Straight vertical pre-stroke but tucking wrist (elbow) to the left when shooting.

L

Lightn1nG

Member
Hello!

My main problem is that during pre-shot strokes, I unintentionally aim to the right of the CB (visible during straight shots that CB has a rotation after shot) and when shooting I consciously try to correct it and that's when I straighten my stroke. The problem is when I'm aiming I don't see that it's to the right, it seems to be perfectly central to me and I think it all causes lots of inconsistency - even though I'm training (straight shots, pause etc.) like a mad dog, I don't get as much progress as I should be.
What's the way to tackle this problem - is it eye dominance thing (my right eye is tiny, tiny bit more dominant and that's where my cue flows)? Is it maybe my stance wrong? (I suspect that my left shoulder could be stretched further forward and the right one further back)?

Video Unavailable

This video is unavailable.
streamable.com streamable.com
See the first shot...
I know all my errors with not being able to completely stay down and accelaration, but straightness of my stroke is what concerns me the most at the moment.
Appreciate your feedback guys,
N
 
Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson

Fish of the Day
Silver Member
Bob Jewett

Bob Jewett

AZB Osmium Member
Staff member
Gold Member
Silver Member
I think your head is in the wrong place. Try the video Pat suggested.

Hypothetical digression: Usually moving the head can cause the perceived image to be correct -- the middle of the ball looks like the middle of the ball and a straight shot looks like a straight shot. I wonder if it is also possible to rewire the brain in the absence of moving the head, so the correct stick alignment starts to look correct from the "incorrect" head position. I think the problem in doing such training is to get more immediate feedback -- before the stroke -- about how good the alignment is.
 
Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson

Fish of the Day
Silver Member
Bob Jewett said:
I wonder if it is also possible to rewire the brain in the absence of moving the head, so the correct stick alignment starts to look correct from the "incorrect" head position.
Click to expand...
I bet lots of players do this without knowing. Like you, I'd rather get it right than cope with the error - who knows what other issues it contributes to?

I think checking/finding your vision center should be a customary early part of learning to aim - so that first million balls doesn't cement bad habits.

pj
chgo
 
F

FranCrimi

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
You say you're training like a mad dog? I believe it. You're shooting like a mad dog. What's the hurry?

I can see that you're the type who doesn't like to waste time. But that's not a good idea when you're trying to develop a correct and consistent approach and pre shot routine. You need to slow down during this learning process, and you need a better approach to each shot. Never shoot two shots in a row without getting completely up out of your stance. Step back from the table and take a look at the shot. Then slowly step into your stance and place your feet with intent.

In cue sports, you have to be very specific with your approach. Right now, your approach is too general and you're extending out beyond the margin for error boundaries. Either seek out an expert to help you groove an approach for you or study the pros and try to emulate them to see which one is closest to your style.

So first, develop a more specific, consistent approach and find your correct balance at the table. You need a baseline first from which to work. A consistent approach might even solve your issue, but if it doesn't --- then you can make adjustments to fix issues such as head placement and aiming. And remember... once you get your approach and stance nailed down, if you change your head position, you may have to adjust your feet along with it, depending on the change. Don't just lean.

P.S. The video helped a lot. Thanks for posting it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bbb
W

WobblyStroke

Well-known member
Are u sure it is a perception thing and not a stroke straightness thing? The reason I ask is that when the arm is on an island away from the body like you have yours, the tendency is for the arm to drop in towards the body, which causes the tip to hit right of where it is aligned to.

Your arm def drops in on the second shot, but to be honest, you missed that ball before you even took a practice stroke because of the way you came into the shot. Getting up and stepping in on the shot line in a consistent manner will get you over the shot in a consistent manner and at least give ypu true feedback. With the way you slid out sideways from a foot position for the previous shot, you pretty much ensured you will learn nothing from the second shot other than, don't do that.
 
L

Lightn1nG

Member
First of all thanks a lot for your feedback guys! I know that it's not very easy to give advice online, but you still take time and try to help!
I am pretty sure that it's the perspective thing which is really odd, if I concentrate very very hard I do see unintentional right spin during pre-shot routine (I paid closer attention today). The thing is there is something wrong with my stance which makes me go down on the shot in a way that from top I see a straight line and when I get down, there is a tad bit of right spin on it... I do feel my stroke very well lately and seem to make balls if I concentrate on smooth straight strokes and follow through.
I just wonder why it is not effortless for me to go down on a shot with a clear center vision on the cue ball, rather than having to concentrate super hard to see the unintentional right spin - then stand up and go down again?

@FranCrimi
You are absolutely right.... I am working on that and try to avoid caffeine during practice, just to be more thorough and sensitive to subtleties..

I will get a coach in a month or so, but where I live, we don't have players above 680 Fargo. He does have a very good knowledge of theory and also runs racks very well, he is not a certified coach, but it's my best bet. He is saying for 2-3 weeks we'll only be working on getting approach, entering the shot line, getting down, pre strokes, pause, smooth consistent acceleration right and nothing fancy. So it's gonna be like a robotic approach to fine tune my mechanics and see which aspects need to be adjusted.
 
W

WobblyStroke

Well-known member
Lightn1nG said:
I will get a coach in a month or so, but where I live, we don't have players above 680 Fargo. He does have a very good knowledge of theory and also runs racks very well, he is not a certified coach, but it's my best bet. He is saying for 2-3 weeks we'll only be working on getting approach, entering the shot line, getting down, pre strokes, pause, smooth consistent acceleration right and nothing fancy. So it's gonna be like a robotic approach to fine tune my mechanics and see which aspects need to be adjusted.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good plan. The easy ball misses like the second shot in the video should disappear in a hurry.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top