Rhythm and Cadence

J

jcpoolgod

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In the book "Pleasures of Small Motions" the author has a section about preshot routines where he talks about rhythm and cadence. He talks about actually breaking down your motions into steps, small deliberate steps each with its own beat. 1234, 1234, 1234 ....Like a balloom dancer that glides gracefully across the floor. just falling into the rhythm and letting the body do its thing without too much conscious thought.

I am curious to know how many of you actually do this, and have taken the time to break down all your movements into a series of steps, and play through your routine with the grace of the dancer we just talked about.

I have been experimenting with speed and rhythm lately. I shoot with a few good players on my team, however they play excruciatingly slow...yes they make balls, but they also miss. and so do I but i play with a much faster rhythm. I try to play my actual rhythm.And sometimes when i focus on the rhythm part of the game i play effortlessly and also very well.

I have a theory about rhythm....not only is it important but it is EVERYTHING. Rhythm is the most important thing because it allows your body to make the movements and actions required to accomplish the shots, without your conscious thoughts getting in the way of success.

What are your guys' thoughts on this.
 
I think rhythm's very important, I picked it up a few years ago from a Scott Lee lesson. When I'm shooting good I have a Set/Pause/Finish (good old SPF) mantra going in my head while I stroke. I try to keep the cadence (tempo) regular. For a hard shot I have a longer backstroke, for a soft shot a shorter backstroke, both with the same cadence. Can't always do this in all situations, but it helps me for most shots.

There's a discussion going on in the Ask an Instructor forum about acceleration that touches on this.
 
If you want rhythm, just hum a little tune while you shoot.
If you want cadence, you'll have to wait. She's in the back room with Shorty. :grin:
 
Tramp Steamer said:
If you want rhythm, just hum a little tune while you shoot.
If you want cadence, you'll have to wait. She's in the back room with Shorty. :grin:
Click to expand...

I usually sing something like "I can't get no satisfaction" or have a likely song playing in my head gear.

Good stuff Maynard,

Lesh
 
I think this topic is extremely advanced, in one of those weird categories of so sports psychology.
 
Golf and pool are a lot alike. What's the most important thing in consistent ball striking/putting/chipping in golf?
 
Well you're warm in that you mention the one thing that actually does make you play better, lack of conscious thought, being in a flow state. This will ALLOW your natural rhythm or pace to surface, everyone's is different.

You just need to quiet your mind, thereby getting out of your own way.
 
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