Stroke...where did it go?!

MikeH

MikeH

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I haven't played in what I originally thought was 7 years, but upon closer inspection of my life has revealed 9 years...

Life does go by fast, doesn't it?

I wasn't a world beater before, but I was a strong player with a good stroke.

Now...well now I am out there just poking them. I have spent quite a few hours this past month just trying to get my stroke back (hell any stoke for that matter) yet all I seem to do is continue poking the balls, I can only seem to beat the 9-ball ghost about 50% of the time.

Not due to anything except not being consistant with the fundamentals, cant make shots when my stroke is all over the place, sometimes I think maybe I would have better luck lining up the shot, closing my eyes and praying...

Maybe someone else out there has gone through this before after an overly extended break?

Maybe I need to start over from square one?

Any drills, tips tricks...etc anyone can suggest would be greatly appreciated as I am definately willing to put in the work.

Thanks in advance,

-Mike
 
I would just suggest going through a checkpoint.

Make sure you are balanced in a good stance.

Make sure your grip is light and wrist straight.

Let your arm freely swing without hitting your body

Don't move your elbow, let your arm rock back and forth.

Follow through.

Take it slow and don't tense up when you get to end of your backswing.


It's a good idea to get a definate idea of what is and what isnt a good stroke, and then just make sure your following the checklist of whats good for you.
 
Hi Mike,

About 8 or 9 months ago, I came back to competition pool after about a 6 year break. I kept on playing recreationally but the lack of competition did its damage to my game. All I can say is that you just have to go through the motions until the game feels right again. I honestly thought I was dead in the water for awhile but I can see that my game is coming back. It will for you too. Just keep beating the balls into the rail and sooner or later you'll get tired of it and start hitting the hole again.:)

Best of luck!
 
MikeH said:
I haven't played in what I originally thought was 7 years, but upon closer inspection of my life has revealed 9 years...

I wasn't a world beater before, but I was a strong player with a good stroke.

Now...well now I am out there just poking them. I have spent quite a few hours this past month just trying to get my stroke back ...
Not due to anything except not being consistant with the fundamentals, cant make shots when my stroke is all over the place, sometimes I think maybe I would have better luck lining up the shot, closing my eyes and praying...

Any drills, tips tricks...etc anyone can suggest would be greatly appreciated as I am definately willing to put in the work...

-Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,
If it is the mechanics, as you suggest, then I think nothing is as revealing as to see yourself stroking, especially in slo-motion. It helps to have an idea of what the "perfect stroke" is or should be to compare against, and even someone else to review. There are lots of instructors doing this in one way or another, along with their lessons, including this one:
http://www.zimsrack.com/Lessons.html
whom I've never met, but is a poster here. He offers just an analysis of your stroke by-mail (you send video to him) at a pretty reasonable price. It'd be good to have a model to compare against (i.e. someone with an acknowledged excellent stroke). I'd suggest Allison Fisher as most suggest her mechanics are awfully good, but would happily defer to other's opinions here.
Anway, what you think you are doing ain't necessarily what you are doing, and video can really help you see where you are going wrong.
 
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