Pause on the backstroke

8Ball48043

8Ball48043

Addicted to the Sport
Silver Member
Okay. I just started doing the Allison Fisher thing. Alignment strokes, smooth strokes, then .... just before I pull the trigger ... a purposeful, long pause before starting the final stroke at the cue ball.

Hey. It seemed to significantly improve my ball pocketing. Anyone want to comment on WHY this might be true?
 
I dont do a pause like she does. But when i am playing really good and feeling my stroke exceptionally well, I will slow my final back stroke down alot. This is almost like pulling the string on a bow back before releasing, except the release or forward motion is a smooth acceleration.

My only guess on why these things help is that you are being more aware of your stroke. By being aware of it you are trying to make it a good stroke.
 
The only movement that really matters is your final forward stroke. The backstroke is simply to get your grip hand in position to deliver the forward stroke. The triceps pull your arm backward, and the biceps pull your arm forward. The pause at the end of the backstroke allows for a much smoother transition when you are changing direction.

Imagine backing your car out of the driveway, and as it is still rolling backward, you put it in drive and step on the gas. Your car will have a violent jerk as it changes direction. If you come to a complete stop before you change gears, it is much smoother.

We don't want that violent jerk in our pool stroke.

Steve
 
Just a guess BUT maybe your eyes are resting on the target ball for the first time in your career.....SPF=randyg (the P stands for pause)
 
Takes time for eyes to focus and actually see the OB. Awareness and concentration go up. A moment of peace, a good transition for the final stroke. Good stuff.
 
buddy,s pause

Wolven said:
Takes time for eyes to focus and actually see the OB. Awareness and concentration go up. A moment of peace, a good transition for the final stroke. Good stuff.
Click to expand...

i like that -Buddy Hall is my favorite example - mind you,i get PAWS on My back stroke,the whole DOG shows up on my front stroke and WILEY COYOTE shows up on my follow-through
 
Last edited:
The actual Pause has a three fold purpose. Remember, it's not the length of time that you Pause BUT how well do you Pause.

1. Relax grip hand.
2. Cue stick still pointed at target.
3. Eyes shoulded be focused on target.

Page 10, 1st day of Pool School.....SPF=randyg
 
I started doing this a couple of years ago, and also noticed many more pocketed shots...when combined with keeping my head down.

I did it because of the same reason one holds their breath prior to pulling the trigger on a gun....it slows the heart, lungs, and mind to a focused state. Pretty much the same type of technique that a Biathelete uses in competition.

I also used to have the crappiest break on the planet...seriously...LoL! I added the pause just before the break stroke, and now I have a respectable break, pocketing a ball roughly 85% of the time in 8 Ball. Someone earlier in this thread mentioned pulling back on the string of a bow...my visualization is actually that of pulling back the plunger on a pinball machine...I can see in my mind's eye the spring being compressed and then released....and the cue ball flies!!

Lisa
 
For me, the pause helps me set my muscles for the next action, the main stroke. Kinda like throwing a dart.
 
Also from a learning perspective, it's alot easier to develop a proper stroke when you break the process down into seperate movements opposed to one flowing action.
 
IMO, it accomplishes two things:
1) allows extra time for your eyes to set on the target (research "quiet eye", it is VERY important)
2) allows muscles to relax before starting forward stroke (avoids inaccuracy introduced when muscles are asked to reverse direction quickly)

Try this experiment. Pretend you are grasping a cue & quickly move your hand back & forth at your side as if you sre stroking your cue. Do this very briskly with no pause between front & back strokes. Watch the blurry path of your fist. Do you see your fist waving side to side at all on successive strokes?

Repeat the same experiment with a promounced pause between front & back. Your side-to-side waver will be reduced to negligible amounts (if not completely eliminated).
 
during your practice strokes you look at the cue ball. then, when you paues and go to pull the trigger, that's when your eyes look up to focus on the contact point of the object ball. just my guess.
 
Ironman317 said:
during your practice strokes you look at the cue ball. then, when you paues and go to pull the trigger, that's when your eyes look up to focus on the contact point of the object ball. just my guess.
Click to expand...

Not quite my friend, Just a little more,,,randyg
 
It looks like no one has tried my trivial experiment so I roped my wife into doing it. She's noted in the past that she plays better with a pause. Now she feels she knows why. Her hand wavered all over the place without a pause.

I think it also comes down to the fact that you use different muscle groups for the front stroke versus the back stroke. Without a pause, there may be overlap in that transition that causes unwanted (sideways) impulses. JMHO.
 
8Ball48043 said:
Okay. I just started doing the Allison Fisher thing. Alignment strokes, smooth strokes, then .... just before I pull the trigger ... a purposeful, long pause before starting the final stroke at the cue ball.

Hey. It seemed to significantly improve my ball pocketing. Anyone want to comment on WHY this might be true?
Click to expand...
Several possible reasons can be found here:


When I am playing poorly, a distinct pause (and a longer "set") usually helps me too.

Regards,
Dave
 
Lol

whatever is comfortable for you to do, but me, I don't pause in bed and I don't pause when playing Pool......:grin:
 
You should try it once in a while. Your wife might appreciate it!!!!
:grin::grin::grin::grin::grin:

Steve
 
mosconiac said:
It looks like no one has tried my trivial experiment so I roped my wife into doing it. She's noted in the past that she plays better with a pause. Now she feels she knows why. Her hand wavered all over the place without a pause.

I think it also comes down to the fact that you use different muscle groups for the front stroke versus the back stroke. Without a pause, there may be overlap in that transition that causes unwanted (sideways) impulses. JMHO.
Click to expand...

Another way to get to where you want to be in the back of your backstroke is to do the following:

Whatever you do, make sure that in your final practice stroke you take the cue back exactly how far you intend to take it back on the actual stroke. Tony Robles taught me this.

For what it's worth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top