How long until my Predator shaft is a distant memory?

PoolBum said:
How can you still pocket the OB on a long straight in shot if you hit the CB off center? Predator shafts decrease deflection, they don't eliminate it. If I stroke the CB off center on a long straight in shot the CB will deflect from the line of aim, not hit the OB straight on, and the OB will not go in the pocket.

If the OB is close enough to the pocket, and the pocket big enough, then I can see where hitting off center slightly might still result in pocketing the OB, but not on a long straight in shot.
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I agree about pocket size and distance. I was trying to exagerate my point for clarity. I drew up a quick paint brush image to help describe...please excuse the barbaric picture. Assume that the blue circles represent a 13 mm cue tip exactly centerball. The red area represents the error zone to still pocket a good amount of medium difficulty balls. The squirt displayed when hit within the red area is not enough to send the cueball far enough offline to miss the medium level shots. My whole arguement/opinion is.....the area for error is larger for the predator as it deflects less. This intern allows a player with a sloppier stroke to pocket alot more medium level shots. Again this is all my findings and opinion after the use of a predator shaft for about 5 years.

Ian


deflection.jpg
 
If you want to speed up your time from shifting from Predator to conventional shafts play snooker. The lighter cue ball forces you to move your cue tip as close around centre as possible. Play snooker for a few days and get used to tightening up how much english you use, then go back to pool and use whatever cue you like. This way you build up your game from centre cue ball out and therefore learn how your cue plays one step at a time.

I play Predator and love it. I have also tried a good friends beautiful Scruggs. I like that too. I could get used to it over time. The key is that the shaft in a Predator, IMHO, adds power to the stroke. I find with conventional shafts I need to stroke a bit firmer or longer to produce the same results. I agree that the better the shaft (custom cues) the less you will notice the severity. It is, in my experience, that difference which draws out the flaws in a players stroke. If you truly want to see where your stroke goes wrong hit it harder. The flaw will become more noticeable as force is applied to the stroke so yes, a Predator will help a player as that they can ease off the power and focus on staying smooth and slow.

In the end I know a lot of strong players who love the deflection factor of conventional shafts and other who can only trust a Predator. The choice is yours. Mine is made.
 
Thanks to those who posted advice, especially MasterClass. That was exactly the kind of help I was looking for.

For me, the Predator shaft eliminates deflection to a point where I don't think about it. I agree with xianmacx, you can really hit far from center and pocket a ball, especially if you know what speed to use. With my Predator there were very few shots where I felt I needed to aim differently from how I would with center ball. I was actually more aware of the masse effect. Normally when I missed because of english, I missed because the cue ball spun back too far to the other side.

I'm not terribly concerned about not striking the cue ball where I think I am. My fundamentals are pretty good (I'm lucky enough to know a few pro players who help me with them. I get checkups). My main concern is just shots where I need english. I know how much to adjust for some shots, but at certain speeds and angles I find my cue ball doing surprising things. Often I over or under compensate. I've been concentrating on using center ball for now, but you can't do that on every shot of every game.
 
arsenius said:
Thanks to those who posted advice, especially MasterClass. That was exactly the kind of help I was looking for.

For me, the Predator shaft eliminates deflection to a point where I don't think about it. I agree with xianmacx, you can really hit far from center and pocket a ball, especially if you know what speed to use. With my Predator there were very few shots where I felt I needed to aim differently from how I would with center ball. I was actually more aware of the masse effect. Normally when I missed because of english, I missed because the cue ball spun back too far to the other side.I'm not terribly concerned about not striking the cue ball where I think I am. My fundamentals are pretty good (I'm lucky enough to know a few pro players who help me with them. I get checkups). My main concern is just shots where I need english. I know how much to adjust for some shots, but at certain speeds and angles I find my cue ball doing surprising things. Often I over or under compensate. I've been concentrating on using center ball for now, but you can't do that on every shot of every game.
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Exactly my experience. If I was missing balls, it was due to the masse effect, the opposite of deflection.
 
Xian's pic scared me at first glance. It looks like homer simpson's eyeballs after heavy drugs. Or maybe some crude-looking boobs. Sorry to interrupt, carry on.
 
I am 2 mpnths into the process and it is a pain in the ass. My new cue has a shaft that is stiffer than the Predator. The feed back on my new shaft is great but squirt is my main problem. Short to medium shots are coming along but long shots that require english and power are a real adventure--usually with bad endings. Speed seems to be crucial. My mechanics are not perfect,but when my preshot routine is deliberate and I don't rush, they are above average and improving. I have gone back to doing Bert Kinisters drills from his 60 Minute 9 Ball work outs. If I have not mastered the new shaft by end of July, when I have my cataracts removed, I will probably go back to a Predator. I agree with a previous poster that a Predator feels the same on a Southwest or a broom handle. THUD.
 
I played for 3 years with a Schon w/ a Predator Z-shaft (1st gen). I recently purchased a Chris Nitti and debated on whether to stick with a Predator shaft or use the shafts Chris made. Ultimately I chose the original shafts and I'm glad I did.

Much like you, I struggled initially with shots that required high amounts of english (although I am of the school that roughly 40-50% of all shots require no english). One of the first things I did though was modify Chris's shafts to fit what I was accustomed to: ~16 inch cylindrical pro taper, took the diameter down to roughly 12.1/12.2 mm. This was vital for my adjustment. Also, taking down the shafts made them more "whippy", which, if you've been playing with a Predator for a few years, will feel more comfortable to you.

As far as on the table, no amount of drills will replace playing in pressure situations (gambling or tournaments). But, one suggestion I do have for you is to practice games that require a high level of shotmaking. My personal favorite is straight pool. Snooker would work as well. One Pocket will not work well. Practicing straight pool will present you with many situations of shots requiring english that you couldn't otherwise even dream of doing through drills or just practicing single shots. If you are confronted with a shot that gives you difficulty because of squirt/deflection, then you know what to do. Otherwise, keep making balls, because IMO, that is the best way to get used to your new shaft.

Good luck.
 
I've thought about having my new shafts turned down a bit, but I wouldn't want them that thin. I like the added control of the 13mm shaft. I don't know how far I would need to turn them down to feel a benefit.
 
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