Preshot routine

On the Run

On the Run

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It's been said that a preshot routine plays an important role in pocketing balls consistently. I'm just wondering what type of preshot routine most people use.
Here is my preshot routine: I first line up the object ball (OB) to the pocket. Next, I line up the cueball (CB) to the OB. I then determine what type of english and stroke I need to use (all of this is done before I get down on the ball); then I get down on my shot take three practice stoke (I'm only looking at the CB during this time and concentrating on the straightness of my stroke) and finally, I look at the OB (the place where I need to hit in order to pocket the ball) and pull the trigger.
 
preshot routine

You have a pretty good preshot routine. If you do that every single time you go to shoot you will be more consistent. Don't ever stray from your routine or you will mess your brain up. (It will be thinking man we didn't do 3 warm up strokes, or man we didn't line up, etc, etc.)

I have almost the same routine. I have been getting better since I implimented the same routine for every shot.
 
On the Run said:
It's been said that a preshot routine plays an important role in pocketing balls consistently. I'm just wondering what type of preshot routine most people use.
Here is my preshot routine: I first line up the object ball (OB) to the pocket. Next, I line up the cueball (CB) to the OB. I then determine what type of english and stroke I need to use (all of this is done before I get down on the ball); then I get down on my shot take three practice stoke (I'm only looking at the CB during this time and concentrating on the straightness of my stroke) and finally, I look at the OB (the place where I need to hit in order to pocket the ball) and pull the trigger.
Click to expand...

After I decide which shot to shoot, I decide on the speed and engilsh. I then look at the path the object ball will travel. Then I look at the point on the OB that the CB needs to hit, and usually I am chalking at this point. I then approach the cue ball and line up my legs/body before getting down. Then I visualize the shot happening perfectly. I then get down and take my practice strokes while looking mostly at the CB, but looking up at the OB a couple times to make sure I am lined up right. I hesitate at the back of my final stroke to give my eyes time to move from the CB to the OB, and then stroke through.

The 2 steps that have helped me the most are visualizing the shot happening, and lining up my feet before getting down, rather than getting down and then sliding my foot back. If I can't see the shot happening perfectly and in detail in my mind, I know I won't make the shot, and I stand up and re-think the whole shot selection.
 
My big one is I have to remember to stay positive that the shot is going to go in. See it go in. All positive thoughts.

I have to get rid of these types of thoughts:
"don't kiss the cueball off this other ball"
"don't undercut it"
"don't leave the cue ball short on position"
etc.

Changing my thinking to:
"cut this in, and leave the cue ball here"
"overcut it a little and it will go in for sure"
"have the cueball go a bit further/shorter to be on the right side of the next ball"

Thinking like this helps me tremendously.
 
On the Run said:
It's been said that a preshot routine plays an important role in pocketing balls consistently. I'm just wondering what type of preshot routine most people use.
Here is my preshot routine: I first line up the object ball (OB) to the pocket. Next, I line up the cueball (CB) to the OB. I then determine what type of english and stroke I need to use (all of this is done before I get down on the ball); then I get down on my shot take three practice stoke (I'm only looking at the CB during this time and concentrating on the straightness of my stroke) and finally, I look at the OB (the place where I need to hit in order to pocket the ball) and pull the trigger.
Click to expand...

I ain't no stinkin instructor, but one thing I find helpful when I get down on the ball is to approach it along the line of the shot from a step or two away.
 
That was pretty close what I have learned during my lesson with very small difference. I was told after you know where you have to hit the object decide where you want the cue ball to go and at what speed and where you need to cue the ball to get there. Then when its time to shoot you don't think about nothing but putting a good hit on the ball and making it.
 
On the Run said:
It's been said that a preshot routine plays an important role in pocketing balls consistently. I'm just wondering what type of preshot routine most people use.
Here is my preshot routine: I first line up the object ball (OB) to the pocket. Next, I line up the cueball (CB) to the OB. I then determine what type of english and stroke I need to use (all of this is done before I get down on the ball); then I get down on my shot take three practice stoke (I'm only looking at the CB during this time and concentrating on the straightness of my stroke) and finally, I look at the OB (the place where I need to hit in order to pocket the ball) and pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
That is the exact same as mine. ;)
 
mines similar......ill look at the shot, and figure out where i need to get to make the next shot and get position on the ball after (i play mostly 9ball). I visualise the shot briefly while i get my aimpoint. Then i line up with my cue inline to my shot and my feet facing the shot, put my stick into my bridge hand and pivot and slide down into my stance, the whole time im looking at my aimpoint on the object ball. A few practice strokes to get grooved, pull back, pause.....bring my eyes up to the point on the object ball, shoot.
 
Desert1pocket,

I really like the visualizing the shot happening and lining up my feet before getting down, I'm going to have to incorporate it into my preshot routine.

Thank,
 
i use to get behind the objectball to the pocket but don't anymore. What i do is while standing up, i find out what type of english i want if any, what speed, etc... Always walk into the shot, this is a must for me. Not no Helena's preshot routine but just a step then get down. My eyes are focused on the objectball the whole time i am getting down over the cueball. I pull back and practice stroke there and then my eyes shift back to the cueball. My eyes are always shift with my practice stroke meaning if i pull back for a practice stroke while looking at the cueball i shift my eyes to the objectball then while finishing my practice stroke my eyes shift back to the cueball. Thats my preshot routine.
 
On the Run said:
Desert1pocket,

I really like the visualizing the shot happening and lining up my feet before getting down, I'm going to have to incorporate it into my preshot routine.

Thank,
Click to expand...

You're welcome! And mikepage actually described a little better than me about lining up the feet. The best way to do this is like he said "approach the cue ball along the line of the shot from a step or 2 away".
 
On the Run said:
It's been said that a preshot routine plays an important role in pocketing balls consistently. I'm just wondering what type of preshot routine most people use.
Here is my preshot routine: I first line up the object ball (OB) to the pocket. Next, I line up the cueball (CB) to the OB. I then determine what type of english and stroke I need to use (all of this is done before I get down on the ball); then I get down on my shot take three practice stoke (I'm only looking at the CB during this time and concentrating on the straightness of my stroke) and finally, I look at the OB (the place where I need to hit in order to pocket the ball) and pull the trigger.
Click to expand...


I determine the type of english and speed before I line up the shot. Visualize what I want to do. Then chalk the cue and place the chalk on the rail to signal that I am ready. I now line up the shot and then basically precede with the rest as you stated. If I don't feel comfortable I get up and start over.
 
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