Question about elbow/shoulder alignment.

[Makey98]

Just got my own table a couple months ago so really trying to groove a pre-shot routine, set, pause etc. I can hit some nice shots and can hit a very nice table length stop shot, but I am very inconsistent so clearly I have some mechanics issues.

Looking at getting some lessons but trying to save up some money, so I got out my iphone and took some videos of myself and it was enlightening.

I noticed something key. My elbow is straight up and down and my stance looks good. The issue is that my elbow and shoulder are not in line. I can put them in line with my forearm and bicep but then I have real trouble getting my head over the cue. Very strange. I looked at videos of Neils Fiejen 130 ball run and some of Corey's runs, and a Max Eberle video and all of those guys have a very clear line between the front of the shoulder, the elbow and the cue. This causes their follow-through motion to be towards their bicep.

My motion however, pushes the cue in towards my chest. It is straight, with my cue and the grip hand and wrist however, so I can hit a straight stroke. Basically, I am stroking the cue kind of over my armpit, and this action puts my shoulder to the right of the cue. Make sense? So my stroke is not in line with my shoulder and the follow through stops at the side of my chest. I can deliver the cue straight some of the time and working on that, but is this a problem? Looking at a Stephen Hendry snooker video, it seems he kind of has that "winged" look a bit. Also the Dr. Dave video where he demonstrates a pendulum stroke, he also has his shoulder out to the right of the cue. What is the best way for me to strive towards?

What is proper and correct? Either?

 

[walrus_3d]

What is proper and correct? Either?

I think the general rule for stance in pool is that whatever is most comfortable to you, if it creates a good stroke, is correct. There's no such thing as proper.

I wouldn't worry so much about where you elbow ends up (right on your body or chicken winged) as long as your forearm swings straight down from it through the stroke. My thumb occasionally brushes my side on the way by, because I bring my elbow in as far as possible. I have a good friend (who shoots better than i do) whose elbow comes well out to the side, but his stroke is dead straight from wrist through shoulder. Basically, the line of your shot should be parallel with your upper arm, and the forearm should be a pendulum from the elbow. If your elbow's a chicken wing and your hand is closer to your side, that's a problem. Otherwise get a friend to make sure your forearm is coming through vertical on the shot and you're golden. Does it feel like your shoulder's past your cue, or has someone told you it looks that way?

 

[pooltchr]

The goal of a pool stroke is to move the cue stick in a straight line through the cue ball toward the target or aiming point. If you cue stick always moves straight forward, it may not be a big issue at all. Check at the end of your shot to verify that the cue is still pointing at the same spot you were aiming at when you started. If that happens every time, then it is a minor issue. If the tip has any side to side motion during the stroke, then it needs attention.

Steve

 

[TGWUSAUK]

Just got my own table a couple months ago so really trying to groove a pre-shot routine, set, pause etc. I can hit some nice shots and can hit a very nice table length stop shot, but I am very inconsistent so clearly I have some mechanics issues.

Looking at getting some lessons but trying to save up some money, so I got out my iphone and took some videos of myself and it was enlightening.

I noticed something key. My elbow is straight up and down and my stance looks good. The issue is that my elbow and shoulder are not in line. I can put them in line with my forearm and bicep but then I have real trouble getting my head over the cue. Very strange. I looked at videos of Neils Fiejen 130 ball run and some of Corey's runs, and a Max Eberle video and all of those guys have a very clear line between the front of the shoulder, the elbow and the cue. This causes their follow-through motion to be towards their bicep.

My motion however, pushes the cue in towards my chest. It is straight, with my cue and the grip hand and wrist however, so I can hit a straight stroke. Basically, I am stroking the cue kind of over my armpit, and this action puts my shoulder to the right of the cue. Make sense? So my stroke is not in line with my shoulder and the follow through stops at the side of my chest. I can deliver the cue straight some of the time and working on that, but is this a problem? Looking at a Stephen Hendry snooker video, it seems he kind of has that "winged" look a bit. Also the Dr. Dave video where he demonstrates a pendulum stroke, he also has his shoulder out to the right of the cue. What is the best way for me to strive towards?

What is proper and correct? Either?

I agree with poolteacher assessment, this video may help address that check it out and get back to me if interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjNU7pQnwaI