I started playing pool seriously 1 year ago, and have spent that entire time building a fundamentally correct stroke that I feel comfortable with (still working on it). Before and during that time, I needed to put my tip far from the center to get all the spin that I wanted, and I didn't care about exact cue tip placement. Now that my stroke is so much better, I get a crap load of spin if I'm just half a tip off center. I'm having real difficulty getting the tip to hit exactly where I want, especially on center ball hits. Are there any drills to help me with this? Once I get that and speed control down, I should be ready to rock and roll. Thanks, Gil
I can't hit the ball exactly center? Any drills?
- Thread starter ggg308
- Start date
ggg308 said:
shoot STRAIGHT IN stop shots where the object ball is a couple feet from the pocket, and the cue ball is a couple feet from the object ball.
keep shooting them for hours and hours and hours.............without a straight stroke and hitting the cue ball where you intend, you can't stop the ball on a dime like you're supposed to.
just keep shooting those shots, over and over and over...........it will get annoying, but it will improve your stroke and accuracy.
thanks
VAP
vapoolplayer said:
That's a good way to do it, with time add Bert Kinister's "most important shot in pool"...
Set up the object ball on the #2 diamond, about 1/2 inch from the long rail. Set up the cue ball at the #6 diamond, a few inches off the long rail. You're setting up a long straight in shot, with the pocket size reduced because of the tightness of the angle. Shoot the object ball into the corner pocket. You want to shoot it with a pure center ball stroke. Not a stop shot, this shot should be a pure center ball shot. You want the cue ball to REPLACE the object ball, that is, it will hit the object ball, pot the object ball, and the cue ball will roll forward just enough to replace the object balls initial location.
If you shoot this shot with ANY english whatsoever, either the object ball won't pot, or the cue ball will roll off the straight in line.
Kinister says to shoot this shot 100 times every other day... It will build a stroke... no doubt about it, and you'll come to know exactly where the center ball is on the cue ball, and the object ball too....
Flex
Flex said:
i can't tell you how many times that shot will get you out of trouble.
VAP
vapoolplayer said:
That shot is an awesome shot... I has become my FAVORITE shot...
The hit that this shot produces, the feel of the hit, the sound of the ball pocketing firmly, makes you want to go out and wipe out the competition...
And when the object ball smacks down in the pocket, and your opponent sees your exhilaration, and you get up all pumped up ready to win, and you give a "huaaaaaaa" for all to hear, his confidence will take a blow.... For that shot is not for the faint of heart, for if it's not hit just right the object ball will fly around... but hit right, you'll get energy from who knows where...
Practice that shot over and over before a match, and hear people tell you not to show your speed...........
Flex
daytonajoe
Deceased
solution ....
Check out Joe Tucker's Third Eye,
For about $20 it will take the above drill and have you hitting center ball in about 10 minutes, repeat daily and it will fit in your case for a quick tune uo.
Reviews have been posted here on AZ by Hal and myself
Joe
Check out Joe Tucker's Third Eye,
For about $20 it will take the above drill and have you hitting center ball in about 10 minutes, repeat daily and it will fit in your case for a quick tune uo.
Reviews have been posted here on AZ by Hal and myself
Joe
Set up the cueball on the foot spot. Shoot it straight into the head rail cushion at medium speed. When you stroke the shot leave your cue out....that is, just stroke and freeze and let the cue stay at the end of your stroke. If you have a straight stroke and hit the cueball dead center, the cueball will come back and hit your cue tip. When you can do this 100 times out of 100 you have a straight stroke and you are hitting a dead center cueball. If you have any spin on the ball at all it will not come back to your cue tip. Also, if you use one of the striped balls instead of the cueball, you can see any spin on the ball.
Center Hit
Three drills I learned from Randy Goettlicher at the CUE-TECH Pool School:
1) Place 2 object balls 2.75 to 3.0 inches apart about 1 diamond away from cushion. Initially place the cue ball 1 diamond away and hit the cue ball center ball between the two object balls. The cue ball should go straight through and rebound off the rail straight back to the cue. When you manage at 1 diamond move back to 2 diamonds and so on.
2) Freeze object ball on the rail. Line up cue ball straight to the object ball at 1-2 diamonds away. Using a draw stroke, hit the object ball and the cue ball should come right back to the tip of the cue if you are straight along the center line.
3) Place object ball within 2-3 inches of the side pocket. For a cue ball use a high numbered striped ball (10 through 15). Set the striped cue ball so the number is straight up initially at 1 diamond away. Using a stop shot hit the object ball and the number should not roll in any direction if you hit it with a perfect stop shot (it should slide along). A roll to either side is an off center hit.
These are great in addition to the one already mentioned about using a striped ball to the opposite rail (where the stripe is straight up and down) and watch if the stripe goes down and back straight up and down. If there is an off center hit or if the cue does not go through the cue ball straight through, you will induce a spin.
Have fun!
Three drills I learned from Randy Goettlicher at the CUE-TECH Pool School:
1) Place 2 object balls 2.75 to 3.0 inches apart about 1 diamond away from cushion. Initially place the cue ball 1 diamond away and hit the cue ball center ball between the two object balls. The cue ball should go straight through and rebound off the rail straight back to the cue. When you manage at 1 diamond move back to 2 diamonds and so on.
2) Freeze object ball on the rail. Line up cue ball straight to the object ball at 1-2 diamonds away. Using a draw stroke, hit the object ball and the cue ball should come right back to the tip of the cue if you are straight along the center line.
3) Place object ball within 2-3 inches of the side pocket. For a cue ball use a high numbered striped ball (10 through 15). Set the striped cue ball so the number is straight up initially at 1 diamond away. Using a stop shot hit the object ball and the number should not roll in any direction if you hit it with a perfect stop shot (it should slide along). A roll to either side is an off center hit.
These are great in addition to the one already mentioned about using a striped ball to the opposite rail (where the stripe is straight up and down) and watch if the stripe goes down and back straight up and down. If there is an off center hit or if the cue does not go through the cue ball straight through, you will induce a spin.
Have fun!
Flex said:
Since I have bought this tape 2 years ago I always start my practice and warm up this shot. It combines everything you need. It develops stroke, speed of stroke, aim, and will also give you the feel for the speed of the table and ball liveliness. You will find that part of the problem is the fact that you are not seeing the true center height of the cue ball. I took a plastic combination square that has a base on it and lined it up against the cueball. Put a piece of tape on it and put a line where the vertical edge hit the cueball. I then placed this along side the cueball to show where the true vertical center was. After a few shots I could judge without it.
At first it appears to be easy but you will find that it is very difficult to hit both balls center to center if anything is off. If you cannot hit both balls center to center how do you expect to hit the object ball where you want on a cut shot? After you start to hit where you are aiming you will see that it is harder to get the cueball to replace the object ball than to do a stop shot. When doing this I will alternate ends of the table. I will place a object ball where the cueball was before walking to the other end. This will reduce the amount of walking and have you shooting with the rail on both your left and right sides. Take this shot and set it up. Ask the best player you know to try it. Chances are he will not be able to do it. It will take him a more shots than you would think for him to get the cueball to replace the object ball.
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stephen_joyce
Registered
This is how i did it
When i started to play pool, i was instantly hooked but as all beginners are, i was pretty crap, also i was broke no job you see, i saw Steve Davis the snooker player on TV speaking about how his father made sure he had a good straight stroke with a straight follow through.
The way he described was to lay an empty bottle on the table and shoot the cue tip into it without touching the sides. Start slow and then speed up. Vary the hieght of your cue bridge.
At the time i did not even own a cue and had no table, i use to put a bottle on the kitchen table and use a bamboo stick for the cue. I would have been a funny sight had i ever been spotted but it really worked, honest.
That was over 20 years ago now and i know have a very good straight shot, to this day i attribute it to the bamboo and the bottle with which i spent hours and hours doing.
sad but true.
Regards
Stephen Joyce
When i started to play pool, i was instantly hooked but as all beginners are, i was pretty crap, also i was broke no job you see, i saw Steve Davis the snooker player on TV speaking about how his father made sure he had a good straight stroke with a straight follow through.
The way he described was to lay an empty bottle on the table and shoot the cue tip into it without touching the sides. Start slow and then speed up. Vary the hieght of your cue bridge.
At the time i did not even own a cue and had no table, i use to put a bottle on the kitchen table and use a bamboo stick for the cue. I would have been a funny sight had i ever been spotted but it really worked, honest.
That was over 20 years ago now and i know have a very good straight shot, to this day i attribute it to the bamboo and the bottle with which i spent hours and hours doing.
sad but true.
Regards
Stephen Joyce
stephen_joyce said:
Just posted this tip and didn't even see you had it posted already, so had to delete. But a very good tip to train your stroke, doing this with your eyes closed and not touch the rim of the bottle you should have no problem hitting that baby where you intend too. Cole.
drivermaker
Banned
TheConArtist said:
I would have to think that practicing this drill with your eyes closed will also come in handy for the SS vs. Ivory joint test when your eyes are blindfolded.
(BTW...this test will be coming to a pool room near YOU...time and dates to be announced)
Snapshot9 said:
This is the best advice you've ever posted, keep up the good work
I like the 'lag' drill mentioned by Gerald. It provides excellent feedback on any unintended siding (although nothing for unintended top/bottom, use the stop shot drills for that). My tendancy is to let my head drift a bit and when I see centerball it is actually a 1/4 tip of right siding. Doing the lag drill regularly helps me keep it under control. If you are applying siding accidentally check your head alignment, it's easy to get a little parallax error. When I'm really having problems I start the tip down on the cloth behind where the CB rests, that must be the exact center for any alignment, so just make sure you get exactly behind the shot.
Good luck, and have fun.
Dave
The standard shot that snooker players have advocated to for centre ball striking is this:
Place the cue ball on the head spot and hit the cue ball firmly in a straight line over the foot spot. Practice until you can make it come back over the head spot. If there is any side english imparted the cue ball will deflect from the rail off line.
Place the cue ball on the head spot and hit the cue ball firmly in a straight line over the foot spot. Practice until you can make it come back over the head spot. If there is any side english imparted the cue ball will deflect from the rail off line.
i had the same problem for awhile. it ment for me that there was a flaw in the stroke. i would say set up a video camara or mirror to watch yourself and see if you can notice any flawsggg308 said: