PlynSets Video Thread (Practice)

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PlynSets

AzB Silver Member
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I'm going to be posting these up one at a time with ZERO editing.. The practice games will be in the order they were played, with the only editing being when I left to go answer the door/phone/let the dog out etc..

The 1st video I think I played pretty well, I rattled the 2 but other then that I was pretty in stroke. I do overstroke some of the shape playing but again this is practice so I'm trying different things, and not simply trying to run every rack.

Not to make excuses rigt off the bat, but I'll tell you in advance some of the upcoming videos there's alot of balls rattled and missed. The table is a Murrey Pro 9'er, and it was setup the same way Hardtimes is.. The rails are cut long and then parrallel. In other words The table is tighter then a virgin the day before Prom. Pockets are just a touch under 4 1/4 so "most" the rattled balls would go in at any pool hall.

The Music is actually music in the background that I was listening to while playing. I didn't add it in the video. I figured people would rather here the balls etc.. so I didn't change the sound on the vids.

On that note, here's Video 1! I look forward to (preferrably) constructive criticism on Stance Mechanics, perhaps shot selection etc..



PlynSets Practice Session 1


DJ
 
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I liked that video a lot.

I'm in no way to give lessons but I tend to analyse positionning when I watch other people play.

Very nice attemp on the 2 and the backspin for the 3(although a lil bit too strong) and if that was possible I would have tried to have to opposite angle for the 3 after you pocketed the 2

I gotta love how you positionned for the 6:D:)

you seem to have a tendancy to lift your elbow alot before your hit the CB.

very nice video I loved it.
 
I have one observation, am not an instructor though..:
It looks to me that you are moving your arm differently when you are aiming and shooting. When you aim, your arm seems OK, but when you shoot, you lift your arm / shoulder, and seems to drop your elbow / arm.

Especially on the long one you rattled early, it was like " I have to take a big swing to make this ball cause its a bit difficult"

As I said, I am no instructor, but my advice would be to practice to get a more consistent, fluid armmovement. Less use of the upper arm. Hope this can help.
 
That's "The Train" stroke I mentioned in earlier posts.. Stupid thing is I can't even feel myself doing it. :( I started video'ing myself to hopefully start correcting some of these mechanic mistakes that make me rattle/miss relatively easy shots.

One thing I've noticed big time since I started video'ing (granted I've been editing up some videos tonight for posting tomorrow) is that my head is crooked! I have to figure out how to change my stance so that my head is more in line with the cue becuase it seems like I'm looking at all the shots from an angle of some sort and I've just kind of gotten used to it.

I've never had any professional instruction or anything of the sort, just one of those backroom players that liked to gamble and had to learn how to play kinda deals..

Incidentally JimboJim, that 6 ball was originally suppose to go in the side, but when I hit it I didn't get enough left and got lucky when it went by it..
DJ
 
you definately have some skills. You seem to know the physics pretty well but I think we share the same habit of not hitting the ball with the right amount of force which makes us fall too short or too far(like for the 3-ball and 8-ball). My instructor sometimes makes me practice a few racks of 9-ball with pocket change. I put a dime where the cueball is(although I leave some room for the CB to "travel" to the OB), I put a nickel when the OB is(same pattern) and some chalk marks at the exact position when I want to CB to stop to have th good angle for the next shot. He would make me do the shot as many times as it takes to let the CB stop at the desired spot or acceptable distance.
 
PlynSets said:
That's "The Train" stroke I mentioned in earlier posts.. Stupid thing is I can't even feel myself doing it. :( I started video'ing myself to hopefully start correcting some of these mechanic mistakes that make me rattle/miss relatively easy shots.

One thing I've noticed big time since I started video'ing (granted I've been editing up some videos tonight for posting tomorrow) is that my head is crooked! I have to figure out how to change my stance so that my head is more in line with the cue becuase it seems like I'm looking at all the shots from an angle of some sort and I've just kind of gotten used to it.

I've never had any professional instruction or anything of the sort, just one of those backroom players that liked to gamble and had to learn how to play kinda deals..

Incidentally JimboJim, that 6 ball was originally suppose to go in the side, but when I hit it I didn't get enough left and got lucky when it went by it..
DJ
Click to expand...


making the 6 in the side is a tough one because if you would have hit the CB not hard enough you would have ended up with an angle that would require some more work(bring the cueball all the way up table and back for the 7) to bring the CB back in position for the 7.

but knowing myself, I would have got even further then you did so congrats from me:)
 
pooladdict said:
I have one observation, am not an instructor though..:
It looks to me that you are moving your arm differently when you are aiming and shooting. When you aim, your arm seems OK, but when you shoot, you lift your arm / shoulder, and seems to drop your elbow / arm.

Especially on the long one you rattled early, it was like " I have to take a big swing to make this ball cause its a bit difficult"

As I said, I am no instructor, but my advice would be to practice to get a more consistent, fluid armmovement. Less use of the upper arm. Hope this can help.
Click to expand...

Yeah he has a pump-stroke, but he strokes 'em good nonetheless. I say if he is used to that style, he should stick with it, because he plays good already.
 
Dude, It takes nads to put up a video like that. I have to give you credit for that!......I'm not about to go pontificating on how to improve your game, but I will ask if you play straight pool? if not, play it....it will tighten up your patterns, and decrease cue ball movement......thus, making 9ball much more simple.

I'll be watching for the next one....

Gerry
 
I did the same thing last night....

I rattled that same pocket same shot about 5 times last night with either draw or follow, you attempted to over-muscle the shot instead of letting the cue do the work, just like a good tee shot in golf--should feel effortless.

PlynSets said:
That's "The Train" stroke I mentioned in earlier posts.. Stupid thing is I can't even feel myself doing it. :( I started video'ing myself to hopefully start correcting some of these mechanic mistakes that make me rattle/miss relatively easy shots.

One thing I've noticed big time since I started video'ing (granted I've been editing up some videos tonight for posting tomorrow) is that my head is crooked! I have to figure out how to change my stance so that my head is more in line with the cue becuase it seems like I'm looking at all the shots from an angle of some sort and I've just kind of gotten used to it.

I've never had any professional instruction or anything of the sort, just one of those backroom players that liked to gamble and had to learn how to play kinda deals..

Incidentally JimboJim, that 6 ball was originally suppose to go in the side, but when I hit it I didn't get enough left and got lucky when it went by it..
DJ
Click to expand...
 
PlynSets said:
That's "The Train" stroke I mentioned in earlier posts.. Stupid thing is I can't even feel myself doing it. :( I started video'ing myself to hopefully start correcting some of these mechanic mistakes that make me rattle/miss relatively easy shots.

One thing I've noticed big time since I started video'ing (granted I've been editing up some videos tonight for posting tomorrow) is that my head is crooked! I have to figure out how to change my stance so that my head is more in line with the cue becuase it seems like I'm looking at all the shots from an angle of some sort and I've just kind of gotten used to it.

I've never had any professional instruction or anything of the sort, just one of those backroom players that liked to gamble and had to learn how to play kinda deals..

Incidentally JimboJim, that 6 ball was originally suppose to go in the side, but when I hit it I didn't get enough left and got lucky when it went by it..
DJ
Click to expand...

I wouldn't necessarily change your head position. I mean, go ahead and experiment if you want, but re-aligning your head is going to radically change the way you perceive your line of aim, and you may find that changing your head position totally destroys your feel for aiming direction, and with it your ability to pocket a ball. Incidentally, your head position is very similar to Bill Incardona's. He's a pretty good player despite this "fault".

Also, your arm motion is very straight and pure, and your alignment is excellent, if only you would stop moving your elbow up and down. If you lined up exactly the same, but held your elbow still while your lower arm moved back and forth, you'd have a really well-aligned and efficient stroke motion, in my highly unqualified opinion. Also, with less elbow movement, your tip placement on the cue ball would probably become a lot more precise.

Nice out, by the way. If you hadn't admitted it was a mistake, I would have considered your position from the 5 to the 6 to be a really excellent shot. The shot to get on the 5 was pretty good too.

-Andrew
 
You have a nice game. As one of the previous posters mentioned, I would be careful changing too much of you're game. You have some "unorthodox" methods, but so does Efren, Mike Davis, Allen Hopkins, etc...

When you are playing in tournaments or for money are you as relaxed as in your video? If so, that's great. Try and keep your game the same regardless of the situation.

If you do decide to change some of your mechanics, be prepared to take a few steps backword before you can move forward. I think that Gerry made a great point about straight pool. It will definately tighten up your game with great focus on playing more exacting positions.

Regards,

Doug
 
I'll throw my 2 cents in...

You have a nice foundation. I think your fundamentals like head position and stroke arm movement can be improved, maybe an instructor can help.

One thing I noticed that can hinder your 9 ball game is that you cross the line of position a lot. Also, you let the CB go more than you should. You need to learn to play better position (no disrespect). This is a bit of knowledge that some people don't focus on more. The best way I can explain it is that there are "better" position routes for certain shots.

For example, with your vid, you started with BIH on the 1. A better shot would have been to 1 rail the 1 ball and have the CB bounce off the end rail, running towards the 2. After shooting the 2 ball, you let the CB dirft about a foot too far. This led to having a sharper cut on the 3, which led to you being on the rail for the 4 ball. Ideally, for a recovery shot, you should have left the CB about a foot off the side rail for the 4. The 4 to 5 ball shot is one example of "crossing the line of position". Instead of the route you took, a better route would have been to cut the 4 ball into the corner with draw(assuming you didn't leave the CB on the rail), have the CB draw two rails (doubling the corner) and running off the side rail, towards the 5 ball. This way, the CB is less speed sensitive and there are no balls that can hook you if your speed is a little off. You played the 6 ball correctly (even if it was a mistake). Again, you want to be either running at the OB or away from it, inline with the pocket. Also, don't forget your angles. Being on the proper side of the ball makes going to the next ball much easier. It keeps you from having to "force" the CB around the table. One example is the 7 to 8 ball shot. I think a better shot would have been to roll the CB to the center of the table, giving a left cut on the 8 in the side and the CB can drift to the head spot area for an easy 9 ball.

Anyway, just my personal opinion.


Eric

*Edit- to answer your other question; in NYC, you would be rated a "C" player.
 
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Great video Plynsets *claps*...enjoyed the Pink Floyd too:)

Now for some critical judgement:
It's pretty clear you know your way around the table pretty well and have a good eye. There were comments on your arm movement and head angle position, but I believe these are not serious problems.

Your biggest obstacle IMHO is that you are almost 100% feel player, and as many feel players do, you don't align and aim with much care, instead you use intuitive judgement on the final stroke. Your last shot on the 9 is a perfect example. You aim thick and then swipe with OE to make the pot.

This is hard to unlearn without going backwards for a while, but the problem with this methodoly is that it interferes with planned intentions of applying spin to the cue ball.

Hence, I suspect your biggest obstacles in the game are when you need to play specific CB shape angles (missing some easy pots on such shots or making the pot but messing up shape) and also I suspect you struggle for consistancy on longer pots.

I don't see that you're considering the spin required, the effect this will have on the line and aligning with compensation for these. So I figure you miss a lot of shots that you should be making.

Most of what I am saying could be summarized by the famous 3 rules of Chess: Carefully, Carefully, Carefully.

In summary, you've got a nice stroke and pot well, but I think you need to focus in on each shot more, make more concrete decisions about what you want to achieve out of each shot. Doing this might send you back a bit for a while, but in the long term, you'll work out how to combine your excellent feel for the game, with a more precise understanding of your methodology and aims for each shot.

{edit} What Eric said above is also very relevant I believe. It all comes down to playing with a clearer focus on intention.
 
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Jimbojim said:
making the 6 in the side is a tough one because if you would have hit the CB not hard enough you would have ended up with an angle that would require some more work(bring the cueball all the way up table and back for the 7) to bring the CB back in position for the 7.

but knowing myself, I would have got even further then you did so congrats from me:)
Click to expand...

If I came up short the plan was to shoot it in the corner closest to the camera. I try to play shape where god forbid I do come up a little short or long then I have other options.

When I'm gambling or playing in more serious sets I'll try to get the cueball to actually follow the line of the shot, so if I go a little long or short it's still the same angle (did that make sense?). When practicing I try all sorts of different stuff. ;)

I appreciate the comments though, makes me go back and re-evaluate what I did and think of different ways of playing.

DJ
 
I would suggest to hold the cue back a little farther. The reason you have this pump action is because your elbow is already fully extended before you hit the cueball. This may mean either shortening your bridge or gripping farther back on the cue.
 
Plynsets,
I play lefty. You have a nice rythm/flow to your game, it looks like you can get 'it' going...because you like to experiment try putting a slower take away and a pause in your backstroke and see if it gives you some better cue ball speed for tighter postion play...don't mess with your nice natural rhythm...you got some game...LOL
 
I appreciate all the comments so far!! Keep em coming! :)

I especially like Collins post, as well as Eric's about crossing the lines in position. I'd like to explore that further in the future.

Incidentally Collin, that wasn't Pink Floyd it's a remake of the wall.. I think it was done by Korn?

A couple of things I wanted to say though, this is literally just breaking and shooting some balls. I.E. It's hard to put down the concentration banging em around by yourself then it is while your playing sets/tournaments etc.. The vids are put up in the order they were shot with "zero" editing.. Believe me I could whip up a vid in about 10 minutes that'd make it look like I just ran 10 racks, but I figure what the hell it is what it is.. Lunch time practice, I can't see anyone judging too hard on that. ;) But an excuse for those that do.. I don't think many could run racks on this table as tight as it is.. Unless their a solid A. <--- (By SD standards)

Here's video # 2..



Practice Video # 2



That's a joke at the end by the way about "knowing that shot." For those that lack humour..

DJ
 
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Damn that looks like fun. The music, being alone, and hitting balls, does it get any better than that? Just keep practicing dude, have fun, and really enjoy yourself. Your game needs some work, you already know that, but you're on the right track here by showing it to the whole forum and getting good advice. Peace, John.

P.S. Thanks for showing me that shot at the end of #2.:D
 
Rude Dog said:
Damn that looks like fun. The music, being alone, and hitting balls, does it get any better than that? Just keep practicing dude, have fun, and really enjoy yourself. Your game needs some work, you already know that, but you're on the right track here by showing it to the whole forum and getting good advice. Peace, John.

P.S. Thanks for showing me that shot at the end of #2.:D
Click to expand...

Game definately needs some work.. I'll play and start stringing racks, then 2 minutes later I can't make 2 balls. :( I'm working on it though.. ;) I'm actually going to start recording some sets and throw those up here as well.

Not too get to serious about it, but I have another camera here so I was going to add in a couple angles and splice em together etc..

DJ
 
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