Practice with higher deflection shaft

[Anecdote]

Just wondering what you guys' views are on practising with different shafts. I have 2 Mezz Hybrid Pro II shafts. One has been turned down and has less deflection than the other. I play matches with that one. The difference in deflection isn't huge, but definitely noticable.

The other (unaltered) shaft that has the standard taper has more deflection. I have always had this one for a backup. I have been using that one in practice exclusively the last few weeks. Adjusting to the squirt/deflection wasn't easy, but I do reap the benefits.

I'm more conscious of the squirt and what English does to the path of the cue ball. Also I feel like I'm finetuning my feel for spin. I have to concentrate more, with helps me with my focus.

At first I was afraid I would have a hard time adjusting to my lower deflection Hybrid shaft. But luckily that hasn't been the case. To me play has become easier, since my practice has become that bit harder.

What do you guys think?

 

[Tony_in_MD]

I practice with what I play with.

Just wondering what you guys' views are on practising with different shafts. I have 2 Mezz Hybrid Pro II shafts. One has been turned down and has less deflection than the other. I play matches with that one. The difference in deflection isn't huge, but definitely noticable.

The other (unaltered) shaft that has the standard taper has more deflection. I have always had this one for a backup. I have been using that one in practice exclusively the last few weeks. Adjusting to the squirt/deflection wasn't easy, but I do reap the benefits.

I'm more conscious of the squirt and what English does to the path of the cue ball. Also I feel like I'm finetuning my feel for spin. I have to concentrate more, with helps me with my focus.

At first I was afraid I would have a hard time adjusting to my lower deflection Hybrid shaft. But luckily that hasn't been the case. To me play has become easier, since my practice has become that bit harder.

What do you guys think?

 

[cueenvy]

I have a home table and several vintage cues and conversions I have made. I don't leave my playing cue where my table is so there's lots of time I shoot off the rack. I have had many cues from many builders or different eras. I like being able to understand how different build designs and components change the hit and how they play.

I have no trouble going from my player 314-2 to standard shafts. You have to make big adjustments, especially on long shots. There is a world of difference and it has illustrated what I can do with the predator shaft. I like to juice the cueball when I have to and my enjoyment of the game is based upon being able to make tough shots when needed and make hard outs.

As long as I'm playing with my main player most of the time, it doesn't do me any harm. I had lost my tip while gambling and was able to play just as well with my friend's cue...even though it hits worlds different. I played 300 a set with it and wasn't concerned.

 

[Chopdoc]

If I were a serious player again I would probably practice with my playing shaft(s). With that said I believe there is great value in an adaptable skill set.





.

 

[ssbn610g]

I may be delusional but I seem to play better with my two playing shafts (predator 314 cat) than I do with my 314-2 or z. I continually keep trying to use the 314-2 but I just don't seem to get in tune with it. Case in point, Saturday I was playing a pretty good local player and was losing badly. After about an hour, I changed over to a 314 shaft and started playing much better. Is this psychological? Don't know. Don't care as I play better with that shaft. Getting ready for a tournament I only play with the 314 shafts.which seems to make a difference.

Al

 

[Kimmo H.]

^ I too prefer the 1st gen shafts out of all predators. I play with a precat that I found a few months back from my local dealers storage. I was amazed that I found one, unchalked and with the original price tag still attached. And got a really good deal on it too :wink:


Ontopic: I play and practice mostly with the same or atleast similiar equipment, helps with consistency in my opinion.

 

[Dunnn51]

What do I think ?
I think you are doing the right thing for you.

I think its really cool that you practice enough to know/see the different degrees of squirt & English on the CB. That said; I'll agree with others and say practice with what you are going to play.
I have several cues and some have LD shafts. I have a Z2 Predator (modified), a few OB2's , and a mezz . I have tried Jacoby's hybrid, and Tiger shafts , but stayed with Predator & OB as they have shown the lowest deflection.

 

[couldnthinkof01]

Constantly changing will not help with consistency.

That said, learning new types of shafts, deflections, and strokes can be a great experience if your ok with your game being a little screwy for a while.

Once you find a balance with butt/shaft/tip combo that suits your style you will get more consistent.

 

[336Robin]

What messes you up is...

Since you asked,

If you have a turned down shaft vs. a non turned down shaft there is quite a bit of difference since we are dealing with shaft weight and stroke pressure.

Your turned down shaft will allow you to play medium speed stroke shots pretty consistently but that difference between it and the 13mm non turned down shaft is pretty big concerning the stroke difference.

For instance the turned down on Medium stroke the cue ball will start swerving back a lot sooner that the heavier shaft with the same Medium Stroke because of the fact that you are hitting the cue ball with more weight.

This is a difference not many people realize they just think the squirt of the cue ball is more, its not so much more as it is longer. The squirt amount to medium speed is very similar up to 1 and 1/2 diamonds of cue ball object ball distance but afterwards the shafts are a lot different. The fatter shafts squirt wont curve back as soon.

I understand from your post as to why you tried playing with the heavier shaft and Im sure it helped you to pay attention to whats going on but really it might get you very mixed up if you return to the other shaft in some respects.

My advice for you is switch back and forth some shooting shoots at the diamond points on the end rail using soft, medium and strong strokes noting the true differences and then choose a shaft and play with it. If you have to go to the heavier shaft while one is being tipped then keep your spin shots confined to fairly short distance....1 1/2 diamonds of separation of cue ball to object ball and the rest use top and bottom English with Center Ball type aiming.

Just wondering what you guys' views are on practising with different shafts. I have 2 Mezz Hybrid Pro II shafts. One has been turned down and has less deflection than the other. I play matches with that one. The difference in deflection isn't huge, but definitely noticable.

The other (unaltered) shaft that has the standard taper has more deflection. I have always had this one for a backup. I have been using that one in practice exclusively the last few weeks. Adjusting to the squirt/deflection wasn't easy, but I do reap the benefits.

I'm more conscious of the squirt and what English does to the path of the cue ball. Also I feel like I'm finetuning my feel for spin. I have to concentrate more, with helps me with my focus.

At first I was afraid I would have a hard time adjusting to my lower deflection Hybrid shaft. But luckily that hasn't been the case. To me play has become easier, since my practice has become that bit harder.

What do you guys think?

 

[Anecdote]

Thanks for all your input.

The biggest reason for switching between shafts, is that my main playing shaft lost its cue tip in a tournament about 3 months ago. I didn't have a spare tip or the tools to glue it back it on, so I had to use my backup player.

Having to play with my backup shaft felt really alien to me, eventhough it's the same type of shaft. So if the same would happen, I would at least be prepared and be more familiar with it.

Another reason is that I regularly do drills that require power shots, like 'The Mighty X' in all its variations (high, low, left, right English). I want to save my cue tip on my playing shaft.

The cue tip came off possibly because I did practice a lot power shots with it? The cue shop that put the cue tip on doesn't have the best reputation however, but I have never had any problems before.

>Practice what you play with >> I agree!
Practice games and matches, I always play with my main shaft. So I keep a decent balance when it comes to play time with both shafts. But definitely one of my main concerns is that switching back and forth will confuse me when it comes to shots that require English. Especially when it's a tight match.

For me, I think it's best that I use my backup shaft on drills that require fair bits of power. But the drills that demand English, I should stick with my main player. So far I haven't had any problems switching between them.

I have been playing at a more deliberate pace lately, so I think that helps. I'm very conscious of the way I get down on my shots, how hard I hit them and what feel or feedback I get off hitting the cue ball.

My game hasn't suffered from switching at all (so far). That's what surprises me. I feel my game has gone up a ball. I'm definitely more aware of my mechanics and am able to find flaws in my stroke more easily, since the deflection is more or longer with my backup shaft as 336Robin says (more on that below).

>336Robin
Great information there, 336Robin. Thanks for that. I feel like a dumbass for not realising this sooner. All I thought was that one shaft just produces more or less squirt, thanks for enlightening me.

This is very useful information, because some shots do become a bit easier because of the squirt. I didn't understand that before and your input explains it for me.

For now I'll keep playing with both, but I have gotten a new appreciation for the standard shaft. At the time I had to switch to it and didn't do well, I just wrote it off as a shaft that just deflects more and is not useful to me anymore.

But it's me as a player that has changed/adjusted to the lower squirt of the turned down shaft. It's close to the off-season in The Netherlands, I'm going to practice a lot with both shafts, see what suits me best and pick one as a (new) player. Thanks all.