how do you stance?

P

PetToilet

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
how do you stance / step into your shot?

after trying to fix my stroke and inconsistancies, i've found that a precursor to this problem is the pre-get down on the table routine. lining up the shot standing up, and bending over and putting the bridge hand on the table. if i dont line up right, my back hand wont be lined up and i would either have to try to force it to go straight with extra exertion or something. also, my elbow seems to go outward at the near end of my stroke, which occasionally adds left spin and i'm trying to fix that.

i've tried various mechanical ways to do it, and some have worked, but some have also felt slightly odd. recently someone said i need to find the center of gravity on my stick, grip lightly, and hold it by my side to see where my hand naturally angles it, and use that to line up my shot, then step forward and go down. it sounds interesting and i'm going to try it when i get a chance to head to a hall.

what do you guys do?
 
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Foot placement is the key for me.
I shot crooked for years. My cue pointed to the right, elbow near the body ( I'm right handed ).
I had to learn to put the right foot away from the stroke/cue path and let the grip and bridge be in line without a hitch. Meaning if I closed my eyes, the stroke should still be in line.
I'm guessing you have the same problems I did.
 
i agree with joey, its all in the feet. You get your feet right and the rest has to follow. I struggled with this for years until i got a system that works for me. I stand back of the shot and in line with it....then i will bring my cue around and in line with the shot before i put it on the table....which makes me kind f shuffle and pivot my body around to make room for the cue....then i put it all on the table and slide it up to the cueball.....just have to find what works for you.
 
scottycoyote said:
i agree with joey, its all in the feet. You get your feet right and the rest has to follow. I struggled with this for years until i got a system that works for me. I stand back of the shot and in line with it....then i will bring my cue around and in line with the shot before i put it on the table....which makes me kind f shuffle and pivot my body around to make room for the cue....then i put it all on the table and slide it up to the cueball.....just have to find what works for you.
Click to expand...

Yep...feet. I try to place the front of my right leg in line with the shot...the rest kind of follows naturally. I'm 6'3"...so I can't do that picture perfect (like John Schmidt) stance and still get down on the cue though...(edit)...but then I can't play like John Schmidt either. I mentioned him because IMHO he has one of the most classic and picture perfect stances out there. Folks could do a lot worse than imitating him.
 
yeah i've always known the feet played a big role, my latest in mechanical structure is after lining up the shot, put the right back foot perpendicular to the cue stick and left foot parallel to the left. i havn't decided how much space between the left foot and the cue though, or even the right foot and the cue after i line up, but this new idea of natural resting motion of my back hand will give me guidance, though going from standing up lined up to bending over lined up is a difficult step that i'm still trying to perfect.
 
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i've found that my back hand is often too close to my side, so when i follow through, my hand goes outward because my body is in the way. i cant decide if i should rotate more or step to the left more when shooting, does it matter? as long as one is comfortable?
 
Johnnyz86 said:
i've found that my back hand is often too close to my side, so when i follow through, my hand goes outward because my body is in the way. i cant decide if i should rotate more or step to the left more when shooting, does it matter? as long as one is comfortable?
Click to expand...
Plant the backfoot more outside of the cueball.
Then place the left foot with the line of the shot free of obstruction.
 
Johnnyz86 said:
i've found that my back hand is often too close to my side, so when i follow through, my hand goes outward because my body is in the way. i cant decide if i should rotate more or step to the left more when shooting, does it matter? as long as one is comfortable?
Click to expand...

i didnt want to get into all the steps of my preshot but i learned something that works for me to keep my hand from being too close. After i line up and i have my bridge hand in the air with the cue, my backhand is against my thigh and im bringing my stick across my body to lay it on the table. Well i extend my thumb on my backhand so its digging into my thigh. I then pivot my feet as i go down into my stance. This gives me a couple inches clearance and my back hand is never too close once i end up down in my stance.
 
thanks for your information, it helped a litttle, but now i realize the problem i need to focus on is my elbow goes outwards a little on my stroke, away from the body. i can fix this if i physically tighten my muscle to not make it go out, but it feels quite unnatural.

did anyone have any similar problems or possible solutions?
 
You should get a lesson from a qualified instructor. If you want to learn and get better then it is necessary to have the proper foundation and you need to have a good teacher show you how to set up. You'll be glad you did when you don't have to constantly wonder if you're doing it right.
 
Johnnyz86 said:
after trying to fix my stroke and inconsistancies, i've found that a precursor to this problem is the pre-get down on the table routine. lining up the shot standing up, and bending over and putting the bridge hand on the table. if i dont line up right, my back hand wont be lined up and i would either have to try to force it to go straight with extra exertion or something. also, my elbow seems to go outward at the near end of my stroke, which occasionally adds left spin and i'm trying to fix that.

i've tried various mechanical ways to do it, and some have worked, but some have also felt slightly odd. recently someone said i need to find the center of gravity on my stick, grip lightly, and hold it by my side to see where my hand naturally angles it, and use that to line up my shot, then step forward and go down. it sounds interesting and i'm going to try it when i get a chance to head to a hall.

what do you guys do?
Click to expand...

If your willing to start from scratch, try this set up.

1. Start with your feet together

2. Move your left foot out about shoulder width (assuming your right handed)

3. Move your left foot up about 6 more inches.

4. Turn your right foot outwards

5. Bend down, right leg straight and left leg bent.

This will set up a solid foot placement, but you will be very square to the shot so you will want to make sure you start at a 45 degree angle (aproximately).
 
i've tried starting out where my elbow finishes but i feel like im forcing it as well. i think its my footwork and i will experiment with being less open, i think that is my problem, i've been trying to make it standardized but i think it made it too open and got used to it.

i'd like to get a qualified instructor but i fear that i won't be able to continue college after paying. once i get a real job though, of course.
 
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