Trying new things to improve

[Surly]

I understand what you guys are saying. And you are probably right. Actually, I'm sure you are both right.

In my defense, I was on a high yesterday - I made probably 80% of my shots, but my average is about 60% I would say.

And I do practice drills. I haven't done the center of the cue ball test in a while, although I did teach it to a good friend who has just started to play. I freeze 8 balls to the rail and cut them into the corner, using left or right english depending on my position. I also line up 8 balls across the center of the table and practice long, straight in shots to the corners.

And then a new drill Kelly showed me to practice follow, which is tough! And you're right - there's so much I don't know. But I like to tell myself that all I need is practice. And I do have a shot memory from years ago that is starting to come back... yesterday I don't know where my head was at - I wasn't thinking about my stance, I wasn't even thinking of my aim, I was just getting down on the ball and making them unconsciously, and it was a wonderful feeling!

But I am feeling over-protective of my stance now... my elbow is probably still a problem, but I'm confident when I approach the ball now, instead of full of uncertainty....

Thank you for the advice. I do need to buckle down and concentrate on my follow and draw and the subtleties of position... yesterday I was just having too much fun. Thanks again.

 

[pooltchr]

But I am feeling over-protective of my stance now... my elbow is probably still a problem, but I'm confident when I approach the ball now, instead of full of uncertainty....

.

Let me say up front that I think the world of Kelly. She is a personal friend, and a great player. But I must question why she would want you to assume her snooker style stance unless there was a good reason. Did she tell you why she thought you should change?

There is a range of different stances that work for different individuals. One is not necessarily better than another, but everyone has the one that is best for them! Yours and mine may not be the same, so I wouldn't try to make you do it my way. I would rather help you do it your way, only better.

If you would like to give me a call, I would be happy to set up a time to meet with you, and discuss what it is that YOU are looking for. I have worked with hundreds of students over the years, and think I can probably help you spot the areas in your game that need attention. I am down at Rack 'em pretty regularly on Friday nights.

Steve

 

[Thunderball]

I'm a good sized fella at 6'2.Don't know the reach, but I have pretty long arms ...even considering that hight.I used to grip the very end of the cue.As someone mentioned I often if not always had a pinky at the bottom of the cue.

I figured big arms,big gap between hands.No brainer.

Probably the single most biggest,bestest thing I ever did for my game was to bring that back hand in...way in....(wording excluded,I'm serious as hell)

And try when possible to bridge close.Both will aid stroke and follow through....or at least they did for me.

I think of it this way,the smaller the shot (stroke range) the smaller the room for error.Plus my follow though went much deeper with no effort.

For me it was a great adjustment.A+++ would recommend to others and all that.Seriously.

 

[Surly]

Let me say up front that I think the world of Kelly. She is a personal friend, and a great player. But I must question why she would want you to assume her snooker style stance unless there was a good reason. Did she tell you why she thought you should change?

There is a range of different stances that work for different individuals. One is not necessarily better than another, but everyone has the one that is best for them! Yours and mine may not be the same, so I wouldn't try to make you do it my way. I would rather help you do it your way, only better.

If you would like to give me a call, I would be happy to set up a time to meet with you, and discuss what it is that YOU are looking for. I have worked with hundreds of students over the years, and think I can probably help you spot the areas in your game that need attention. I am down at Rack 'em pretty regularly on Friday nights.

Steve

That's really nice of you, Steve. My husband would love to meet you. :grin: I might take you up on it one of these days.

I think the reason she showed me her stance was because I didn't ask for anything specific. Once she asked me about my APA rating (I'm not in the APA) I started babbling and then she set up those two shots for me. She then said something to the effect of, "What I'd like to do is show you a different stance, because I notice you come to the ball at an angle with your left foot forward, and your elbow is too close to your body making you shoot across your body..."

And then I have a day like I had today where I was humbled and discovered that everything I know is wrong. I'll bet I shot 30%. My stroke was off and I realized that my stance is all over the place... maybe that's why Kelly changed me up.

I'm going to go back to incorporating some of Kelly's advice and just do it. If I'm going to suck, I might as well suck in perfect form...

 

[John Biddle]

The most important thing about the stroke is: Does it enable you to deliver the cue to the desired spot on the cue ball in a straight line, every time?

Here are two simple drills that will answer that question for you. Line up two object balls across the center of the table in a direct line between the side pockets. Put one 1 spot in from one side and the other one spot in from the other side. Using one ball as a cue ball, pocket the other into the side using follow and scratch into the same pocket. Hit the ball with a medium speed, i.e., crisply but not hard. It's VERY important to make sure the two balls are lined up in a perfectly straight line here.

You can easily make 50 or 100 balls in a row into the side, but you may not be anywhere near this accurate in following in with the cue ball. If you are a little off in your cueing, or in the line of the cue's approach to the ball, the ball you use as the cue ball will be pushed off line enough to miss the pocket.

This low level skill is critical in building a stroke. You should be able to do this with accuracy and very high consistency.

Once you reach proficiency at that, sinking both at least 40 of 50, put the balls in the same places, make the ball into the side, but this time draw the cue ball back into the side nearest you.

As you get better you can do these from further away, and that's good, but it can get very boring. But don't give up on these between the side shots until you have fully mastered them, and go back to them at the first sign of a problem to make sure your stroke is straight. If you don't shoot straight consistently, you'll always be plagued with a game that varies so much from day to day that you live in constant frustration. This is far from the only critical thing you need to learn, but it is the earliest thing you need to master.

If you like this info, I've got more of the same on my new site in my signature. Good luck with your efforts to improve, the game continues to get more enjoyable as you get better.