How long did it take you to find your stroke?

[elvicash]

I am still growing my stroke, it is getting stronger and also more obedient. I had help from a long list of stroke players and teachers. I think the best thing you can do for your stroke is to make it simple. Also try to take out the small muscles as an active part of your stroke.

Lightly grip the cue and move the forearm only remember you are moving the tip and the tip location and tip speed at impact are what the stroke is all about.b

 

[billy bones]

Stroke ?

Hmmm.... the elusive quality of repeatable mechanics. Those are great, but they have to be coupled with a "comfort zone" and confidence. I have had a life long relationship with this particular question. I quit playing about 9yrs ago. Prior to that I estimated over my PoolLife I had used at various times as many as 7 different strokes. Everything from "Speed Stroke" "Power Stroke" "Slip Stroke" my natural stroke is a "Sidewinder Stroke" Upon my recent return to pool I broke my stroke down & rebuilt it. I used a loose 2 finger grip. I started with only the wrist, no forearm at all. I then added the remaining mechanics. Today I have incorporated these aspects with what is natural for me, what is comfortable & therefore inspires the greatest confidence in my ability to execute, my old friend "Sidewinder". What I have now is an entirely different stroke that combines the best elements of all the components. I am very comfortable with it and I have sound confidence in my ability to perform. However it is as everything else in life in a state of flux, ever changing. Not one to sit on my laurels & knowing full well there is ample room for improvement I have requested knowledgable review & outside perspective from Jimmy Reid and I have asked Scott Lee to come and work with me. As mentioned in previous post physical attributes and other factors change over a life time inspiring or demanding change. I understand the premise "Simple is Better" but in the long run what am I comfortable with and what do I have confidence in. Take a look at the "Pro Players" their strokes are varied indeed. Various players I know used a slip stroke which would seem difficult to control, Junior Brown has the oddest stroke I've ever seen-he has NO backstroke at all, but he is effective with it, my friend Omaha John had what I can only call a "Ridigid Slip Stroke" which he used to become one of the very best money 9 ball players in the world. Stroke is in the final analysis very subjective. At the end of the day it boils down to this simple line said to me but a few days ago in regards to "Stroke Type" ..... "If you put the ball in the pocket,...you get to shoot again." Whatever works for you. Stroke is an art, a mosaic that I add brushstrokes to over the course of my life. "Play, adjust, play some more!"-BB:thumbup:

 

[Scott Lee]

billy bones...I am planning that trip, as we speak, and will be in contact with you shortly with available dates. Look for me in about a month! For others who may be interested, you can PM me. This next trip will take me through IN, IL, MO, KS, CO, OK, TX, LA, MS, AL, and TN.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I have asked Scott Lee to come and work with me. As mentioned in previous post physical attributes and other factors change over a life time inspiring or demanding change. I understand the premise "Simple is Better" but in the long run what am I comfortable with and what do I have confidence in.

 

[Jimbojim]

2 or 3 years at the most.

there are some days where it has left out on me but I found it again recently

 

[manwon]

30 years and still looking...seriously, your stroke mechanics will constantly move around as you pick up and try different techniques. Even with the basics of a good, repeatable stroke, your body, eyes, fitness, etc. as you age will force you to change little things. That, plus newer/different equipment, will draw you to make little adjustments. Earl Strickland has changed his stroke in little (and not so little) ways over the years...I'd bet most of the best do. The key is, no matter what your stroke looks like, once you've locked in a basic foundation that you use without thinking about it, it's very hard to change it completely...so it's important to have a good foundation as a base that you can work with through the years. Plus, you'll just try some new things you see from time to time--that's part of the fun!

Tap!!!! Tap!!!!!!!! Tap!!!!!!!!!!!!! great post and nothing can be more true.

Thanks for sharing your thought's.

 

[duckie]

Sometimes the simplest way to improve is to just change your thinking. There is not just "a stroke in shot making." There is no one stroke that fits all shots.

The stroke in pool is nothing like swinging a bat, tennis racket or golf club.

It really should be called stroking and not a stroke.

If you are still looking for "a stroke" you got a long way to go to understand what is really in making a shot after shot after shot.

You have to transfer your desires of what you want to do with the Cb through the cue stick. This is no small task given the randomness that happens with the ball layout on the table.

Stroking the CB is like using a bow in a violin. How you use the bow playing the violin directly affects the music made. Same with stroking the CB.

You don't hit the CB, you don't smack the CB, you stroke through it to get the affect needed and since that affect is not always the same, no one stroke can fit all shots.

Forget finding a stroke, look to learn stroking the CB as needed for the shot.

 

[Oregonmeds]

To find your stroke all you have to do is have it get so automatic and smooth you never even think about it again.

Having started at age 6 or so made it easy for me, only took 30 years or so. Now I just loose my keys and can't remember anything at my age anymore, but I have my stroke.