I have been trying to add in a pause in backstroke right before i take my shot. Is it better to have a long or short pause. Or should i drop the pause all together. I do feel like the pause helps with ball control.
PreShot Routine
- Thread starter SamShaddey
- Start date
Depends on what you mean by long. I think no more than a full second would be sufficient. I personally have developed a short pause as it works better with my rhythm.
A routine I like to help with adding the pause. At the end of your practice strokes, allow your cue to come to a rest at the starting postion. Focus your eyes on the OB. Pull the cue back smoothly whilst focusing on the OB. Stop. Focus again on the OB and accelerate your cue and finish your stroke.
I hope that makes sense, it's a little mind game I do with myself during practice to reinforce the pause.
It's not the pause or the length of it that is the issue. The pause is the point where the cue changes direction, and what's important is that the change is smooth and relaxed.
A slow back swing followed by smooth acceleration will promote a smooth transition. Think of a child on a swing set. As they are nearing the end of the swing, they slow down and appear to stop at the top of it. They then slowly begin to accelerate downward. Try to mimic this with your stroke.
A slow back swing followed by smooth acceleration will promote a smooth transition. Think of a child on a swing set. As they are nearing the end of the swing, they slow down and appear to stop at the top of it. They then slowly begin to accelerate downward. Try to mimic this with your stroke.
Sam,
One of the methods we use in pool school that helps develop this habit is to give the three stops a name. The stop at the cue ball before the final backstroke is called SET, and the end of the back stroke is PAUSE and at the end of the stroke is FINISH.
Now, this might sound crazy, but when you are practicing, as you get to each of your stops, say it's name out loud. Not in your head....out loud. If you practice this regularly, it builds the muscle memory, and also puts a little mantra in your brain.
When you are playing, those words go away, but the motions stay.
Steve
One of the methods we use in pool school that helps develop this habit is to give the three stops a name. The stop at the cue ball before the final backstroke is called SET, and the end of the back stroke is PAUSE and at the end of the stroke is FINISH.
Now, this might sound crazy, but when you are practicing, as you get to each of your stops, say it's name out loud. Not in your head....out loud. If you practice this regularly, it builds the muscle memory, and also puts a little mantra in your brain.
When you are playing, those words go away, but the motions stay.
Steve
WOW! All great advice.
A proven way to Train your PAUSE is this:
No cue ball. Just roll object balls into a pocket with your new stroke.
Remember: A two second PAUSE in Training will probably become a one second PAUSE in game time.
Have a great Transition,
randyg
A proven way to Train your PAUSE is this:
No cue ball. Just roll object balls into a pocket with your new stroke.
Remember: A two second PAUSE in Training will probably become a one second PAUSE in game time.
Have a great Transition,
randyg
Pause
Always skeptical of messing with my stroke. Have started the pause and am shocked how easy it is to incorporate it to my stroke! Also unbelievably after 40 something years of playing I have started somewhat of a pre shot routine! Us old guys can be a little set in our ways! LOL! Have always been told I had a nice stroke, even by great players so I guess I figured I had it down. Thanks to AZ I am tweaking things up nowadays. Just got my first table in life! 8 ft. GC 3. Having a table in your house is quite like the Internet. Think of something and just go get it. One question Randy. My GC is shimmed to 4.5 in the corners. Thinking of sub rails to 4.25. When is tight too tight? Is 4.25 tight enough for improvement? Thanks.
Always skeptical of messing with my stroke. Have started the pause and am shocked how easy it is to incorporate it to my stroke! Also unbelievably after 40 something years of playing I have started somewhat of a pre shot routine! Us old guys can be a little set in our ways! LOL! Have always been told I had a nice stroke, even by great players so I guess I figured I had it down. Thanks to AZ I am tweaking things up nowadays. Just got my first table in life! 8 ft. GC 3. Having a table in your house is quite like the Internet. Think of something and just go get it. One question Randy. My GC is shimmed to 4.5 in the corners. Thinking of sub rails to 4.25. When is tight too tight? Is 4.25 tight enough for improvement? Thanks.
Too tight for me, that's for sure. When I'm doing my Mother Drills I like a larger pocket.
For normal play, CTE doesn't care.
randyg
Not an instructor here, but here's a tip I picked up from Capelle's "Practicing Pool":
When down on the shot, focus your attention on really feeling the weight of the cue. Originally I used the feel to keep my pendulum wrist straight (I had a cradling problem) and grip loose, but lately I find that I can only really feel the weight during that brief moment of motionless backstroke.
I'm curious about what you instructors think about this?
When down on the shot, focus your attention on really feeling the weight of the cue. Originally I used the feel to keep my pendulum wrist straight (I had a cradling problem) and grip loose, but lately I find that I can only really feel the weight during that brief moment of motionless backstroke.
I'm curious about what you instructors think about this?
If you are feeling the weight of the cue, and your grip hand and wrist are relaxed, it's probably a good thing. I often try to get my students with a cocked wrist to allow the weight of the cue to pull their hand down straight.
But, as Randy cautioned, it's not what you want to be thinking about when you are in competition. Save it for your focused practice time.
Steve
thanks for the help I will get on the the table the next coulpe of days and try a few of the suggestions. And let you guy know how it works out.
donuteric...In a perfect process the pause would be the same length for all shots. What changes is the rate of acceleration, from the transition at the end of the backswing (where the pause is applied), to the natural finish position for your stroke. My pause is almost always fairly short, but allows for a controlled forward stroke at any speed...even the break.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Thank you for responding. What you said makes complete sense. My pause is generally short as well, and I'd say 95% of the shots the pause time is within a difference of milliseconds. I have attempted to equalize the pause on all strokes, and I simply cannot generate enough acceleration on the break. Another situation is when the CB is about two balls distance away from the foot rail and the OB is many greens away, and when I have to forcefully draw the shot all the back for positional play, I found longer pause helps with the acceleration.
Again, thanks for the insight. I really appreciate it.
Again, thanks for the insight. I really appreciate it.
donuteric...You're welcome! If you ever get a chance to spend a little time with one of our SPF instructors, we can show you how to get the energy you need, for breaks and power draw shots, without dramatic changes in your process.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com