Practice Strokes vs. Actual Stroke

[ScottR]

I have been told that I do this. I never really noticed though. Just something I do.

It's funny.... I asked another good player (who also does this) yesterday and his response was, "I didn't know I did it. Gee thanks. Now I'll be thinking about THAT instead of playing pool!" Oops.

 

[RBLilly]

warm up strokes

Well I was taught to line up exactly where your going to hit the cue ball, and since that is what works for me I ain't going to change. If you know what I mean. I have been doing that for almost 9 years now. So to change now would definately screw me up. Plus I honestly don't see any advantage to doing it another way. There is my 2 cents.



Yes Con S.A.M. is working wonderfully, now I am getting way more consistent . Someone said the other day that they couldn't believe I took 3 combo shots in a row. LOL I said well now that I got a good aiming system combos don't bother me anymore. It is also good on banks too! LOL

 

[TATE]

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.

I do this as well. For one, I use a fairly long bridge, at least 11" or 12" from the tip to my bridge finger. I like feeling the cloth because in my mind it registers exactly where the bottom of the cue ball is. Then when I stroke I adjust to the spot I always hit, which is very low on the cueball.

There is a parallel in golf. If you take a golf ball and mark the back alignment with a tee, then hit it with an iron, most mid handicap players will hit the grass at least a few inches before the ball, without even realizing they do this. Many average players are surprised to find that their divot starts six inches or more before the ball is even touched. They invaribly ground the club and put weight on it as they are setting up. Pro golfers, however, hover the head of the club above the grass and catch the ball cleanly before the grass is struck. In fact, a golf pro divot starts after the ball position.

Why is this important to pool? Because we don't necessarily realize that we may not be hitting the spot we are aiming at or even think we are hitting. I believe that just as your brain adjusts to a cue's squirt on a learning curve, it adjusts to the perception of tip contact as well.

Chris

 

[cuetechasaurus]

The reason why players do this on draw shots is because of elbow drop when they execute the shot. Even if you drop your elbow an inch or so, your tip will rise. They aim very low into the cloth to compensate, because this actually gives them a more level draw stroke, rather than pinning the elbow and chopping down on the cueball. This is from the mouth of a strong filipino player. I've tried this method and I can draw the ball pretty good like this.

 

[ScottR]

I do this as well. For one, I use a fairly long bridge, at least 11" or 12" from the tip to my bridge finger. I like feeling the cloth because in my mind it registers exactly where the bottom of the cue ball is. Then when I stroke I adjust to the spot I always hit, which is very low on the cueball.

There is a parallel in golf. If you take a golf ball and mark the back alignment with a tee, then hit it with an iron, most mid handicap players will hit the grass at least a few inches before the ball, without even realizing they do this. Many average players are surprised to find that their divot starts six inches or more before the ball is even touched. They invaribly ground the club and put weight on it as they are setting up. Pro golfers, however, hover the head of the club above the grass and catch the ball cleanly before the grass is struck. In fact, a golf pro divot starts after the ball position.

Why is this important to pool? Because we don't necessarily realize that we may not be hitting the spot we are aiming at or even think we are hitting. I believe that just as your brain adjusts to a cue's squirt on a learning curve, it adjusts to the perception of tip contact as well.

Chris

Thank you, Chris. I just learned three or four great tips from your post.

 

[TheConArtist]

Well I was taught to line up exactly where your going to hit the cue ball, and since that is what works for me I ain't going to change. If you know what I mean. I have been doing that for almost 9 years now. So to change now would definately screw me up. Plus I honestly don't see any advantage to doing it another way. There is my 2 cents.



Yes Con S.A.M. is working wonderfully, now I am getting way more consistent . Someone said the other day that they couldn't believe I took 3 combo shots in a row. LOL I said well now that I got a good aiming system combos don't bother me anymore. It is also good on banks too! LOL

Nyce to hear Bro, I just can't see how to be consistent with it with points 4-6, i guess Scotty was right the secret is just not to put yourself in position for them huh great advice Scotty. So i will just stick with my 2 angle system from Hal.