting my bridge hand?
Click to expand...
When you're lined up behind the cue ball your eyes should bring the rest of your body into alignment, if you feel that you need to move your bridge hand around stand up and start over until you feel that you are in the correct place to make the shot.
 
... "Recently a guy much better then me. Probably a 670+ fargo in his prime. We practice once in a while. He called me out on this. He said on almost every shot that I was adjusting my bridge hand after I got down. I said yes and explained why. He said, No, just get down on the ball and shoot. He said that it will take some practice."...

What he said.

No adjusting things once you're down on the ball.

I start off deciding what to do. Then rest the cue on the table behind the cue ball where it needs to be. Then I step into the shot and conform my body to the cue -- all the time sliding my bridge hand up to where it needs to be. If things feel off, stand up and regroup.

Thinking about making micro adjustments while I'm down on the ball is just that -- too much thinking going on while trying to shoot.
 
GoldCrown said:
Just making a suggestion. Have you worked with a SPF instructor. The focus is on a consistent stroke each and every time. Stance. Body. Grip. And a consistent PSR. Just my .02. Sounds like the OP is looking for that kind of guidance ..
Click to expand...
i have took a few lessons with scott lee way back
theyre good for a beginner starting on his journey
doesnt sound like what this guy is needing to me
as he asked, whats the correct way?
there is no singular correct way that works for every person or wed all be pros

ive had 780 fargo say you have to do like this, but i cant my body doesnt work like his
take what you can make work from multiple sources to find whats right for you
 
cueball2010 said:
I am an APA 6.
Click to expand...

a) if you find yourself need to adjust {bridge hand, hip position, stance, or aim point} while down, you HAVE TO STAND back up and start over.
{you may want to walk around the table to decompress before starting again.}

b) the aim point has to be perfect to 1/10 of a mm (after compensating for speed and spin and swerve and arc)

c) the CB contact point has to be perfect to 1/10 of a mm

(a) will help, but I think you problem lies in (b or c) more precision is required to raise your level. But you must gain the precision without becoming overly mechanical.
 
Texas Carom Club said:
take what you can make work from multiple sources to find whats right for you
Click to expand...
Agreed .. one size does not fit all. I was offering one of many sources. Myself… I played with clubhouse bangers. Had no options. I did work with 2 instructors that were eh… found Scott L. That worked…
 
WoodyJ said:
Thinking about making micro adjustments while I'm down on the ball is just that -- too much thinking going on while trying to shoot.
Click to expand...
Lot of great advice here! Thanks guys/girls.

I have actually seen those videos before. I decided to do a little practice session using Neil's right leg and cue line method. What I noticed is that I don't really need to do that. I am already getting down correctly.

To avoid any confusion I am only going to talk further about my center ball hits. I try to shoot all my shots with a closed bridge, unless I need to stretch down the table. For my practice today I tried shooting everything open bridge. What I noticed was that I was getting my bridge hand down perfect every time. I realized they were perfect because I was unconsciously moving those micro adjustments to my backhand while pre-stroking. which is something that feels far more un-natural with an closed bridge.

My micro adjustments really don't involve any thinking or analysis paralysis. Its a simple "am I striking center cue ball? No, then slide my bridge hand 2 mm". It might be wrong...but, no matter how well I try to line up in the standing position, when I come down, 50% of the time I have to make an adjustment because somehow when I'm down on the ball I get a more accurate picture of where I am suppose to hit the object ball(Yes, if I am way off it is no longer a micro adjustment and I need to stand up again).

I really don't see how it is possible for anyone under a 650 Fargo to get down and not be making any micro adjustments while either coming down or down on the table. I feel like it just less noticeable because the majority of people are probably micro pivoting the tip with their backhand. Coming down and being 1/10mm off cue ball and object ball strike points... you would have to have prosthetic limbs. IMO

SPF? Yes, does sound like something I may need to fix my illogical mentality.
 
cueball2010 said:
I am an APA 6. I try to implement the best practices when getting down to shoot a ball. Most of the time I pick a spot on the object ball, but sometimes I envision the line of the object ball to the pocket. Then I get my body lined up behind the cueball to take the shot. I step in with the right foot, stick, shoulder, arm stay aligned. Most of the time when my bridge hand gets down the tip of my cue is not exactly lined up on the cueball spot I want to hit. The tip is usually a few millimeters to a centimeter off.

So, to remedy this: For center ball hits, I just slide my bridge hand a couple millimeters left or right to be perfectly aligned with center. Then I take a few pre-shot strokes and shoot. I do the same thing for english. If I get down perfectly pointing my cue tip at center of cueball then I slide my bridge hand to the left or right to impart the correct about of english. For english I am following FHE. For center ball I will adjust my backhand if the pre-stroke alignment doesn't look/feel correct. If I have to adjust my backhand so much where it doesn't feel normal then I re-adjust my feet without standing back up.

Recently a guy much better then me. Probably a 670+ fargo in his prime. We practice once in a while. He called me out on this. He said on almost every shot that I was adjusting my bridge hand after I got down. I said yes and explained why. He said, No, just get down on the ball and shoot. He said that it will take some practice.

I started trying to get down the correct way. I can get down with the correct tip position if I try hard, but it has also introduced a new problem. I am getting down either to close to to far away from the cueball with my stance.

I'm not sure if anyone was able to follow what i just explained, but if you did, could you please give me some tips on getting my bridge hand down in the correct position and my stance so that when I put my bridge hand down I am not to far or too close to the cueball? or is there anything wrong with me micro adjusting my bridge hand?
Click to expand...
I have taught this to students, the strong player is saying that it's hard to increase in skill with after-stance hand movement, something that pros almost never do.

It's time to practice positioning correctly in relation to the cue ball (CB). We need to focus on two key elements: aligning along the CB's vertical axis or other target with precision and maintaining the right distance from it.

One effective method is to use your hand and bridge length as a measuring tool. For instance, the distance from the palm of my hand to the tip of my middle finger is about 7 inches. If I position myself standing above the balls so that my bridge hand has my fingertips close to the CB, I will be shooting with a bridge that is approximately 6 inches long from where the ferrule sits to the CB.

A crucial point to remember is that many amateurs stand too far from the CB, often due to fear of fouling early in their careers. To improve, practice with a lower-cost cue or another object, and don't hesitate to strike the CB as you come down. Get accustomed to the feeling of being snug against the CB—that restriction can help ensure solid contact with the ball.

Check in with me after you drill like this for a while and I'll guide you further.
 
cueball2010 said:
I am an APA 6. I try to implement the best practices when getting down to shoot a ball. Most of the time I pick a spot on the object ball, but sometimes I envision the line of the object ball to the pocket. Then I get my body lined up behind the cueball to take the shot. I step in with the right foot, stick, shoulder, arm stay aligned. Most of the time when my bridge hand gets down the tip of my cue is not exactly lined up on the cueball spot I want to hit. The tip is usually a few millimeters to a centimeter off.

So, to remedy this: For center ball hits, I just slide my bridge hand a couple millimeters left or right to be perfectly aligned with center. Then I take a few pre-shot strokes and shoot. I do the same thing for english. If I get down perfectly pointing my cue tip at center of cueball then I slide my bridge hand to the left or right to impart the correct about of english. For english I am following FHE. For center ball I will adjust my backhand if the pre-stroke alignment doesn't look/feel correct. If I have to adjust my backhand so much where it doesn't feel normal then I re-adjust my feet without standing back up.

Recently a guy much better then me. Probably a 670+ fargo in his prime. We practice once in a while. He called me out on this. He said on almost every shot that I was adjusting my bridge hand after I got down. I said yes and explained why. He said, No, just get down on the ball and shoot. He said that it will take some practice.

I started trying to get down the correct way. I can get down with the correct tip position if I try hard, but it has also introduced a new problem. I am getting down either to close to to far away from the cueball with my stance.

I'm not sure if anyone was able to follow what i just explained, but if you did, could you please give me some tips on getting my bridge hand down in the correct position and my stance so that when I put my bridge hand down I am not to far or too close to the cueball? or is there anything wrong with me micro adjusting my bridge hand?
Click to expand...

Well, it's almost impossible to proffer advice with the student unseen but a couple of thoughts:

I've always thought the right way to get down on a shot was to look at the whole shot -- the table, CB, OB, pocket and where you wanted the CB to land. Then, after feeding all that info into your wetware, you let your brain and body do their thing and get into shooting position. Your legs will do their thing, as will your hips and arms, and your head will follow along to assist executing what your brains has been fed.

I think you can make micro adjustments at the end but they have to be really, really small micro adjustments that pretty much can't be spotted from the sidelines. If they're big enough to see then you need to start over.

Lastly, as to distance from the CB -- that may stem from how and where you're holding your cue. If you have a lot of cue out front it's going to affect your opening stance and subsequent descent because your brain is telling your body to allow for all that cue. Of course it could be somethin' else but at least it gives you food for thought.

Lou Figueroa
 
I don’t know if this will fix your specific problem, but the best advice I ever got about how to get down was to aim with your back shoulder as you get down. I do this on every shot. I’m 682 Fargo so you better take me seriously damnit! :\
 
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