How would you learn to play with a different shaft?

SoCalRick

SoCalRick

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Lets say you wanted to switch over from playing with a Predator 314-2 shaft to one that has a little [Edit by me] less deflection and produces more squirt (like say a Tim Scruggs custom shaft with 13mm tip).

What tips/drills would you use to learn how to play the shots where [Edit by me...] varrying amounts of CB squirt, caused by the differences in shaft deflection, comes into play?

For me, I have problems (with non-predator shafts) on longer shots when I want to hit off-center of the vertical axis of the CB (e.g. put some kind of side-rotational spin on the CB). I can do shorter shots ok, and use pivot english (once I figured out where the pivot point is) to make shots with side-english, but it does seem trickier with the TS than with the Predator (like maybe I have to be more precise :rolleyes: ). I can generally do fine with follow, center and draw with either shaft.

Are there aiming techniques to use for the types of shots that I mentioned? With my predator, I feel like I can essentially aim at the ghost ball spot even on long shots with lots of side-spin. If I use that same technique with my TS shaft, the CB doesn't follow the same line and it will definitely contact the object ball in a different spot (or miss altogether).

I will say I have learned one thing about using my TS shaft; play the shot softer/easier and use less side english than I would have with my Predator. If I do this then I have a better chance of making the shot, AND I have observed that I can still retain a lot of the english on the CB after contact. This is one of the reasons I am so interested in learing to use this cue; it seems easier to retain english on the CB after contact, for the amount of effort that I put into the stroke. I guess that means I am imparting more english intially with seemingly less effort?

Comments?
 
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All you have to do is play with it. I wouldn't try to analyze it at all. If you use it long enough, you'll eventually get used to whatever shaft you're playing with.
 
Jimmy M. said:
All you have to do is play with it. I wouldn't try to analyze it at all. If you use it long enough, you'll eventually get used to whatever shaft you're playing with.
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That's how I would do it.
 
To help speed things up, I would play something like the spot shot from both sides of the headstring using both left and right english and figure out how much you have to compensate with the higher deflection shaft. Another technique would be to play several games using nothing but right english and/or left english until you get the feel for how much compensation is needed for different length shots.
 
SoCalRick said:
For me, I have problems (with non-predator shafts) on longer shots when I want to hit off-center of the vertical axis of the CB (e.g. put some kind of side-rotational spin on the CB). I can do shorter shots ok, and use pivot english (once I figured out where the pivot point is) to make shots with side-english...
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IMHO you'd be best off working with progressive drills. I gather that you have an idea of where the pivot point is, and you're fine with close shots, but you have trouble with long shots. Therefore you'll want to start with the easy shots and then progressively work your way to the long shots...increasing the difficulty a little at a time. You'll find the "in-between" point where you start to lose confidence. By using progressions you'll be able to slowly develop a feel for the shot, and it will be easier to gauge progress. With time you be able to successfully get a feel for it and stay in stroke.

I kinda had to do the opposite since I was so used to shooting with solid shafts, and was slowly teaching myself how to shoot with spliced shafts. I still shoot with solid shafts now...I just wanted to learn to become proficient with different cues. I worked with house cues as well. Finding the pivot point was easy but getting a good feel takes a little longer. :cool:
 
SoCalRick said:
Lets say you wanted to switch over from playing with a Predator 314-2 shaft to one that has a little more deflection (like say a Tim Scruggs custom shaft with 13mm tip).... Comments?
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As you discovered, the problem is with compensating for the different amount of squirt. (It's the stick that deflects and the ball that squirts. If the stick deflects easily, the ball doesn't squirt as much.)

While you could adjust to the stick with normal play, I think that will take a lot longer than if you work on your side spin shots specifically. If you need to play well in league next Wednesday, and you're committed to a shaft change now, try progressive practice (as was mentioned above). There are several drills specifically for side spin on the www.sfbilliards.com web site, but you may as well make your own, starting from shots you have trouble with.

For a description of the general idea of "progressive practice" see http://www.sfbilliards.com/basics.pdf
 
SoCalRick said:
Comments?
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IMO, we sometimes try to make "rocket science" out of a game that is 90% simple geometry and simple physics. Just get some "table time" in when you feel the need to change shafts.

Maniac
 
Bob Jewett said:
As you discovered, the problem is with compensating for the different amount of squirt. (It's the stick that deflects and the ball that squirts. If the stick deflects easily, the ball doesn't squirt as much.)
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Bob; you're right..., it dawned on me after I posted that I was talking about squirt and not deflection. I'm having problems with experiencing more squirt, using a shaft that actually deflects less than my Predator.

Thanks for the pointers...
 
Back to the basics with drills and you'll probably end up liking the Scruggs better.
 
Rick,

You could always just sell that new TS to me!!!!!

:D

I personally would just play as much as possible with it and you will get used to it.

Russ...
 
poolhustler said:
Rick,

You could always just sell that new TS to me!!!!!

:D

I personally would just play as much as possible with it and you will get used to it.

Russ...
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Lol, I think I've got a keeper on my hands :cool: , at least for a while...
I've been following the most common advice that has been given, which is just to play with it, and my progress is coming along fine. I'm definitely getting comfortable with this cue. I'll just keep at it... after all, there are worse ways that I could be spending my spare time :D
 
Glad you like the TS Rick!!

What model and year is the Bimmer in your avatar?? I assume its yours!!!

I just ordered a Red/Grey 328i. Should be here in about 6 weeks.

WHen you get a chance, send me some pics of your TS.

Later,

Russ.....
 
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