Back in the 30's there was a champion golfer named Ralph Guldahl( 4 majors and in the HOF and teacher to Howard Hughes). One of the big magazines at the time asked him to write a book about how to play. Ralph had never self-ANALyzed his swing and the process of breaking down his swing into parts ruined his game. He was never the same player. Gist of this its WAAAAAAAY too easy to get bogged down in technique to the point where all flow and natural action is GONE.
Shot Line Walk Up
- Thread starter Island Drive
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WobblyStroke
Well-known member
While I agree with the general approach of OP, any specifics on foot placement and alignment need to be taken as rough guides at best. Bert Kinister addresses the minor variations in people's setups by getting them to build their stance around their hang. His students don't all have the same foot position. Instead, they follow the same process to arrive at a suitable foot position for them. As you point out, the difference may be as subtle as heel on line vs edge of heel on line, but that little bit can make all the difference in the world.
I think the only time I might do this, is on a long, thin-ish cut. One of my aiming aids is to consider where the contact point would be to send the object ball parallel to the end-cushion, and add cut/overlap from there. So, looking at the shot from the object-ball end, I can stand over the ball and see the line(s) and desired contact point.
Otherwise, I think it can also be useful for some players to go to the OB side, imagine the cue ball line *through* the ball for the desired contact point, and then setting their aim/target on the rail, or a convenient target. For example, if a half-ball aim line continued past the ball, and also coincided with a diamond, then the diamond becomes the target, and this can stand out more when viewing from the OB end. (BTW, the edge of the OB is obviously the normal aim/target for the 1/2-ball hit, but I'm just trying to give an example to convey the mental picture.) Sometimes too, another ball, or part of a ball might provide a similar, "past the OB" target. I have seen coaches in APA matches point out aiming spots for players this way, so it's certainly no secret!
Very informative, digestive post Mike.
The right foot rotation outward/1-2 o'clockish I've found.
Is a simple/easy and telling stance change to experiment with for many, and other foot generally in the 10-12 o'clock area.
Your shot line creation/front of right foot, told you ''I'm in balance''.
We're all trying to keep the handle hand, closer to the hip than further away, helps fight gravity.
What's not mentioned in this thread is Gravity vs Handle Hand.
Like a Grand Wall Clock.'
Pool handle Pendulum.
If you tilt them ever so, they never Want to go straight.
There are players that hold their cue like a Violin, not the easiest to master.
But a natural, 6 o'clock handle hand hitting straight thru.... THATS good stuff.
Like a Filler Punch.
bm
George the Greek
Well-known member
I was in the poolhall one morning and the owner asked if I could give a lesson to a gent that came in for his lesson with the so-called pro that hadn't shown up. The guy was having trouble hitting the CB straight. I'm thinking how the hell do I tell a very heavy set guy how to stand. We got on the 6x12 and put the CB on the brown spot and I told him to shoot it up the spots. It went nowhere straight after a half dozen tries. After that I placed a quarter btwn the rail and brown spot and told him when the cue is at the CB and over the quarter it's straight and he has to stand where he's comfortable and his chubby little arm ( didn't say that) follows the cue. After a few minutes he was hitting the CB up/down the spots. He said the so-called pro didn't show him much and he had a few lessons prior with him. He paid me and the table time and went away happy. We all have different physiques and different arm swings etc but the cue doesn't care if you can't line it up right. Listen to the dictator and it'll help. Enough of my free lesson for today and for further instruction send $9.95 lol
ion know
life isnt about parameters
Nor could one take these parameters and instantly do what he could previously not do
No cheat codes just work
life isnt about parameters
Nor could one take these parameters and instantly do what he could previously not do
No cheat codes just work
George the Greek
Well-known member
I'm guilty of old habits that I'm trying to correct and the majority is from a bad stance. I had a good stroke and stance and with age and not playing for many years it's rearing the ugly. I put a string from center of the corner pocket to the opposite corner and the 2 side pockets and made a small mark on the cloth with a marker. I put painters tape on the plastic and corner cap on the pocket I'm shooting from then an OB on the mark I made. At the moment I'm only stunning the CB and the OB is going straight in and within a short time I'll get to where I want to be
A simple way to ck balance.
Take a 4' string, attach a light weight at one end.
Then, wearing a button down shirt, wrap the thread end around a button in your chest center.
Next set into your shooting stance/bridge Hand on table, look down below your chest, is the heavy piece midway/somewhere ''between your legs''?
With No weight on the bridge hand.
If not.... your not balanced.
Take a 4' string, attach a light weight at one end.
Then, wearing a button down shirt, wrap the thread end around a button in your chest center.
Next set into your shooting stance/bridge Hand on table, look down below your chest, is the heavy piece midway/somewhere ''between your legs''?
With No weight on the bridge hand.
If not.... your not balanced.
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Obvious to some, but not to others. Not every person's brain works the same.
you may need to learn how to find that spot. it is a direct line from where you want the object ball to go. through the ball to its back.
that spot is what you need to hit that particular ball from any angle to make it without english or throw considered.
it certainly is obvious.
then you aim for that spot where the cueball will contact it first. some find the need to visualize a ghost ball hitting that spot.
good luck, i hope that helps those that have any difficulty thinking about shots that dont look easy. well most are.
that spot is what you need to hit that particular ball from any angle to make it without english or throw considered.
it certainly is obvious.
then you aim for that spot where the cueball will contact it first. some find the need to visualize a ghost ball hitting that spot.
good luck, i hope that helps those that have any difficulty thinking about shots that dont look easy. well most are.
My front (left) foot is more along the 12 to 1 position.
Very similar to a martial arts stance. If you wobble in the slightest when standing on that front foot alone, you need to alter your stance.
I haven't thot about my feet in so long it's funny. Except after a long match and they're throbbing like hell. Once you've hamb, you kinda have that part down pat.
Did Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka write a book, too?
at what point do you actually shoot?The walk up? Well it starts when I get out of my seat. Survey starts as I approach the table. First the plan that considers all the balls on the table. Once the plan is made and a target ball is selected, I focus on the contact point and line through it back to the white. I use that line and the balanced cue in my hand to establish where I stand at address. Two different coachings to start. One was put my belly button on the line. The other is chin on the line. So I start with the bellybutton using my cue to measure the distance back from the white to establish the final survey stance at attention and square to the shot.The one two step into the shooting stance leaves me with chin on the line. My 3 step dance goes back foot, front foot, bridge. Should be the same every shot. Walking to the stance and overlooking the address is not optimal IMHO.
It occurs to me (again probably) that tall people might need to be more anal about self placement - especially trying to look fluid and automatic in play. Couple degrees of perception could be amplified a hundredfold at the business end. Can anybody compute the arc required to jump a full ball from 1/8" ? Backwards example but useful knowledge. lol...
I have a personal rule to never back into a shot.
Maybe I’m standing in the same spot as the previous shot or am surveying the table at the rail and it looks good. From time to time I’ll catch myself dropping down and sliding back foot backwards into position. Nothing good ever comes from doing this.
If I catch myself, I stand up take a step back and step forward into my shot.
Maybe I’m standing in the same spot as the previous shot or am surveying the table at the rail and it looks good. From time to time I’ll catch myself dropping down and sliding back foot backwards into position. Nothing good ever comes from doing this.
If I catch myself, I stand up take a step back and step forward into my shot.
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If you can see the cueball, you're facing the right way.