Colin Colenso said:
CC,
I've wrestled with this issue for some time (don't we all). The basic problem being there are an infinite number of shot possibilities; many of which require a stance unique to the particular shot because of bridge length, interference from rails or obstructing balls, or stretching requirements.
A solution offered to me by a former world champion has been to always key on the feeling of the upper body as a unit; orienting the lower body in whatever contortion required to get the upper body unit aligned as if it were a regular shot (or at least as close as possible to this feeling). This way almost every shot will have the same upper body feel, and eventually it will become automatic to recognize if the alignment of the upper body unit is off. When the upper body feels aligned (and the stroke mechanics are good and repeatable) the ball always goes.