"Lock and load" the shoulder to control movement?

[VTEC John]

Can't recall where I heard this and it even may have been something Dr. Dave mentioned. If I understood correctly, it was about cocking the right shoulder up and back into a stable, kind of locked position. The benefit being that it easy to keep it there and keep the shoulder out of your stroke. That's a problem I can't seem to cure despite long effort. Does anyone out there use this lock and load idea? Thanks.

 

[MattPoland]

It’s funny because I would typically say you want to be comfortable and stable while carrying zero unnecessary tension in the stroke. And I’d say that includes the shoulder.

But I have had experiences where I’m sure I missed due to shoulder drop. And in some cases I experimented with correcting that with some intensional shoulder tension to lock it up. And I’d play like that for the rest of the session and it seemed to help.

Then I’d usually finish, go home, get sleep, and forget all about it. It’s not something I’ve internalized into my game consistently. But the idea does keep popping up on me. So I’m a bit piqued to see this thread.

 

[lfigueroa]

Can't recall where I heard this and it even may have been something Dr. Dave mentioned. If I understood correctly, it was about cocking the right shoulder up and back into a stable, kind of locked position. The benefit being that it easy to keep it there and keep the shoulder out of your stroke. That's a problem I can't seem to cure despite long effort. Does anyone out there use this lock and load idea? Thanks.

My personal opinion is that no one thing like this can work in isolation of all the other parts and movements that play essential roles in the construct of a pool stroke.

Lou Figueroa

 

[SmoothStroke]

Can't recall where I heard this and it even may have been something Dr. Dave mentioned. If I understood correctly, it was about cocking the right shoulder up and back into a stable, kind of locked position. The benefit being that it easy to keep it there and keep the shoulder out of your stroke. That's a problem I can't seem to cure despite long effort. Does anyone out there use this lock and load idea? Thanks.

To hinge or not to hinge.
Lock the shoulder, lock the chin.
It’s like waterskiing, once you get up you know how to get up forever.
When you know how to do it you know how to do it.

It’s not forced, it’s not a parking brake, it’s not strained or pressure. It’s not as mechanical as some think.
If you can keep your head and body still and send the cue ball with your eyes it’s a plus.

Is it necessary? I don’t know.
Is it a thing? Definitely, for sure,

 

[maha]

its all about doing the stroke no matter how screwed up it looks like as long as it is straight and you can repeat it automatically during stress.

anything un natural for you will ultimately hold you back from improving.