Pre-shot Routine

Patso44

Patso44

Underdog
Silver Member
I have analyzed a few pro players (Thorsten Hohmann, SVB, Neils Fijen) over the last few hours and I have a question for any one who could give me a legitimate answer.

I watched as all three players would line up their shots, complete their pre-shot routine and then fire. All three would stay somewhat consistent with the number of pre-shot strokes they complete before delivering the final stroke. All of them seem to also be consistent with using fewer pre-shot strokes on much easier shots. When I see a pro not consistently using the same pre-shot strokes on each and every shot including very very easy shots, I feel that they are taking the shot for granted.

My question is.....Would it actually be a bad idea to stroke the same amount of times in my pre-shot routine on every single shot?




I see much benefit from this theory.

The good thing about this idea would be that my stroke would be much more consistent every time. If I am not committed to the shot or if I am taking more or less pre-shot strokes then intended before firing then I could stand back up and start all over again. The bad thing is that with actually perfecting the pre-shot routine for every single shot, I may rush the shot in my mind and miss.

I see much more benefit in taking for example (3 pre-shot stokes and then firing ) on every single shot I will ever shoot; despite I do not see any professionals do it to that extreme consistency.






Please clear this up for me....
Thanks ahead of time for all replies.


Patrick

 
Hi Patrick,

your close observation was good :)
And you have choosen some good examples for it. Souquet and Ouschan are also a wonderful example.
About the prestrokes I use to say-use as many as you re comfortable with- All of these players have (like each other usualy) a so called “point of no return”. This is usualy at the *last stop/Pause*. If they re feeling somehow something negative they cut and step away.
If you would do it after 3 or 5 prestrokes-who cares? Also you will also see often that also players with extremely bulletproofed per-shot-routines spending more attention on a very hard shot. Some then use kind of more pre-strokes-just until their brain give it a *go*.
The most important thing in my opinion is, to *Fire* in a time between 10-15 seconds while you re down to the shot. If you wait longer the *bad* part of the brain appears and let perhaps negative unnecessary thoughts come through.
Hope that helps,
Sry for low English^^

Ingo
 
Pat,

There is nothing wrong with this at all. IMHO it is good path to consistency, and helps to develop that trigger in our head that makes us decide when to go.

Try this next time you practice, when ever you miss, immediately reflect on why? I would bet more times then not, you got away from the rhythm you usually play with.
 
I use a lot less warm up strokes than most, when I try to on purpose, sometimes I over think. A little off the subject, why is it, if you just throw the balls on the table, they seem so easy to run, yet if you break a rack open and they were to end up in the same locations, it seems a lot harder.
 
Tony_in_MD said:
Pat,

There is nothing wrong with this at all. IMHO it is good path to consistency, and helps to develop that trigger in our head that makes us decide when to go.

Try this next time you practice, when ever you miss, immediately reflect on why? I would bet more times then not, you got away from the rhythm you usually play with.
Click to expand...

i have found this to be true for me.
usually a shortened pre shot routine
just got down and fired away without the stepping back first, line up etc
sometimes its looking at the cue ball last
 
Try it. See if it works for you.

I change it up, depending on the shot I'm facing, which is what I recommend, but if you are in the posititon where you can't stop yourself from rushing, then maybe counting your practice strokes will help.
 
Last edited:
Patso44 said:
I have analyzed a few pro players (Thorsten Hohmann, SVB, Neils Fijen) over the last few hours and I have a question for any one who could give me a legitimate answer.

I watched as all three players would line up their shots, complete their pre-shot routine and then fire. All three would stay somewhat consistent with the number of pre-shot strokes they complete before delivering the final stroke. All of them seem to also be consistent with using fewer pre-shot strokes on much easier shots. When I see a pro not consistently using the same pre-shot strokes on each and every shot including very very easy shots, I feel that they are taking the shot for granted.

My question is.....Would it actually be a bad idea to stroke the same amount of times in my pre-shot routine on every single shot?




I see much benefit from this theory.

The good thing about this idea would be that my stroke would be much more consistent every time. If I am not committed to the shot or if I am taking more or less pre-shot strokes then intended before firing then I could stand back up and start all over again. The bad thing is that with actually perfecting the pre-shot routine for every single shot, I may rush the shot in my mind and miss.

I see much more benefit in taking for example (3 pre-shot stokes and then firing ) on every single shot I will ever shoot; despite I do not see any professionals do it to that extreme consistency.






Please clear this up for me....
Thanks ahead of time for all replies.


Patrick
Click to expand...



I think that is a great idea....consistency!

Watch Allison Fischer. Same routine every time.
randyg
 
A lot of pros though do shorten up their routine on easier shots, and I don't think that's detrimental as long as it doesn't result in occasional misses on easy shots.

I know SVB will often take just 2 strokes on routine shots, as well as once he gets in a zone he drops to just 2 strokes and fires with much confidence. But on tougher shots, or shots requiring more precision, he will take 1 or 2 extra strokes, and a longer pause, before shooting the shot.

I think whatever works for you, as long as it's done repeatably, should be fine. Certainly nothing wrong with establishing a routine and performing it on all shots easy or not.

Scott
 
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