squirt,delection and accuracy

[fan-tum]

Do you think that 'b+' and above players consistenly hit the cueball in the middle(if they aren't using spin)? With testing I've noticed I always hit about 1/4" to 1/8" right of center and there's absolutely nothing I can do the remedy that. So my question is would I be better off with a flexible or stiff shaft?

 

[Jaden]

No they don't

They use spin all the time; however, what they don't do is hit with spin when they are trying to hit center. So if you're asking if B+ and above players unintentionally use spin, the answer would probably be, only when they miss...

 

[WesleyW]

Do you think that 'b+' and above players consistenly hit the cueball in the middle(if they aren't using spin)? With testing I've noticed I always hit about 1/4" to 1/8" right of center and there's absolutely nothing I can do the remedy that. So my question is would I be better off with a flexible or stiff shaft?

I think hitting exactly the middle is quite difficult and need an extreme good stroke. You might try to aim at the touching point of the CB and the cloth first, to see the aimingpoint.

I think you will be better off with a flexible shaft, because it usually got lesser mass on the tip, so lesser deflection/squirt. When hitting off center, the CB will still go on the line. It is more forgiving. But using a flexible shaft, you will produce more spin. So hitting the rail first will be more difficult for you using a flexible shaft.

 

[IA8baller]

Have you ever tried the practice drill of hitting the cue call from center of table down tho the end and have it come back to you EXACTLY centered again? That will tell you instantly if you are hitting center ball or not. If I really focus I can get the cue ball to come straight back to me about 3/4ths of the time, the other 1/4th I seem to want to put 1/8th to a 1/4 tip of left on it. I've done this drill with a practice cue ball that is designed to hold the chalk a little better and it has a red stripe/center spot mark/etc to give you a true center ball reference point.

I've worked really hard on getting more and more accurate results with my stroke over the last few years and I can definitely tell it's paying off. I think one of the few times "deflection" is really coming into play with my game anymore is a very long table shot closer to a rail to where I have to hit top spin, then if I don't hit true center the slightest offset from a center axis hit could cause enough "squirt" and "swerve" (because I'm forced into hitting more of a downward stroke due to closeness of the rail) to miss the shot.

I really like playing with the dotted aramith cue balls whenever possible because sometimes that will tell me if I hit something in a way that I didn't intend to. The cue ball never lies.

 

[pooltchr]

There are several possible reasons for applying unintended side spin on the cue ball...most of which come down to a problem with stroke fundamentals, alignment, or the way a player is sighting down the cue.
If a player knows what the problem is, it's not hard to fix.
Find a good instructor to help you discover the exact cause of the problem.
Steve

 

[WesleyW]

There are several possible reasons for applying unintended side spin on the cue ball...most of which come down to a problem with stroke fundamentals, alignment, or the way a player is sighting down the cue.
If a player knows what the problem is, it's not hard to fix.
Find a good instructor to help you discover the exact cause of the problem.
Steve

Most I've seen is a bad alignment of the (stroking) elbow.

 

[TripXQ]

squirt

You might try laying an old glass Coca cola bottle on its side on the table and practicing stroking your cue into the open mouth. Try 100 strokes a day or more. This will help remove error from your stroke if done with care.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues

 

[IA8baller]

You might try laying an old glass Coca cola bottle on its side on the table and practicing stroking your cue into the open mouth. Try 100 strokes a day or more. This will help remove error from your stroke if done with care.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues

My wife and kids laugh at me when I do this, but I swear it helps getting a better stroke. I use a small plastic water bottle set on our kitchen table.

I've gotten funny looks down at the bar when doing this too, but when I've had a few guys try it that had never done it before, it becomes apparent very quickly just how good (or bad usually) their stroke really is.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

... a flexible shaft, because it usually got lesser mass on the tip, so lesser deflection/squirt.
...But using a flexible shaft, you will produce more spin. So hitting the rail first will be more difficult for you using a flexible shaft.

I don't think either of these things is true. A more flexible shaft doesn't reduce squirt significantly and doesn't produce more spin.

pj
chgo

 

[WesleyW]

I don't think either of these things is true. A more flexible shaft doesn't reduce squirt significantly and doesn't produce more spin.

pj
chgo

I don't like the 314, but I can put way more spin with this kind of flexible shaft, than with my really stiff natural shaft. And I'm not the only one noticing this.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Me:
...A more flexible shaft doesn't reduce squirt significantly and doesn't produce more spin.

WesleyW:
I don't like the 314, but I can put way more spin with this kind of flexible shaft, than with my really stiff natural shaft. And I'm not the only one noticing this.

Lots of players believe this, but I don't believe their "impressions" as much as I believe my tests. I've tested many different shafts and none have produced more spin than any other.

pj
chgo

 

[PKM]

Do you think that 'b+' and above players consistenly hit the cueball in the middle(if they aren't using spin)? With testing I've noticed I always hit about 1/4" to 1/8" right of center and there's absolutely nothing I can do the remedy that. So my question is would I be better off with a flexible or stiff shaft?

I only stayed at a Holiday Inn last night, but you've got to train your eyes to find a center-ball hit and see it as correct. You might want to try Joe Tucker's 3rd eye trainer.