The Backstroke

There's been some controversy about it... some well-known instructors advocate the pause on every shot. Almost nobody does it every time, but a few do it frequently. Niels Feijin uses it a lot - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kRPHnE8qnK0#t=127s

Some us do it to cinch a long shot, a thin cut, or on a shot where you must hit a pretty specific spot on the cue ball.

It does not have to be very long, half a second is fine, and sometimes a little up'n'down motion kind of disguises the fact that there's no forward or back motion. I think shane's stroke has a pause sort of hidden this way if you know to look for it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4mzQzNNlXfU#t=1572s

I notice he had to stop and get up off his shot before shooting that ball, even though it looks straightforward... so maybe he also has more pause on the tricky shots and less on the gimmies.

BTW, I think the reason you don't see many pros using it is because the pause isn't something most players develop naturally, it's something that's taught... and a lot of pros seem to have developed their gift for pool early on, skipping right past formal instruction or only getting it long after they'd already developed a consistent stroke.

Personally I think it's the nuts and you definitely don't need to worry it's a bad part of your game or is holding you back.
 
Great post, thanks.

I agree its definitely something you're taught. I started playing when I was 6 and my uncle who was among the best amateur snooker players in the country always told me to bring it back slow along the line of aim, pause and think about pushing it straight along the line of aim.
 
pt109...That's the third way...switching while your cue is moving backwards. All of them work...some are more effective for some people than others...and, as I said, given a choice, most players who are taught PEP are more comfortable moving their eyes to the OB before moving the cue backwards the last time. The real key is incorporating a consistent eye pattern, into your shooting routine. Do the same thing, the same way, for MOST shots, and you'll experience an improvement, no matter how good or poor someone plays!

That's EXACTLY why we pause on the backswing. Some people just do it so smoothly, it looks like the cue doesn't stop at all...which is impossible. You're also correct that other muscles move the cue forwards. BTW, I'm a feel player too...always have been!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Thanx for bringing that to my attention, Scott.
My eyes start to go the object-ball as soon as I start my final back-stroke.
But as I get older, my eyes need a longer 're-focus' time.

When I was younger, I felt the pause was to give the muscles that took
the cue back time to relax, 'cause a different set of muscles do the front-
stroke.

This is all retrospective for me, BTW...I'm a feel player.
 
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Tried the "set, pause, ...finish" thing

Was taught years ago, but never could come to feel comfortable with it. Felt jerky stopping in the backswing. Couldn't Judge cb speed. Had to abandon.

Would be interesting to find that we all stop somewhat???
 
8onthebreak...It isn't as "regimented" as one would think. Easy to see and demonstrate, with video analysis. When I get out your way, I'd be happy to show you...

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Was taught years ago, but never could come to feel comfortable with it. Felt jerky stopping in the backswing. Couldn't Judge cb speed. Had to abandon.

Would be interesting to find that we all stop somewhat???
 
I've been taught too long a pause before final stroke could harm the cue delivery. That said, I don't fancy the stroke of Niels Feijen (funny, huh? the guy is one of the best straight pool players of the modern era) and generally the way Bert Kinister teaches it (Feijen adopted that from him).
I believe the stroke should resemble a pendulum motion. It swings to a stop definitely, but it is only until the pendulum reaches the position when it is totally motionless - only to swing back (final stroke that is).
take a look at the picture
 
Hi all
It s not about the length of the pause. I have my pause before my last backswing as a point of mp return...doublechecking if all is right. This takes just ail momentum. Then a smooth last backswing with a long (melling-or-feijen like) pause from about 1-2 seconds. But it s not about the length . It s just about a smooth transition from back to forward motion so that u finally dont rush it.
A long pause don t work for everyone but a slower backswing works wonder for almost everyone.

Lg and merry xmas

Ingo

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9100 mit Tapatalk 2
 
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