Stroke length

[Big Bad Bern]

After having watched many different players at the Glass City Open Friday I was just wondering how many people favored a short stroke ( back swing 5 inches or less), and how many people favor a long stroke (6 inches or more)?

I ask because I noticed that alot of the players with longer strokes also had alot of movement in their elbows that was not present in the shorter strokes.
Yet the vast majority of players seemed to use a longer stroke usually 10 inches or longer.

All the players seemed to be able to move the cueball around with the greatest of ease, and all stroked very smoothly.

Would a shorter stroke be more consistent than a longer stroke?

Bern

 

[Ronoh]

Bern

Your question is on the edge of being a loaded one. Most players who shoot consistantly will incorperate both a short and a long stroke (also a medium stroke) depending on what the table is allowing.

Some, use their stroke as a rythem guage. You know... the count starting from when you address the cue ball, to the time in which you actually hit it to make the shot.

From my point of view...

Someone who has a short stroke is often confident and is a shot maker, only to find out that they didn't make shape for thier next "intended" ball. But, they can still come out on top. These type are good for a game or two, possible 3 or 4, no much more.

[The term "game" meaning anywhere from; 1 rack, 1 set, to 1 tourny. Just depends on the mental focus.]

Some have a difficulty reading the table. They adjust their stroke accordingly while trying to figure out the table. Once anyone at the "B" level figures out how to adjust their stroke to the speed of the table their playing on and maintain control of the cue ball for thier next shot, becomes an "A" player for a brief time.

On longer tables, you will inherantly develop a long stroke. Your periphiral vision plays a key part on keeping a consistant stroke. The "minds eye" so to speak.

In answer to your original question of

Would a shorter stroke be more consistent than a longer stroke?

:

At first, possibly. Test that stroke on tables from 5.5 ft to 10 ft. and teach yourself a lesson. By all means, if you have a theory, test it yourself.

I know I have

 

[mjantti]

Somehow many players use nowadays longer stroke, most pinoys and Souquet, Strickland etc. If you have a steady arm, you can get a lot of cueball action with longer stroke. But, for some reason I've always liked Jim Rempe's short and very sharp stroke, which is great in straight pool btw. I think 14.1 experts use shorter strokes and 9-ball experts use longer strokes.

 

[bruin70]

Would a shorter stroke be more consistent than a longer stroke?

Bern

i think you really mean shorter BRIDGE. if the bridge is short, you can only have a short stroke,,,,,,but you can have either if the bridge is long,,,,,however, i've never seen a short stroke with a long bridge used ALL THE TIME.

no point, really, in using a pro as an example of what to do. they do it their own way because they can. whenever you read how-to's,,,,that's for the general public. they are guidelines that can apply to the largest number of people.

for you and me, the shorter bridge is more accurate/consistent. we're not pros.

 

[mjantti]

for you and me, the shorter bridge is more accurate/consistent. we're not pros.

This is very valuable piece of advice ! Many players are trying to copy their favourite pro's shooting style. And as Bruin70 here is saying, we/they shouldn't. Good post, bruin !

 

[LastTwo]

Allen Hopkins had a really short, jabby, ugly stroke. But he was one of the greatest players of his time. Bustamante has a long, flowing and ultra smooth stroke, and he too is one of the best players in the world. Then you got players who are in between, like Efren (who doesn't use THAT long of a bridge). Any kind of stroke can work, as long as you have good rythm and can do the same motion consistently. I prefer a medium length bridge/stroke like Efren's, but my bridge length often varies from shot to shot, depending on what I'm going to do and how close the balls are to each other.