Maybe its a sign...

[snipershot]

I have noticed lately, that I am having lots of trouble getting shape. I was told that I was over-stroking th CB. I just got back into playing pool a few months back, after a ten year lay-off, and I have played every single day for the last 2 months, and I think I know why Im having trouble with shape: my stroke IS getting better. Looking back, whenever I used to have to hit a hard draw/follow, I would really hit it hard, and it seemed like it was so difficult. I have practiced a whole lot, working on my follow through, rythm, grip, stance, etc, and I can tell that my stroke has gotten a lot better. So does my theory make sense that my stroke is getting better and thats the reason my shape is getting worse? lol. I need to really focus and practice even more to account for the action I am getting from my new and improved stroke. So I am wondering, would a harder tip be more practical for me now? Im using a Wizard tip, and a Dudley. Hmmmmm.........

 

[Carl]

Can't think of any reason a good stroke would make position worse. Should make it better.

I do think there's a temptation as we improve to juice the ball more than is necessary, which can produce needless and unexpected action. Feels great to spin whitey around the table, but do you really need to? And remember Mosconi's remark: There are two speeds -- slow, and slower.

Try some of the position drills like the one Jim Rempe does on one of his videos. Spread the balls out so that there's plenty of space between each, with none close to the rails. Start with ball in hand and sink the balls in any order without touching another ball or a rail. Lots of other position drills out there that can help you develop that feel. Hell, I might even do some one of these days.

Keep rolling 'em.

 

[snipershot]

I guess my point was, now im hitting the shot with the same amount of power, and what I believe to be the same amount of english, but because my stroke is improving, instead of drawing the ball 6 inches, its goin 2 feet. I feel pretty confident that with some more practice, and some adjusting to my stroke, I should see some significant improvement in my game. I was just curious if anyone else had the same experience or and opinions on the matter. thanks carl, I will use that drill for a practice session in a couple days.

 

[Cameron Smith]

Perhaps, if you are always used to hitting the ball hard and haven't made any adjustments as you improved. But I would think that since any improvements would be gradual, you would adjust more or less unconciously.

Try the drill that Carl mentioned, that will teach you to roll the ball rather than pop it in. Remember, you don't need to hit the ball very hard especially on cut shots.

 

[randyg]

If you have been focusing on your stroke, every thing else will take as back seat. Sounds normal to me.

" You can't think and hit at the same time"...Yogi

 

[ShootingArts]

something to try

Try moving your grip hand forward a few inches, maybe less. May not be the problem but a grip hand a little too far back makes it very hard to hit the ball gently.

Hu

I have noticed lately, that I am having lots of trouble getting shape. I was told that I was over-stroking th CB. I just got back into playing pool a few months back, after a ten year lay-off, and I have played every single day for the last 2 months, and I think I know why Im having trouble with shape: my stroke IS getting better. Looking back, whenever I used to have to hit a hard draw/follow, I would really hit it hard, and it seemed like it was so difficult. I have practiced a whole lot, working on my follow through, rythm, grip, stance, etc, and I can tell that my stroke has gotten a lot better. So does my theory make sense that my stroke is getting better and thats the reason my shape is getting worse? lol. I need to really focus and practice even more to account for the action I am getting from my new and improved stroke. So I am wondering, would a harder tip be more practical for me now? Im using a Wizard tip, and a Dudley. Hmmmmm.........

 

[3andstop]

I can absolutely agree with your conclusion, especially if you feel that that is what is causing it.

If I may suggest, now that you are smoother, and follow through more, there is something I've noticed players do in the past while remembering to use that smooth stroke.

Avoid trying to make your speed control take over your position while always inadvertently applying a tad of follow on the CB.

You can still smoothly follow through on your stroke and trust the center ball and slight draw to take you down the tangent lines. Even with your new follow through.

I mention this because I've seen players become afraid of trusting the angles to take them to the next shot with firm follow through, and rather try to baby the CB with the follow through instead.

I'm not saying to pound the shots, just remember to trust the physics of the game. That will help prevent putting that "dog stroke" on the shot. JMHO.

 

[CreeDo]

Well, the only thing the cue ball knows is where you place the tip and how much force you put on it. It doesn't know about your stroke or if you follow through. So if you're using the same force but you draw further, you must be hitting lower.

It could be that as you get better, you're hitting the cue ball more accurately and hitting that 'sweet spot' for draw more consistently. For draw especially, a lot of players start out aiming at a nice low place on the cue ball, but due to a flaw in their mechanics they jump up a little and hit higher than intended. Maybe you had that problem before and now you've got it beat.

I'll just say that if you can truly hit the same spot on whitey every time, you're definitely improving.

A simple way to test this in 5 minutes: get a stripe, use it as your cue ball, and hit some other ball (you don't even have to pocket the other ball) set it up so that the stripe's number is facing you, chalk up a lot, and then hit about 10 draw shots. After each shot pick it up and look to see where the chalk mark is. It should be near the edge of the number's circle. If you get the same results every time, or like 7/10 times, then maybe you did improve. If the results are different each time then maybe you have a different issue.

 

[snipershot]

Well, the only thing the cue ball knows is where you place the tip and how much force you put on it. It doesn't know about your stroke or if you follow through. So if you're using the same force but you draw further, you must be hitting lower.

It could be that as you get better, you're hitting the cue ball more accurately and hitting that 'sweet spot' for draw more consistently. For draw especially, a lot of players start out aiming at a nice low place on the cue ball, but due to a flaw in their mechanics they jump up a little and hit higher than intended. Maybe you had that problem before and now you've got it beat.

I'll just say that if you can truly hit the same spot on whitey every time, you're definitely improving.

A simple way to test this in 5 minutes: get a stripe, use it as your cue ball, and hit some other ball (you don't even have to pocket the other ball) set it up so that the stripe's number is facing you, chalk up a lot, and then hit about 10 draw shots. After each shot pick it up and look to see where the chalk mark is. It should be near the edge of the number's circle. If you get the same results every time, or like 7/10 times, then maybe you did improve. If the results are different each time then maybe you have a different issue.

good idea, im gonna do that test! I might be able to do it tonight, thanks for all the ideas guys and gals.

 

[ykndoit]

I think your confidence has alot to do with it. If your confidence is high on making a shot, most likely you will hit the shot harder/firmer. Sounds like you are more confident on shot making, so I'd suggest now work on speed control.