Stroke Help

J

jon21588

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Alright. I've been trying to get my mechanics in order for the past few weeks. I can't seem to get my upper arm to be in line with the shot. My elbow always seems to be to the left of my cue pointing probably 30-45 degrees off the line of my cue. When I try to correct this, it puts a ton of strain on my shoulder. Would any of you be worried by this? Is there anything I can do to fix it? Thanks in advance.

Jon
 
That sounds weird, do you have shoulder problems? I have a bad shoulder but my stroke puts virtually no pressure on it, actually I have more strain in the shoulder of my bridging arm (which is my good shoulder). Try to seek out an instructor, ask for recommendations in your area.
 
Pool

jon21588 said:
Alright. I've been trying to get my mechanics in order for the past few weeks. I can't seem to get my upper arm to be in line with the shot. My elbow always seems to be to the left of my cue pointing probably 30-45 degrees off the line of my cue. When I try to correct this, it puts a ton of strain on my shoulder. Would any of you be worried by this? Is there anything I can do to fix it? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
STOP DOING IT
 
Jon,

Are you left handed?
Does the tip of your cue flow in a straight line as you stroke? Try it without a ball.
How tight are your grip and the muscles in your wrist?

I'm curious about your answers, but it'll be difficult for the forum to help you out without the benefit of watching what you are doing. Ask around your area for a good instructor who can help.

I know that any strain I feel in my upper body effects my stroke.

Good Luck,
Steve
 
kildegirl said:
STOP DOING IT
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Hal, why do you make dumb posts like this? I know you're no dummy. Posts like these lend credence to the idea some people have that your aiming methods are the ramblings of a crackpot.

To the thread-starter, move your feet. Find the right position for your feet, and everything will fall into place.

-djb <-- doesn't think Hal is a crackpot
 
jon21588 said:
Alright. I've been trying to get my mechanics in order for the past few weeks. I can't seem to get my upper arm to be in line with the shot. My elbow always seems to be to the left of my cue pointing probably 30-45 degrees off the line of my cue. When I try to correct this, it puts a ton of strain on my shoulder. Would any of you be worried by this? Is there anything I can do to fix it? Thanks in advance.

Jon
Click to expand...

Of course it's hard to say without seeing you. But I agree with Doomcue. Your stance is the most likely culprit. It sounds like you're describing a sidearm stroke. You might want to try standing a little more snooker-style, i.e., more square to the table, and see how that works.
 
You should consider the help of an instructor. Personal, direct instruction should correct your issue quickly.

If that's not possible for you, you can try to shift the position of your chest and shoulders until you can find a comfortable position where you can stroke the cue straight, and you're stable. When you shift your chest and shoulders, you can change the height, position left/right, forward/backward, and the angle, of your shoulders in relation to the cue. Let your feet, legs, and hips move freely to accommodate your changes. Forget what you may have been taught about where to position our feet, how to distribute your weight, etc.. Experiment. Everybody is physically different, so you need to find your own shooting position that works for you.

You will have to make sure your head and eyes are positioned properly to aim accurately when you find that new comfortable position.
 
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First of all, I'm in the process of trying NOT to do it. I wanted some advice from the people of the forum. I do have somewhat of a side-arm stroke, but not to the extent of Keith. Thats the way it FEELS. My stroke seems straight when I stroke with the edge of the cushion on top of the rail. When I try to rotate my shoulder, its so tight that i can't get it where I want it. I've also noticed my wrist is bent upward.(Say you hold your hand out straight and make a fist, then bring your knuckles up about an inch. Kind of hard to explain in text) It almost feels like I'm tucking my elbow into my body. I will get a video of it in the morning so you'll know what I'm talking about. I'll try switching up my stance up in the morning. I live in Greenville, MS. Do you know any instructors near me? Well back to the shoulder. I do not have shoulder problems, but when I was playing baseball, I used to do shoulder exercises daily. I'm thinking this has something to do with it, but I'm not really sure. Thanks for all the replies.

Jon
 
I believe RandyG will be driving from La to NC in a couple of weeks. Contact him and see if you can hook up with him somewhere. He should be able to help you straighten out your problem.
Steve
 
pooltchr said:
I believe RandyG will be driving from La to NC in a couple of weeks. Contact him and see if you can hook up with him somewhere. He should be able to help you straighten out your problem.
Steve
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Now THAT is what I call a STROKE of luck!
 
ok ive had a look at the video a few times, Theres a few things that you need to work on. Cant really tell how your gripping your cue so i dont know if thats an addition to your problem, but Id say the wrist bend is your main problem!another is that you seem to get up off your shot too quickly(Raising your head) try and keep your head as still as possible at least until the objectball is in the pocket.

Now set up the recording device again, film from the same angle as your first shot in the video posted. forget about keeping the head still for the Time being.

Do what you normally do when your playing a shot, now while down on the shot delibratly straighten your wrist and try and play the shot with a straightish wrist. (dont worry if you miss the shot) Now do exactly that a few times while filming, now go have a look at the video! As your a Righty you should notice your elbow position move to the right at the point when you straighten your wrist in the video. Now if this happens (which im 99% sure will happen) Go back to recording your shots but this time focus on keeping your wrist as straight b4 you get down on the shot. This should automatically change your elbow position without you even thinkin of it! now do this for about 5 times go back hav a look at the video and you should see that your elbow has become straighter behind your head.

Now return to the table and this time also focus at keeping your head as still as possible during the whole of your stroke! So keep your head still at least until the OB ball has been pocketed of for at least 3 seconds after the object ball has been struck. once this is done a few times your subconscience should take over and should become a thing of habit. keeping you head still during your stroke will minimise body movement and the possibility of cueing across shots!

All this should definately help out your technique but will take practice i will advice also going to see an instructor/coach for sum fine tuning.

All the Best

R114
 
In relation to your shoulder, the muscles could just be tight and the strain could be you just stretching them. go get a sports massage from a physio. Should do the trick
 
Thanks reaper. After I posted this last night, I went to the pool hall and tried the "snooker" stance a few times. I can feel my arm is straighter, but it feels as if my stroke has no power. I'm going to try a few things tonight. Thanks again fellas.
 
As noted above, you definitely have your wrist cocked out. Relax your arm and let the weight of the cue pull your hand down straight.
You seem to drop your elbow and raise your head at the same time. Both are things to avoid, particularly at that point of your stroke.

I would like to see the camera angle aimed at you directly from your right side...it would allow us to see how you are setting up. Front and rear angles tell a good bit, but the side angle is the most telling.

Steve
 
pooltchr said:
As noted above, you definitely have your wrist cocked out. Relax your arm and let the weight of the cue pull your hand down straight.
You seem to drop your elbow and raise your head at the same time. Both are things to avoid, particularly at that point of your stroke.

I would like to see the camera angle aimed at you directly from your right side...it would allow us to see how you are setting up. Front and rear angles tell a good bit, but the side angle is the most telling.

Steve
Click to expand...

Pooltchr, here is a link to a thread 9/13/07 where Jon was wanting his stroke analyzed. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=73648

Although this thread suggested different items to address, there are a lot of answers to the same problems discussed here, in that thread.
 
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I deleted the video I posted before. I will be doing some taping tomorrow. I'll get all three angles tomorrow.
 
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