Any thoughts on practicing without chalk? I find it takes a really dialed-in stroke and meticulous cueing to pocket balls cleanly and move the cue ball around the table. Is this kind of practice counterproductive?
Thanks
Thanks
Practicing Without Chalk
- Thread starter PhilosopherKing
- Start date
With a level stroke, (or as close to level as possible) I can usually generate all the english I need while staying very close to the center of the cue ball.
For me, a very short back stroke and a somewhat exaggerated follow through work best when using english without chalk.
We will play the way we practice. Why would you want to practice in a very different way from how you intend to play?
Practice is to learn, and develop habits that will come into play during competition.
What would you learn by not using chalk, that you couldn't learn with a properly chalked tip?
Steve
Practice is to learn, and develop habits that will come into play during competition.
What would you learn by not using chalk, that you couldn't learn with a properly chalked tip?
Steve
Hi,
In my case, the lack of chalk seems to highlight any flaws or inconsistencies in my technique. A chalked tip is more forgiving... Playing without chalk tends to FORCE me to fully concentrate on shots I may ordinarily shoot nonchalantly. It just gets me tuned-in mentally.
I also tend to feel the hit better, relying on finesse rather than power. Limiting what I can do with the cue ball, calls for smarter patterns and more exacting angle and speed play.
Thanks
I'm confused. How exactly does an "exaggerated follow through" help???
Thanks, randyg
Hi,
The tip seems to mesh or make better contact with the cue ball when using a "somewhat" exaggerated follow through. It also helps to generate the required speed without coming too far off the cue ball during my back swing.
Thanks
Its the effect of not having chalk which forces him to stay more center to the cue ball. Thats what he is looking for, and honestly if you can execute and get out with out extreme english, the more consistent your shot making will be. There is a caveat here. There will be times when extreme english will get you out of trouble. But to learn to stay closer to the center of the cue ball more, that is something everyone should strive for.
Agreed! However, if the OP gets more than 1/2 tip off the vertical or horizontal axis he WILL miscue more often than not. The chalk is what allows the edge of the tip (what you strike the CB with, using any kind of spin) to hold on the CB. It's certainly true that you can play center ball and make most shots, and get position, without using chalk. Using draw, follow, left or right spin is something else.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
PhilospherKing..."Seems to" is the operative term here. It's quite impossible, since the CB is gone from the tip in 1/1000th of a second. Once the CB has left the tip, nothing you can do changes the outcome.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Next point (first of all- agree with all shown-up*contras* before^^) is, that you ll have a problem later with your tip- the leather won t have any grip at all after playin a lil more time without usging any chalk (leather tip will be like glass). And you will not be able put chalk onto your tip again without preparing your leather before.
The most of your reasons confusing me a bit and make me really thinkin if your question was seriously and not kidding. (if meant seriously, then sorry!)
The most of your reasons confusing me a bit and make me really thinkin if your question was seriously and not kidding. (if meant seriously, then sorry!)
Hi,
I'm not trying to turn science on it's ear... I have no basis for doing so. I'm simply describing my experience of what may or may not be happening. I've experimented with what to me "seem" like different ways of applying english without chalk, and I've described what works best for me.
Thanks
and all we're trying to tell you is that what you think is happening...isn't. You asked for opinions on trying to keep doing what you do, and you've gotten a few. Nobody seems to agree with what you're trying to do...but hey, that why it's ALWAYS different strokes for different folks! :grin:
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I apologize for appearing so foolishly bullheaded. I was just indirectly suggesting that maybe there's something to be gained from taking off the thinking cap every now and then and feeling for the limits of whats possible instead of cogitating for them.
That aside, for me, the idea behind playing without chalk is similar to that of the golf club that collapses with a flawed swing... If I don't deliver the tip perfectly, there's a miscue, and the shot collapses. The deliberate application of english was a departure from what I had in mind when I started this thread.
Thank you all for the responses.
Has it helped you?
IF IT HELPS -it's of value. If not -why do it. You are the best judge.
I do something similar to refocus on the effectiveness of center ball. I practice with an unchalked phenolic tip when I find myself spinning the cb too much and throwing shots off line too much. Good back to basics head slap. Works for me-for a while.
3railkick
IF IT HELPS -it's of value. If not -why do it. You are the best judge.
I do something similar to refocus on the effectiveness of center ball. I practice with an unchalked phenolic tip when I find myself spinning the cb too much and throwing shots off line too much. Good back to basics head slap. Works for me-for a while.
3railkick