I think this is one of the most underrated aspects to how well one can stroke the cueball. It's pretty amazing, for the longest time I had adapted an off-balance stance, and was shooting bad, but thought all along it was my stroke. Well, it was my stroke, but what was causing my stroke to be crooked was my balance. I made a minor adjustment in my stance, and suddenly I am comfortable and stroking straight. I focused a long time on the grip, alignment, etc., but have found that that has all come natural to me again when I am comfortable, rock solid, and balanced. Today was the first time I ran a rack of 15-ball rotation with ball in hand on the one for about 6 months.
Importance of Balance
- Thread starter LastTwo
- Start date
Balance is very important but there are different theories on what actually is the correct balance and where the weight should be and in what percentages. It also really depends in shot for shot, as a short player if I am reaching for a shot my weight is going to be more forward more likely due to laying on the table to a degree where as if I am shooting off the rail I am likely putting a larger percentage of weight on my feet and less on the bridge hand which would be my only other point of weight on such a shot.
W
wolfyap
Guest
Rickw said:Pool players got to be balanced? Oh I'm really screwed now!!
haha
wolfyap
Rickw said:Pool players got to be balanced? Oh I'm really screwed now!!
Not to worry that is a reference to physically balanced, not mentally.
LastTwo said:
Balance, grip, stance, bridge, stroke, etc., are all very closely inter-related. Change one, and it can alter any or all of the other things.
On an interesting note, I discovered long ago, that of the five senses, the one most affected after eating is, believe it or not, your hearing (has to do with blood flow through the head). Since hearing and balance are both ear-related functions, it follows that balance is also affected after eating. For this reason, I never eat within two hours of a match, and never during a match. I don't know if it's psychological since I have that balance/eating thing in my head, but I never play well if I eat while playing or shortly before playing.
-djb
Recently I stepped on a sewing needle my lady had dropped on the ground and it pierced into the ball of my foot about a half an inch. I couldnt put the weight on it for a couple of days. I then realized balance was so important. I just kept missing and getting out of line.
Martial arts teaches us that the power and accuracy of a punch does not come from the arm but the base of the body. Balance training is emphasized. Its why some have a weak break. No I didnt punch her for being careless but i did whack those balls hard.
Martial arts teaches us that the power and accuracy of a punch does not come from the arm but the base of the body. Balance training is emphasized. Its why some have a weak break. No I didnt punch her for being careless but i did whack those balls hard.