strange back pause that i'm trying to get rid off

[dr_dave]

FYI, here are some good resources dealing with the topics in this thread:

reasons for stroke pauses
NV B.96 - Grip and bridge technique and advice
stroke technique advice
"quiet eyes" resource page​

Enjoy,
Dave

 

[Cornerman]

here's a video of me shooting some shots, I took it on my iphone so the angel is not perfect, and maybe its not that clear, but please watch and try to pay attention to my final stroke as I go backwards then wanting to shoot, I will hold for a slight 0.5sec or maybe 0.3sec I want to remove that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb7wqwy4UBs&context=C3b61a8aADOEgsToPDskLzlXHBQUT-WUq3q8gH8EHi

I'm reading all the rest of the answers and wonder if everyone has really watched your videos or read your post. You have a pause, but it's the type of pause that's bothering you. That's how I read it. There's an uncomfortable factor there. It looks like the yips to me.

I think you actually want to fire forward, but something is preventing you. So, it's not like you're just pausing... you're mind already is committing to going forward but your body is holding back for a split second. That's why you're saying it's NOT like the Buddy Hall pause.

Is that what you're saying?

Freddie <~~~ no answer without understanding the question

 

[metallicane]

I play better when I pause.

 

[thefonz]

Some folks like a pause some don't. Doesn't really matter.

Hu

in snooker they teach that a slight pause is vital in having a smooth change indirection of the cue, which aids in smoother acceleration. much like the transition at the top of a swing in golf.

op, i don't think you should have to change anything unless the hesitation at the end of your back stroke is so long that it's breeding tension in your cueing arm.

 

[thefonz]

P.S. guys by the way, I'm so influenced by C.J Wiley, I been watching this guy in the 90s and I love his game so much, maybe thats why I'm holding the cue like that, I don't know... just thought I'd say it, i remember he also choke up on the cue a little, and he shoots great. check him if you don't know who I'm talking about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJSGHDC1wXA

svb holds his hand further up too, but he uses a slip stroke at times

 

[Snapshot9]

Pause

I have a slight pause, but it is before the final hit stroke. My final hit stroke is fluid going backwards and forwards, but I pause slightly before that.

 

[ShootingArts]

can't agree

in snooker they teach that a slight pause is vital in having a smooth change indirection of the cue, which aids in smoother acceleration. much like the transition at the top of a swing in golf.

op, i don't think you should have to change anything unless the hesitation at the end of your back stroke is so long that it's breeding tension in your cueing arm.

I have to disagree with their teachings. Hard to imagine anything smoother than the slightly eliptical stroke many Filipino players use that has a slight arc at the end of the backstroke with continuous motion. The muscles smoothly transition through different states and looking at it from a mechanical standpoint I would have to say that this is the best way for our body parts to perform, exactly as we have performed countless other actions in our lives. A pause doesn't have to create problems but it is certainly a place for mechanical problems to enter into our stroke plus it creates a disconnect between our practice strokes, our final back stroke, and our final stroke to cue ball contact.

In practice a pause works well for many people, I'm just not sold on it at all from a body mechanics standpoint. It is useful for some people as both a mental and visual final prep point. I remember someone that shot extremely well with no practice strokes, no back stroke, they just got down into their stance with their arm already back, carefully aligned their shot, and fired. Their stroke started at an extended pause. Can't remember who at the moment though.

I favor slowing gradually to a smooth transition and then starting slowly forward and gently accellerating into the stroke. In theory there is a pause when the stick reverses direction but it is only in theory. As far as speed I'm trying for the forward stroke to be the mirror image of the back stroke. With practice it does seem that this becomes very natural.

Hu