Shot Line Walk Up

[gregcantrall]

at what point do you actually shoot?

Well? The silly answer would be, "when I am ready. Make that damn good and ready." One of my favorite handshake quotes is, "I can't beat your slow game." That came after I won 13 games of 9 ball in 45 minutes. So obviously the slow part just before pulling the trigger along with never miss made it seem like an eternity.
The "Pre Shot Routine" is important to me. I now tend to think of it as a Full Shot Dance.
When I am playing my best the next answer would be, "when I have my mind right". My analysis when I Bork a shot usually leads me to "What was I thinking?"
By following my script or program I give myself the best chance for success.
In considering my answer I recall a Barry Stark lesson where "play the shot" is what Barry prescribed.
Here's a play list of lessons by Barry that I have studied. In the first he opens with the only thing I differ with him on. Thats object ball last is the "Only" way. It was my way back in the day and I achieved some of my biggest success stories doing it that way. My experience now at the age of 73 is that cueball at the moment I pull the trigger works best for me. Stephen Hendry speaks on the topic as well and he and I agree. Hendry's credentials are huge.

 

[gregcantrall]

cueball at the moment I pull the trigger works best for me.

Fine control on the cueball is the advantage I feel looking at the white when I strike it. My shot making using object ball last was as good or possibly even better. The fine control of whitey reduces the number of difficult shots I face. I won't go back mainly to keep my mind right. Any doubt can can send me into a tail spin that could abort a possible win.

 

[Island Drive]

''when your down-your done''.

bm
Words from my era.

 

[VarmintKong]

If you can see the cueball, you're facing the right way.

Yeah, I’m a dumbass.

Should have wrote, *step* back into a shot.

It’s what I get fer tryin’ to put on fancy airs and sound all high falutin’.

 

[straightline]

Yeah, I’m a dumbass.

Should have wrote, *step* back into a shot.

It’s what I get fer tryin’ to put on fancy airs and sound all high falutin’.

No need to back up sir.

 

[gregcantrall]

Getting my mind right is facilitate by my affection for problem solving. So results are clues along the way. Rather than bemoaning a miss I try to go sit and analyze. Just in case I get another chance, I would sure like to be on my A game.
By following My Personal Program I can feel that I gave it my best and will provide a genuine warm handshake. Win or Lose!!
Stepping in the bucket is a term I learned playing little league baseball. The rear foot does need the firming plant. Good grip shoes are part of the uniform. Definitely part, definitely.....Rambling on....

 

[heater451]

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.

I think you misunderstood to what I was referring. What is not obvious to some is to "simply see".

You gave the process for identifying the contact point for a chosen object ball path, but that does not mean that *every* person easily makes the adjustment from viewing that point from, say behind the ball to the pocket, to seeing the same point when behind the cue ball.

You also made the assumption that I need to learn where the contact point is. I was pointing out that not everyone sees shots the same way, so while I would actually agree that it "is simple", for others it is not. Now, I admit that this is my 'belief', since it's not like I've done any testing or attempted to verify it, but I have watched a LOT of people play pool, and at the lower to even mid levels (example, APA rankings), you can tell that many players do not "simply see" where to aim/strike.

I apologize in advance, if this seems argumentative, as that is not the intent.

 

[gregcantrall]

players do not "simply see" where to aim/strike.

This link to a Barry Stark coaching play list is very Valuable.
Aim - Barry Stark Snooker Coach tutorial tutorial
Ooops Edit: I accidentally clipped the "many" before "players". My bad.

 

[Monti]

It is all in the luck! Tom Ferry watched me for three nights. When I tried to tell him it was luck he wasn't buying. One of the very few who realized my luck was skill. He watched me for fourteen hours or so without ever seeing me really lose control of the cue ball although I faked it many a time.

One of my favorite sayings that I never repeated for others to hear, "Luck at a certain level becomes a skill."

Hu

When someone calls you lucky. Just reply “yep, lucky I’m playing you!”

 

[ShootingArts]

When someone calls you lucky. Just reply “yep, lucky I’m playing you!”

A good reply in a tournament! Gambling, when they say I am lucky and got all the rolls I humbly agree. Might let them double up to get their money back. One guy played me probably a dozen times over a few months then quit me cold. He told me in great sincerity that he was a better player but just couldn't outrun my luck! He stuck to his guns too, never played me again.

 

[heater451]

This link to a Barry Stark coaching play list is very Valuable.
Aim - Barry Stark Snooker Coach tutorial tutorial

A lot of information there--is there a particular part you thought related to my comment?

Also, you also left off the leading "many" before "players", which qualifies the statement for part of the group of players, but not *all* players.

 

[gregcantrall]

A lot of information there--is there a particular part you thought related to my comment?

Also, you also left off the leading "many" before "players", which qualifies the statement for part of the group of players, but not *all* players.

As to relating to comment. "Once determined what's next?" In the Original post is what my post was relating to.
The linked play list covers so many aspects of aiming and pre shot that it seems like something of value can be found by All. Kyren Wilson just destroyed Judd Trump in the Northern Ireland Open. Kyren is a Barry Stark poster player. Proof of the validity of Barry Starks methods.
Oops the missing "many" was an oversight on my part. I will fix that.

 

[Mensabum]

When someone calls you lucky. Just reply “yep, lucky I’m playing you!”

If 'old has been' didn't jump, you must've been dead solid perfect.
Scary.
You can't get away with that "aww shucks" anymore. We know your true speed. Blazing. Lol.
Idk how well it's held up, but once you reach a certain level of playability, it doesn't just disappear.
You've probably lost a ball, but I wouldn't 'Bet' on it Hu. Lol.

 

[Mensabum]

A good reply in a tournament! Gambling, when they say I am lucky and got all the rolls I humbly agree. Might let them double up to get their money back. One guy played me probably a dozen times over a few months then quit me cold. He told me in great sincerity that he was a better player but just couldn't outrun my luck! He stuck to his guns too, never played me again.

There's an art to that!!
Many players just don't realize what all's involved in leaving one thinking the only reason you won was you got all the rolls and they got bad ones.
You could say he wished up, but only got there halfway. Lol.

 

[Mensabum]

There's an art to that!!
Many players just don't realize what all's involved in leaving one thinking the only reason you won was you got all the rolls and they got bad ones.
You could say he wished up, but only got there halfway. Lol.

*Wized up.

 

[Mensabum]

Well? The silly answer would be, "when I am ready. Make that damn good and ready." One of my favorite handshake quotes is, "I can't beat your slow game." That came after I won 13 games of 9 ball in 45 minutes. So obviously the slow part just before pulling the trigger along with never miss made it seem like an eternity.
The "Pre Shot Routine" is important to me. I now tend to think of it as a Full Shot Dance.
When I am playing my best the next answer would be, "when I have my mind right". My analysis when I Bork a shot usually leads me to "What was I thinking?"
By following my script or program I give myself the best chance for success.
In considering my answer I recall a Barry Stark lesson where "play the shot" is what Barry prescribed.
Here's a play list of lessons by Barry that I have studied. In the first he opens with the only thing I differ with him on. Thats object ball last is the "Only" way. It was my way back in the day and I achieved some of my biggest success stories doing it that way. My experience now at the age of 73 is that cueball at the moment I pull the trigger works best for me. Stephen Hendry speaks on the topic as well and he and I agree. Hendry's credentials are huge.

I think it's very important to have your PSR or whatever you want to call it, routine. Exactly the same every time you step up. An unconscious approach that you've done so many times it has become ingrained in your psyche. Not having to 'think' about it. Getting out of your own way and out of your head leaves room for better play imo.

 

[book collector]

I decided I hate all of you guys, sheesh ,if I had half the ability you did, I would never miss.
My pool career was the same from beginning to end, every shot was an adventure. A balance between getting a decent shot, and trying too hard and ending up with no shot at all { and usually a very tough safe.}
Oh well , luckily I was good looking and had a lot of money.

 

[Kjackxon]

Lots of good comments here.
Specifically speaking, once I've acquired the “shot line,” a couple of things come to mind: (Keep in mind that all pre-shot alignment moves have been taken.

1) Am I on the right side of the projected line, or will I need to make an adjustment?
2) Do I have the correct Speed/Direction/Position for the cue ball?
3) Am I “connected” to the shot perspective?

Many things can change in the route to executing the shot. However, should your perspective of a shot change (for any reason), you should back off and repeat the process. Quite a few times I've been in the shooting stance, and something tells me “Don’t take a shot that you feel that you cannot make”). Instead of calling for an audible, I’ll take a couple of steps back (to get a bigger picture), make the adjustment in the pre-shot, and focus on a smooth follow through.
- Getting through the hard into the easy

 

[gregcantrall]

I think it's very important to have your PSR or whatever you want to call it, routine. Exactly the same every time you step up.

That makes me think of Ichiro.

The little adjust of the shirt was exactly the same each time. Anyone not familiar with Ichiro missed out. He gave us Mariners fans our money's worth.