Jawing the pocket problem

technoid101

technoid101

"fades in, fades out"
Opinions please, I have this shooting issue. Almost every time I miss a shot it will normally end up with the OB bouncing between the jaws of the pocket. It happens on cuts and straight in lines. I have asked friends and opponents alike to watch my stroke but the feedback I get is unreliable. I think I must have some sort of waggle where my forward stroke motion does not stay true to my aim line. I am using a pause between back and forward stroke. If I concentrate on the cue tip point of contact it looks correct but feels off and I don’t trust the results. I am a lefty so if I were looking at the butt of my cue the motion I think I have would be left to right. Practice with the CB to the long rail always comes back straight within a tip width. Is it more likely I have a problem with stroke mechanics or incorrect aim? Can you recommend a drill that will help me diagnose what is happening?
Thanks.
 
There's some drills on YouTube. Ones called the ultimate drill. Don't mind the name. Another is a circle drill and then there is one from a guy named Dean. Line up 5 balls and shoot into side pockets pretty much. All require English for proper cue ball placement to continue with the play.
 
technoid101 said:
Opinions please, I have this shooting issue. Almost every time I miss a shot it will normally end up with the OB bouncing between the jaws of the pocket. It happens on cuts and straight in lines. I have asked friends and opponents alike to watch my stroke but the feedback I get is unreliable. I think I must have some sort of waggle where my forward stroke motion does not stay true to my aim line. I am using a pause between back and forward stroke. If I concentrate on the cue tip point of contact it looks correct but feels off and I don’t trust the results. I am a lefty so if I were looking at the butt of my cue the motion I think I have would be left to right. Practice with the CB to the long rail always comes back straight within a tip width. Is it more likely I have a problem with stroke mechanics or incorrect aim? Can you recommend a drill that will help me diagnose what is happening?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Post a video of yourself shooting.
 
technoid101 said:
... Can you recommend a drill that will help me diagnose what is happening?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes. First mark the center of the pocket with a white donut (paper reinforcement). For this purpose the "center of the pocket" is described in this article: http://www.sfbilliards.com/articles/1997-04.pdf

Put a coin on the table about two diamonds from the pocket. (The angle from the pocket -- straight out, along the cushion, something in between -- is up to you.) Put the cue ball by the coin. Put an object ball half way between the cue ball and the pocket. You can put it so it's straight in or with a small angle.

Shoot the shot. Make sure you send the object ball over the white donut. Sliding into the side of the pocket is not good enough -- you need to be pretty much over the donut. When you do three good shots in a row, move the coin six inches back and start a new series.

Notice which side you favor. Use cuts to both the left and right. If there is a "bad side" spend more time on it.

When you get to a distance that you can't do three in a row even in 15 shots, take the coin back to the start and vary something. You can vary the angle, speed, spin, etc. Stay relatively consistent within each run.

Always, always, always strive to drive the object ball directly over the donut.
 
The table is probably one of the worst you can imagine. I belong to a very poor VFW. No funds to repair the gear. Dead rails, uneven pockets, worn to death cloth and the old style over sized QB on a 7.5 by 3.5 ft box. I repair the dozen or so old style Dufferin's as best I can. I have a decent cue, Its straight, light, and I keep my tip shaped. It's always been my belief that the gear doesn't make the difference, a good shooter learns to adapt and learn. Its the challenge in this game that repeats to me "the only opponent I have to beat, Is myself." I want to thank everyone for your insights. Happy holidays, Erik C. VFW 1946 Naugatuck CT.
 
The table is probably one of the worst you can imagine. I belong to a very poor VFW. No funds to repair the gear. Dead rails, uneven pockets, worn to death cloth and the old style over sized QB on a 7.5 by 3.5 ft box. I repair the dozen or so old style Dufferin's as best I can. I have a decent cue, Its straight, light, and I keep my tip shaped. It's always been my belief that the gear doesn't make the difference, a good shooter learns to adapt and learn. Its the challenge in this game that repeats to me "the only opponent I have to beat, Is myself." I want to thank everyone for your insights. Happy holidays, Erik C. VFW 1946 Naugatuck CT.
 
technoid101 said:
The table is probably one of the worst you can imagine. I belong to a very poor VFW. No funds to repair the gear. Dead rails, uneven pockets, worn to death cloth and the old style over sized QB on a 7.5 by 3.5 ft box. I repair the dozen or so old style Dufferin's as best I can. I have a decent cue, Its straight, light, and I keep my tip shaped. It's always been my belief that the gear doesn't make the difference, a good shooter learns to adapt and learn. Its the challenge in this game that repeats to me "the only opponent I have to beat, Is myself." I want to thank everyone for your insights. Happy holidays, Erik C. VFW 1946 Naugatuck CT.
Click to expand...

I would try a cue ball that is the correct size. The CB should have the same weight as
the other balls. Any right size CB will be closer than the oversized CB on the table now.

The oversize CB contacts the balls above their equator, changing the aim point slightly.
You could pocket the balls by just using another ball in the set. They are the same size.

I'm not an instructor but hope my suggestion helps.
 
Last edited:
For this suggestion to work, the table has to be open. Otherwise the normal size CB will go down with the OB's, instead of returning to the head end of the table. I agree it's tougher to play with an oversize CB.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Ralph Kramden said:
I would try a cue ball that is the correct size. The CB should have the same weight as
the other balls. Any right size CB will be closer than the oversized CB on the table now.

The oversize CB contacts the balls above their equator, changing the aim point slightly.
You could pocket the balls by just using another ball in the set. They are the same size.

I'm not an instructor but hope my suggestion helps.
Click to expand...
 
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