The most common flaw in pool fundamentals...

Straightpool_99

Straightpool_99

I see dead balls
Silver Member
Video analysis of my own stroke, as well as observing countless hours of youtube videos and fellow players has led me to this conclusion: The most common of all fundamental flaws in pool is pulling the cue back too quickly on the final backstroke, which leads to starting the forward stroke "out of rhytm" and off line. Most commonly occuring before a powerful stroke, you can see it even in top players, heck I even saw a top instructor, whom I will not name on youtube with this flaw in his stroke. The forward movement of the cue was smooth, even if he was missing shots and playing poorly which indicates that his cue was off line, What does that prove? Even top players and coaches do this, probably without even being aware of it some of the time. Does that not mean that there is a huge potential for improvement, just by working on this aspect of the stroke? While the last part probably cannot be-, and definitely isn't proven at this point in time, I think it is at least possible that it is true.

Why is this a problem? Drawing the cue back quickly will lead to tension and could sublty change the position of the elbow, leading to misses, incorrect tip placement, and a jerky stroke, with lack of cue ball control as the result.

BTW: I recently stated that I wouldn't start more threads or even log in any more. I've changed my mind about that. If you don't like how the forum is, be a part of the solution, that will be my motto from now on.
 
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Straightpool_99 said:
Video analysis of my own stroke, as well as observing countless hours of youtube videos and fellow players has led me to this conclusion: The most common of all fundamental flaws in pool is pulling the cue back too quickly on the final backstroke, which leads to starting the forward stroke "out of rhytm" and off line. Most commonly occuring before a powerful stroke, you can see it even in top players, heck I even saw a top instructor, whom I will not name on youtube with this flaw in his stroke. The forward movement of the cue was smooth, even if he was missing shots and playing poorly which indicates that his cue was off line, What does that prove? Even top players and coaches do this, probably without even being aware of it some of the time. Does that not mean that there is a huge potential for improvement, just by working on this aspect of the stroke? While the last part probably cannot be-, and definitely isn't proven at this point in time, I think it is at least possible that it is true.

Why is this a problem? Drawing the cue back quickly will lead to tension and could sublty change the position of the elbow, leading to misses, incorrect tip placement, and a jerky stroke, with lack of cue ball control as the result.

BTW: I recently stated that I wouldn't start more threads or even log in any more. I've changed my mind about that. If you don't like how the forum is, be a part of the solution, that will be my motto from now on.
Click to expand...

Great post. A better player than I recently pointed this out to me. I have a slow deliberate stroke on short shots or long touch shots, but if I need more speed I have a habit of rushing my final stroke. He pointed out that my shoulders also clench up when I'm doing this causing more misses and killing any cb action that I was trying to get.
 
This is an excellent observation and thank you for the post. I have especially noticed during long training sessions, the first thing that goes is the back stroke. It's not noticeable unless I pay attention to it. I still have to be consciously aware of that fundamental when fatigue sets in.

The best professional player I have seen with this is Niels Feijen. He has the best back stroke, pause, fire late in matches. Which makes him a fierce shot maker when pressure is turned up.
 
As you say, pulling the cue back too quickly is the number one flaw regarding the stroke.
The reason, of course, is that your sub-conscious mind already knows that it's going to be a shitty shot and wants to get it over with.
I'm almost sure that's right. :)
 
Very nice to see you changed your mind @straightpool. Appreciate your simple but helpful input here.

-DaveKat
 
Straightpool_99 said:
Video analysis of my own stroke, as well as observing countless hours of youtube videos and fellow players has led me to this conclusion: The most common of all fundamental flaws in pool is pulling the cue back too quickly on the final backstroke, which leads to starting the forward stroke "out of rhytm" and off line. Most commonly occuring before a powerful stroke, you can see it even in top players, heck I even saw a top instructor, whom I will not name on youtube with this flaw in his stroke. The forward movement of the cue was smooth, even if he was missing shots and playing poorly which indicates that his cue was off line, What does that prove? Even top players and coaches do this, probably without even being aware of it some of the time. Does that not mean that there is a huge potential for improvement, just by working on this aspect of the stroke? While the last part probably cannot be-, and definitely isn't proven at this point in time, I think it is at least possible that it is true.

Why is this a problem? Drawing the cue back quickly will lead to tension and could sublty change the position of the elbow, leading to misses, incorrect tip placement, and a jerky stroke, with lack of cue ball control as the result.

BTW: I recently stated that I wouldn't start more threads or even log in any more. I've changed my mind about that. If you don't like how the forum is, be a part of the solution, that will be my motto from now on.
Click to expand...

I've also noticed this in myself. As soon as I do notice it (usually after missing a ball), I am much more deliberate in my back stroke. I've also noticed that I typically do this when attempting a shot where I need lots of follow.
 
I am very guilty of this. I also find that I over grip on power type shots. Hard habit to break.
 
I have this fault at times but my major flaw is my back swing is not always str8. Taking slow smooth back swings prior to shooting really helps me straighten out my stroke and boy does it show in my results. This also helps me eliminate the quick jerky back swing.

I have been watching back swings very closely on youtube and some of the very best players do not have str8 back swings including Shane but boy do they come thru with a great forward swing. Watch the few vids of Greenleaf if you want to see a interesting back swing. I think he actually waggles at the apex of the back swing but comes thru with a really str8 forward swing.

BTW - not all things on this forum are good but I exercise mind over matter. If I don't mind it don't matter. I essentially ignore what I don't like and I try to be very sensitive in what I say.

Al
 
The biggest flaw I see is not keeping the cue as level as possible.
I can't tell you how many times I see the cue raised up when the cue ball is frozen to the rail. and I don't mean a little raised but a lot.
 
The thing I tell lower level players more than ANYTHING else:

STAY DOWN ON THE SHOT

STAY DOWN ON THE SHOT

STAY DOWN ON THE SHOT
 
Pause vs stop at end of final backswing

I am making changes to my game to accommodate changes in vision as I age.

I have started to 'pause' at the end of my last backswing before delivering the final shooting stroke. For me, it allows a bit more time for my eyes to refocus going from sighting cb, ob, cb.

The pausing has helped some.

So, I took the pause to a full blown 'stop'. The prolonged 'stop' isn't working out.

The definitive stop causes me to 'load up' and create tension in the shoulder, as I start the stroke forward from this dead stop. I'm finding that the stroke doesn't feel fluid. The shaft doesn't track straight and I pick up unintended side spin...not much..but enough to throw shots enough to miss.

The 'pause' feels more like a momentary 'gathering' before changing stroke direction....but part of a continuous loop of movement with a brief hesitation.

Poor analogy: Arriving at the stop sign with nobody in sight...slow to an almost stop...then continue, with little or no interruption in momentum. Vs..due to traffic, come to a full stop, fully feel the loss of momentum, then having to accelerate from a dead stop and hope you don't spin the tires and spill your coffee.:rolleyes:

Not the best expanation..but that's my most recent problem with fundamentals...stroking straight...from a dead stop.
 
After teaching for 40 years I have a list (in order) of the most common flaws made by pool players. You hit one right on the head, a poor back stroke!

1. Tight grip
2. Poor backstroke

randyg
 
excellent post... you just mentioned one of my biggest problems in my fundamentals. I always pull the cue backwards away from my body, and then deliver the cue straight , meaning i always hit the cb to the left (almost a half tip).
 
Although it's not beneficial, you can still play good with a quick backstroke if the delivery is consistent. Check out Morro Paez who made it to the world championship 9 ball finals with this short, quick, jerky stroke:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OCw_fokTH0

What I see as the most common flaw is poor set up/stance/alignment and excessive upper body and head movement as a result. When the upper body moves, pool balls become the equivalent of a moving target.
 
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TATE said:
Although it's not beneficial, you can still play good with a quick backstroke if the delivery is consistent. Check out Morro Paez who made it to the world championship 9 ball finals with this short, quick, jerky stroke:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OCw_fokTH0

What I see as the most common flaw is poor set up/stance/alignment and excessive upper body and head movement as a result. When the upper body moves, pool balls become the equivalent of a moving target.
Click to expand...

Shorten the backstroke like Alan Hopkins.
 
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