Skipping steps in pre-shot routine

Andrew Manning

Andrew Manning

Aspiring know-it-all
Silver Member
Hi all, I've noticed a couple of things in my game recently and wanted to hear some advice.

I've noticed that I make fewer mistakes earlier in a session, and make more and more careless errors as time goes by.

I've also been trying to work on cutting down my errors by analyzing why each one happened immediately afterwards. I've noticed that when I miss easy shots, and I mean shots where I have a straight or mild cut to the pocket, I'm on the right side of the ball to get fairly natural position, and there are no extenuating circumstances (jacked up, 9+ ft. straight-in shot, heavy risk of scratch, etc.), I generally miss because I skipped steps in my pre-shot routine. I didn't align myself carefully before getting down. I didn't finish deciding on the details of my position route before getting down. I forgot to focus in on a specific contact point on the OB. I forgot to choose which part of the pocket I'm shooting at. I failed to silence other thoughts (thinking ahead in the rack or even the match while stroking). I failed to adjust my feet so I was the right distance from the shot, rather then leaning toward it. I felt uncomfortable, but I pulled the trigger instead of standing up and adjusting.

All of these things are things I know how to do correctly, and all are things I've learned over the years can make the difference in my game between a bad shot and a good one. And at the beginning of the night, I do them all pretty well. But as the night wears on, I lose my focus on these things, and I start skipping steps, or not doing steps right.

So what's your advice on how to avoid skipping steps? I know what I need in my pre-shot routine, I just need help making myself stick with it.

-Andrew
 
Hey Andrew,

I typically will go through similar problems. I think it's most common among "rhythm players" also known for being a bit on the fast-side. What I've done in recent months is develop a full-stop in my preshot-routine. What I mean is, when I approach the cue-ball, I stand behind it and stop moving. When I come to a complete stop, I figure where I need to hit the object-ball to make it, make my positional decision and then I'll proceed into my stance.

Prior to creating this full-stop in my routine, I would typically be rushing right through critical steps no more than an hour into the day.
 
I have this same problem. It also happens when I play peaple I know I can beat. I think I'm lazy. Real winners want to win evey game no matter the time, circumstance or opponent. I need to want to win bad enough to invest the time that takes into every shot. I don't always want to win that bad. Unless I can change this I think I will have a hard time getting as good as I could. Maybe it's the same for you.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Hey Andrew,

I typically will go through similar problems. I think it's most common among "rhythm players" also known for being a bit on the fast-side. What I've done in recent months is develop a full-stop in my preshot-routine. What I mean is, when I approach the cue-ball, I stand behind it and stop moving. When I come to a complete stop, I figure where I need to hit the object-ball to make it, make my positional decision and then I'll proceed into my stance.

Prior to creating this full-stop in my routine, I would typically be rushing right through critical steps no more than an hour into the day.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jude, I'll try that. It sounds like a good idea.

-Andrew
 
teebee said:
I have this same problem. It also happens when I play peaple I know I can beat. I think I'm lazy. Real winners want to win evey game no matter the time, circumstance or opponent. I need to want to win bad enough to invest the time that takes into every shot. I don't always want to win that bad. Unless I can change this I think I will have a hard time getting as good as I could. Maybe it's the same for you.
Click to expand...

In my case I don't think desire to win is the problem, but you're right that lack of drive or hunger can cause a lack of focus.

-Andrew
 
i use to skip steps too.......because as the night wears on it seems like it takes sooooooooo long to shoot a game of pool because going thru the preshot routine. But finally I learned to think about it like this......what takes longer, me rushing thru preshot and missing and taking multiple turns at the table (if im lucky), or me taking a little extra time with my routine and not missing and running out in one inning. The main thing that helps me not skip steps is always starting my shot standing back a few feet, and then moving in from there.
 
I always used to be a fast and loose player and it's taken a long time to slow things down. I still find myself speeding up as I spend more time at the table. What I've started doing to slow myself down is using the first missed shot or error at the table as a reminder to pay more attention to following the pre-shot routine. The first time you have to go sit down 'cause you weren't paying attention, mentally slap yourself and regain your focus.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Hey Andrew,

I typically will go through similar problems. I think it's most common among "rhythm players" also known for being a bit on the fast-side. What I've done in recent months is develop a full-stop in my preshot-routine. What I mean is, when I approach the cue-ball, I stand behind it and stop moving. When I come to a complete stop, I figure where I need to hit the object-ball to make it, make my positional decision and then I'll proceed into my stance.

Prior to creating this full-stop in my routine, I would typically be rushing right through critical steps no more than an hour into the day.
Click to expand...

I've been adding this to my routine as well, it helps to keep me from moving off line.
 
i do the same thing and the thing that helps me out is that before each match, i tell myself to take my time, not to rush things. As when i miss shots i always say to myself i didn't aim, etc... but then its too late, and i just got tired of this happening. So i am working on keeping my focus on my preshot routine before i grab my cue. Another great thing i am doing is after each shot i take a walk around the table and chalk it up. I found out i was skipping my steps when i was practicing. I do my drills but then i get into the habit of shooting fast and not thinking things through when i get on the roll and everything is dropping. So one must always try and be consistent with there fundamentals, during match and practice play.
 
Same problem here

Same problem here, getting ahead of myself on the shots that don't require the focus of others. I have developed a mnemonic device to insure that I work through my pre-shot routine everytime.
"Every Ball Safely Sinks Happily"
E = Eyes - Insure you visualize the entire shot and results to start.
Ball = Breathe - Take a focused breath. Surprising what a focused "inhale/exhale" will do for your nerves.
S = Setup - Take your stance and get down behind the ball. Do your aiming.
S = Stroke - for me it is back, pause, forward
H = Hold the finish. A big one for me especially in critical situations.
Sounds like a lot but I'm not accused of slow play. It works me into a good ryhthm.
Just repeat it before every shot and you will find yourself going through a mental checklist.
Use it, something like it or nothing at all. Just know it when I take the time to use it I play better...
 
I just wanted to reiterate, the reason why I feel that pause can help so much is, it gives your eyes a chance to settle on the target. Once you see its effectiveness, you have to view the pause as necessary, even on simple shots. The fact is, most intermediate to advanced players can classify a significant portion of their misses as very makeable shots so if you're making everything you're supposed to make, your good days are going to be defined by how you fair with challenging shots.

I don't know about you but if I can narrow my days down to such a measuring-stick, I know I'm leaving the poolroom happy almost all the time.
 
Catahula said:
Same problem here, getting ahead of myself on the shots that don't require the focus of others. I have developed a mnemonic device to insure that I work through my pre-shot routine everytime.
"Every Ball Safely Sinks Happily"
E = Eyes - Insure you visualize the entire shot and results to start.
Ball = Breathe - Take a focused breath. Surprising what a focused "inhale/exhale" will do for your nerves.
S = Setup - Take your stance and get down behind the ball. Do your aiming.
S = Stroke - for me it is back, pause, forward
H = Hold the finish. A big one for me especially in critical situations.
Sounds like a lot but I'm not accused of slow play. It works me into a good ryhthm.
Just repeat it before every shot and you will find yourself going through a mental checklist.
Use it, something like it or nothing at all. Just know it when I take the time to use it I play better...
Click to expand...

Great Advice.

Jude Rosenstock said:
I just wanted to reiterate, the reason why I feel that pause can help so much is, it gives your eyes a chance to settle on the target. Once you see its effectiveness, you have to view the pause as necessary, even on simple shots. The fact is, most intermediate to advanced players can classify a significant portion of their misses as very makeable shots so if you're making everything you're supposed to make, your good days are going to be defined by how you fair with challenging shots.

I don't know about you but if I can narrow my days down to such a measuring-stick, I know I'm leaving the poolroom happy almost all the time.
Click to expand...

The stroke of a Snooker player for an example Allison Fisher. How she has that pause in backstroke before the execution, she says it does give your eyes a few more seconds of focus on your target. So i say great post, and a pause is a great thing, even in music:D There are a few players that i have watched where i don't see any pause in there stroke and still shoot great, but i like to watch a player where they have a pause even if it is a slight one in their strokes.

Sorry for getting off topic as the pause was meant to be before getting down over the shot, but it also can help before the execution of the shot:D
 
TheConArtist said:
Great Advice.



The stroke of a Snooker player for an example Allison Fisher. How she has that pause in backstroke before the execution, she says it does give your eyes a few more seconds of focus on your target. So i say great post, and a pause is a great thing, even in music:D There are a few players that i have watched where i don't see any pause in there stroke and still shoot great, but i like to watch a player where they have a pause even if it is a slight one in their strokes.

Sorry for getting off topic as the pause was meant to be before getting down over the shot, but it also can help before the execution of the shot:D
Click to expand...


Actually, I don't mean a pause in your stroke. I mean, you pause before you even get into your stance. I'd like to say most (if not all) of your aiming is done before you even set your hand on the table so it's imperative that you're not moving for a moment to allow your eyes to hone-in on the target.

If there's one difference between most professionals I see and most amateurs, it's that pause.
 
You can also give yourself verbal cues when you find yourself wandering off the path. Sometimes I find myself getting down without even aiming at a specific point. I will just remind myself with a little "edge of tip to contact point". My opponent may think I am crazy, but hey the more weirded out your opponent is while you are running out the better.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Actually, I don't mean a pause in your stroke. I mean, you pause before you even get into your stance. I'd like to say most (if not all) of your aiming is done before you even set your hand on the table so it's imperative that you're not moving for a moment to allow your eyes to hone-in on the target.

If there's one difference between most professionals I see and most amateurs, it's that pause.
Click to expand...

Exactly this is why i said sorry for getting off topic, Thanks again for advice as i use to have a pause in my stroke and picked up a bad habit over the past year. So tonight at leagues, i am going to start working on my pause again.
 
Great thread and great posts. This is something I have been specifically working on as well.

I find sometimes that when I get out of sync in my preshot, it is because I have been altering my intensity level on each shot, often because I might get a run of simple shots and start rushing a bit, or I might just be getting nervous.

It seems when I am able to relax and keep steady even pressure on myself on each shot, no matter how easy or difficult, the preshot routine stays steady as well.

I just won one of those APA regional singles event as an SL5 over the weekend and will be heading out to Vegas for the Nationals later next month. I didn't play heroically by any means, but I think I did a good job of staying steady, taking my time, and avoiding big mistakes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top