pre shot routine AND a "check list"???
- Thread starter oldplayer
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I like starting my preshot routine with chalking, so I can focus on making sure I get good chalk on the tip and then turn my focus towards the rest of the PSR. I think the one Dr Dave has offered here is a pretty good one.
Its great how much info there is on pool nowadays. Back in the 80s when I was growing up, it was all watch and listen with maybe a dog eared copy of Byrnes Standard book to page through.
Its great how much info there is on pool nowadays. Back in the 80s when I was growing up, it was all watch and listen with maybe a dog eared copy of Byrnes Standard book to page through.
Hi Mr. Naji,
I did not say that I do not take my time.
Also, I am not saying that I make every shot & that I do not ever mis.
I'm just saying that I do not have a SET pre shot routine. My only SET pre shot routine is to figure out where I want to go with the cue ball & how do I want to get it there. Once I have decided that I just move in to shoot the shot.
Now that being said, with CJ's TOI I am developing more of a pattern but am actually shooting quicker.
My point was more about the check list part. I certainly do not have one & would not want one. If I had to play the game like a programmed robot I think I would quit.
That said, if one needs or wants to play that way then by all means they should.
It's just not for me. Maybe it is because I played a lot of other ball sports where you react for the most part & do not have any time to go through a check list or a pre anything routine.
All the Best,
Rick
My opinion is that a "check list" would be completely contradictory to the benefiits and purpose of a PSR.
Not that your PSR is not a list persay of steps, but that it is not something I "check" off prior to each shot.
It should be a process that's habitual and automatic, that calms your mind and body and establishes almost a zen like focus. Its not really so much about not forgetting steps as it is about putting you in a certain state of mind for me.
Obviously you have to learn and develop it first but the goal should be total fluid integration and not a kin to pulling out a grocery list and pencil....IMO.
Not that your PSR is not a list persay of steps, but that it is not something I "check" off prior to each shot.
It should be a process that's habitual and automatic, that calms your mind and body and establishes almost a zen like focus. Its not really so much about not forgetting steps as it is about putting you in a certain state of mind for me.
Obviously you have to learn and develop it first but the goal should be total fluid integration and not a kin to pulling out a grocery list and pencil....IMO.
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I agree.
If I do have any pre shot 'routine'. One was never taught to me & I have never given one any conscious thought.
If I do have a 'routine' it was developed by my subconscious & only it knows what it is.
Pocket Billiards is a result oriented game & not one that is awarded style points for following a set of 'rules' put in place by anyone not even oneself
as to how to go about it.
Again I agree with you.
Best Wishes,
Rick
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Good point about reactionary sports.
I think people who play sports tend to be more into feel and rely on instinct and reflexes.
I play hockey and badminton too and there's no time to think, just react. I think sports like golf and pool where you have time to think are tougher mentally, because there's nothing to react to and the conscious mind creeps in and messes everything up.
When I'm on, I can survey the table, plan three balls ahead, recognize the proper shot, and decide on the spin and speed in a second or two, often before the balls have stopped rolling. People ask me how I can play so fast, and I could never answer them, but I guess it comes from experience with other sports.
I think people who play sports tend to be more into feel and rely on instinct and reflexes.
I play hockey and badminton too and there's no time to think, just react. I think sports like golf and pool where you have time to think are tougher mentally, because there's nothing to react to and the conscious mind creeps in and messes everything up.
When I'm on, I can survey the table, plan three balls ahead, recognize the proper shot, and decide on the spin and speed in a second or two, often before the balls have stopped rolling. People ask me how I can play so fast, and I could never answer them, but I guess it comes from experience with other sports.
I wouldn't be without my laminated checklist and dry wipe marker pen... 
I can't imagine any pro player having a mental checklist where by they got to step 4 of said checklist and realised they had forgot step 2, so they revert back to step 1...that's never going to happen. The only time they revert back to the start is when they're down on a shot and it doesn't look right, or they have doubts about their choice of spin/CB position/speed.
Depends on your psr though I guess. I class my psr as the only things that stay exactly the same every shot.
Stand with right foot along right edge-right edge line, visualise the CB traveling along a path in order to make the ball, place right foot along that line and left foot square to that, drop down on the shot, shoot the shot.
That's a very short psr, but if you have a long complex routine then a mental checklist might possibly be needed atleast until it becomes second nature.
I can't imagine any pro player having a mental checklist where by they got to step 4 of said checklist and realised they had forgot step 2, so they revert back to step 1...that's never going to happen. The only time they revert back to the start is when they're down on a shot and it doesn't look right, or they have doubts about their choice of spin/CB position/speed.
Depends on your psr though I guess. I class my psr as the only things that stay exactly the same every shot.
Stand with right foot along right edge-right edge line, visualise the CB traveling along a path in order to make the ball, place right foot along that line and left foot square to that, drop down on the shot, shoot the shot.
That's a very short psr, but if you have a long complex routine then a mental checklist might possibly be needed atleast until it becomes second nature.
Victor,
You got it.
I'm much more subconscious in pool than in golf. Perhaps that is because I started playing pool at 13 & did not start playing golf until I was 27. Or...golf is that much more complex than pool. I know the golf swing is more complex & dynamic than a simple straight back & straight into cue stroke. When I have been in dead stroke I've seen the whole 8 ball run & 'knew' the english I would use for each shot & then it was like Nike says, just do it.
I was having trouble hitting my 3 wood one day when I guy walked me through doing what he does step by step & then he said, now hit it. BOOM! The point of that is that while I was consciously doing what he said step by step, I had no real conscious 'thoughts'. it was like he was my subconscious telling me what to do.
Again, I am not saying my way of no conscious PSR with a check list is for everyone. If anyone needs them &/or plays better with them, then that is what they should do.
All the Best,
Rick
I agree that a consistent and purposeful eye pattern is an important element of a pre-shot routine. FYI, this is covered in detail in the stroke "best practices" document linked in the article.
Regards,
Dave