Improvement in shooting opposite-handed

bdorman

Dead money
Silver Member
I'm sure this will be "Well, Duh!" for many of you, but a minor change in my opposite-handed shooting has resulted in significant improvement:

I force myself to go through my full pre-shot routine, but as a mirror image. In the past it seems like to shoot lefthanded I'd be "over" the shot and just quickly switch the cue to my left hand. So my foot is probably in the wrong place, my acquisition of the shot line (and resulting bridge placement) is haphazard, and the whole thing is rushed.

It began the other day when I needed to make a left-handed shot. For no particular reason, I went through my full pre-shot routine. What a difference! I made the shot and got exactly the shape I wanted. I needed to do it three more times during the match and each time was successful.

Opposite-handed shots are usually pretty short and "easy"...so it's easy to get lazy and not give it the attention it deserves.

As I said earlier, probably old hat for most of you. But if anyone is struggling opposite-handed...make sure you're using your full pre-shot routine.
 
never thought about it but youre right, all my careful preshot stuff went right out the window the few times i tried to make a left handed shot, too focused on how weird it felt and how i couldnt make a bridge lol. Ill try that next practice night thanks!
 
One thing that makes you more comfortable shooting left handed (if your a right handed player) is when practicing shoot every other shot left handed. After a while you will become more comfortable. You still must have a good shot routine, include it when playing left handed.

Have fun :wink:

John
 
Proper stance and PSR is vital, but after that, what is really needed is practice. I suspect that a lot of people might feel self-conscious playing left-handed, so they shy away from it.

There was a cheap table at the place where I used to work, and we would play cutthroat in the evenings. I handicapped the game by playing opposite-hand, and got to where I could play pretty well that way. Sure comes in handy now.

My left-handed stroke doesn't compare to my right in power or absolute accuracy, but in a way it's a lot more well-behaved, since "it" didn't have to unlearn a bunch of bad habits.

Ken
 
Proper stance and PSR is vital, but after that, what is really needed is practice. I suspect that a lot of people might feel self-conscious playing left-handed, so they shy away from it.

There was a cheap table at the place where I used to work, and we would play cutthroat in the evenings. I handicapped the game by playing opposite-hand, and got to where I could play pretty well that way. Sure comes in handy now.

My left-handed stroke doesn't compare to my right in power or absolute accuracy, but in a way it's a lot more well-behaved, since "it" didn't have to unlearn a bunch of bad habits.

Ken

I hear ya on that one. :D

John
 
Post

Someone please post or send me the link to ronnie o'sullivan switching up every shot from left to right hand in snooker completion.
Please and thank you, my search engine is outa fuel..


Rob.M
 
The dominant eye stays the same exact position both ways..

I'm sure this will be "Well, Duh!" for many of you, but a minor change in my opposite-handed shooting has resulted in significant improvement:

I force myself to go through my full pre-shot routine, but as a mirror image. In the past it seems like to shoot lefthanded I'd be "over" the shot and just quickly switch the cue to my left hand. So my foot is probably in the wrong place, my acquisition of the shot line (and resulting bridge placement) is haphazard, and the whole thing is rushed.

It began the other day when I needed to make a left-handed shot. For no particular reason, I went through my full pre-shot routine. What a difference! I made the shot and got exactly the shape I wanted. I needed to do it three more times during the match and each time was successful.

Opposite-handed shots are usually pretty short and "easy"...so it's easy to get lazy and not give it the attention it deserves.

As I said earlier, probably old hat for most of you. But if anyone is struggling opposite-handed...make sure you're using your full pre-shot routine.

The head and eye position needs to be exactly the same whether you are shooting right handed or left handed.

One of the best players in the 70's and 80's , John Shuppit called me for a lesson because he had to switch to playing left handed because of some muscle disease.

Once he learned what you accidently figured out, he really started playing much better.

If your right handed and right eye dominant that makes you cross eye dominant when you shoot left handed.

By doing what you do your doing what i teach to everyone.

Almost all players have trouble getting the dominant eye in the most dominant position shooting with either eye.

Good Job on figuring that out. Pretty cool......

Now to get to that Perfect position for both hand is a different story but your getting pretty close.............
 
The head and eye position needs to be exactly the same whether you are shooting right handed or left handed.

One of the best players in the 70's and 80's , John Shuppit called me for a lesson because he had to switch to playing left handed because of some muscle disease.

Once he learned what you accidently figured out, he really started playing much better.

If your right handed and right eye dominant that makes you cross eye dominant when you shoot left handed.

By doing what you do your doing what i teach to everyone.

Almost all players have trouble getting the dominant eye in the most dominant position shooting with either eye.

Good Job on figuring that out. Pretty cool......

Now to get to that Perfect position for both hand is a different story but your getting pretty close.............

I'm right handed and right eye dominant. I don't pay much attention to anything when I have to shoot a shot lefty except trying not to dog it. :D

The other night I leaned out over the table left handed for a thin cut on a ball down on the short rail to the left. I looked hard at it and noticed it looked better than when I would shoot it righty. Clear as I've ever seen a shot, so I fired it in.

I'll have to make a note of my eye/head position when I shoot shots left handed to the left and duplicate it for my right side.

Best,
Mike
 
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