Pre-Shot Routine and Practice Strokes

[Cdryden]

There is a old saying that goes "consistency is the key to success". And that about sums it up for me.

As far as how many strokes, personally it's 1...2...3...fire.

As said previously in this thread if I haven't pulled the trigger after that then something is off. I then stand up, look over the shot again, then go back through the process.

 

[scottjen26]

I've been spending more time in the last 6 months actively playing with my PSR than probably any other time in my 20 years of playing. After getting back into it again, watching a lot of matches, and seeing my own inconsistencies, I decided to focus on it more intently.

Agree with Scott Lee and others, it's important to have a good routine for consistency, pressure proofing your game, etc. Whether you actively work at it or it comes naturally, most of the top pool players, golfers, free throw shooters, etc. have one. Studies have shown that a top player will use the same routine and number of strokes on the majority of their shots, only varying (sometimes) on easy or difficult shots or certain specialty shots. What's important is that it fits your natural rhythm and eye movements and becomes very natural and something you can fall back on.

For myself, since I wasn't getting some answers I was looking for and was still questioning my own rhythm, I actually came up with a chart of various combinations - starting with a pause or stroking as I'm getting down on the shot, taking various numbers of strokes of different lengths, etc. I ended up with 10 or 12 combinations that I thought were reasonable for me and played 5 - 10 minutes with each one night, keeping track of what I liked and didn't like. I was able to quickly narrow it down to 2 or 3 routines, the others just didn't feel right. Then I played with those some more and landed on a combination that I liked. It was nice, once I did that and could stop thinking about everything else I improved my consistency and overall game. I'm also more aware of when I'm not in my rhythm, enabling me to switch things up mid-match and get back in stroke.

Hope this answers your original questions, even if a little out of order…
Scott

 

[3kushn]

What is it you like.

Classical
Rock
Heavy Metal
Blues
.
.
Stick with the beat/rhythm that's YOU Don't deviate. Find the song or whatever keeps you in your beat and stick with it. Its you after all. Not me.

Its simple If you're consistent then guess what?

 

[One Pocket John]

I take 2 before I pull the trigger. What I have found is if I take more than 2 my conscious mind starts getting involved. What I mean by that is I start trying to control the english and speed of the shot. I prefer to let my sub-conscious let that happen.

All decisions for the shot are made in the standing position. The only thing you should be thinking about is the hit off off the object ball. The QB will go where you wanted it to.

John

 

[randyg]

I take 2 before I pull the trigger. What I have found is if I take more than 2 my conscious mind starts getting involved. What I mean by that is I start trying to control the english and speed of the shot. I prefer to let my sub-conscious let that happen.

All decisions for the shot are made in the standing position. The only thing you should be thinking about is the hit off off the object ball. The QB will go where you wanted it to.

John

What a great post.
Your words hold wisdom.

thanks
randyg

 

[center pocket]

I've been spending more time in the last 6 months actively playing with my PSR than probably any other time in my 20 years of playing. After getting back into it again, watching a lot of matches, and seeing my own inconsistencies, I decided to focus on it more intently.

Agree with Scott Lee and others, it's important to have a good routine for consistency, pressure proofing your game, etc. Whether you actively work at it or it comes naturally, most of the top pool players, golfers, free throw shooters, etc. have one. Studies have shown that a top player will use the same routine and number of strokes on the majority of their shots, only varying (sometimes) on easy or difficult shots or certain specialty shots. What's important is that it fits your natural rhythm and eye movements and becomes very natural and something you can fall back on.

For myself, since I wasn't getting some answers I was looking for and was still questioning my own rhythm, I actually came up with a chart of various combinations - starting with a pause or stroking as I'm getting down on the shot, taking various numbers of strokes of different lengths, etc. I ended up with 10 or 12 combinations that I thought were reasonable for me and played 5 - 10 minutes with each one night, keeping track of what I liked and didn't like. I was able to quickly narrow it down to 2 or 3 routines, the others just didn't feel right. Then I played with those some more and landed on a combination that I liked. It was nice, once I did that and could stop thinking about everything else I improved my consistency and overall game. I'm also more aware of when I'm not in my rhythm, enabling me to switch things up mid-match and get back in stroke.

Hope this answers your original questions, even if a little out of order…
Scott

I did sort of the same thing a couple years ago. I just video taped myself playing around and noticed what was natural to me was 4-6 strokes before the shot. I now do 3 aiming strokes with two practice strokes.

 

[stljohnny]

When I'm first starting out for the evening, my pre-shot routine is very much in affect. Make a decision, pick a spot for the CB, step into the shot, get down, 2 or 3 practice swings and fire. It's only after I've been playing for a long time and gotten really into a zone - not necessarily THE zone, but a zone nonetheless where I lose track of time and my pre-shot routine falls apart. It's like I'm operating completely unconsciously, but not the good way where everything I shoot at drops... I'm just kinda brain dead, going through the motions. It's here where I will likely one-stroke everything, but not think it's a bad thing. hahaha

 

[Scott Lee]

Maniac...I agree with you, to a point. When down longer than 10-12 seconds, yes you need to stand back up and start over. However, if you do your warmups, and are not ready, one can repeat the warmup process (which includes a stop at the CB, prior to execution), a few times without having to stand back up. I only stand back up if I have lost my aim point on the OB.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Scott may (or may not) have intended to tell you to stand up and start over before doing the "warm up cycle" again. Staying down over a shot for too long a period of time will make your muscles start doing funny (as in: not good) things. If I haven't pulled the trigger after my usual amount of practice strokes (which varies depending on difficulty), then I will STAND UP and start the process over again.

Maniac

 

[Scott Lee]

That would be me, Pops! See you tomorrow.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

If I may, who taught you the SPF Method?

Thanks
randyg

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I took lessons with Scott in the past. I found that I did the best when I took 2 practice strokes, then fire. However, lately I've been noticing that the pause seems to be far more important for me. I have observed many pros and how/when they pause. Take a look at this match between Reyes and Strickland. It is uncanny how consistent they are in their "pausing". Strickland takes some warmup strokes (seems like no set number). He then has a pronounced pause with the cue tip at the cueball. Then he fires. The pause for him is often very short, but it happens right at that point every single time. For Reyes, he pauses, then takes one practice stroke and fires. Every single time.

I've noticed that Shane takes some practice strokes, but each one starts to go slower than the last. He then has a VERY pronouced pause, much longer than the other two. It appears that during this time he gets extremely still, so that no part of his body is moving at all. Then he pulls the trigger.

I find that Shane's method works for me the best. I have also found that the number of practice strokes seems not as important as the consistency with which you pause, and when you do it.

KMRUNOUT

 

[CreeDo]

An alternate way of looking at things:

I've always suspected pre-shot routine is somewhat overrated. That's not to say you shouldn't have one or shouldn't be consistent. But I think a consistent pre-shot routine is the result of good habits, not the cause.

If you get into the same familiar stance all the time, you don't need to think about stepping into it, it'll just happen because it's what's comfortable for you.

If you've developed a steady stroke, know how to line up on a ball before getting down, and don't have excessive nervousness... you're gonna take a few natural practice swings then shoot in a reasonable timeframe. It might coincidentally turn out to be the same number of swings each time, but if it's not... who cares?

There's no reason to keep sawing away at the stick once you're confident you're on the line of aim. And if you're not confident, you gotta just hit that ball a few times and/or develop a method of lining up the shot.

I'd say counting practice strokes is bad for you. What if you arrive at your magic number and you don't feel ready to shoot? That's a sure recipe for a missed ball. You shoot when you're ready, not before. Don't try to force it. Once you become a confident shotmaker, you'll probably end up doing a similar number of practice swings each time... but counting them is like thinking about blinking. It'll only drive you nuts.

 

[randyg]

An alternate way of looking at things:

I've always suspected pre-shot routine is somewhat overrated. That's not to say you shouldn't have one or shouldn't be consistent. But I think a consistent pre-shot routine is the result of good habits, not the cause.

If you get into the same familiar stance all the time, you don't need to think about stepping into it, it'll just happen because it's what's comfortable for you.

If you've developed a steady stroke, know how to line up on a ball before getting down, and don't have excessive nervousness... you're gonna take a few natural practice swings then shoot in a reasonable timeframe. It might coincidentally turn out to be the same number of swings each time, but if it's not... who cares?

There's no reason to keep sawing away at the stick once you're confident you're on the line of aim. And if you're not confident, you gotta just hit that ball a few times and/or develop a method of lining up the shot.

I'd say counting practice strokes is bad for you. What if you arrive at your magic number and you don't feel ready to shoot? That's a sure recipe for a missed ball. You shoot when you're ready, not before. Don't try to force it. Once you become a confident shotmaker, you'll probably end up doing a similar number of practice swings each time... but counting them is like thinking about blinking. It'll only drive you nuts.

Chicken or the Egg. Whatever, you need 3 PSR's.
randyg

 

[center pocket]

An alternate way of looking at things:

I've always suspected pre-shot routine is somewhat overrated. That's not to say you shouldn't have one or shouldn't be consistent. But I think a consistent pre-shot routine is the result of good habits, not the cause.

If you get into the same familiar stance all the time, you don't need to think about stepping into it, it'll just happen because it's what's comfortable for you.

If you've developed a steady stroke, know how to line up on a ball before getting down, and don't have excessive nervousness... you're gonna take a few natural practice swings then shoot in a reasonable timeframe. It might coincidentally turn out to be the same number of swings each time, but if it's not... who cares?

There's no reason to keep sawing away at the stick once you're confident you're on the line of aim. And if you're not confident, you gotta just hit that ball a few times and/or develop a method of lining up the shot.

I'd say counting practice strokes is bad for you. What if you arrive at your magic number and you don't feel ready to shoot? That's a sure recipe for a missed ball. You shoot when you're ready, not before. Don't try to force it. Once you become a confident shotmaker, you'll probably end up doing a similar number of practice swings each time... but counting them is like thinking about blinking. It'll only drive you nuts.

I felt the same way for the longest time. Sometimes i would shoot the lights out pretty close to Open speed player, other times I couldnt run a rack to save my life. The problem was that to really be great, you need to shoot great all the time. I have come to realize that a Preshot routine is both: a result of good habits and a cause for even better habits.

Think about this for a minute. I used whatever number of practice strokes I felt was right in the past. I have always had a consistent eye pattern so I make balls. I always tried to feel my stroke but never at an exact moment. But what SPF does and what that routine really helps you with is narrowing your margin for error so that you can really feel your stroke and speed control at a specific, consistent moment. Ever since I have been pausing like Allison Fisher, my touch has jumped exponentially. I am not saying that i did not feel my stroke before, or had horrible speed control. I am saying that my new PSR and SPF has taken my good habits, applied an area of consistency that I didnt have before, and created an even better habit. Now that I have a consistent pause, a consistent moment where I am really feeling my stroke, I now execute on a higher level than before and at a more consistent rate!!!

 

[C.Milian]

dave, i have wrote a lot about this in my coaching book, and also exercise's on how to find your natural rhythm.

pre shot routine is the most important part of every shot, sighting, alignment, pre shot thoughts, power, angle, position of cueball are just some of the pre shot routine.

once my book is finished i will let you know if your interested in purchasing this.

thanks lee

I hope you do good with the money you earn from your book. How about 20%?

 

[C.Milian]

An alternate way of looking at things:

I've always suspected pre-shot routine is somewhat overrated. That's not to say you shouldn't have one or shouldn't be consistent. But I think a consistent pre-shot routine is the result of good habits, not the cause.

If you get into the same familiar stance all the time, you don't need to think about stepping into it, it'll just happen because it's what's comfortable for you.

If you've developed a steady stroke, know how to line up on a ball before getting down, and don't have excessive nervousness... you're gonna take a few natural practice swings then shoot in a reasonable timeframe. It might coincidentally turn out to be the same number of swings each time, but if it's not... who cares?

There's no reason to keep sawing away at the stick once you're confident you're on the line of aim. And if you're not confident, you gotta just hit that ball a few times and/or develop a method of lining up the shot.

I'd say counting practice strokes is bad for you. What if you arrive at your magic number and you don't feel ready to shoot? That's a sure recipe for a missed ball. You shoot when you're ready, not before. Don't try to force it. Once you become a confident shotmaker, you'll probably end up doing a similar number of practice swings each time... but counting them is like thinking about blinking. It'll only drive you nuts.

LOL...is that a simile or analogy?