Pre-shot routine

My Kicks Like A Mule Challenge, which can be found in my Practice practice practice journal is, well could be considered an extreme challenge. I measure my progress or uh situation by how long a complete set takes. Racing to 9 or 10 or whatever is fun is my morning 1 hour fitness program.
 
SeniorTom said:
Help needed to develop a pre shot routine. I am the nervous type, somewhat of a newb, and want to develop a solid/consistent psr. Generally, I just chalk and go. I am asking for your thoughts, specifically, of what my psr should be. I realize I could tweak it, but what would you's suggest ?
thanks
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MARK WILSON POOL CLINIC: Part 1 (of 3)​


This was the catalyst for me and some other friends.
 
if you have to think about it, it will affect your shot.

after a million shots,, really just a few thousand,, you will be able to naturally plunk down on line, stroke and hit where you aim with a level and straight stroke.

but do practice walking up and planting your cue and front hand on the table and stroking in a straight line until it becomes automatic. then you got it down and natural eye and hand co-ordination will dictate how good you get and how fast it happens.
 
SeniorTom said:
Help needed to develop a pre shot routine. I am the nervous type, somewhat of a newb, and want to develop a solid/consistent psr. Generally, I just chalk and go. I am asking for your thoughts, specifically, of what my psr should be. I realize I could tweak it, but what would you's suggest ?
thanks
Click to expand...
My preshot routine has 17 steps. I don’t think about any of them anymore, everything is automatic. But I used to experiment and add subtract stuff. Find what works for you and write everything down.
 
SeniorTom said:
Help needed to develop a pre shot routine. I am the nervous type, somewhat of a newb, and want to develop a solid/consistent psr. Generally, I just chalk and go. I am asking for your thoughts, specifically, of what my psr should be. I realize I could tweak it, but what would you's suggest ?
thanks
Click to expand...
1st... Do you understand the wording/meaning of ''shot line''?
 
Like a rifle, from the barrel end to the center of the target. When you determine exactly where you think this line is you walk that line up to the table and set your bridge hand and body in line with that thinking.

Like an airline pilot/approaching a runway from a distance.
They don't fly in from and angle and then swoop in and land, they approach the runway/shotline from a distance then fly in straight at their target/shotline/runway.

Watch the pros when they break the rack, they make sure their body is correct, before they walk into the shot/line/cueing
 
By doing it the same way every time, it simplifies your thought process.
Meaning, if your choice made you miss a little left or a little right, then next time ''walk up'' a little more/less in the exact same manner.

It usually takes a few mths to incorporate any change, and the change will effect all aspect of your game in a positive manner.
 
Island Drive said:
By doing it the same way every time, it simplifies your thought process.
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Damn skippy.... ...and exactly why those who believe a PSR is a waste of time will simply plateau way earlier than they should.
Island Drive said:
Meaning, if your choice made you miss a little left or a little right, then next time ''walk up'' a little more/less in the exact same manner.
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I know everyone has, and is entitled to their own opinions. However I've always been entertained with the notion that all aiming and adjustment happens before getting down on a shot. In my world. If I missed a shot a little left or right, I wouldn't address the ball any differently the next time. Walking into a shot is a coarse aiming method at best. The fine tuning happens when you're already down on the ball. Whether it's done consciously or not is up for debate.
 
SeniorTom said:
Two issues of my game that need addressing are:
1) Focusing on making my shot and not allowing cueball positioning to steal away shot accuracy.
2) I am standing up tooo early when taking my shot. My mentors continuously tell me to stay down when shooting, but I seem to have difficulty with this.

I am wondering about somehow incorporating these two aspects into the psr, so I might have a busy routine for a while until they become automatic.
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1) Back up, and worry less about your end cue ball position, until you have a (very) comfortable shot making percentage. Or, at least drill only a few--or even only one--basic shot, and perform a PSR on that. Get your stance and basic strok sorted, and then review Dr. Dave's document (link in post by Bob Jewett), and focus on each step individually. You can start chaining them together as you go. It may also help, to say each step aloud, as you perform them.

As @gregcantrell suggested ("1-2-3") count your warm-up strokes (#6 in the Dr. D doc)--to which I would add, be conscious of the timing, with possibly a stress on the 3, as in 1-2-*3*, 1-2-*3*....a bit like a waltz. Also, practice a consistent speed/power--which is why it's better to drill only one shot setup (reduction of variables).

2) As others have suggested, you can focus on breathing, or count to yourself for help on staying down. However, I like to tell people to "watch the ball go into the pocket". In the case of a miss, it won't go in, but you won't know unless you watch it! This is also basically part of the "analysis phase" mentioned by Dr. D (and others), where you pay attention, so you can make your adjustments based on the results--it's a continual cycle of shoot-analyze-adjust (or test-measure-adjust, if you like). And since typing this has reminded me...you can also *listen* for the ball to drop into the pocket. --Stretch your concept of when a shot is completed, to cover the action that happens after you strike, and you should find that staying down *just happens*.--
 
Bob Jewett said:
The shot line is the line joining the centers of the cue ball and the ghost ball. It is the line your stick must be on to make the shot without side spin.
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Thanks for your comment. I was just at the table trying to incorporate the saying "ladies and gentlemen" into my stroke tempo, and it is a bit difficult at first. I'll just say it's a work in progress!
 
This is the first attempt at putting a pre shot routine together. I am sure it can be critiqued, and most likely will. Although it seems a bit lengthy, I think within a short period of time I can make it second nature where I hardly have to think about each step.

1) Chalk cue stick, and take a "deep breath" slowly.
a) walk around table and choose the best suit to play.
b) find problem balls and try to eliminate them as soon as possible.
c) Try to find run out patterns
d) visualize your shot and how you want to execute it with spin, speed, and where cue ball will end up. (see shot in its entirety)

2) Get into an athletic shooting stance in line with your target.
a) Keep weight on your bridge hand.
b) stay calm, relax, slow deep breath.
c) a few relaxed practice strokes.
d) no thinking, shoot smoothly and follow through.
e) stay down until the count of three.
 
SeniorTom said:
This is the first attempt at putting a pre shot routine together. I am sure it can be critiqued, and most likely will. Although it seems a bit lengthy, I think within a short period of time I can make it second nature where I hardly have to think about each step.

1) Chalk cue stick, and take a "deep breath" slowly.
a) walk around table and choose the best suit to play.
b) find problem balls and try to eliminate them as soon as possible.
c) Try to find run out patterns
d) visualize your shot and how you want to execute it with spin, speed, and where cue ball will end up. (see shot in its entirety)

2) Get into an athletic shooting stance in line with your target.
a) Keep weight on your bridge hand.
b) stay calm, relax, slow deep breath.
c) a few relaxed practice strokes.
d) no thinking, shoot smoothly and follow through.
e) stay down until the count of three.
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Way too complicated. You've just given yourself way too many places to develop doubts and excuses. Read 'the inner game of Tennis.'
 
I think a lot of people confuse what a preshot routine should be. It should be routine. Sure you have to practice it, but more than that, you should visualize it, and analyze after shooting.

Spend some time really visualizing what you want to do, then allow yourself to do it at the table. Don't force yourself to do it.

Reflect on the times you play great, you'll probably find you weren't thinking of anything. Instead, you will note that you had no sense of time, chalking your cue, aiming, etc.. you will remember the hot waitress in the belt-skirt, but only as part of the ambiance. You won't remember any songs that played.

By allowing yourself to do great, you will likely find that you are doing things differently than your desired psr. Get rid of the preconceived notions and focus on when the goal was accomplished, regardless of the path taken.
 
SeniorTom said:
Two issues of my game that need addressing are:
1) Focusing on making my shot and not allowing cueball positioning to steal away shot accuracy.
2) I am standing up tooo early when taking my shot. My mentors continuously tell me to stay down when shooting, but I seem to have difficulty with this.

I am wondering about somehow incorporating these two aspects into the psr, so I might have a busy routine for a while until they become automatic.
Click to expand...
I came up with a little program for when I'm befuddled by such things. Based on the "bounce/hit" idea in The Inner Game of Tennis, I use back/thwack when I'm having trouble with tempo or standing up on the shot. Basically, I concentrate on the back of my stroke, and the contact between the cue ball and object ball. It really helps with tempo issues, and prevents standing up.
 
SeniorTom said:
This is the first attempt at putting a pre shot routine together. I am sure it can be critiqued, and most likely will. Although it seems a bit lengthy, I think within a short period of time I can make it second nature where I hardly have to think about each step.

1) Chalk cue stick, and take a "deep breath" slowly.
a) walk around table and choose the best suit to play.
b) find problem balls and try to eliminate them as soon as possible.
c) Try to find run out patterns
d) visualize your shot and how you want to execute it with spin, speed, and where cue ball will end up. (see shot in its entirety)

2) Get into an athletic shooting stance in line with your target.
a) Keep weight on your bridge hand.
b) stay calm, relax, slow deep breath.
c) a few relaxed practice strokes.
d) no thinking, shoot smoothly and follow through.
e) stay down until the count of three.
Click to expand...
The only thing that sticks out here is the first item in section 2). I know it's taught by some but what happens is you just fatigue your bridge arm. If your bridge grip is stable, the weight of your arm is sufficient to hold it in place. What I discovered more effective is learning to hold your core muscles steady and stable. Technique requires a lot of independent muscle activity so ignore the "tension causes tension" experts. If they were right, singers, musicians, gymnasts, etc. couldn't exist. What does need to happen is growth of the "correct" posture - stance in this case.

You'll be able to edit the rest as you develop.
 
gregcantrall said:
Straight pool is a great way to develop skills that 8 ball requires. Short precise shape.
Drills that include extreme challenges pay a dividend if or uh when a similar situation arises in competition. " I know this " is a Good swing thought. 🤷‍♂️
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You learn to play Straight pool well, and you won't want to play 8-Ball,.......... much!
 
All great advice but i learned one thing is key. Keep it simple, Don't over complicate. Three basic tenants to PSR : alignment, aim, stroke. Wash, rinse, Repeat. Someone said to watch Ronnie O'Sullivan; he does it so well, it does look robotic.
Instructors are great but they tend to overcomplicate the process.
 
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