How do you make SPF a habit?

nelldrake

nelldrake

Waterskier/pool addict
Silver Member
I really like the SPF method and am trying very hard to adapt my it to my PSR. I find myself doing it properly when I am thinking about it but then slide into my old form without realizing it. How do I make this and ingrained habit?
Thanks for any input,
Nell:rolleyes:
 
I was walking in New York City. A man comes over to me and says "how do I get to Carnegie Hall?" I said PRACTICE.
This may be an old joke, but it is true here also. SPF was the first drill I did in pool school. If you keep practicing it, then it will become second nature. You will not have to think about it. You will just do it.
 
SPF isn't a requirement, but for those struggling with their game, it's an easy way to significantly improve their game. It's the KISS principle. If you practice it, you can master it very quickly.

If you want to try to learn a complicated and inconsistent setup and process, go for it. Those that learn SPF will be way ahead of you.
 
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DrCue'sProtege said:
Who says you absolutely have to have the SPF to be a good player?

DCP
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All players have to SPF. SPF is just a grading system for how well you Stroke. In order to understand that you must understand what SPF does in your game!

Good post
randyg
 
nelldrake said:
What is "Mother Drill 1"?
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I'd like to know, as well. Even if it's in basic descriptions, without going into the whole process, since it's a part of their pool school course.

I'd just like a little point of reference, since those drills are mentioned and referred to often here. It would make following these threads, and the suggestions given to folks here, easier to follow for the rest of us.

I'm reading pretty much everything posted here, and trying to pick up things as I can. It's an awesome resource, and all of the instructors here are doing us all a great service by sharing their time and suggestions. It is GREATLY appreciated. But I don't always post in every thread (or at least I try not to :p ) even though I'm interested in the contents. I'm betting there are a lot of folks who lurk and are following these threads, too.
 
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justadub said:
(S)et

(P)ause

(F)inish

I had to ask the same question not too long ago :) Now I'm trying to incorporate it into my routine as best as I can.
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Very nice.
Remember, each stop has a value attached to it.
randyg
 
hmmm

nelldrake said:
I really like the SPF method and am trying very hard to adapt my it to my PSR. I find myself doing it properly when I am thinking about it but then slide into my old form without realizing it. How do I make this and ingrained habit?
Thanks for any input,
Nell:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

One way is to practice that way. I mean, even before league starts. Throw balls on the table, take ball in hand, and shoot all 15 balls with SPF, and really focus. Or even if you are just going to play with some buddies, take a few minutes to warm up first. Shoot the 15 balls with proper mechanics using the SPF, and you are less likely to "lose" it during your match.

I could never just jump in a game without warming up. Most can, but I can't. I need to warm up and making sure everything is working on all cylinders. It pisses off my teammates because they always gotta wait for me to warm up before we can play some practive games !!!
 
SPF differences

Just curious, what about a variance of the SPF. I have read a lot about the pause at the back of the backswing. It seems like some pro players have a very strong procedure where the pause is at the CB as opposed to the backswing. One that comes to mind and I may be wrong is Jasmine O. Seems she takes 3 warm up strokes, pauses at CB, then pulls back and shoots. Very repetitive but not a long stall on the backswing like maybe Allison F. I know many people have different strokes and many are very accurate.

Myself, I usually aim up the shot, pause, take 4 rythmic warmup strokes, pause at CB on last one, pull back and shoot. Feels very natural and is very repetitive but goes against the pause on the backswing. What are your feelings on this. How would you suggest adjusting this if mine isn't considered as effective? Thanks for your input.
 
lawfull777...Everyone stops all three places. Even if it doesn't seem like you stop your backswing (very short pause), it's still there. It's not about how long you pause on the end of the backswing...it's about how well you transfer to the forward stroke. Nothing wrong with what you're doing.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

lawful777 said:
Just curious, what about a variance of the SPF. I have read a lot about the pause at the back of the backswing. It seems like some pro players have a very strong procedure where the pause is at the CB as opposed to the backswing. One that comes to mind and I may be wrong is Jasmine O. Seems she takes 3 warm up strokes, pauses at CB, then pulls back and shoots. Very repetitive but not a long stall on the backswing like maybe Allison F. I know many people have different strokes and many are very accurate.

Myself, I usually aim up the shot, pause, take 4 rythmic warmup strokes, pause at CB on last one, pull back and shoot. Feels very natural and is very repetitive but goes against the pause on the backswing. What are your feelings on this. How would you suggest adjusting this if mine isn't considered as effective? Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...
 
lawful777 said:
Just curious, what about a variance of the SPF. I have read a lot about the pause at the back of the backswing. It seems like some pro players have a very strong procedure where the pause is at the CB as opposed to the backswing. One that comes to mind and I may be wrong is Jasmine O. Seems she takes 3 warm up strokes, pauses at CB, then pulls back and shoots. Very repetitive but not a long stall on the backswing like maybe Allison F. I know many people have different strokes and many are very accurate.

Myself, I usually aim up the shot, pause, take 4 rythmic warmup strokes, pause at CB on last one, pull back and shoot.

Feels very natural and is very repetitive but goes against the pause on the backswing. What are your feelings on this. How would you suggest adjusting this if mine isn't considered as effective? Thanks for your input.
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What are you doing while you are pausing at the cue ball for the last time?
randyg
 
randyg said:
What are you doing while you are pausing at the cue ball for the last time?
randyg
Click to expand...

Hey Randy, I pause at that time to make sure everything feels just right prior to the final stroke. It also allows me to concentrate on keeping that last stroke straight and fluid. I can't tell you if it is the right or wrong way to do it, it just feels right. Part of where it came from was that my stroke was ok but all over the place with timing. Sometimes 1 stroke, sometimes 2 or 4 or 3, no real focus. So, I started redoing my PSR, modeling a couple of players from watching videos until one felt right. Jasmine's simple 1-2-3-pause, shoot felt good and was pretty easy to model. I shot that way for a couple weeks and then came across 1-2-3-4, pause, shoot which felt perfect. It came from reading some parts in my "Inner Game...." book on rythm. This seemed to fit a more natural pattern for me. I have been trying this for a few weeks which seems to fit my speed well. Thank you for your input and curiosity. John
 
lawful777 said:
Hey Randy, I pause at that time to make sure everything feels just right prior to the final stroke. It also allows me to concentrate on keeping that last stroke straight and fluid. I can't tell you if it is the right or wrong way to do it, it just feels right. Part of where it came from was that my stroke was ok but all over the place with timing. Sometimes 1 stroke, sometimes 2 or 4 or 3, no real focus. So, I started redoing my PSR, modeling a couple of players from watching videos until one felt right. Jasmine's simple 1-2-3-pause, shoot felt good and was pretty easy to model. I shot that way for a couple weeks and then came across 1-2-3-4, pause, shoot which felt perfect. It came from reading some parts in my "Inner Game...." book on rythm. This seemed to fit a more natural pattern for me. I have been trying this for a few weeks which seems to fit my speed well. Thank you for your input and curiosity. John
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When do you transfer your eyes to the object ball?
randyg
 
randyg said:
When do you transfer your eyes to the object ball?
randyg
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Thanks for the inquiries Randy, any suggestions can always improve my game. Not in anyway to sound ignorant, but I guess I don't intentionally think about that. I line up using my aiming methods and then go back and forth between OB and CB during my warmup strokes. I look back and forth during the CB pause to make sure I look dialed in on the shot, then shoot. Not sure if the last thing I see is the OB or CB or simultaneously both. To give you a definite answer, I would have to try some shots and intentionally concentrate and see which is the last one I look at. I know that it is supposed to be the OB but I think sometimes it ends up being the CB or a combination of both. Do you recommend a specific way of addressing this? Thanks Randy.
 
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