Inability to pull the trigger in stroke

[BmoreMoney]

Mkbtank,

You may have to go backwards for a bit as Ms. Crimi suggested.

You may have to play very mechanically at first in order to make a change.

I no longer take any pre shot strokes as I use to do. I set the tip near the cue ball & when I'm ready I take it back & make the stroke.

The ball will tell you if you have a good stroke or not.

If you can do whatever you want with the cue ball then your stroke is fine.

If not & it is limiting you then you may need to seriously consider a change.

Fran Crimi was a top ten playing pro before she became a Master Instructor. I'd listen to what she says as she has the experience of building her own stroke & playing style.

The mechanical part I mentioned may be taking a set number of pre shot strokes & hitting it at the end of that number. Something like, 1, 2, 3, & hit it on the 4th.

Just some food for thought.

Good Luck with it.

Best Wishes for You & Yours,
Rick

Here is the never ending dilemma English. I'm sure ms. Crimi has a fine, mechanical, as it's supposed to be stroke. But...... there are MANY MANY guys that have a" horrible " stroke by instructors definition that could consistantly beat her to death.... with that " horrible " stroke no? So how does one justify this one way or the other? I say whoever gets the cash is right. You say?

 

[Mkbtank]

True enough.
It could be nothing more than tension, though. Tension, especially in the forearms, can wreck a stroke in pool just like it can wreck a swing in golf. So, how do you get those forearms to relax. According to Lee Trevino, you smile.
When you smile (open your mouth) you will automatically release the tension that has built up in the neck, shoulders, and forearms. Works like magic. :smile:

Thanks. I like it. I will try it

Peter Rabbit from Philly? He taught me how to miss the right way. I'll always be grateful for that bit of gold he shared with me all those years ago. He also shared some other gems with me about competition, like letting your stroke out early and allowing yourself to miss to find your stroke. Otherwise you will start tight and get even tighter as the match goes on.



Now, back to your stroke ---- You're not convinced that you should change anything, which is why you're not changing it --- which is why your asking about it here.



Unorthodox sometimes works, but rarely. If your stroke limits you in any way, which I believe it does, then you should consider biting the bullet, risking going backwards, and making some changes.



If not, then you'll never know, and you'll always be asking in forums like this.

Truth is I began tinkering with my stroke this year after the derby. I'm always up for improvement. Right now I've stopped thinking about it and apparently, this is my most natural stroke (ew lol). I will say though I can make the cue do what it needs to as far as draw, follow, etc. . I do wish it was easier though. It feels tough.

 

[Mkbtank]

a long pause may not be a problem, most people dont pause long enough.



Zero backswing ? so you start out with the cue away from the CB and just push forward? ***Yep.

do you first address the CB with your tip close to the CB? if so, you must have some type of backswing.



As long as you make contact on CB where you want to, and get the follow through needed, and are staying "in line", I dont see that anything is "broke"......

A "pretty" stoke cannot give you more than that.....



"ugly" stroke gets you more action too

That is definitely true. That and I look like a pushover

Danny D. said about Allen Hopkins during a commentary: "you want to bet on him, but you don't want to watch it". Maybe you're in good company.

Dave

Perfect, Dave. My stroke has been compared to his more than anyone's over the years. You may remember from when we played at the Derby, but I don't think it was as bad then as it is right now.

What in the world does a "zero backswing" coupled with "the longest pause" look like?

It's agonizing. I would hate to play me. Not that I'm that great. It's just that ugly lol

 

[Mkbtank]

" Different strokes for different folks " is what they say . Lots and lots of people; myself included, have wierd, strange, " incorrect " strokes that do just fine. All that matters at the end of the day is did you get that chicken. It sounds like your freezer Is full of chicken so who cares how it got there. Carry on brother!

Thanks man!

I think we need a video.

Never. It might break the Internet

Mkbtank,

You may have to go backwards for a bit as Ms. Crimi suggested.

You may have to play very mechanically at first in order to make a change.

I no longer take any pre shot strokes as I use to do. I set the tip near the cue ball & when I'm ready I take it back & make the stroke.

The ball will tell you if you have a good stroke or not.

If you can do whatever you want with the cue ball then your stroke is fine.

If not & it is limiting you then you may need to seriously consider a change.

Fran Crimi was a top ten playing pro before she became a Master Instructor. I'd listen to what she says as she has the experience of building her own stroke & playing style.

The mechanical part I mentioned may be taking a set number of pre shot strokes & hitting it at the end of that number. Something like, 1, 2, 3, & hit it on the 4th.

Just some food for thought.

Good Luck with it.

Best Wishes for You & Yours,
Rick

Thank you Rick. Back at you.

Maybe the reason you keep getting played-and winning- is that poke stroke?



Perhaps it makes people underestimate you.

A million percent. I've been sneaking up on ppl for years. Even if I win, they look and can't believe it lol.

Take 1 week for a special project.



Devote 1 hour per day to shooting wing shots.



After the week, set a goal, maybe make 10 in a row,

shoot wing shots till you have hit your target to 'warm up'.



Dale(who often plays on a wing and a prayer)

That is a great idea. Only challenge is that I am always in action. I only get maybe 2-3 times a week to play for just a few hours each , so I don't practice at all really. I will force myself to try it next time I'm out though! Thanks

 

[Mkbtank]

I have a huge pause in my backstroke also. I picked it up unintentionally while watching another really good player play. I wouldn't worry about it if you can still hit your shots.



You ever see Charles Barkley's swing in golf? If your stroke is as bad as this then you need help. Watch this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvpwG50fLnU

This is my stroke. It's that ugly. Except that last part with the leg

 

[FranCrimi]

Here is the never ending dilemma English. I'm sure ms. Crimi has a fine, mechanical, as it's supposed to be stroke. But...... there are MANY MANY guys that have a" horrible " stroke by instructors definition that could consistantly beat her to death.... with that " horrible " stroke no? So how does one justify this one way or the other? I say whoever gets the cash is right. You say?

Oh c'mon. Is it chest-pounding time?

Before you provide your list of world-beaters with awful strokes, make sure you eliminate the drug-takers. They are cheaters.

 

[Mkbtank]

Oh c'mon. Is it chest-pounding time?



Before you provide your list of world-beaters with awful strokes, make sure you eliminate the drug-takers. They are cheaters.

I know you didn't mean me, but For the record... I am neither a world beater, not do I take drugs.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Here is the never ending dilemma English. I'm sure ms. Crimi has a fine, mechanical, as it's supposed to be stroke. But...... there are MANY MANY guys that have a" horrible " stroke by instructors definition that could consistantly beat her to death.... with that " horrible " stroke no? So how does one justify this one way or the other? I say whoever gets the cash is right. You say?

I don"t know if I agree with your assessment of Ms Crimi's ability...

But I do agree with your bottom line assessment.

However... is he playing at his top ability?

If he is asking questions here, then he is concerned about it & that has to affect him.

So... if he wants to make a change that HE thinks will be beneficial, then he should do so.

I totally understand the 'if ain't broke then don't fix it thing', but many times one can be driving a VW BUG that is not broken but with an engine change they are then driving a Porche like vehicle.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick

 

[Mkbtank]

I don"t know if I agree with your assessment of Ms Crimi's ability...

But I do agree with your bottom line assessment.

However... is he playing at his top ability?

If he is asking questions here, then he is concerned about it & that has to affect him.

So... if he wants to make a change that HE thinks will be beneficial, then he should do so.

I totally understand the 'if ain't broke then don't fix it thing', but many times one can be driving a VW BUG that is not broken but with an engine change they are then driving a Porche like vehicle.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick

Good point. I certainly don't think I have peaked and still want to improve. No question I still have room to get better and will continue to try to do so.

 

[EddieBme]

Danny D. said about Allen Hopkins during a commentary: "you want to bet on him, but you don't want to watch it". Maybe you're in good company.

Dave

Somebody ask Allen about his stroke, (or lack of) and his response: "what's a stroke got to do with anything".

 

[BRussell]

Here is the never ending dilemma English. I'm sure ms. Crimi has a fine, mechanical, as it's supposed to be stroke. But...... there are MANY MANY guys that have a" horrible " stroke by instructors definition that could consistantly beat her to death.... with that " horrible " stroke no? So how does one justify this one way or the other? I say whoever gets the cash is right. You say?

First, most top players have really solid, textbook-approved fundamentals, in my experience. At worst, they move their elbows up and down a bit.

But you're right that there are a few that have weird mechanics, like Hopkins. The question is, how well would Hopkins' stroke work for an amateur, who isn't playing 12 hours/day 7 days/week like Hopkins probably did, and probably doesn't have the natural ability that Hopkins has?

 

[GoldCrown]

For the record... I am neither a world beater, not do I take drugs.

You.... are someone people should know. You're a good guy that encourages good pool and good competition, You know how to win. You're a good sport. You do not have to explain yourself to anyone. You know you have my respect as a person and player. I admire your drive and desire to constantly get stronger. You have Tom's respect. He's in your corner. You're a solid guy tank.

 

[Mkbtank]

You.... are someone people should know. You're a good guy that encourages good pool and good competition, You know how to win. You're a good sport. You do not have to explain yourself to anyone. You know you have my respect as a person and player. I admire your drive and desire to constantly get stronger. You have Tom's respect. He's in your corner. You're a solid guy tank.

Thanks Frank's