Pre-Stance Routine ... A New Approach

[Matt_24]

I need to work on this more. Being impatient by nature doesn't help. That's one reason I've had to add things to my routine to slow myself down.

- I can't take credit. I learned this from JIMMY REID in a private lesson. One of the best things I ever learned/implemented. And it really doesn't take long.

I do this at times too (mostly out of laziness), but I agree that the benefits of a low stance are not really required with a short/easy shot. However, it is probably best to do the same routine on every shot to give every shot respect (even the "easy" ones, that are sometimes missed).

I don't agree that it's lazy. You still apply the same pre-shot routine/discipline to getting into the shot. You just don't need to "sight" the ball the same way when the balls are close. Watch good players and you'll see they aren't super low on every shot (certainly when they are close). It comes naturally to stand a bit higher to a lot of players. For example, the MIZ and Buddy Hall (when they were at fighting weight in their prime)

 

[dr_dave]

... I agree that the benefits of a low stance are not really required with a short/easy shot. However, it is probably best to do the same routine on every shot to give every shot respect (even the "easy" ones, that are sometimes missed).

You still apply the same pre-shot routine/discipline to getting into the shot. You just don't need to "sight" the ball the same way when the balls are close.

Agreed. However, some people (me included) sometimes don't always give the "easy" shots the respect they deserve, resulting in careless misses.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Matt_24]

Agreed. However, some people (me included) sometimes don't always give the "easy" shots the respect they deserve, resulting in careless misses.

Regards,
Dave

So, that's really more an attitude, than the necessitation of technique (getting low on "all" shots).

I think we all can take what we perceive as the "easy" shots for granted.

I realize now though that on "close" shots with extreme cuts, I will get low to better see the angle. So...there is nothing cut and dry. And, upon further review, if you had to select a single approach for all shots - getting low is the way to go. Kudos, Doc.

 

[dr_dave]

So, that's really more an attitude, than the necessitation of technique (getting low on "all" shots).

I think we all can take what we perceive as the "easy" shots for granted.

I realize now though that on "close" shots with extreme cuts, I will get low to better see the angle. So...there is nothing cut and dry. And, upon further review, if you had to select a single approach for all shots - getting low is the way to go. Kudos, Doc.

Well stated ... and thanks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[Ghosst]

I have a female friend coming over to play some pool tonight. I'm going to make her watch that video and demand she waggles because Dave said so. Thanks in advance

 

[8cree]

I have a female friend coming over to play some pool tonight. I'm going to make her watch that video and demand she waggles because Dave said so. Thanks in advance

And he is a Doctor... shouldn't get much kickback after you clear that up:thumbup:

 

[dr_dave]

I have a female friend coming over to play some pool tonight. I'm going to make her watch that video and demand she waggles because Dave said so. Thanks in advance

It is a prescription from Dr. Dave. I'm not that kind of doctor, but you don't need to tell her that.

Actually, in addition to my PhD in Mechanical Engineering, I do have a Doctorate of Pool (DP) from the Billiard University (BU) ... no kidding. So there.

Have fun,
Dave

 

[StraightIn]

Thank you for all of your time and effort that goes into ALL of your videos. I too think the stance may be the most important aspect of achieving an excellent so-called stroke. I have been shooting pool for around 50 years and spent some time teaching my two sons how to play pool. The first thing I worked on was the stance and I was amazed how fast they improved at the game. When teaching them, it made me rethink what I had learned over my many years of trying to put balls in 6 pockets. One son was left handed and the other was right. I taught both of them to switch hands to shoot certain shots which were on the wrong side of the table. One picked it up quickly and the for the other it was a huge problem. We worked on their stance for the opposite hand but it did not help the one son. I video-taped my sons so we could discuss the effects of their stance and stroke on certain shots.

Now with that said I will get to the point that may be a good add for the video. It turned out my son with the issue was very left eye dominant and when he switched to right handed he tried to keep his left eye in line with the shot which is very natural. The problem it created was he was twisting his body to keep that alignment. I myself am very right eye dominant and have never liked to shoot left handed and avoid it at all costs.

One other comment is I don't know how tall you are but I believe that a more closed stance will help with the alignment of shots and stepping into your final position. I see a lot of taller players with a more open stance and it probably makes it easier for them to get to a lower position to keep the cue as level as possible during the stroke.

Keep up the great work Today beginners have a huge advantage with all of the videos available to help learn the game. When I started I was fortunate to meet a very good hustler in Chicago that took an interest in me. He gave me a book on Advanced Snooker (by Joe Davis 1954) which spent a lot of time on stance and aiming. Fortunately there were a lot of pictures in the book to help get a good foundation when I was learning to play pool. Things haven't changed in almost 70 years. Good stance, smooth stroke and a level cue.

 

[dr_dave]

Thank you for all of your time and effort that goes into ALL of your videos. I too think the stance may be the most important aspect of achieving an excellent so-called stroke. I have been shooting pool for around 50 years and spent some time teaching my two sons how to play pool. The first thing I worked on was the stance and I was amazed how fast they improved at the game. When teaching them, it made me rethink what I had learned over my many years of trying to put balls in 6 pockets. One son was left handed and the other was right. I taught both of them to switch hands to shoot certain shots which were on the wrong side of the table. One picked it up quickly and the for the other it was a huge problem. We worked on their stance for the opposite hand but it did not help the one son. I video-taped my sons so we could discuss the effects of their stance and stroke on certain shots.

Now with that said I will get to the point that may be a good add for the video. It turned out my son with the issue was very left eye dominant and when he switched to right handed he tried to keep his left eye in line with the shot which is very natural. The problem it created was he was twisting his body to keep that alignment. I myself am very right eye dominant and have never liked to shoot left handed and avoid it at all costs.

One other comment is I don't know how tall you are but I believe that a more closed stance will help with the alignment of shots and stepping into your final position. I see a lot of taller players with a more open stance and it probably makes it easier for them to get to a lower position to keep the cue as level as possible during the stroke.

Keep up the great work Today beginners have a huge advantage with all of the videos available to help learn the game. When I started I was fortunate to meet a very good hustler in Chicago that took an interest in me. He gave me a book on Advanced Snooker (by Joe Davis 1954) which spent a lot of time on stance and aiming. Fortunately there were a lot of pictures in the book to help get a good foundation when I was learning to play pool. Things haven't changed in almost 70 years. Good stance, smooth stroke and a level cue.

Thanks for the comments. I like your ending sentence. That’s what it is all about.

Regards,
Dave

 

[HNTFSH]

Dr. Dave - thanks for posting this. After a 15 year or so break I'd started playing again and found it difficult to get my game back. It's not like riding a bike.

While I know some of it was my mechanics, was still wrestling with table performance, often sinking difficult shots while missing easy down table ones.

Where you helped was thinking about stance. I was all over the map with stance. But your comments about lining the shot before ever stepping into the stance was the most meaningful.

Stupid me had never seriously considered that wearing a new contact lens in my left eye only (for very close up vision, like a readers for small font) was impairing my down table vision. The Ophthalmologist had stated, the right eye will adjust and ingest long range vision while the left with the contact will dominate for short, close-up vision. And that does effectively work but not when shooting pool! :shrug:

Bottom line - same depth perception/clarity on a 9 footer actually makes a huge difference and there's absolutely no small fonts I need to read on a cue ball to take a shot. :happydance: No more contact shooting pool.

8 hours of table time later with both eyes seeing the same shot, and settling the stance issue, has put me back on my game.

Sorry for the long boring post but thanks and know sometimes lessons bring value in ways you don't expect. :bow-down:

 

[dr_dave]

Dr. Dave - thanks for posting this. After a 15 year or so break I'd started playing again and found it difficult to get my game back. It's not like riding a bike.

While I know some of it was my mechanics, was still wrestling with table performance, often sinking difficult shots while missing easy down table ones.

Where you helped was thinking about stance. I was all over the map with stance. But your comments about lining the shot before ever stepping into the stance was the most meaningful.

Stupid me had never seriously considered that wearing a new contact lens in my left eye only (for very close up vision, like a readers for small font) was impairing my down table vision. The Ophthalmologist had stated, the right eye will adjust and ingest long range vision while the left with the contact will dominate for short, close-up vision. And that does effectively work but not when shooting pool! :shrug:

Bottom line - same depth perception/clarity on a 9 footer actually makes a huge difference and there's absolutely no small fonts I need to read on a cue ball to take a shot. :happydance: No more contact shooting pool.

8 hours of table time later with both eyes seeing the same shot, and settling the stance issue, has put me back on my game.

Sorry for the long boring post but thanks and know sometimes lessons bring value in ways you don't expect. :bow-down:

Im glad to hear you found the video helpful.

Regards,
Dave