Technique Questions

[14.1 in 1941]

I have a few questions for pros and top amateurs, that is players that have run 5 racks of nine ball, and put racks together consistently. If you play straight pool, and can run 70 balls and consistently put racks together, then you would also be a top player, in my opinion. The purpose is not to instigate a debate, but to gain a better understanding of the prevalence of various techniques, within the realm of excellent players. I am not asking what you believe to be the best technique; I just want to know how you do it. You might even use something I haven’t thought about.

Would you consider yourself to have a low or upright stance? How low in your stance do you normally get, that is, how far is your chin from the cue stick?

Do you center your nose, or your dominant eye over the cue stick?

What do you look at last when shooting a normal shot?

What is your eye pattern during a normal shot starting from the stance, that is, what exactly do look at, visualize etc, during your entire routine?

Do you aim with a fractional, or overlapping method?
Or a contact point to contact point method?
Or do you aim with the center of the cue ball (or your cue)?

If you aim with the center of the cue ball,
Do you visualize a ghost ball?,
Or do you pick a spot on the cloth?,
Or do you pick a spot on the object ball or in space?

Do you use helping English to make shots, that is, do you use a little outside English in order to hit the ball fuller, spin or throw the ball in, avoid a skid, etc?

How many balls, on average, do you look ahead for nine ball?
For straight pool?

For speed control,
Do you just pick an area or a spot?,
Or do you pick a spot and feel the force necessary,
Or do you number the force needed for the shot based on a scale.

How many hours a week do you practice alone?
How many hours a week do you compete?

 

[Fred Agnir]

I have a few questions for pros and top amateurs, that is players that have run 5 racks of nine ball, and put racks together consistently. If you play straight pool, and can run 70 balls and consistently put racks together, then you would also be a top player, in my opinion.

That ain't me, but I'll guess you mean, me. Running 70 balls consistently is pro speed. "A" players aren't even at that level.

Would you consider yourself to have a low or upright stance[/quote/ Down, but not touching. I assume I'd be higher if I grew up playing straight pool or 3C

Do you center your nose, or your dominant eye over the cue stick?

I'm a few movements to the right of my nose. Anyone who's taken lessons from a BCA Instructor should understand this. The discussion of "dominant eye," IMO is misguided.

What do you look at last when shooting a normal shot?

both balls. Either last.

What is your eye pattern during a normal shot starting from the stance, that is, what exactly do look at, visualize etc, during your entire routine?

My eye pattern is long and with conviction, like the study has said. That is, I make sure I don't flutter. I don't visualize tubes or shadows.

Do you aim with a fractional, or overlapping method?
Or a contact point to contact point method?

Yes and yes. I do both on various shots. Those that haven't tried both are lucky that they don't find a need to try something else.

If you aim with the center of the cue ball,
Do you visualize a ghost ball?,
Or do you pick a spot on the cloth?,
Or do you pick a spot on the object ball or in space?

All 'yes,' but you better know what kind of adjustments you are making before you get down and aim. I.e. adjusting for throw, swerve, and squirt. Ghost ball, in of itself is a missing proposition.

Do you use helping English to make shots, that is, do you use a little outside English in order to hit the ball fuller, spin or throw the ball in, avoid a skid, etc?

I don't, but I certainly don't fault anyone who does.

How many balls, on average, do you look ahead for nine ball?
For straight pool?

. 3 or more. If the ta ble is wide open, it's 3. If it looks tight, it's all or at at least one past the tight ball.

For speed control,
Do you just pick an area or a spot?,
Or do you pick a spot and feel the force necessary,
Or do you number the force needed for the shot based on a scale.

Tough question, and IMO the best question. There are analytical ways to do speed control. See a BCA Instructor (which is my suggestion if you have to ask the question). The rest do it by feel. I sort of do it by feel, but I like to know a certain reference speed like my natural speed or a lag speed.

How many hours a week do you practice alone?
How many hours a week do you compete?

Used to be a lot. Now a days, it's a little.


HTH,

Fred

 

[TheGoldenChild]

I always hear about people talking about imagining the balls going into the pockets and then shooting the shot. I could never figure that out, because I never would just imagine and do. I own the shot before I get up to the table. I would just tell myself that this is what is going to happen and never thing twice about it. The stroke, speed control, english, never pops into my mind I just know what do to. When I was younger I would get amazed at the fact that I missed, also I never doubt my own abilities, even today I feel like I can beat anybody. P.S after dinner I will explain a little trick for speed control that everybody probable knows. T.G.C

 

[Macint0sh]

I'm a few movements to the right of my nose. Anyone who's taken lessons from a BCA Instructor should understand this. The discussion of "dominant eye," IMO is misguided.

Could you explain it to us that haven't?