right, left, using the bridge.

[buckshotshoey]

Hi. New to forum so this may have come up before but ill ask anyway.....
I am right handed. I can play right or left. When in an odd spot on the table I switch hands and continue on with no hitches. My draw shot left handed is excellent. I can play entire games left handed...although my speed control is not quite as good. I shoot lefty much better then using a bridge. There are a few spots on the table where I still need the crutch but they don't come up too often. I do miss a few more shots left handed. But not because of stroke. I think it is eye related. I was in competitive rifle shooting and determined I really don't have a dominant eye. And I do shoot pool with eyes centered over cue. I am a 5 in APA, and I think I could maintain a 4 shooting left.

Now for the question....on a thread on the 14 day great pool experiment, the poster said Tory recommended he not shoot opposite hand and use the bridge instead (Day 7 of 14 on the diary). I think being able to shoot ambidextrous is a huge advantage on the pool table! It has won me many games. What do the instructors here think about this and is there any way to improve my aiming when shooting lefty?

 

[FranCrimi]

Being able to switch hands to avoid using a bridge is a huge advantage! You're one of the rare lucky ones who can do that comfortably. Many try, but it's with a certain amount of awkwardness.

I've never heard of players switching hands to shoot specific shots, like a draw shot, for example. Things might get a little confusing if you were to switch for different types of shots, but definitely do switch in place of using the bridge!

 

[buckshotshoey]

Being able to switch hands to avoid using a bridge is a huge advantage! You're one of the rare lucky ones who can do that comfortably. Many try, but it's with a certain amount of awkwardness.

I've never heard of players switching hands to shoot specific shots, like a draw shot, for example. Things might get a little confusing if you were to switch for different types of shots, but definitely do switch in place of using the bridge!

Thank you. I only shot left during a match If I have too. The left handed draw was just mentioned to state my stroke is good. I dont feel awkward left handed. One thing I do feel is muscle stiffness. After shooting a long session right handed, and switch to the left, whole different muscle groups are being woke up...so to speak. Feel stiff.

And I think you just opened my eyes as to why I miss sometimes. Maybe some stretching exercises to wake up the left side? Hmmmmm!

 

[AlexandruM]

I don't see a problem using the opposite hand.
I also use the left hand when I have to. I don't "hate" the mechanical bridge, but I'm more confident in my hands.

 

[FranCrimi]

I don't see a problem using the opposite hand.
I also use the left hand when I have to. I don't "hate" the mechanical bridge, but I'm more confident in my hands.

What's your teaching background, AlexandruM? How long have you been a billiard instructor?

 

[buckshotshoey]

I don't see a problem using the opposite hand.
I also use the left hand when I have to. I don't "hate" the mechanical bridge, but I'm more confident in my hands.

Same here I can and do use a bridge but its "uncomfortable" to me. And I take my own bridge (moosehead) to league with me. The ones at the bars are ok, I'm just used to mine.

I guess what I'm asking is why was that poster in mentioned steered away from shooting left? If a person has the ability, I think an instructor would try to develop their skill to a higher level.

 

[FranCrimi]

Same here I can and do use a bridge but its "uncomfortable" to me. And I take my own bridge (moosehead) to league with me. The ones at the bars are ok, I'm just used to mine.

So, are you an instructor as well? Just asking, because every so often we get arbitrary answers in this forum, I'm sure you know the type.... someone will just jump in with an opinion that is often not researched and not professional.

I guess I could just jump in with an opinion in an ask the instructor golf forum because I do play quite a bit of golf, but I've never taught golf. Teaching brings a rich experience to the table because instructors have experience with many, many different situations, whereas someone just jumping in with their opinion only has one experience ---- theirs.

Not that I am negating anyone's experience, ---- That works well in the main forum.

 

[Scott Lee]

buckshotshoey...While it is valuable to "know how", and when, to accurately use the mechanical bridge (it's not a crutch, cheater stick or ladies aid), there is certainly nothing wrong with shooting right and left handed. I feel that's a big advantage too, and will switch hands on some shots myself. That said, being comfortable using the mechanical bridge, and knowing when it's important, are necessary skills to higher level play. I believe that's probably what Tor Lowrey was talking about. If not, he's full of baloney.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Now for the question....on a thread on the 14 day great pool experiment, the poster said Tory recommended he not shoot opposite hand and use the bridge instead (Day 7 of 14 on the diary). I think being able to shoot ambidextrous is a huge advantage on the pool table! It has won me many games. What do the instructors here think about this and is there any way to improve my aiming when shooting lefty?

 

[buckshotshoey]

So, are you an instructor as well? Just asking, because every so often we get arbitrary answers in this forum, I'm sure you know the type.... someone will just jump in with an opinion that is often not researched and not professional.

I guess I could just jump in with an opinion in an ask the instructor golf forum because I do play quite a bit of golf, but I've never taught golf. Teaching brings a rich experience to the table because instructors have experience with many, many different situations, whereas someone just jumping in with their opinion only has one experience ---- theirs.

Not that I am negating anyone's experience, ---- That works well in the main forum.

No...not an instructor. Wish I was! I was just asking why Tory would discourage shooting left handed. I'm sure he had his reasons. I am by far the worst one to discredit someone else's instruction parameters....just want to know why. And how can I improve my ambidextrous abilities! I do miss a little more often left handed, but less often then using a bridge. As I mentioned in second post, after long sessions shooting right, I'm stiff and sore when I change to make a shot on the left. Using whole new muscle groups. I didn't realize this until after your first response. It got me thinking. Do you think stretching exercises will help or is there something else I can do?

 

[buckshotshoey]

buckshotshoey...While it is valuable to "know how", and when, to accurately use the mechanical bridge (it's not a crutch, cheater stick or ladies aid), there is certainly nothing wrong with shooting right and left handed. I feel that's a big advantage too, and will switch hands on some shots myself. That said, being comfortable using the mechanical bridge, and knowing when it's important, are necessary skills to higher level play. I believe that's probably what Tor Lowrey was talking about. If not, he's full of baloney.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Thanks Scott. I prob should put more practice in with the bridge. Its definitely a weak partof my game.