no backpause= more english

[CJ Wiley]

Pool is a game of adjustments - some internal, others external

I didn't read all the posts in this thread but I have to say a 1sec pause has been a HUGE help to me pocketing balls AND with english play specially the longer shots.

Yes, seperating the back stroke from the delivery is good for many reasons. Everyone has to do it (redirect the pool cue), just some hesitate longer than others, and this is an individual choice based on timing.

It's like "coiling" or you could even imagine drawing back a rubber band, then hesitating while you direct your eyes to the target before releasing. The visual part of the pool shot is focused primarily on the cue ball until this point, then it's totally shifted to the object ball.

Even after contact it's best to allow your eyes to follow the object ball, not the cue ball. I believe it's essential to see what part of the pocket the object ball hits (for important feedback) - a slight adjustment on the next shot {may be needed} if the OB doesn't hit center pocket (if that's where I'm trying to hit).

Pool is a game of adjustments, unless you are performing perfectly, and this just happens a few times a game, or even a set. All things are in a constant state of change, and in competition if you're not getting better, you're getting worse. Make sure you're aware of this and develop a way to make these adjustments in your own game if the Cue Ball or OB doesn't do as you intend. Do not be satisfied with "just making the shot or getting shape," or you are programming yourself for future mistakes.

Strive for perfection, and if you don't achieve it (we seldom do) make the necessary adjustments to continue this pursuit {of perfection} this is what will assure moving in a positive direction. 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[One Pocket John]

Drills serve particular purposes, but I can't see how you'd actually play that way, (with a pronounced pause at the top of the swing). That's an interesting photo nonetheless. Looks a lot like a fishing cast, which is an analogy I've used before. I think Shane has a similar action in his stroke. I do know he loves to fish. How about you?

This pretty much should wrap up the grip and motion of the wrist.

Thanks SP and CJ.

John

 

[CJ Wiley]

This will have a positive impact on the precision and cue speed in your stoke

This pretty much should wrap up the grip and motion of the wrist.

Thanks SP and CJ.

John

At first glance this picture with Hank Haney may not mentally connect to how it equates to the pool stroke. I spent many hours with Hank and he understands the mechanics of the golf stroke as well as anyone - we traded golf lessons for pool lessons so we certainly discussed the similarities of both games - pool in many ways is just a miniature version of the same mechanics.

Some of the techniques I used naturally made much more sense after doing cross checks with Hank's golf techniques. The motion of the hand/wrist/forearm being the most notable similarity. There's a lot of "hidden power" generated by the wrist, and at first it's essential to understand how it's generated.

This will have a positive impact on the precision and cue speed you are able to generate with very little effort.

 

[thehoneybadger]

Listen noob , demanding minds want more information. Do you pause at the cueball or at the end of the final backstroke???

Remember, this forum is the information highway for all things pool related!!! :thumbup:

Maniac

At the end of my final backstroke, then I stroke it like I know it'll go, with confidence. No illusions here I'm not a great player like others on here just finally got bumped to an A (VNEA league) after taking 2nd in our local year end tourney so I have allot of learning to do yet but that's one of the things that's upped my game, maybe it's just cause I've only been playing for 2 league years.

 

[sly]

backpause gives you the time to focus the spot on the object ball to cut it in, if theres no pause you eyes don't have time to focus.
one of the only players, Hendry glances at the pocket then back to object ball ,then pause ,then pulls the trigger
Hendry is even sighted I hear

 

[CJ Wiley]

lose your eye sight your sense of touch and feel (and hearing) will improve.

backpause gives you the time to focus the spot on the object ball to cut it in, if theres no pause you eyes don't have time to focus.
one of the only players, Hendry glances at the pocket then back to object ball ,then pause ,then pulls the trigger
Hendry is even sighted I hear

This is a great point, it's mostly about transition, direction (back stroke to forward stoke), and visual - cue ball to object ball.

There's another shift and that involves the senses of "seeing and feeling (visual and kinesthetic) ....this is important for maximizing feel and touch. It involves the same principles as if you naturally lose your eye sight your sense of touch and feel (and hearing) will improve.

There's a way to do this naturally during the pool shot routine that's very effective and gives a heightened awareness of your feel for the cue ball, object ball, and the pocket.

 

[Ratta]

Yes, seperating the back stroke from the delivery is good for many reasons. Everyone has to do it (redirect the pool cue), just some hesitate longer than others, and this is an individual choice based on timing.

It's like "coiling" or you could even imagine drawing back a rubber band, then hesitating while you direct your eyes to the target before releasing. The visual part of the pool shot is focused primarily on the cue ball until this point, then it's totally shifted to the object ball.

Even after contact it's best to allow your eyes to follow the object ball, not the cue ball. I believe it's essential to see what part of the pocket the object ball hits (for important feedback) - a slight adjustment on the next shot {may be needed} if the OB doesn't hit center pocket (if that's where I'm trying to hit).

Pool is a game of adjustments, unless you are performing perfectly, and this just happens a few times a game, or even a set. All things are in a constant state of change, and in competition if you're not getting better, you're getting worse. Make sure you're aware of this and develop a way to make these adjustments in your own game if the Cue Ball or OB doesn't do as you intend. Do not be satisfied with "just making the shot or getting shape," or you are programming yourself for future mistakes.

Strive for perfection, and if you don't achieve it (we seldom do) make the necessary adjustments to continue this pursuit {of perfection} this is what will assure moving in a positive direction. 'The Game is the Teacher'

Hi CJ,

this posting shows, that even a world-class player can increase his already *earned* skills--
This posting is next to your great article/text about preception longer ago by far the best i ever read from you.
hats off!
Of course just my opinion

keep up with the good work,

take care,
Ingo

 

[naji]

I play using a backpause. I have a very good player constantly telling me I shoud get rid of the backpause because he says "it's like jumping without taking a run-up and you create less english this way". This guy has been playing for 40+ years and he is a very good player ( averaging 1 in 3 cushions). He has the "old conception" of stroke: looser grip = more cb reaction, more follow-through more english, no backpause more english, etc.
I'm quite sure this is bs, but could somebody clarify this?

Hello, Slh, since we have at least six pages of posting on this subject with so many different opinions, and almost all players play differently, it should suggest that it probably does not matter weather you pause or not!!.

Pool is extremely hard science to perfect, mainly due to the many variables involved, those that reach ultimate knowledge, they did it with hard earned labor and intensive work out, and will not be welling to share free. Though, some of their findings might not be accurate and they change along the way of discovery.

Bottom line, you Slh, have to find the secret that works for you.

Having said that, here is my explanation for pause:

Major error contributor, not obvious to many beginners, is the need to be able to hit cb with tip at exact parallel-sides and up and downpoint to match up with the aim error correction you do (english, squirt, swerve..etc); therefore, only reason for pause is to ensure tip is lined up to exact spot at CB, sure you can do it while cue is sliding back and fourth but when tip strikes CB it could be a hair left, right, top or bottom, and that is why many people miss, kind of like hammering a nail. IMO, you can have the pause immediately after you go down before pre-warm ups, just lineup tip 100% accurate, then do warm ups and shoot no pause needed-but nice follow through a must.

Some people advise of a pause to collect your thoughts and ensure you carry the follow through-through- or other check list items such as how how fast to shoot, position..etc i tend to agree somewhat, especially for those older people whose memory recall becomes weak especially when slightly tired, then one pause, two or three might be needed to be able to recall check lists on time, and perform the shot flawlessly! for young guns memory is fresh and pause help line up tip to cb only. But for all people that under perform due to pressure moments, pause(s) is a must, and have to be timely for their particular reason of miss (before pre-shot, tip at cb just prior to back swing, at forward swing..ect.


Best of luck.