The Bunt Stroke
- Thread starter nelldrake
- Start date
Not sure what you mean by a poke. We used to say, "You poked at that shot", meaning you didn't execute properly. When you use draw to slow down the CB before contact with the OB, it is sometimes called a "drag" shot, a "stun" shot, a "skid" shot, a "kill" shot or a "bunt" shot. We may get some disagreement here, as descriptive words can mean different things in different eras, different areas, and to different players!
I think "bunt" refers far more to the action of the object ball than whatever the player's arm is doing. Like "bunting balls up the table." Can you tell us more about the shot?
But in general, while serious modifications of the smoothness and action of the stroke may be a crutch to some players to let them make certain shots -- such as poking when the shot needs to be done softly -- usually any such shot can be made at least as easily with standard technique.
Bob, I am not quite sure myself but I think it does refer to a sort of soft poke to move an OB to a specific place while controling CB position. I guess I am trying to justify my poking...lol
Nell
I'd never heard of it before but maybe the difference between them is that one is done with an intended purpose with some sort of logic attached to it (I don't know if that logic is actually right or wrong). The other is done unintentionally and without knowledge of it's effect.
nelldrake...Sometimes referred to as a 'bunt'...sometimes a 'dink' stroke...but it means the same thing as you described in your second post (i.e.: a soft poke). I agree with Bob that the same thing can be achieved with normal fundamentals, albeit with an abbreviated bridge, and by consequence, an abbreviated backswing. I'm talking about a 2" bridge, and moving the cue with the same backswing and forward stroke motion. By nature this requires your grip to be way ahead of perpendicular (in fact it will likely be at the front, or in front of the wrap area on the cue). The stroke finishes the same way as any other stroke...against your chest. We call this 'finesse' stroking...and there are several "speeds" this can be used for...all less than a 'lag' speed stroke. This is a specialty stroke, that it only used in certain circumstances.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Thanks to everyone for your enlightening responses. You guys have forgotten more than I will ever know about this wonderful game. Scott, I really liked your description of the finesse stroking and will try to incorporate this into my game. I work on my stroke constantly and am gaining ground. I am going to Randy in Texas next month. He has his work cut out for him...lol.
Nell Drake
Nell Drake
Nell...Absolutely the best money you will ever invest in your pool game! Prepare to become "enlightened"! LOL :thumbup:
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott:
I am sorry to say this but I am reputed to be very hard-headed and it takes a lot for me to change (a symptom of age, I understand) but I have always been this way. I don't do it on purpose but my bad habits seem to be ingrained (i.e. chipped in stone). No matter how hard I try to correct my faults, I seem to progress slowly but I do eventually manage to improve. I am glad to hear you and many others extol Randy's virtues as a pool instructor and am looking forward to my trip to Texas. I have already invested a lot of money in my game with instruction, books, DVDs, etc. and will probably invest more as I am a true pool addict.
Thanks again for your help,
Nell Drake