How many of you use a cinch-stroke when all the pressure is on you, and you need to make the last one or two balls for the win? Alot of people say that no matter how much pressure you are under, you should try to play with the same stroke. Others say that when you are really feeling the heat you should shorten your bridge and stroke. I noticed that the pros don't change their strokes at all, but most of them are used to pressure, and therefore don't get the wobbles or shakes when they are under the gun. When I feel the heat I have a tendency to tighten up and cinch the last few balls in if I don't need really apply a stroke for position. When you guys/girls are feeling the heat, do you have a tendency to change your shooting style, and would you consider this good or bad?
Pressure-Proof Stroke
- Thread starter LastTwo
- Start date
Hi LastTwo, I recently played snooker for the first time, and I noticed that shortening my stroke (not the bridge) gave me more accuracy on long pots. So I tried to shorten my stroke esp on long thin cuts on the pool table, with pretty good results. Since then, ONLY when I feel particular pressure I shorten my stroke a little bit and it helps me alot.
Only ...
When the shot is a 'harder than normal' shot for me,
particularly a long straight or nearly straight in shot
with the cue ball close to the rail, then I shorten up
a little, and go into my 'smooth and straight' thoughts
in my head before I hit it. Especially if it is the money ball
or the ball right before the money ball.
When the shot is a 'harder than normal' shot for me,
particularly a long straight or nearly straight in shot
with the cue ball close to the rail, then I shorten up
a little, and go into my 'smooth and straight' thoughts
in my head before I hit it. Especially if it is the money ball
or the ball right before the money ball.
drivermaker
Banned
I never even like thinking about the stroke at all, let alone altering it. For me it always has to do with tempo and speed of play remaining constant. I just don't want to start speeding up or slowing down too much as I'm walking around the table or setting up to the shot because that will throw the stroke and transition off kilter more than anything else. You gotta remember to gulp down that oxygen.
I remember a year ago when I first started playing competitively, for the first two tornaments my hands used to shake really bad, like I was 100 years old, LOL. Couldn't stroke straight to save my life. Then I changed my grip to a more textbook style, i.e. fully straight, not sort of twisted slightly inwards, like I used to. Now that really helped. I still got the occasional shake here and there, but far far less and much more controlable.
evilmoody1
friends say i'm abrasive
oxygen
Don't know how accurate this is, but is does sound logical, that while sharpshooters are sighting on a target they make sure to take a slow deep breath and exhale before pulling the trigger. It oxygenates the brain & helps hand eye coordination immensely. When I'm on a pressure shot I try a deep breath and exhale slowly when connecting with cue ball, Which also makes sure I stay down on my shot.drivermaker said:
drivermaker
Banned
evilmoody1 said:
I was dead serious about it. When your ass is puckering, not just in one rack but over time for sets and money, your breathing gets more shallow and quick which leads to oxygen depletion, rapid heart beat....all of which contribute to more nervousness and instability, physically and mentally.
evilmoody1
friends say i'm abrasive
drivermaker said:
Good, glad to know I'm not just FOS when I recommend to people who look like they're holding their breath when they shoot.
Keep your stroke as long and fluid as possible, like all the Phillipinos, and Earl do it. Your stroke is your pool game. There is less dog in a long stroke, because the speed of the cue is more consistent through a longer distance, and speed and direction of the cue is all there is. With a long stroke the object ball is made or missed before you contact the cueball, and there is less tendency to steer the shot, imho. Ignore this if your name is Buddy Hall or Cliff Joyner.LastTwo said:
unknownpro
Are you speculating at me? Please specify the specific object of your speculatory remark.randyg said:
unknownpro
LastTwo said:
I beleive that this is normal thing for everyone. There is a tendency to tight body muscels under the pressure. I think is important to have a pre shot routine and do the same thing everytime, whether it is a fast style like Luc Salvas, or slow and metodic like Ralf Souquet. Notice, that every pro has its own style, but their pre shot routine is the same on every shot. Doing the same thing before every shot helps control the pressure and with enough practce you'll get use to it like the pros do.
unknownpro said:
Yes, sorry. The generalization of your statement. Just because one does another might not.
It is not my knowledge that a longer stroke is better. Certainly the cueball dosen't know or care how long/short the stroke is. The longer the stroke the more difficult to maintain an accelerating cue stick which in turn could become less effective.....randyg
whitewolf said:Heh dufus, you should pull out your 3rd eye and take a couple of practice strokes with it to groove your strokeWaiting for your review, STILL- WW
Otherwise, this is a good question. I think to relax as much as possible and not rush the shot is the key. I like to stay down longer on the shot and make damn sure it is 'in the pocket' before I pull the trigger. I have heard of some gamblers, who especially as they aged, use firm grips and bridges on pressure shots. Different strokes for different folks is probably the only answer I am afraid.
I already gave my review of the 3rd eye you dipshit
It works great.
drivermaker said:
Your right. Any pro will tell you the same. I also got advice from a pro who told me, "If you get the shakes all the time and breathing don't cure it, drink lots and lots of coffee during your practice sessions to learn to play with the shakes." Never tried it though.
BAZARUS said:
Bazarus you are right in everything you've said. What you are calling style is actually tempo. The preshot routine is the rhythm of thier game. They stay in rhythm as if it were a dance weather it's slow or fast. You could set music to thier games.
Is it really possible to accelerate through the cueball? I thought that was proven to be impossible by slow motion photography. I don't try to do that anymore. Do you think Efren and Santos Sambajon accelerate through the cueball?randyg said:
unknownpro
I always do something different when the pressure is on; but I find there are different types of pressure. i.e. 1. If your playing good and have pressure to stay on top of your game, pressure to not make a mistake; 2. Pressure from your opponent playing good, when your stuck in your chair thinking "if I could just get one more time at the table"; and then theres the real pressure, 3. pressure from betting big when all you have is $10 and knowing physical harm will come from losing.
For some reason I subconciously play different when I know I NEED to win, then if I can afford to loose. Does anyone else experiance this?
It seems I get down lower on my cue, I take long deep breaths, exhale on the final stroke, and keep myself in the same pace.
When I play in a tourny I have to remind myself to breath, and remind myself there is nothing more important than the shot Im shooting. In tournaments I think I hold my breath when things look easy, bad habit.
For some reason I subconciously play different when I know I NEED to win, then if I can afford to loose. Does anyone else experiance this?
It seems I get down lower on my cue, I take long deep breaths, exhale on the final stroke, and keep myself in the same pace.
When I play in a tourny I have to remind myself to breath, and remind myself there is nothing more important than the shot Im shooting. In tournaments I think I hold my breath when things look easy, bad habit.