Stepping back to the fundamentals of the game

R

raadkins16

Registered
I find myself constantly trying to learn new things about pool, which I feel is beneficial. However, it is evident in my medicore play as of late, that I need to step back and reevaluate the fundamentals.

Please add to this list what you feel should be fundamentals that everyone should practice and try to nail down as much as possible.

Stroke

Aim

Speed Control

Grip

Bridge

Stance

Use of english

I plan on through the help of some literature I received from the CUE-TECH instructional series breaking these down individually and making sure I am on the right track to playing fundamentally sound pool.

Comments, suggestions, please share.
 
raadkins16 said:
Stroke

Aim

Speed Control

Grip

Bridge

Stance

Use of english

Comments, suggestions, please share.
Click to expand...

I'm assuming that you can already play this game, and you have your ups and downs. When you are off, here's what I have to say about your post. If you are just getting started, then read this post next year....:p

Bridges should be beyond automatic, they should never require you to "go back to the basics". Once you have them, you're good. You might improve one here and there if you notice a trick from a top player, but that only takes a second.

Speed control can also be left out. This is a direct result of your grip and stroke, as you play it becomes natural; you develope a feel beyond what anyone can describe to you. If you are having trouble with speed control, that means that you should go back to the basics on your grip and/or stroke. That's what I have to say...everyone will probably tell you to try this speed drill or that speed drill, but I say you have to learn to FEEL the speed to be a great player.

Stroke and grip are closely related. When I'm off of my game, this is why...I try different things, looking for that feel that I have lost, and this usually brings out strokes that I have never used before. Bad strokes, terrible strokes, anger, changes of all kinds, they seem to multiply! Be sure to SIMPLIFY, not multiply when you're off your game; otherwise you'll be changing everything you can and finding no results.

Aim is done before you get down on the ball. No adjustments, shoot confidently...close your eyes if you have to!

When it comes to stance, all I can say is don't think about it. Learn a study one in the beginning, and from then on, just let your body do what it wants.

English is not a fundamental to me, play the shots how you always would; don't change a thing.
 
seymore15074 said:
Bridges should be beyond automatic, they should never require you to "go back to the basics". Once you have them, you're good. You might improve one here and there if you notice a trick from a top player, but that only takes a second.

Speed control can also be left out. This is a direct result of your grip and stroke, as you play it becomes natural; you develope a feel beyond what anyone can describe to you. If you are having trouble with speed control, that means that you should go back to the basics on your grip and/or stroke. That's what I have to say...everyone will probably tell you to try this speed drill or that speed drill, but I say you have to learn to FEEL the speed to be a great player.
Click to expand...

Bridges are not automatic, and must be learned or taught. There are five basic bridges, which are part of every poolplayers arsenal.

Your information on speed control is either misdirected, or out of date. Speed control is a necessary element of anyone's game. You are correct that grip and stroke affect speed control. However they are not separate, and all must work together. Once a repeatable, accurate stroke has been learned, speed control is the very next fundamental on the list.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Thanks for all the information!

Scott, I assume if you made that trip we talked abuot to Virginia, a good portion of the time may be on fundamentals aye :)? Look forward to talk with you more on this. Thanks for the info so far everyone.
 
How about "breathing"? Making sure you don't just start holding your breath at bad moments.
 
raadkins16 said:
Thanks for all the information!

Scott, I assume if you made that trip we talked abuot to Virginia, a good portion of the time may be on fundamentals aye :)? Look forward to talk with you more on this. Thanks for the info so far everyone.
Click to expand...

Yes...and I'll know about that trip by early next week!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
In addition to above...

Basically learning what is possible, what is not possible...

Of course Dr. Dave's DVD which covers a lot of basic stuff...
http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/pool/cd_dvd/dvd_description.html

30/90 degree rules

Follow

Stun (stop)

Draw

Stuff in the book 99 critical shots

Then a bit of knowledge...

Learning that in addition to pocketing balls, you can and should try to leave the cue ball in a position for your next shot. (Think ahead)

Learning "What goes forward, will come back!" (If you shoot the cue ball with follow in many cases, it will continue forward, hit a rail, then come back.)

Learning to ask yourself "Where will the cue ball go after this shot?"

Learning to use the 30/90 degree rules to avoid scratching or get position for your next shot.

Learning about cue ball deflection (squirt) when using english.

Learning about throw with cut shots.

Learning why certain combination shots can be almost impossible to make.

Learning to tell if a cut shot is possible or not.

Learning to cut instead of banking if possible, and why this is a good idea.

Learning how to hit the cue ball dead center, learning why hitting the cue ball off center can mess up a kick shot, learning why a ball hitting the rail at different speeds will change the angle it comes off the rail.

Learning about "muscle memory".

And of course learning the rules of the game. Get BCA rule books here...
https://www.bcastore.com/product_info.php?products_id=118
 
Many players that lack good form can recite the proper fundamentals to you without problem. So why aren't they following their own advice? There may be an underlying cause for some particular problem. For example, excessive upper arm movement in the stroke may be a result of poor alignment, which may in turn cause unsteadiness in the bridge hand, etc. You definitely need to focus on individuals details of your form to improve, but the net result should be a cohesive whole: you should eventually be able to step to the table, line up, and stroke comfortable, and have a sense of how your entire body feels, rather than just what a good stroke feels like, or a good bridge, etc.

Not sure what that advice is worth but it works for me!
 
henho said:
Many players that lack good form can recite the proper fundamentals to you without problem. So why aren't they following their own advice? There may be an underlying cause for some particular problem. For example, excessive upper arm movement in the stroke may be a result of poor alignment, which may in turn cause unsteadiness in the bridge hand, etc. You definitely need to focus on individuals details of your form to improve, but the net result should be a cohesive whole: you should eventually be able to step to the table, line up, and stroke comfortable, and have a sense of how your entire body feels, rather than just what a good stroke feels like, or a good bridge, etc.

Not sure what that advice is worth but it works for me!
Click to expand...

That is exactly right, every word. The "fundamentals" that they recite are more like guidlines, they do not have to be so by the book that you look like a machine.
 
henho said:
Many players that lack good form can recite the proper fundamentals to you without problem. So why aren't they following their own advice? There may be an underlying cause for some particular problem. For example, excessive upper arm movement in the stroke may be a result of poor alignment, which may in turn cause unsteadiness in the bridge hand, etc. You definitely need to focus on individuals details of your form to improve, but the net result should be a cohesive whole: you should eventually be able to step to the table, line up, and stroke comfortable, and have a sense of how your entire body feels, rather than just what a good stroke feels like, or a good bridge, etc.

Not sure what that advice is worth but it works for me!
Click to expand...

I would agree as well with one exception. If this is a beginning player that doesn't have a good bit of time/experience under his belt they may not be wise enough when stepping up to a table, hitting a few balls around and realize what is right or wrong. But trust me, I am there with you as we share the same approach. :)

If I grab a cue, walk up to the table hit a ball and it feels off, I will check my stance, check my grip, arm position, bent over far enough, hands to tight or loose, etc. Step back, maybe refocus my eyes or go wash my hands and face to freshen up. Try the shot again and review again. But I agree, after time, once you pick up a cue, no matter what cue, no matter what table, no matter what location, when you hit that first ball, your mind and body should be giving you lots of feedback. This is what I consider fundamentals regarding your approach. When you start shooting your shots, (preshot routine or not) there comes in a different set of fundamentals regarding english, speed, shot selection, type of game, etc.

Shutting up now as I am wandering
:)
ez
 
All of this info is great, Billy_Bob, excellent info as well, lot more to the game than I once thought. That will be good information to bring up during a lesson.

Body alignment and stroke are current problems for me, as well as not staying down after the shot long enough, which I constantly work on.
 
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