Pre-Shot Routine and Practice Strokes

[kollegedave]

O.k. so in watching video of a number of pro players, I have been trying to see if there is any rhyme or reason behind the number of practice strokes each player takes. Clearly, different players use different methods, but I have noticed that Tony Robles uses 4 practice strokes, and shoots on the fifth stroke--for the vast majority of his shots.

Currently, I have no set practice stroke number, but I am considering adopting this method, and I am interested in your ideas:

1) Do you have a set number of practice strokes?

2) Why did you choose to start using a practice stroke limit, and how did you arrive at the number you use?

3) If you use a set number of practice strokes, have you experienced any downsides to this?

4) Do you have strong feelings for or against the idea of using a set number of practice strokes and why do you have that opinion?

Thanx in advance

kollegedave

 

[krelldog]

Use the SPF...Set/Pause/Finish.....and then you will understand there is no magic practice stroke amount. The Set and Pause being the most important pre-shot tools you can use.

 

[brokenarrowjbe]

It is up to you. I find to many starts to be exactly that. Too many. Hard shots, 5-6, medium shots, 3-4, easy shots with no position issues 3-4. Good luck, John

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

You mentioned Tony is pretty consistent with his pre-strokes but for absolute consistency check out video of VV. She takes two then goes every time.

 

[kollegedave]

bump for the Monday morning crowd

 

[C.Milian]

You should be able to find your stroke within a limited amount of pre-shot strokes. The ability to do so allows for more time to do the more important things. What slows people down is adjusting for the wrong things. I hope that you find that it only makes sense that, when a target is big there is no need to spend much time finding it.

 

[Dan White]

Tony recommends using a fixed number of practice strokes to create consistency and so that your mind is sure to be focused on the shot by the time it comes to your final stroke.

Lori Jon Jones used SEVEN practice strokes every time. Every......time....

 

[center pocket]

Tony recommends using a fixed number of practice strokes to create consistency and so that your mind is sure to be focused on the shot by the time it comes to your final stroke.

Lori Jon Jones used SEVEN practice strokes every time. Every......time....

I have recently been practicing really hard on SPF and practice strokes. What I have come to find is this:

If i reach my number practice strokes and I still havent pulled the trigger; there is something either off or I am not 100% comfortable with the shot for any variety of reasons.

If I shoot the ball in before my number of practice strokes; I am starting to speed up and I am too comfortable. That being said I still try to do my 5 strokes on the next shot so I that I dont rush and start getting lazy on position.

 

[Wolven]

Tony recommends using a fixed number of practice strokes to create consistency and so that your mind is sure to be focused on the shot by the time it comes to your final stroke.

Lori Jon Jones used SEVEN practice strokes every time. Every......time....

Seven practice strokes sounds like a lot!

I have red in a couple of books that having exact numbers of strokes is actually detrimental.
It all depends on the green light.
Some shots require fewer and some will need more.
2-3 pre-strokes on the easy shot, 4-5 on the hard.

I use the pre-strokes just to see if the cue is moving in a straight line to the target and if it feels right.

Stopping at CB and purposeful back movement with some hang time at the end is all that is needed.
Hate to say it but SPF makes more sense.

 

[Scott Lee]

The point is to figure out what number works best for the individual, but try to keep it consistent (as Tony Robles recommended). Most players will be comfortable with 2-3 REAL warmups (these are not what some people do while they are aiming...when aiming is complete, the warmup cycle begins). The real key is to complete your cycle, which finishes with a stop at the CB for a second. This allows your subconscious mind to decide whether you are ready to strike the CB on the next swing, or not. If so, slow back and stroke through the CB. If not, do your same warm up cycle and stop again. This can be repeated as many times as it takes to "get comfortable" and ready to pull the trigger. 80% of shots will require only one set of warmups.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

I have recently been practicing really hard on SPF and practice strokes. What I have come to find is this:

If i reach my number practice strokes and I still havent pulled the trigger; there is something either off or I am not 100% comfortable with the shot for any variety of reasons.

If I shoot the ball in before my number of practice strokes; I am starting to speed up and I am too comfortable. That being said I still try to do my 5 strokes on the next shot so I that I dont rush and start getting lazy on position.

 

[Rickw]

You mentioned Tony is pretty consistent with his pre-strokes but for absolute consistency check out video of VV. She takes two then goes every time.

Someone like Vivian is a rhythm player. They shoot by feel. Shooters like Buddy Hall, on the other hand, use a more deliberate approach. Not saying he doesn't have his own rhythm but he is deliberate. I think these two players are on either end of the spectrum of what this thread is trying to get at. I wouldn't say either is right or wrong. They do what works best for them. You have to find out what works best for you.

 

[onepocketron]

Preshot routine is important IMHO. I get down on the cue ball, 2 practice strokes, pause at the cue ball, pull the trigger.

If varied I find I rush the shot, or even worse, I start thinking (thinking should be done before getting down on the ball) which is sure to be a disaster since that is not the side of the brain I need working when I pull the trigger.

 

[lee brett]

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

 

[lfigueroa]

O.k. so in watching video of a number of pro players, I have been trying to see if there is any rhyme or reason behind the number of practice strokes each player takes. Clearly, different players use different methods, but I have noticed that Tony Robles uses 4 practice strokes, and shoots on the fifth stroke--for the vast majority of his shots.

Currently, I have no set practice stroke number, but I am considering adopting this method, and I am interested in your ideas:

1) Do you have a set number of practice strokes?

2) Why did you choose to start using a practice stroke limit, and how did you arrive at the number you use?

3) If you use a set number of practice strokes, have you experienced any downsides to this?

4) Do you have strong feelings for or against the idea of using a set number of practice strokes and why do you have that opinion?

Thanx in advance

kollegedave

I believe it is important to ensure your practice strokes, regardless of how many, have purpose.

IOW, you shouldn't be down just sawing away for no good reason -- you should be measuring things out with each swing, double checking your hit on the CB, your alignment with the OB and pocket, and refining your intended stroke speed. Once you have those locked in you pull the trigger. I think most players, if they have a solid PSR, are already in good shape once they're down in shooting position, so the practice strokes are just a quick double check on the majority of shots. The tougher, trickier ones -- or for the shots you don't "know" but are going to attempt anyway -- may require an extra couple of strokes.

IAC, the number of strokes should only be as long as your wetware (brain) needs to process the coordinates of any given shot.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Maniac]

This allows your subconscious mind to decide whether you are ready to strike the CB on the next swing, or not. If so, slow back and stroke through the CB. If not, do your same warm up cycle and stop again.

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

 

[randyg]

I have recently been practicing really hard on SPF and practice strokes. What I have come to find is this:

If i reach my number practice strokes and I still havent pulled the trigger; there is something either off or I am not 100% comfortable with the shot for any variety of reasons.

If I shoot the ball in before my number of practice strokes; I am starting to speed up and I am too comfortable. That being said I still try to do my 5 strokes on the next shot so I that I dont rush and start getting lazy on position.

If I may, who taught you the SPF Method?

Thanks
randyg

 

[randyg]

I believe it is important to ensure your practice strikes, regardless of how many, have purpose.

IOW, you shouldn't be down just sawing away for no good reason -- you should be measuring things out with each swing, double checking your hit on the CB, your alignment with the OB and pocket, and refining your intended stroke speed. Once you have those locked in you pull the trigger. I think most players, if they have a solid PSR, are already in good shape once they're down in shooting position, so the practice strokes are just a quick double check on the majority of shots. The tougher, trickier ones -- or for the shots you don't "know" but are going to attempt anyway -- may require an extra couple of strokes.

IAC, the number of strokes should only be as long as your wetware (brain) needs to process the coordinates of any given shot.

Lou Figueroa

Lou. I thought all of that was suppose to be done before we get over the shot?

Thanks
randyg

 

[lfigueroa]

Lou. I thought all of that was suppose to be done before we get over the shot?

Thanks
randyg

If you had highlighted the right words in my original post you could have answered this for yourself



Originally Posted by lfigueroa
"I believe it is important to ensure your practice strikes, regardless of how many, have purpose.

IOW, you shouldn't be down just sawing away for no good reason -- you should be measuring things out with each swing, double checking your hit on the CB, your alignment with the OB and pocket, and refining your intended stroke speed. Once you have those locked in you pull the trigger. I think most players, if they have a solid PSR, are already in good shape once they're down in shooting position, so the practice strokes are just a quick double check on the majority of shots. The tougher, trickier ones -- or for the shots you don't "know" but are going to attempt anyway -- may require an extra couple of strokes.

IAC, the number of strokes should only be as long as your wetware (brain) needs to process the coordinates of any given shot."



No, no. Don't thank me -- always happy to help the instructors.

Lou Figueroa

 

[randyg]

If you had highlighted the right words in my original post you could have answered this for yourself



Originally Posted by lfigueroa
"I believe it is important to ensure your practice strikes, regardless of how many, have purpose.

IOW, you shouldn't be down just sawing away for no good reason -- you should be measuring things out with each swing, double checking your hit on the CB, your alignment with the OB and pocket, and refining your intended stroke speed. Once you have those locked in you pull the trigger. I think most players, if they have a solid PSR, are already in good shape once they're down in shooting position, so the practice strokes are just a quick double check on the majority of shots. The tougher, trickier ones -- or for the shots you don't "know" but are going to attempt anyway -- may require an extra couple of strokes.

IAC, the number of strokes should only be as long as your wetware (brain) needs to process the coordinates of any given shot."



No, no. Don't thank me -- always happy to help the instructors.

Lou Figueroa

OK
randyg

 

[center pocket]

If I may, who taught you the SPF Method?

Thanks
randyg

Scott Lee. Also, Stan Shuffet sent me Landon's preshot routine awhile back and he uses SPF as well. I am trying to make that routine my own since I already tend to do about 70% of his routine naturally.

If you have a disagreement with what I said let me know.