Relaxed vs raised shoulder?

[fastone371]

Well, there are those that say you need perfect mechanics to play well. Then again there’s a lot of great players that have quirks or flaws in their mechanics, solid proof that if you play 6,8,10 hours a day you can make anything work.

As mentioned in a previous post, it’s finding something that you can produce repeatedly, the same every time, and be comfortable doing it. That’s what this game is all about, repeatability.

You mention having “your chin right over the cue” being a “good habit”, according to who? I mean, there’s a shit ton of instructors that are of the belief the “SPF” method they teach as the be all, end all, “proper way”. I personally don’t understand how a stroke can be fluid with a pause introduced into it, it seems diametrically opposed IMO.

Everyone’s different, I have a very upright stance, one feather stroke and then I’m at the ball, and I’ve been told I can dab it pretty good. My point is, phrases you used in your OP, “most good players” do this or that is fallacy to a point. Most good players have a repeatable stroke, stay down, and get through the shot fully. Eddie Taylor used to say “be true and follow through”.

A stroke that changes direction will never be "fluid". If you watch many of the high level pro's they have a pause on their back stroke. Skyler Woodward is one of the few who doesn't have a pause and his stroke looks rushed, not "fluid". You have to release one muscle and tense another to stop the backstroke and start the forward stroke, the purpose of that pause is give each muscle a little time to do their thing.

 

[fastone371]

In regards to my butt hand being too far back, is my bridge length off or am I okay using the same bridge length while trying to keep my forearm closer to 90 degrees?

And I like the idea of only using backswing length to determine shot speed, unless it's like a very soft touch safety like you mention. I have a semi conscious tendency to grip the cue harder on faster shots (particularly draw shots) and I have to work on not doing that.

I don't see any issue with the shoulder in the video. There is far too much fidgeting going on after you get down on the shot. Once you get down on the shot all you should be doing is confirming your aim with your eyes, then a few practice strokes, and pull the trigger. As Bob Jewett said from that video I would say you need to work on your rhythm the most.

 

[ShootingArts]

Not really smooth or flowing, it’s mechanical, machine like, which was my original point. It doesn’t “flow naturally”, it’s contrived. But hey, whatever works for you

You are both right and wrong. Some of her hard strokes are plain jerky, some of her strokes as smooth as silk. The lady isn't consistent so unless somebody knows what they are looking for they aren't going to find it.

Of course we are both criticizing a world record holder on I assume her world record run. I didn't watch all of it.

Hu