mr8ball
Active member
I just purchased one of the new and improved Stroke Trainers (ST) at the U.S. Open in Chesapeake, VA. The show price for the device was $150 (cost of a shaft) which seemed like a bargain if it could actually help me. Incidentally, I don't have the time, interest, tools, or mechanical skills to make one of my own regardless how simple it might seem to some of our more gifted RSBers. I consider the cost to be nominal considering how much money I spend on this hobby. For those who know my name and history in this forum, I have been struggling with stroke issues for as many years as I have been posting (and I lost count). Candidly, I was a little skeptical of the idea at first mostly because I had tried just about everything imaginable, many times, to "fix" my errant stroke problems with no lasting or permanent success. I have never given up hope, though, and other trusted players who have used the device swore by it. There are only two pieces to the ST that fit together with a couple of screws. It took maybe 5 minutes to assemble. The major improvements this year are (1) black gloss powder coating over the raw aluminum, and (2) a rifle butt backpiece that extends over the rail to allow use of the device on a real pool table. It is solidly constructed and not as heavy as I originally thought it would be. It's no problem at all to move it from the table to the floor and back as many time as I like. Within the first few minutes of practice-stroking, I sensed immediately that my arm motion felt awkward. It felt as though my backswing was moving away from my body but, in fact, my right knuckles were gliding against the straight butt plate. It was then that I experienced an "Ah Ha!" My problem has always been a left to right swerve or swoop. I had tried innumerable grips, elbow/arm positions, stances, head/chin alignments, etc., but nothing would correct the problem on a lasting basis. I think I now understand why. I have been pulling the stick backward, "naturally," about one inch or so to the inside (or left) of the aim line. When I pushed forward, though, I didn't counterract that motion, but continued straight from there. That pulling action sends the cuetip to the right of the aim line which explains consistently overcutting shots to the left and undercutting to the right. I have always known that was my error condition, but now why it occurs. In all my years of discussing this subject among RSB colleagues, I don't recall anyone ever suggesting to me that the problem could be in the backswing. In fact, I don't think that stroke element has been discussed much, if at all. The ST helped me discover that the underlying cause -- in my case-- was not pulling the cuestick backward in a straight line. My natural "feeling" motion of straight was, in fact, crooked. After about 30 minutes working out with the device and getting a better understanding of how the arm should FEEL on the backswing, I began noticing a positive difference on shots that have always given me headaches. To be sure, there is a lot of new muscle memory training to be done and I have not "grooved" my new stroke yet. I am guardedly optimistic, though, based on the results I've seen after the first week of working with the device. If nothing else, I now know how it feels to move my arm back and forward on a straight plane. If I can train myself to keep the arm moving in this plane, consistently, the stroke should cease to be a major weakness in my game as it has been for so long. I am probably going to have to schedule routine workouts with the ST, but that seems no worse to me than shooting bank shots to stay in groove. I expect to have more to report in a few more weeks. I am prepared to state that, whether or not it ultimately raises my shot-making skill level, I think it is of significant value for diagnosing backswing, stroke, and follow through problems. Ken Bour Sterling, VA
Ken,
I also purchased a ST several weeks ago and it is the best tool that I have
ever purchase for my pool game. I have seen the many skeptical remarks and
comments on RSB. However, if anyone does not have a perfect stroke "most
players" I find it a reasonable price to play. I have easily improved a
ball since purchasing my ST. I have much more confidence on long shots and
have learned what a proper back and forth should feel like.
I played in a Viking tourney event and won 2 matches and felt pretty good
about my stroke. I feel with increased training with the ST I am sure to
continue to improve. I also use mine to improve my left hand stroke, it is
helping me very much.
Just my 2Cents....
RunaRak
Christian Pool Player
In just two weeks the stroke trainer has caused immediate improvement in more than a dozen of my students as well as my own game. I’m kind of addicted to it myself. Its ingenious design works to ingrain the muscle memory of a perfect stroke in the fastest possible time. Its only drawback is that it may put me out of work.
Tom Ross
Master Instructor
I am usually a skeptic when it comes to all of the billiard training tools out there. I have played pool for nearly 20 years and have run hundreds & hundreds of racks but do find my stroke to be inconsistent at times. Due to the praise of Doug’s product by Monk, Mike Janis and Dr. Cue, I bought one of the Stroke trainer products. In a few days I have learned more about my stroke than in many many years. I am not being paid, nor has Doug asked me to do this but I can say that it is the best cash I have spent on the sport. No need for negative or smart remarks. Just giving my opinion on the product. It is a revolution in training at pool. Qmaster Ohio
Doug,
One of the best investments a person can make in his pool game is the 2003 Stroke trainer! After only two or three sets of 50 strokes, my stroke improved. Using it 3 or 4 times a week, with one (1) set of 50 strokes; I was able to increase my percentage of pocketing balls. It also improved my ability to pocket straight in shots where the object ball and cue ball are 1/2 table apart and the object ball has to be pocketed a 1/2 table away.
I have tried some of the other ways to improve one's stroke like using the diamonds on the rail of a table or watching yourself stroke using a mirror. The drawbacks to these two exercises is that it is difficult to correct your swing looking in a mirror or looking down at the diamonds; and when you do make a good stroke; it is difficult to know exactly how or what you did to recreate the stroke. .
With the 2003 stroke trainer, as long as you keep your hand/arm moving/swinging against the barrier shield and your cue shaft is going between the two poles, there is no lateral (side to side) movement and your have a straight stroke. There is an immediate and accurate feedback how a straight stroke feels. When you practice 50 strokes at a time, your body begins to remember how a straight stroke feels and when you are playing you can make an adjustment to your stroke if it is not feeling right. Using the stroke trainer, you don't have to try and figure what you are doing wrong - all you have to do is concentrate on keeping your hand/arm moving/swinging against the barrier shield and the cue shaft going between the two poles.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to improve his stroke. Actually, if you are missing balls that you know you aimed accurately, maybe your stroke is off; and, if so, this is what you need. !!!!
Frank Sofocleous
PS - Doug, you have a great product, keep up the good work!
Frank
9/30/03/ As incredible as it sounds, I actually believe that this device can be and is, for me, extraordinarily helpful. Like a few others in this forum, I tended to be skeptical when I first heard about it. I waited two years before buying one! Having finally made the modest investment and tried it (going on two weeks now), I am convinced of its benefits. it will take a little time to groove the new stroke; but, the shots that historically have given me problems are now working the way my eyes see them. I no longer have to adjust the "aim" in order to compensate for my errant stroke form. That's exactly the kind of improvement that I have been searching for -- as you, my good friend, know from first hand experience... I cannot help but be cautiously optimistic regardless of any naysayers. It is, of course, easy to negate something "a priori." I am fortunate to have been able to see for myself, "a posteriori." Ken Bour
Thu, 9 Oct 2003 06:23:27 EDT
Doug,
Since purchasing one of you trainers at the US Open, I am finding it to be an extremely effective training aide. It is not only helping me to develop a stronger and more accurate stroke, both left and right handed, but it is also helping to improve overall balance for all types of shots, keeping me from falling off or raising up on harder to reach shots. I am doing about 250 "guided" strokes per day with each arm and then I add in a variety of free handed strokes, normal, elevated, power and even jump strokes through the guiides.
I am very satisfied with you product and would recommend it to anyone with a strong desire to improve there overall performance and confidence at the table.
Regerds,
John Bernarding
Check it out at http://billiardsgamestroketrainer.com/
Ken,
I also purchased a ST several weeks ago and it is the best tool that I have
ever purchase for my pool game. I have seen the many skeptical remarks and
comments on RSB. However, if anyone does not have a perfect stroke "most
players" I find it a reasonable price to play. I have easily improved a
ball since purchasing my ST. I have much more confidence on long shots and
have learned what a proper back and forth should feel like.
I played in a Viking tourney event and won 2 matches and felt pretty good
about my stroke. I feel with increased training with the ST I am sure to
continue to improve. I also use mine to improve my left hand stroke, it is
helping me very much.
Just my 2Cents....
RunaRak
Christian Pool Player
In just two weeks the stroke trainer has caused immediate improvement in more than a dozen of my students as well as my own game. I’m kind of addicted to it myself. Its ingenious design works to ingrain the muscle memory of a perfect stroke in the fastest possible time. Its only drawback is that it may put me out of work.
Tom Ross
Master Instructor
I am usually a skeptic when it comes to all of the billiard training tools out there. I have played pool for nearly 20 years and have run hundreds & hundreds of racks but do find my stroke to be inconsistent at times. Due to the praise of Doug’s product by Monk, Mike Janis and Dr. Cue, I bought one of the Stroke trainer products. In a few days I have learned more about my stroke than in many many years. I am not being paid, nor has Doug asked me to do this but I can say that it is the best cash I have spent on the sport. No need for negative or smart remarks. Just giving my opinion on the product. It is a revolution in training at pool. Qmaster Ohio
Doug,
One of the best investments a person can make in his pool game is the 2003 Stroke trainer! After only two or three sets of 50 strokes, my stroke improved. Using it 3 or 4 times a week, with one (1) set of 50 strokes; I was able to increase my percentage of pocketing balls. It also improved my ability to pocket straight in shots where the object ball and cue ball are 1/2 table apart and the object ball has to be pocketed a 1/2 table away.
I have tried some of the other ways to improve one's stroke like using the diamonds on the rail of a table or watching yourself stroke using a mirror. The drawbacks to these two exercises is that it is difficult to correct your swing looking in a mirror or looking down at the diamonds; and when you do make a good stroke; it is difficult to know exactly how or what you did to recreate the stroke. .
With the 2003 stroke trainer, as long as you keep your hand/arm moving/swinging against the barrier shield and your cue shaft is going between the two poles, there is no lateral (side to side) movement and your have a straight stroke. There is an immediate and accurate feedback how a straight stroke feels. When you practice 50 strokes at a time, your body begins to remember how a straight stroke feels and when you are playing you can make an adjustment to your stroke if it is not feeling right. Using the stroke trainer, you don't have to try and figure what you are doing wrong - all you have to do is concentrate on keeping your hand/arm moving/swinging against the barrier shield and the cue shaft going between the two poles.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to improve his stroke. Actually, if you are missing balls that you know you aimed accurately, maybe your stroke is off; and, if so, this is what you need. !!!!
Frank Sofocleous
PS - Doug, you have a great product, keep up the good work!
Frank
9/30/03/ As incredible as it sounds, I actually believe that this device can be and is, for me, extraordinarily helpful. Like a few others in this forum, I tended to be skeptical when I first heard about it. I waited two years before buying one! Having finally made the modest investment and tried it (going on two weeks now), I am convinced of its benefits. it will take a little time to groove the new stroke; but, the shots that historically have given me problems are now working the way my eyes see them. I no longer have to adjust the "aim" in order to compensate for my errant stroke form. That's exactly the kind of improvement that I have been searching for -- as you, my good friend, know from first hand experience... I cannot help but be cautiously optimistic regardless of any naysayers. It is, of course, easy to negate something "a priori." I am fortunate to have been able to see for myself, "a posteriori." Ken Bour
Thu, 9 Oct 2003 06:23:27 EDT
Doug,
Since purchasing one of you trainers at the US Open, I am finding it to be an extremely effective training aide. It is not only helping me to develop a stronger and more accurate stroke, both left and right handed, but it is also helping to improve overall balance for all types of shots, keeping me from falling off or raising up on harder to reach shots. I am doing about 250 "guided" strokes per day with each arm and then I add in a variety of free handed strokes, normal, elevated, power and even jump strokes through the guiides.
I am very satisfied with you product and would recommend it to anyone with a strong desire to improve there overall performance and confidence at the table.
Regerds,
John Bernarding
Check it out at http://billiardsgamestroketrainer.com/
