Pre shot Routine

C

CubaElFlaco

Registered
Most people tell me my biggest problem is that I have no rhythm or pre-shot routine. People also tell me I rush all the time. I'll make tough shots and miss easy ones. That sort of thing. I can't seem to help it.

How have others developed a consistent pre-shot routine?

Thanks, this is my first post and I plan on participating here a lot more. i love pool.
 
CubaElFlaco said:
Most people tell me my biggest problem is that I have no rhythm or pre-shot routine. People also tell me I rush all the time. I'll make tough shots and miss easy ones. That sort of thing. I can't seem to help it.

How have others developed a consistent pre-shot routine?

Thanks, this is my first post and I plan on participating here a lot more. i love pool.
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Chalk and think. When you approach the table know what you are going to do. Remember slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
 
Pre Shot Routine

For example my pre shot routine is the following:

-Chalk up and walk around the table (not always all the way around but always checking which balls go, which don't, which side of the ball i want to be on for certain shots).
-Pick the shot that I want to take and determine how to get position on the next ball (and what I will do the following ball and which side of the ball I need on to get to the 3rd shot).
-Next once I know the exact point I need to hit the object ball I visualize that ghost ball and go over behind the cue ball (never taking my eyes off the ghost) and I get my body in line
- I then visualize the shot, the whole shot - getting down, practice strokes and then delivering the final stroke with the object ball going into the pocket and the cueball going where I need it to.
- Now I'm ready to get down on the shot, I do practice strokes until I find the right speed the deliver that last stroke confidently
- I try to stay down and watch the shot from there


Now this seems like a lot and it would take a while but it doesn't. The longest is the initial planning of the pattern. After I have the pattern planned, if I stay in line then I stick to the plan.

But a pre-shot routine is very important for consistancy. You shouldn't think of shots as easy or hard. You should go through your routine and have a plan on every shot. Try setting up a relatively easy shot and place a napkin or piece of paper on the table where you are aiming for position (don't make this too easy of position but rather 3 or 4 diamonds away on the natural tangent line). Now shoot this shot 50 times and see how many times you make it and get the position. Without a Pre shot routine you will probably start missing the shot or the position or both.
 
I reached a high level without ever having a preshot routine but I too have found that I need one and have started to work on the best one for me. I did just as you have here and asked people, all gave me there routine and what works for them. I even watched a lot of pros to see what they do and no one has the same one but they all have one, at least the top players do. Which led me to two things everyone needs one and you have to find what works for you. Try some different things and when you find something you like stick with it on Hard shots and Easy ones.
 
I learned about this pre-shot routine when I was at the SBE from a very knowlegable instructor. This gentleman produces the "ProSkillDrill" series. I found it very easy to remember and it forces you to stay down on your shot. I did not see any copyright info on his article so I hope it is ok to share with everyone.
iwu6oi.jpg
 
freedog69 said:
I learned about this pre-shot routine when I was at the SBE from a very knowlegable instructor. This gentleman produces the "ProSkillDrill" series. I found it very easy to remember and it forces you to stay down on your shot. I did not see any copyright info on his article so I hope it is ok to share with everyone.
iwu6oi.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice share..=)
 
Thank you everyone. I was thinking to start a rhythm like:

1.Chalk and think
2. Imagine shooting the shot and position after
3. Aim back foot at area of OB you'll hit (someone showed me this)
4. Step in with other leg and get down on the shot.
5. Practice strokes (Make sure I'm aiming center ball if that's my intention)
6. Look at spot on OB I wanna hit the spot on CB that'll contact. Repeat.
7. Look at Spot on CB I'm aiming at.
8. Shoot.

It will be hard to make this habit.

Does anyone have an opinion about this?
 
CubaElFlaco said:
Thank you everyone. I was thinking to start a rhythm like:

1.Chalk and think
2. Imagine shooting the shot and position after
3. Aim back foot at area of OB you'll hit (someone showed me this)
4. Step in with other leg and get down on the shot.
5. Practice strokes (Make sure I'm aiming center ball if that's my intention)
6. Look at spot on OB I wanna hit the spot on CB that'll contact. Repeat.
7. Look at Spot on CB I'm aiming at.
8. Shoot.

It will be hard to make this habit.

Does anyone have an opinion about this?
Click to expand...

to much verbage.. brackets are { what I'm doing} and the other is what I'm thinking what some of us call a mantra

after I have made all decisions, speed, spin, the next balls, all strategy is done I am committed to this shot

{find my aim point (Ghost ball center) from behind the object ball looking at the pocket and lock my eyes on it}

spot 1, 2,

{keeping my eyes on that spot I move my body behind the cue ball and point my cue at the spot I am staring at as I drop into my stance}

relax 1, 2,

{let my body ease into position after the 2 count I shift my eyes to the CB and move my tip as close to the cb as I can. easing my back hand into it's bottom dead center position I also apply sidespin during this step if needed I do it by shifting my hips a trick that takes some practice to master}

and 1, and 2,
{ warm up strokes back on the beat "and" forward on the beat of the number}

stop, eyes up

{shift my eyes back to my target}

1, 2, back, home 1, 2,

{set , pause, finish}

and I do it all on a cadence a beat I hear in my head.

hope that helps
 
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spot 1, 2,

relax 1, 2,

and 1, and 2,

stop, eyes up

1, 2, back, home 1, 2,


the way I ingrained it was I set up a practice drill any drill will do and said it out loud while I did that drill everyday for months


then I kept repeating it in my head over and over even when I wasn't playing pool..just hitting the beats.

now that beat is unavoidable I hear it whether I want to or not as long as there is a cue in my hand.

it's had growing pains and revisions.. it built itself along with the rest of my game slowly over time
 
softshot said:
spot 1, 2,

relax 1, 2,

and 1, and 2,

stop, eyes up

1, 2, back, home 1, 2,


the way I ingrained it was I set up a practice drill any drill will do and said it out loud while I did that drill everyday for months


then I kept repeating it in my head over and over even when I wasn't playing pool..just hitting the beats.

now that beat is unavoidable I hear it whether I want to or not as long as there is a cue in my hand.

it's had growing pains and revisions.. it built itself along with the rest of my game slowly over time
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Do you still Train with Mother Drill #1????
randyg
 
Your pre shot routine is more than that. I suspect you have been through an SPF school. Your pre shot routine is a combination of all 3 for your checklists...Studying, Standing, and Shooting. You should have a consistent routine for each area.

Steve
 
randyg said:
Do you still Train with Mother Drill #1????
randyg
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yes but I use a slower different more exaggerated count with that drill

I also add a small calisthenics workout between sets to wake up the muscles and make them more receptive to the training..

it's been working out quite well
 
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pooltchr said:
Your pre shot routine is more than that. I suspect you have been through an SPF school. Your pre shot routine is a combination of all 3 for your checklists...Studying, Standing, and Shooting. You should have a consistent routine for each area.

Steve
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I agree up to a point .. however.. the post I was replying to was asking for help establishing rhythm and cadence..

and I gave him my mantra, standing, and shooting, system

the study checklist is a completely different animal IMO

sometimes my 4 year old can instantly tell you what you should shoot next and how to shoot it... other times Machine gun Lou needs to stop and think before proceeding..

different games can change it completely the study checklist for 1 pocket is a bit different than the one for 3 ball.

trying to tie rhythm to something that can vary so wildly is a mistake IMO

sometimes it will be a waste and other times it won't be enough to do the job properly..

the system I shared can be applied to all games equally..
 
the study checklists only purpose is thinking.. the mantra and rhythm of the standing and shooting checklist is used to avoid thinking..
 
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Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. I have become more conscious when I'm shooting. It's tiring mentally to follow steps but I seem to miss much more when I don't stick to the script.

In my room (Classic Billiards in Rochester) there's an 85 year old man who was New York State champ in 1965. Today he watched me and told me something I didn't know.

He said to do the back and forth thing looking from the spot on the CB to OB but when I take my final stroke on the back swing keep my eye on the CB and then switch to the object ball right before release. It works very well for me.

Here are 2 vids. Me losing a game and winning a game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ8IhQ7FN6k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktRgxdbTOhU

Here's a video of me doing a drill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUbYfCPKFJ4
 
CubaElFlaco said:
He said to do the back and forth thing looking from the spot on the CB to OB but when I take my final stroke on the back swing keep my eye on the CB and then switch to the object ball right before release. It works very well for me.

]
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That eye pattern works well for a lot of people. I believe it is similar to Allison's PEP. I would only caution you to allow enough time (1 to 2 seconds) for your eyes to lock in on your final target and for it to register with your brain before you execute the shot. I believe that is one of the reasons Allison's pause at the end of her backstroke is as long as it is.

Steve
 
CubaElFlaco said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. I have become more conscious when I'm shooting. It's tiring mentally to follow steps but I seem to miss much more when I don't stick to the script.

In my room (Classic Billiards in Rochester) there's an 85 year old man who was New York State champ in 1965. Today he watched me and told me something I didn't know.

He said to do the back and forth thing looking from the spot on the CB to OB but when I take my final stroke on the back swing keep my eye on the CB and then switch to the object ball right before release. It works very well for me.

Here are 2 vids. Me losing a game and winning a game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ8IhQ7FN6k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktRgxdbTOhU

Here's a video of me doing a drill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUbYfCPKFJ4
Click to expand...



I agree with Steve here. That eye pattern is very dangerous BUT alot of great players seem to handle it. There is another eye pattern that is a little safer. Keep up the good work
randyg
 
Pre shot

The other posts have great advice here.
Others have posted their steps so I will not duplicate that.
The pre shot routine is the foundation from where you will make every shot and get postion to your next.
It is like building a house, you don't start with roof, you create a rock soild foundation that everyhing else will build on.
Instruction will be the best way to find out where your errors are. I wish I would have gotten some earlier on. I still have bad habits that I am trying to break.
A fast tempo can be just fine, just make sure you do it the same way every time.
Now stick with your routine!!
Here is what I have done to help my game.
Then the next time you miss a shot or make an error you can then make a mental note or actual one on what you did wrong. Most of the time it will be something in the pre shot routine. If it is a hard shot and you missed, well you are not the first person to do that.
Let's call it self diagnosis. This is how we as playes advance.
From there you can add or subtract from your routine and then make the needed adjustments.
On the mental side of things I try my hardest not to think about what will happen if I make a shot or miss a shot. I really just try to focus on makeing the ball and getting my next postion. This is easier said than done but I am getting better at it :)
Now if you don't know what you are doing wrong, then you need instruction.
Best of luck and keep playing.
 
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