My own practice videos, inspired by PlynSets

StevenPWaldon

StevenPWaldon

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Took a couple videos at practice today. If anyone recognizes the place, it's Broadway Billiards in Manhattan.

Thankfully I was in decent stroke so I'm not going to totally embarrass myself by posting these. I wish I'd hit them this decent when I met up with sjm, but there's always next time.

Open to critique. Just promise not to laugh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=velU027smQA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOSPnbCgyUE
 
Nothing to laugh at all really.

In the first video you recovered nicely with that bank shot and got back on track. The part of the second video that REALLY impressed me was the speed control you showed with your draw to get back to the nine ball. That was awesome!!!!!
 
Nothing to laugh about in those videos. You are a good player. Nice smooth draw on the 8 in the last video.

My only critique, such as it is, is that you bridge seems pretty long. As a consequence of course you have to hold the cue at the very end of the butt. I know other good players that play in a similar fashion, but fundamentally speaking, you might find a shorter bridge and corresponding forward grip more accurate??

my 2 cents....

Regards,

Doug
 
Thanks. My draw gets me out of a lot of trouble; it's probably the strongest stroke I do.

I just shouldn't have gotten so poorly on the 8! I knew I could get back to the 9, but I had such a small margin of error since I was drawing to the 'wrong' side. I got a little lucky that I didn't end up frozen on it.

shooter777 said:
Nothing to laugh at all really.

In the first video you recovered nicely with that bank shot and got back on track. The part of the second video that REALLY impressed me was the speed control you showed with your draw to get back to the nine ball. That was awesome!!!!!
Click to expand...
 
YOu wouldn't be the first to point that out. My bridge is typically in the 12 - 16" range depending on the shot.

And yeah, it makes me hold the butt end of my cue (also my stroke and stance contribute to this... very open). Believe it or not, I'm only 5'6" (5'7" with my good shoes), so I can definitely see how taller people go for longer cues (59"+).

Salamander said:
Nothing to laugh about in those videos. You are a good player. Nice smooth draw on the 8 in the last video.

My only critique, such as it is, is that you bridge seems pretty long. As a consequence of course you have to hold the cue at the very end of the butt. I know other good players that play in a similar fashion, but fundamentally speaking, you might find a shorter bridge and corresponding forward grip more accurate??

my 2 cents....

Regards,

Doug
Click to expand...
 
StevenPWaldon said:
YOu wouldn't be the first to point that out. My bridge is typically in the 12 - 16" range depending on the shot.

And yeah, it makes me hold the butt end of my cue (also my stroke and stance contribute to this... very open). Believe it or not, I'm only 5'6" (5'7" with my good shoes), so I can definitely see how taller people go for longer cues (59"+).
Click to expand...


I only mention it because, as you know, the longer bridge can lead to a drop in accuracy, particularly if the pivot point of your cue is not in sink with the bridge length. Straight pool helps keep my bridge length fairly short. I too, tend to lengthen out, particularly when I am in stroke and free wheeling.

Regards,

Doug
 
I think I need the 8. ;)

Definately good videos!! Not too shabby for Practice either! Did the camera make you nervous at all? The first couple games it didn't mess with me, but after that it was pretty much all I could think about. Everytime I rattled a ball I was like "Great.. well that's on tape now. :D"

DJ
 
Eh. Yes and no.

At the same time that I was self conscious about the camera, it also made me bear down a little more than I would during regular practice. I tend to play pretty lose at practice, and sometimes that kills me because it doesn't end up being very effective.

Typically the best practice for me is a serious (play) set. Either with a better player, or just with a little bit of money on the line to make it more than just hitting balls around ($10, $20 sets).

The camera sort of acted like that added pressure that made me focus on the easy shots. Hard shots are easy to focus on... they require so much attention that you've got to put a lot of effort into them. The biggest different here is that I took extra effort on the gimme shots. That's why I still take a few practice strokes on the easy shots, to make sure I make it and get good position.

I've video taped myself before, more as a tool to check fundamentals (stance, stroke, alignment, head angle, etc.). There are still things about my stroke and stance that I don't like, but all in all I think I'm playing pretty decent for only 2 years of serious play.

PlynSets said:
I think I need the 8. ;)

Definately good videos!! Not too shabby for Practice either! Did the camera make you nervous at all? The first couple games it didn't mess with me, but after that it was pretty much all I could think about. Everytime I rattled a ball I was like "Great.. well that's on tape now. :D"

DJ
Click to expand...
 
Hey, Steve what were you doing in... Should I bust your cover? No, really, I go to that room myself from time to time. Take care.

P.S. Good shooting.
 
Steve...That room looks exactly the same as it did last June, when I was giving another forum poster lessons there...and videotaping the lessons. The camera does draw attention from the other players, and a few came up to me afterwards asking about lessons. LOL

The first thing I noticed too, was the long bridge, which by itself, doesn't necessarily contribute to a less consistent stroke. However, your angle to the camera presented several opportunities to see that your forearm is also out of perpendicular at contact with the CB. It's very noticable when you are practice stroking, and your forearm is perpendicular, but the tip is a good 6" away from the CB. This contributes to missing the EXACT point of aim on the CB by tiny fractions. It also doesn't allow you a natural finish, where the tip should finish on or near the cloth, at the end of your stroke. One thing I would add to your set up, is a definite pause at the CB, before the last backswing and commitment stroke. I do like the fact that you're using the cuestick and timing for most of the speed in your game. Overall, I liked the way you play, but I'd tweak your pre-shot routine, to make it more consistent and repeatable. You have a nice game, especially for two years of serious play! :D

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Great videos Steve!

You're clearly an advanced player. Any titles / achievements of special note?

Your stroke is smooth, and what's better it's very straight. Moreso than many pros. You focus well when getting down slowly and carefully over the shot and your body and head are pretty stable during the shot.

Your body position being turned out away from the cue look weird to people from snooker countries, but it works for you and it works for other great players, so I wouldn't change it.

I actually go in the other direction being quite closed which pushes my elbow out of line. I went this way for comfort and stability at the cost of purely straight mechanics. So I wonder if you ever feel under some strain with this stance, which could make it hard to make small adjustments. If there was tension, I couldn't see it during your stroke.

Seems you have the stroke to play at the highest levels. Then it's up to putting in the time to get the CB on a string, ability to focus hard, play the table smart. Of course it's pretty hard to see where you rate on those things in a short video. Would be good to see you playing some money sets:D
 
Hey you were at Amsterdam right? I think sjm pointed you out. i'll take the orange crush and the break from you.

lewdo26 said:
Hey, Steve what were you doing in... Should I bust your cover? No, really, I go to that room myself from time to time. Take care.

P.S. Good shooting.
Click to expand...
 
I'll definitely try to work this into my game.

At the same time that I'm heavy on "feel" I also pay an extraordinary amount of attention to my mechanics, fundamentals, timing, stroke, rhythm, etc. So I like this suggestion. I'll let you know how it goes.


S

Scott Lee said:
The first thing I noticed too, was the long bridge, which by itself, doesn't necessarily contribute to a less consistent stroke. However, your angle to the camera presented several opportunities to see that your forearm is also out of perpendicular at contact with the CB....I'd tweak your pre-shot routine, to make it more consistent and repeatable.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...
 
Hah, my biggest achievement is winning local handicapped tournaments for little more than a hundred bucks. However, I promised my friend Oscar back home in Southern California that the next time he saw me I'd be running 100+ in straight pool, and multiple racks of 9-ball.... so I've got a lot to live up to and work on.

My mechanics: at first it felt a bit awkward, but now it feels completely natural and relaxed. My body position sort of falls into place without any sort of conscious effort or strain. I can see how someone coming from a more closed stance (any snooker player, Earl Strickland, Gabe Owen, etc.) might think it uncomfortable but it's quite natural for me. I started a little more than a year ago to transform my fundamentals to mimic some other players who I thought had good form and so far it's worked alright.

The most difficult aspect of the game for me (and I'm sure for everyone else) is keeping that cueball under control. That's always the hardest part of the game, but as long as I'm getting better at it every day I feel good. I'm comfortable using a big stroke, with lots of spin or power stun... but now it's about knowing exactly the angles it will approach and leave cushions on. And that'll take another 1000+ hours of practice and muscle memory.

Maybe in 10 more years I'll join you on the IPT!

S

Colin Colenso said:
So I wonder if you ever feel under some strain with this stance, which could make it hard to make small adjustments. If there was tension, I couldn't see it during your stroke.

...It's up to putting in the time to get the CB on a string, ability to focus hard, play the table smart.
Click to expand...
 
StevenPWaldon said:
Hey you were at Amsterdam right? I think sjm pointed you out. i'll take the orange crush and the break from you.
Click to expand...

Okay, not to be a nitpicker here (well, maybe I am one :D), but doesn't the "Orange Crush" already imply the break? ;)
 
StevenPWaldon said:
Hah, my biggest achievement is winning local handicapped tournaments for little more than a hundred bucks. However, I promised my friend Oscar back home in Southern California that the next time he saw me I'd be running 100+ in straight pool, and multiple racks of 9-ball.... so I've got a lot to live up to and work on.

My mechanics: at first it felt a bit awkward, but now it feels completely natural and relaxed. My body position sort of falls into place without any sort of conscious effort or strain. I can see how someone coming from a more closed stance (any snooker player, Earl Strickland, Gabe Owen, etc.) might think it uncomfortable but it's quite natural for me. I started a little more than a year ago to transform my fundamentals to mimic some other players who I thought had good form and so far it's worked alright.

The most difficult aspect of the game for me (and I'm sure for everyone else) is keeping that cueball under control. That's always the hardest part of the game, but as long as I'm getting better at it every day I feel good. I'm comfortable using a big stroke, with lots of spin or power stun... but now it's about knowing exactly the angles it will approach and leave cushions on. And that'll take another 1000+ hours of practice and muscle memory.

Maybe in 10 more years I'll join you on the IPT!

S
Click to expand...
Hi Steve,
If I'm still on the IPT after 1 year I'll be a happy camper:D

I'm impressed that you have only been relatively serious for a couple of years. I can see that you've worked hard on your mechanics. Who did you model your stroke on btw...Ralf Souquet? There is some similarity with the right arm position relative to the body, but I actually think your swing is a bit straighter than his.

I'm sure you'll make a lot of progress if you work hard on your choice of shot and develop your CB control.

A few ideas to achieve this:

1. Throw 10 balls around the table. Make sure none are closer than 3" to a cushion. Pot them without the CB touching a rail. It's a very good drill for helping to spot easy patterns and fine tuning small movements of the CB. (I say 10 instead of 15 balls, because with 15 balls, there are many options early so the first 5 balls don't require such focused planning, the fewer balls on the table, the more you'll be looking for finishing patterns.)
2. Play more tournies and practice with just as much focus on shot selection and CB control.
3. Set yourself some carom type drills, where you have to pot a ball and make the CB hit another ball. Incorporate versions where you have to come of at 2 rails to make the carom.

Lots of other CB and planning drills you can incorporate, but these are some that should fast track improvements. Also, keep playing your 14.1 and 8-ball.

I can't see you missing many shots at all due to your stroke mechanics. When you miss it will be due to being forced to play a very tough shot due to poor CB position or planning; due to not aiming the shot correctly or due to not making the required compensations for throw, squirt or swerve. You'll progress faster by strengthening the weakest links in your chain.

Colin
 
StevenPWaldon said:
Hey you were at Amsterdam right? I think sjm pointed you out. i'll take the orange crush and the break from you.
Click to expand...
Yes, Steve, that was me! Guess what, I'll take the 7 out and the breaks. Are you still in New York? There's an 8 ball tournament tomorrow. I might play if I can wake up early enough. :o

BTW, don't worry about sjm... He must have told you that "a good beating builds character.":D

P.S. I've been playing a couple of years myself. It's inspiring to see you doing well. Keep drilling them in!
 
Wow if you could get shape you would be unstoppable. You should have ball in hand position every time. It seems you are just settling for cinching the ball and making a lot of full table shots.

On a few shots it looks as though you are very tense. I would focus on being comfortable at the table.

You know I have a hard time finding the right length bridge. With a longer bridge I can see the balls and my line of aim better. With a shorter bridge I have a little better accuracy (not too short though). I think you should just shorten your bridge maybe a couple inches and that would help.
 
Colin Colenso said:
Hi Steve,
Who did you model your stroke on btw...Ralf Souquet?
Click to expand...
-Sort of a mix here. I'd say a heavy influence was Max Eberle, mostly because he's the house pro at Hollywood Billiards where I started playing. Otherwise, a little Corey Deuel and some Mika Immonen. If you don't know Max already, you'll know himw when he's playing IPT tournies with you.

I'll definitely try the drills you mentioned. And now that I'm living in NY I'll have to start playing more 14.1; now if only I could find some regulars who play one pocket out here (who aren't Ginky or that caliber!).
 
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