Repeatedly missing the same shots

imwalrus38

imwalrus38

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I'm having problems making small adjustments aiming.
The shots have the biggest problem with are ones that are just slightly off straight in. I either hit them full or overcut them by allot. I can’t seem to make the small adjustment needed.
The second shot is when an abject ball is 3-5 inches off the rail and the cue ball is 6 to 12inches off the rail. I normally undercut these. When I try to adjust they go into the end rail, I treis about 30 of these and only made 3. It's terrible. I feel like I'm practicing missing them.
The third shot is the back cut. I just have a hard time seeing these.
Any suggestions or helpful drills would be appreciated.
 
imwalrus38...Tough to give you any beneficial advice, without being able to see you shoot. Many students who believe they have problems "aiming", in reality have problems setting up and delivering the cuestick in a straight line. For most of them, fixing stroke problems makes 'aiming' issues go away. Can you post a video of you shooting? We especially need to see your shooting arm, so set up the camera on that side of your body. Getting a video analysis of your stroke can do wonders.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
I will try to get some video. It may take a few weeks. I need to do it at the pool during the day when it's not crowded.
 
Yes, I would like to see a video also.

I will be in Frederick, Md. this summer for a Pool School. Maybe we can hook up for a lesson.

randyg
 
Hey Walrus...

Until you can meet up with Randy or Scott,,, you can try this..

You say you either overcut or hit too full shots that are just off center from being a straight in shot..

Get down on the shot shooting it straight in to the rail. (not the pocket) See what that "picture" looks like. So, no matter what happens, you will NOT take that shot.

Now, based on the shot, try hitting the object ball 1/8 of a ball less than full, and see the results....Then hit 1/4 less than full and see what the results are. You will eventually see what the shot really needs. Practice it so you can see how little you really need to adjust, versus always overcutting this shot. And because you already KNOW you will not be hitting this shot too full, you should be good to go.

Experiment with it. Sometimes you "see" the shot, but your mind just won't let you shoot it, and over corrects for you. Sometimes less is more, and lots of folks over cut shots... seems to be a common thing with beginners and even a lot of intermediates.... but working on this will even make other cut shots a lot simpler. It builds confidence, and that goes a long way in this game :)




RJ Wilkinson - "shootpool2004@yahoo.com"
ACS Level 3 Instructor (Advanced)
House Pro - Rack'em Up Chicago
Former Staff Instructor - College of Pool & Billiards "CUE-U"
 
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Thanks for the feedback. Until a can videotape myself I asked someone to watch me. It seems that there are two things going on. My forearm is not straight up and down. It hangs going toward my body. Second on my back swing I move my entire arm toward my body. I don’t know how I’m not aware of this.
When I try to focus on this I become stiff and my stroke is choppy. Also I can’t seem to tell that my forearm is not perpendicular to the floor.
Randy please let me know the dates and cost of when you will be in Frederick.
 
Be patient with any change! Those old habits will be very hard to break - but you have already surprassed the hardest part... admitting the root cause is in your process. You seem to have tension, otherwise you wouldn't have the wrist flex, nor would you have your arm wouldn't go towards your body.

Practice your stroke without any balls. Close your eyes and tune into how you feel. Removing the balls and closing your eyes should help alleviate any tension. Feeling that swing will help tons. I am sure when you work with Randy or Scott you will learn lots about yourself!
 
imwalrus38 said:
Thanks for the feedback. Until a can videotape myself I asked someone to watch me. It seems that there are two things going on. My forearm is not straight up and down. It hangs going toward my body. Second on my back swing I move my entire arm toward my body. I don’t know how I’m not aware of this.
When I try to focus on this I become stiff and my stroke is choppy. Also I can’t seem to tell that my forearm is not perpendicular to the floor.
Randy please let me know the dates and cost of when you will be in Frederick.
Click to expand...



Check your pm's.

randyg
 
imwalrus38 said:
I'm having problems making small adjustments aiming.
The shots have the biggest problem with are ones that are just slightly off straight in. I either hit them full or overcut them by allot. I can’t seem to make the small adjustment needed.
The second shot is when an abject ball is 3-5 inches off the rail and the cue ball is 6 to 12inches off the rail. I normally undercut these. When I try to adjust they go into the end rail, I treis about 30 of these and only made 3. It's terrible. I feel like I'm practicing missing them.
The third shot is the back cut. I just have a hard time seeing these.
Any suggestions or helpful drills would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

On the first and second shots, your brain is probably trying to aim at the middle of the back of the pocket, not the middle of the pocket opening. I am guessing that shooting the long way on the table, you are hitting the side rail a lot more than the end rail. Aim at the middle of the opening in the front of the pocket, and do not tell yourself to shoot the shot as a cut shot, which you will be doing. At a small angle, say up to 2 balls off center, try shooting the shot like it's straight in.
 
I posted 1 video in a another thread called please evaluate my stroke. I will be posting another video shortly. Thanks again
 
imwalrus38 said:
I'm having problems making small adjustments . . . . . the shots have the biggest problem with are . . . . I can’t seem to make the small adjustment . . . . . The second shot . . . . . I try to adjust . . . . It's terrible. I feel like I'm practicing missing them. The third shot is the back cut. . . . .
Click to expand...

Don't overdwell on negative perceptions.

Continue on playing regularly.

On all shots, closely examine the cut with your full concentration prior to getting down and then again just before executing the hit.

Your subconscious brain will register the OB target contact point.

When you execute the hit . . . . trust yourself.

Keep on shooting . . . . . relax . . . . have fun playing regularly . . . and success will come.

Everyone has trouble on backcuts. (I like to tell myself that I'm "seeing around the corner" when I aim them.)
 
Just a few thoughts on back cuts. When I was hitting everything with outside engish, so many many moons ago, there was no perception of them being 'back cuts'. They were all just cuts to the right or cuts to the left. The same thing exsisted when I started using inside english. They are just cuts to the right or cuts to the left.

I realize that the pocket opening aligns smaller from those angles, but the ball can hit the long rail & still go in when hit with some correct spin & at the appropriate speed. You even have an alignment aid in the rail line. If they are a problem, then just give them a bit more focus on being precise.

My point is that any significant problem with 'back cuts' probably is more of a perception issue. It's in one's mind where lies the problem. At least IMHO.

Regards &
 
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