Timing

[JoeW]

Timing is the ability to bring everything together in the proper sequence at the proper time. One of the better ways to do this is to first verbalize all the steps in sequence. Next proceed in slow motion reciting steps out loud. You are telling your brain what you want it to do. Increase speeds when you find no flaws in your methods.

Starting from very slow to your actual speeds will allow you to become more aware of the timing sequences and your errors.

It may sound counter intuitive but it works quite well in many areas including how to accelerate and decelerate a cue stick. Note motorcycle driving tests are at slow speeds.

Another useful method is to intentionally do it wrong to show your brain what you do not want to do.

A third technique that works quite well is to use your approach with the opposite hand. This highlights the things with which your brain has a difficult time.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

It pays to have a good timing light. A few degrees off and you'll miss. :smile:

 

[ChopStick]

I see threads all the time about mechanics - how to draw a ball, follow-through correctly, elbow drops, grip and all the other things I have no real interest in - but very little on how to time a ball properly.

Once you have good fundamentals, how do you improve your timing?

First, you must establish if your fundamentals are truly good and if you trust them. Go to the table and set a ball on the spot. Take the cue ball in hand in the kitchen and shoot a standard spot shot. Now do it with your eyes closed. If your fundamentals are good and you trust yourself to execute them correctly then once you are setup over the ball, you do not need your eyes anymore. You need to get rid of the notion that you need your eyes to somehow "steer" the shot. If you need to steer on a standard shot like a spot shot, what will happen is you will "yip" (a term from putting in golf) the important shot and wonder why you did it. Setup over the ball ready to shoot, close your eyes and shoot the shot. Give me three blind spot shots in a row then move on to step two.

Terminology. Timing is not an adequate term. Tempo comes first.
Tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece (of music or musical phrase). Every shot has a tempo. A ten ball stun through shot has a totally different tempo than a one pocket spin shot. This should not be confused with rhythm.

Rhythm: "any regular recurring motion, symmetry". May be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." Rhythm occurs within the context of tempo.

Ever heard of a wing shot? Here is Earl shooting some. I only offer this to show what a wing shot is. For the purposes of what I am discussing, he is not doing them right. Why? Look at his left foot. Does he ever shoot any shot in that stance? No.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUtd7YisQ-c

Start off with any kind of wing shot you are comfortable with. Don't rush the shot. You have plenty of time. You don't need to hit the cue ball fast as you can to hit a spot on the ball. Let the cue ball catch up to the ball. Your rhythm and timing will develop naturally. Timing arises within rhythm in the context of tempo. There is no need to try and do it. Ever see a guy take nice rhythmic practice strokes and then take his shot stroke really quick. He is trying to sneak up on himself. Good luck with that.

Timing is a release. A letting go. Not an execution. Once you make a few wing shots, move them around. Take the shots from different locations and different distances. Once you can do that, go to the center line of the table. Roll the object ball down the center line of the table on every shot. Alternate the shots between both corner pockets until you comfortable shooting to either side. Vary the distance when you take the shot. Shoot some at the spot. Shot some at the center spot. Vary the cue ball speed. The most fun shots you can do is the shoot the cue ball slow where it just barely catches the object ball in time to deflect it into the pocket. These are not as difficult as it sounds. I used to shoot them with pool balls on a snooker table and make bunches of them in a row.

What are you practicing when you do this? You are teaching your body to get into your shooting position efficiently and without thought. You don't have time for this in a wing shot. Do you think Fred Astaire thought about where to put his feet? How about Ginger Rogers? She did everything Fred Astaire did backwards and in heels. You have to get your shooting position ingrained to an instinctive level to play effectively. This exercises will drive out any inefficiencies in you movement and establish trust in your fundamentals.

All pool shots are executed from the fully erect standing position. (I will leave a blank line for the peanut gallery to respond to that one.)

Once you take the first step into the shot, the shot has begun. It is one motion from the first step to release of the stroke. Like a bowler standing at the starting line. Once you step over that line, you are in the shot. Any decisions about the shot are over before you stand up to the line.

If you make it this far, there is one final thing you must do. Step up to the center line of the table. Shoot a wing shot.....with your eyes closed. Close your eyes or drop your head toward the floor after you release the object ball before you take your final stroke.

Yes, you can.

Trust the shot and let it happen.

 

[Dunnn51]

Timing,.....hmmmmm

I see threads all the time about mechanics - how to draw a ball, follow-through correctly, elbow drops, grip and all the other things I have no real interest in - but very little on how to time a ball properly.

Once you have good fundamentals, how do you improve your timing?[/QUOTE]

Good question, truly the holy grail IMHO.
I think the only good way to get good timing is ,...... practice.
EVEN THEN,... timing is elusive.

I shoot a lot of 9-ball. Nothing makes me happier than getting
excellent shape for the next shot. Well,... almost nothing :grin-square:

When my timing is right, I can run 2 rails and have the ball land within an inch or two of where I want it to be. I can cut an OB thin and have the CB race across the table to land next to the next OB leaning on an opposite rail.

Timing tells me my stroke is good.
Timing tells me my judgement on speed and/or english is spot on.
Timing tells me my break is coming off just-right.
Timing tells me I got the felt down on the table i'm playing !

:grin-devilish::grin-devilish::grin-devilish: Timing(voice of THOR) tells me i'm invinceable !!!!! MUAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA !!

What just happened ?!?

sorry ! hadda moment there ! :embarrassed2:

 

[naji]

I see threads all the time about mechanics - how to draw a ball, follow-through correctly, elbow drops, grip and all the other things I have no real interest in - but very little on how to time a ball properly.

Once you have good fundamentals, how do you improve your timing?

Timing is knowing how much time your brain requires to enable it to coordinate your eyes focus with your hand movement. Similar to cpu speed coordination between other processes in the computer.

Every human have different time. Three timing activities needed in pool, one is the time it takes to focus to find sweet spot/aim, 2nd pause time to allow hand mussels to relax, 3 rd to keep focus on aim while you are pulling your stroke backward. 1st, how much time it takes to find the aim, the more rested you are the easier to find, older you are the more time needed to find aim, 2nd one is easy no brainier just pause enough to not loose focus on aim, 3rd is if you pull fast your eyes will not keep with focus, you have to pull slow while maintaining focus, do few tries, the older you are the slower you have to pull.
Good luck.

 

[naji]

This is the point I've been working toward. I think "deceleration" might be a red herring that distracts from the problems that can be more easily understood and addressed.

pj
chgo

Not sure where Bob and you got the acceleration/deceleration be the timing subject. Timing is between the brain/eyes, hand see my previous post. How fast and angle, position...all of that is mussel memory has nothing to do with timing.

 

[Tobermory]

Dear Thaiger--

Three suggestions from great players, through the medium of a not great player:

1. Jimmy Reid recommends LISTENING for the hit of the tip on the cue ball. That might help.

2. Henick, the golf teacher, recommends doing things in VERY slow motion, and then, as my music teacher used to say, "releasing the tempo."

3. Master music teachers have students play pieces in different rhythms from the one they are written in--a 4/4 piece played in 3/4 time for instance. Perhaps trying different rhythms with the stroke and getting the contrast with them of your best rhythm (as opposed to the inappropriate ones) might work.

 

[Okie]

Timing is the ability to bring everything together in the proper sequence at the proper time. One of the better ways to do this is to first verbalize all the steps in sequence. Next proceed in slow motion reciting steps out loud. You are telling your brain what you want it to do. Increase speeds when you find no flaws in your methods.

Starting from very slow to your actual speeds will allow you to become more aware of the timing sequences and your errors.

It may sound counter intuitive but it works quite well in many areas including how to accelerate and decelerate a cue stick. Note motorcycle driving tests are at slow speeds.

Another useful method is to intentionally do it wrong to show your brain what you do not want to do.

A third technique that works quite well is to use your approach with the opposite hand. This highlights the things with which your brain has a difficult time.

Joe, I love your posts. You apply enough science to validate your point but you never lose sight of the art of the game. A magical combination sir!

What's your take on aiming? :deadhorse:

Just kidding...kinda :wink:

I went to the table and tried this out. It definitely gave me a better feel for the stroke. I even went undefeated in the weekly 9 ball tournament Wednesday night which I haven't done for a couple of months!

Thank you sir!

Ken

 

[Island Drive]

I see threads all the time about mechanics - how to draw a ball, follow-through correctly, elbow drops, grip and all the other things I have no real interest in - but very little on how to time a ball properly.

Once you have good fundamentals, how do you improve your timing?

I percieve timing as when the mind is now ready to pull the trigger on the intended shot and then the shot happens. The time between the pause of the cue tip at the cue ball (bottom of swing) to the top of the swing has a certain ''transition'' time period. Buddy Halls swing mechanics exemplify the timing ''transition'' by being nearly the same on most shots can get results with drastic differences. And while shooting with such a samo/samo transition time, he's much more aware of changes in conditions or flaws in his play at that particular moment.
To improve your timing, try doing it at different speeds and you'll find one you like and what you'll find, the TT (transition time) helps you focus more on your obj ball and your adjustiments needed during play. The expression when a pro player is ''smootingout'' is when the TT blends in perfectly with their swing.
Hope this makes some sense....

 

[JoeW]

Thanks Ken. It is good to be appreciated. Makes me feel like the effort is worthwhile.

I use front dead center on the CB to "aim" at the back of the object ball. Not a popular approach, but it works for me. I am sure this isn't the place to talk about it. I don't get into aiming discussions much because there is too much heated controversey. I have my rationalizations for why I use the approach I use.

Rationalize: Rational Lie, sounds good won't fly.

 

[Dunnn51]

If it is one thing I have noticed watching many really good players play,.... it has been that they all have their own sense of "timing". What do I mean by that ? Well, they know when they need a soft hit. They know when to hit firm for effect. They seem to have "that touch".
Combine knowledge with "touch" and you get "timing" It is indeed something that comes from practice, as I don't see many "young" players with an over-abundance of "timing".

Here is a link to a cute little story about a young sculler (rower) out on the water that gets challenged by an older and seemingly weaker sculler. Read the article,........ the old man had him in spades ! :smile:
http://www.bhfinder.com/Articles/Details/Developing-Power-and-Technique-in-the-Single-Scull.html

 

[naji]

I percieve timing as when the mind is now ready to pull the trigger on the intended shot and then the shot happens. The time between the pause of the cue tip at the cue ball (bottom of swing) to the top of the swing has a certain ''transition'' time period. Buddy Halls swing mechanics exemplify the timing ''transition'' by being nearly the same on most shots can get results with drastic differences. And while shooting with such a samo/samo transition time, he's much more aware of changes in conditions or flaws in his play at that particular moment.
To improve your timing, try doing it at different speeds and you'll find one you like and what you'll find, the TT (transition time) helps you focus more on your obj ball and your adjustiments needed during play. The expression when a pro player is ''smootingout'' is when the TT blends in perfectly with their swing.
Hope this makes some sense....

Island Drive, you almost there, where as all that say timing is acceleration/deceleration do not know what timing is. I want to add one more point to your post, pause is mainly to allow your eyes focus to catch up with your hands, similarly while you pulling your cue backward you need to have it timed (slow) so that you are able to keep your focus in sync with stroke all the way until you start your forward final motion
speed, and position is nothing but muscular memory gets improved by lots of practice on the same table, has nothing to do with timing.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Never mind. I couldn't get a url to work.

 

[pt109]

Never mind. I couldn't get a url to work.

Your timing was off?

 

[Dunnn51]

Try this Tramp...

Never mind. I couldn't get a url to work.

try typing in the title :
Developing Power and Technique in the Single Scull

Google it : its comes straight to the top

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Your timing was off?

Was it ever.
But, anyhoo, timing is very important. Whether you're playing pool, cutting a light at the drag strip, or giving a speech before a large audience while having to take a crap, the proper timing can mean the difference between a match, a race, or a pair of Dockers full of shit. :smile:

P.S. Did I ever tell you that my being born was perfect timing? Well, it was. Mom, Dad, and the alarm clock, all went off at the same time.