Is this bad for my long term game?

softshot

softshot

Simplify
Silver Member
While I was on Hiatus, I discovered a little trick that really improved my game.

When I am down on a shot (I am a chin stroker) I "rotate" the shoulder of my shooting hand (not bridge hand.) I pull it up towards my ear then down towards the table.

It works.. it stabilizes my elbow and almost guarantees a straight level stroke. My game has jumped two balls overnight... no lie

Bottom line I am now hitting the cueball exactly where I intend to and getting the action I expect

Up from 6 out of 10 to 9 out of 10 times.

It helps me hit the cueball where I intend to more consistently. the problem is my elbow. when I shoot "normally" my elbow tends to wander towards my body and down. with this new method it strokes clean and I almost always hit the cueball exactly where I intend to for better or worse..

The problem... it's uncomfortable and I can't maintain it for more than 10-15 racks, without my shoulder getting sore.

Will I eventually get used to it and train my body to learn it and then it will become more comfortable?

or

Is this a bad habit to get into?

Can anyone tell me a better way to stabilize that elbow that doesn't put stress on my shoulder?
 
Last edited:
softshot said:
While I was on Hiatus, I discovered a little trick that really improved my game.

When I am down on a shot (I am a chin stroker) I "rotate" the shoulder of my shooting hand (not bridge hand.) I pull it up towards my ear then down towards the table.

It works.. it stabilizes my elbow and almost guarantees a straight level stroke. My game has jumped two balls overnight... no lie

Bottom line I am now hitting the cueball exactly where I intend to and getting the action I expect

Up from 6 out of 10 to 9 out of 10 times.

It helps me hit the cueball where I intend to more consistently. the problem is my elbow. when I shoot "normally" my elbow tends to wander towards my body and down. with this new method it strokes clean and I almost always hit the cueball exactly where I intend to for better or worse..

The problem... it's uncomfortable and I can't maintain it for more than 10-15 racks, without my shoulder getting sore.

Will I eventually get used to it and train my body to learn it and then it will become more comfortable?

or

Is this a bad habit to get into?

Can anyone tell me a better way to stabilize that elbow that doesn't put stress on my shoulder?
Click to expand...
Sounds like you are relaxing your shoulder by lifting and releasing it. If it doesn't hurt you I think it's fine. Maybe one of the real instructors here will have something to say about this later.
 
Do you do this before starting your practice strokes or during each stroke? Can't tell from your description.

If you do it while stroking, it sounds like a bad idea to me.

pj
chgo
 
softshot said:
While I was on Hiatus, I discovered a little trick that really improved my game.

When I am down on a shot (I am a chin stroker) I "rotate" the shoulder of my shooting hand (not bridge hand.) I pull it up towards my ear then down towards the table.

It works.. it stabilizes my elbow and almost guarantees a straight level stroke. My game has jumped two balls overnight... no lie

Bottom line I am now hitting the cueball exactly where I intend to and getting the action I expect

Up from 6 out of 10 to 9 out of 10 times.

It helps me hit the cueball where I intend to more consistently. the problem is my elbow. when I shoot "normally" my elbow tends to wander towards my body and down. with this new method it strokes clean and I almost always hit the cueball exactly where I intend to for better or worse..

The problem... it's uncomfortable and I can't maintain it for more than 10-15 racks, without my shoulder getting sore.

Will I eventually get used to it and train my body to learn it and then it will become more comfortable?

or

Is this a bad habit to get into?

Can anyone tell me a better way to stabilize that elbow that doesn't put stress on my shoulder?
Click to expand...

I'm sure somebody qualified could help you in person to achieve the same arm position and repeatable stroking motion without requiring any moves that put strain on your shoulder. Over the internet, it's unlikely anyone can give you any pointers that help. Sounds like you've found a way to put your shoulder in a position where your shooting arm is in good alignment with the shot. I'm sure by tweaking your body position elsewhere in some way, you can achieve the alignment without the shoulder discomfort. It's going to take an instructor who's there with you and understands the mechanics of a good stroke.

-Andrew
 
I am not sure I could get my body to go in that position...It must be a very square set up to the shot.

I acutally do something similar but opposite.....I have a tendancy to raise up during a shot. During practice I lightly touch my bridge arm shoulder to my cheeck...

I maintain that light contact throught the shot...(forces me to stay down)

My guess is that your set up process is doing something similar for you...It is forcing you to lock in to a set position through the shot..
 
softshot said:
While I was on Hiatus, I discovered a little trick that really improved my game.

When I am down on a shot (I am a chin stroker) I "rotate" the shoulder of my shooting hand (not bridge hand.) I pull it up towards my ear then down towards the table.

It works.. it stabilizes my elbow and almost guarantees a straight level stroke. My game has jumped two balls overnight... no lie

Bottom line I am now hitting the cueball exactly where I intend to and getting the action I expect

Up from 6 out of 10 to 9 out of 10 times.

It helps me hit the cueball where I intend to more consistently. the problem is my elbow. when I shoot "normally" my elbow tends to wander towards my body and down. with this new method it strokes clean and I almost always hit the cueball exactly where I intend to for better or worse..

The problem... it's uncomfortable and I can't maintain it for more than 10-15 racks, without my shoulder getting sore.

Will I eventually get used to it and train my body to learn it and then it will become more comfortable?

or

Is this a bad habit to get into?

Can anyone tell me a better way to stabilize that elbow that doesn't put stress on my shoulder?
Click to expand...

Seems you need to work on your storke a bit, find a good player or a teacher to watch you shoot. You may need to shoot with your "new" way till you are automatic with it. This is from personal experience, I was lining up all my shots at an off angle, then moving my tip at the last second to make the ball. A shooting partner noticed this, but it took a few years for the fix to settle in as a new routine to be 100% comfortable.
 
A golfer can swing a club head across an arc of about 24 feet, and hit a ball 1/3 the size of a cue ball within 1/4 inch of dead center of the club face moving in excess of 100 mph without any artifricial body moves like the one you are using.

IMHO, you have set up/mechanical issues that you are band aiding with your shoulder move and you should get hooked up with a top instructor.

Regards,
Jim
 
anything you do that doesnt lead to a repeatable stroke in my opinion is bad. If youre only ever going to play 10 or 15 racks at a time in your life i guess it would be ok.......but thats probably not the case. There has to be a more natural fix that will accomplish what you are doing now, figure it out or get a lesson with a pro to let them spot it for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top