Practice Strokes vs. Actual Stroke

ScottR

ScottR

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Over the years I have seen a lot of good players, pro and lower, who seem to aim their cue tip at the base of the cue ball during their practice strokes for shots requiring draw. For many, the tip follows a parabolic path and touches (or almost touches) the table right at the base of the cue ball when they are practice stroking. Their actual stroke does not contact the cue at that point or else they would miscue.

I was taught to aim the practice stroke where I intended to strike the cue ball and to strive for a straight stroke through that impact point.

Was I taught wrong? What am I missing? The same people who do this don't do the opposite for shots with follow; i.e. practice stroke over the cue ball. Thanks for any insight.
 
ive never really seen anyone shoot like that except for bustamante. Ive seen some really good players who address the cueball with their cuetip several inches away from the ball and never get close until they actually hit it. I too was taught to make all your practice strokes, etc mirror your actual shot. Not sure what the right answer is, maybe there isnt one........to me it makes more sense to practice it like youre gonna do it.
 
A lot of pro players, especially the Filipinos, seem to practice stroke toward the same spot regardless of where they're actually going to hit the CB. I think the idea is that aiming at the base of the ball gets them aligned to center ball, since the spot where the ball touches the cloth is on the vertical center axis of the ball, and then they can apply english on the final stroke. I can't do it, and I don't see a good reason to try. If I want consistent tip placement, I have to practice stroke with the tip placement I plan to use on the final stroke.

-Andrew
 
I believe what are you talking about ScottR is shown especially strong in the Filipino pool players in general. Santos has a strong what I call "row" stroke. He tends to hit everything with low spin and control and the back end of his cue goes through a rowing motion as he is addressing the cue ball. I think it really has to do with what you feel comfortable. Some players just have more loose and fluid strokes than others. The main part is whether the balls fall and where whitey ends up...if you can control it, nothing is to stop you from shooting behind your back every shot. Do whats natural and by all means comfortable.

Just my observations
 
I saw Nick Varner aim that way about 20 or so years ago. When I asked him about it, he said it was an aiming method and didn't elaborate. I haven't seen him play in a long time, so don't know if he still does it.
 
I agree that many of the Fillipino players do it. I have also seen many American players with the same motion.

I'd love to hear more about that method as an aiming system.
 
ScottR said:
I agree that many of the Fillipino players do it. I have also seen many American players with the same motion.

I'd love to hear more about that method as an aiming system.
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Hey Scott,

According to Hal, this is the setup routine for using an aiming system. Doesn't necessarily have to the the bottom but what is consistent is that it is never center cueball.

BTW, nice to see Shorty replying to your threads with all of his wisdom and insight.

Koop
 
Koop said:
Hey Scott,

According to Hal, this is the setup routine for using an aiming system. Doesn't necessarily have to the the bottom but what is consistent is that it is never center cueball.

BTW, nice to see Shorty replying to your threads with all of his wisdom and insight.

Koop
Click to expand...

hey koop what do you mean by "its never center cueball". I use randys version of hals system, never talked to the man himself but im always looking to learn.
 
In the case of some of your older players they hide there stroke with all the extra movement to hustle how good they are I played on guy that looked like a shaking mess in his pre stroke but what a sweet stroke when contacting the ball
 
scottycoyote said:
hey koop what do you mean by "its never center cueball". I use randys version of hals system, never talked to the man himself but im always looking to learn.
Click to expand...

Hey Scott,

Basically it just means that, initially, you are not lining up center-ball on the cueball. You will wind up there but you always start either left or right of center.

Regards,
Koop
 
I have often seen this, but have never quite understood why this is beneficial. To each his own. No, Scott, you were not taught wrong.
 
scottycoyote said:
hey koop what do you mean by "its never center cueball". I use randys version of hals system, never talked to the man himself but im always looking to learn.
Click to expand...

koop said:
Hey Scott,

Basically it just means that, initially, you are not lining up center-ball on the cueball. You will wind up there but you always start either left or right of center.

Regards,
Koop
Click to expand...

Scotty, its what i was trying to describe to you when we had our chats. Remember :D.
 
Scott, the captain of my APA team pre-strokes like you described. I will ask him next Monday about it, and get back to you.
Fool 4 Pool
 
Steve Mizerak said when asked this same exact question:

"I do this because the bottom of the cue ball is such a solid foundation for me."

I guess what he meant by that is, the object ball always seems to roll truer when hit with a draw stroke. Therefore, to build confidence, some pros (and others) address the cue ball as if putting draw on the cue ball.

Plus, I think most players all in all put more backspin on the cue ball than any other english. When close to the object ball, we put backspin a lot because it is easy to control when close to the object ball. When we are far away, we put backspin on the cue ball to keep the cue ball from rolling forward on contact. So, in order to achieve a high level of skill, having a good draw stroke is probably the most important skill one can have.

Going back to this fundamental is probably more for confidence building, than anything else. Other opinions welcome.

Russ
 
scottycoyote said:
hey koop what do you mean by "its never center cueball". I use randys version of hals system, never talked to the man himself but im always looking to learn.
Click to expand...


Hey Scott,

I just inadvertantly found a perfect example of this and it just so happens it is Efren Reyes playing an incredible shot.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=39530

In the shot everyone is talking about you can clearly see Efren line up off center and then pivot his backhand right before he shoots. Just thought I would point this out as it describes exactly what I was trying to say.

Regards,
Koop
 
ScottR said:
Over the years I have seen a lot of good players, pro and lower, who seem to aim their cue tip at the base of the cue ball during their practice strokes for shots requiring draw. For many, the tip follows a parabolic path and touches (or almost touches) the table right at the base of the cue ball when they are practice stroking. Their actual stroke does not contact the cue at that point or else they would miscue.

I was taught to aim the practice stroke where I intended to strike the cue ball and to strive for a straight stroke through that impact point.

Was I taught wrong? What am I missing? The same people who do this don't do the opposite for shots with follow; i.e. practice stroke over the cue ball. Thanks for any insight.
Click to expand...

You weren't taught incorrectly and you're not missing a great deal IMHO. Some people aim their cue tip at the base of the cue ball so that they can find the center of the cue ball more accurately. I'm sure there are other reasons but this is one that I've heard mentioned by a rather proficient player.
JoeyA
 
Koop said:
Hey Scott,

I just inadvertantly found a perfect example of this and it just so happens it is Efren Reyes playing an incredible shot.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=39530

In the shot everyone is talking about you can clearly see Efren line up off center and then pivot his backhand right before he shoots. Just thought I would point this out as it describes exactly what I was trying to say.

Regards,
Koop
Click to expand...

Wished i could watch the clip, the computer i am on is Dial Up take about three hours to finish it :D. Efren must use alot of different aiming systems huh, as sometimes i see him using this kind of system then other times he don't pivot at all.
 
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