John Schmidt

M

mnShooter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was watching a video of John Schmidt the other. He plays weird.

I noticed that he has very quick practice strokes. I think they're actually the same speed he hits the ball. Does anybody else around actually practice stroke the same speed as the shot. I've never really thought of doing this. I've always thought that a slow smooth backstroke was better. What do you think?
 
I do

I never noticed it until a friend of mine told me that I have no pause in my stroke. He was watching and was surprised when I made contact with the cue ball. He thought I was still on my practice stroke.

Since than I've nocticed when I'm shooting my best I have no pause in my stroke.

If the shot takes a slow stoke, I stroke the cue slow and when it feels smooth, than I follow through.
 
mnShooter said:
I was watching a video of John Schmidt the other. He plays weird.

I noticed that he has very quick practice strokes. I think they're actually the same speed he hits the ball. Does anybody else around actually practice stroke the same speed as the shot. I've never really thought of doing this. I've always thought that a slow smooth backstroke was better. What do you think?
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As long as you can send the cueball to where you are aiming it doesn't matter. A slow smooth backstroke is good advice for anyone learning the game, but some players that already play good with seemingly bad mechanics can't change that or else it will hurt their game, or at least put them in a slump for a long time. I don't like John Schmidt's stroke rythm either, but he sure does shoot straight, and that's really all that matters.
 
I don't think there is any "one" correct way to play. I think it's as personal as your taste in clothing. Whatever feels good to you is just fine. Thats why we get to watch GREAT matches with players who have way different styles, like Efren, and Archer for instance. I think it would be very boring to watch every player with the same style.....Gerry
 
I've heard it being referred to as a "chop stroke". I'm not particularly fond of it, buy John can sure play. At least he is consistant...he does this all the time. I wonder sometimes if the short, fast strokes that he takes help keep his stroke straight? Or....does it help him accelerate throught the cue ball better?....

Whatever the case...it does not work for me. I also can't play like Buddy Hall, who's stroke I do admire. I can't seem to get the action I need playing with that "slow, controlled stroke".

Oh well, as they say..."different strokes for different folks".

Regards,

Doug
 
Schmidt and Charlie Williams both have those quick, almost jerky warm up strokes. It's strange for me to watch, but I can't knock their results, that's for sure.
 
Gerry said:
I don't think there is any "one" correct way to play. I think it's as personal as your taste in clothing. Whatever feels good to you is just fine. Thats why we get to watch GREAT matches with players who have way different styles, like Efren, and Archer for instance. I think it would be very boring to watch every player with the same style.....Gerry
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It's just like in any sport, there are no correct ways to play for the top level players, because they are top level players. but for the majority, if you don't go with standard mechanics until you get past the point that you need them your game will stagnate at a certain point and you will never get any better than that. Plus you will have to get rid of bad habits if you want to ever get better. There is no reason that anyone shouldn't get better for as long as they play until either their eyesight starts to fail them or they bodies start to give out.

Anything else is just either a feeling that they already understand and know all there is to know or they have bad habits that prevent them from getting better.
 
I have watched many players over the years, but two that stick in my mind are Dan Louie and Alan Hopkins. Dan takes about 30 quick warm up strokes on every shot, which can get really nerve-racking for his opponents. Alan Hopkins has a little jerky stroke that will throw your game off if you watch him too much.
 
BillYards said:
I have watched many players over the years, but two that stick in my mind are Dan Louie and Alan Hopkins. Dan takes about 30 quick warm up strokes on every shot, which can get really nerve-racking for his opponents. Alan Hopkins has a little jerky stroke that will throw your game off if you watch him too much.
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BillYards,

Gotta bring back the old avatar man.

Or just send me her #, ha.
 
Here you go. Her name is Caprice... search for her on the web and you can get tons of photos of her. She was also on "The Surreal Life" last season.
 
BillYards said:
Here you go. Her name is Caprice... search for her on the web and you can get tons of photos of her. She was also on "The Surreal Life" last season.
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Thanks Sr. Yards, you're truly a man of the people.

"Yards for Guv'na!"
 
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