What Do You Look For in a Pool Instructor

[gregcantrall]

about how Ronnie always hits every shot with a trace of side.

I would beware of Absolutes such as always and never and this leads me to discount an authority that uses them. Just sayin'. Now I will take a look at the video.

 

[gregcantrall]

It's not easy to change something you've been doing for years. I do catch myself doing these 2 things every now and then and I have to self correct occasionally.

I concur. I noticed that when I started training my other hand after many years of strictly right handed, that the left soon had a more solid foundation. Then the Right was actually learning from the left.

 

[WobblyStroke]

I would beware of Absolutes such as always and never and this leads me to discount an authority that uses them. Just sayin'. Now I will take a look at the video.

Then you'll really enjoy the clip of an interview where Ronnie literally says it's virtually impossible to hit centre so he doesn't try to

Mike Siegel said something similar in his instructional video and if you ever heard Earl do commentary when he's calling out shots, he rarely ever plays centre axis. The line of thought here is that it is very difficult to hit dead centre so by choosing to deliberately be a fraction to one side you predetermine which side you will adjust for. I don't always hit with side, but I do subscribe to this line of thinking and hit a trace of side on most shots.

 

[buckshotshoey]

I concur. I noticed that when I started training my other hand after many years of strictly right handed, that the left soon had a more solid foundation. Then the Right was actually learning from the left.

We are still talking about stroking a cue, right?

 

[buckshotshoey]

Well, okay, if you want to discuss the pause, then let's do that. First, I could be wrong but I think some people here are discussing the pause at the cb before the final stroke in some of their discussions, which makes things confusing to the discussion. That's a different pause. As for the pause in discussion, as long as you don't shoot with a continuous loop stroke, you will pause at the end of your back stroke. With some players, it's hardly noticeable. The length of that pause varies from player to player.

As to why a player pauses for a certain length, here's what I've learned: For some players, that pause is their hand-eye coordinator --- meaning the pause is when they move their eyes from the cb to the ob, so they may pause a fraction longer. A longer pause also negates the effect of a poorly-timed backstroke that could negatively impact the timing of the forward motion. For example: players who tend to bring their cue back fast for every shot might be better served with a fraction longer pause at the end of their backstroke to reset the stroke. Rhythm players tend to pause the least. Their stroke timing begins with a slow backstroke that leads to a favorably-timed, continuously accelerating forward stroke, similar to throwing a pitch or a punch with a slow wind-up. I've noticed that in general, players who play this way tend to be athletic and seem to have natural good-timing.

And some players are taught to play with a longer pause, so that's how they play. I believe this is true with many snooker players who are taught that way from the start.

To avoid confusion, the pause at the cue ball after the practice strokes is, or should be, called "The Set"

 

[gregcantrall]

I would beware of Absolutes such as always and never and this leads me to discount an authority that uses them. Just sayin'. Now I will take a look at the video.

Okay, now I have watched it and see that Ronnie spoke of the difficulty of a pure center strike. Then I recall Stephen Hendry demonstrates how to practice the pure center strike by banking the cue ball from the head spot to the foot rail and back to the cue tip. In his demonstration he hits it so perfectly that the ball hits the tip and then the spin takes it right back at the tip after a short rebound. Even Stephen was amazed.
My take on the video is that it's good but not Absolute. Some good stuff there but for guidance on the grip Barry Stark provides the best instruction.

 

[WobblyStroke]

Okay, now I have watched it and see that Ronnie spoke of the difficulty of a pure center strike. Then I recall Stephen Hendry demonstrates how to practice the pure center strike by banking the cue ball from the head spot to the foot rail and back to the cue tip. In his demonstration he hits it so perfectly that the ball hits the tip and then the spin takes it right back at the tip after a short rebound. Even Stephen was amazed.
My take on the video is that it's good but not Absolute. Some good stuff there but for guidance on the grip Barry Stark provides the best instruction.

I think the guy was dead wrong on Ronnie's grip anyway so ye. LOL
Re Barry, that is a very good rundown of that type of grip. But there are many out there. Some will suit certain styles better than others. Barry's is a very good standard grip. But 'best instruction' is as subjective as 'best pizza'.

 

[gregcantrall]

We are still talking about stroking a cue, right?

Well as a boy I did break my right arm and did learn to use my left.....it was like a whole new piece of hand.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Just to be clear: There is no method of stroke or movement that gives "extra" spin.

Rather it reduces the amount of aim adjustment needed for english, by taking the cue through C-D rather than C-E as discussed in the prior thread in which you AGREED.

A tip moving through C-D produces less spin than a tip moving through C-E (assuming C-E wasn't such an obvious miscue hit).

As said multiple times before, the cue's angle is irrelevant - it's the tip's direction of movement that matters.

...there are pros who use this method of english, it's not just me.

lol

If you're going to namedrop, you need to drop a name.

You are extremely forgetful or a liar, which is it?

Knowledgeable and truthful. If you were familiar with either of those things you might recognize them.

pj
chgo

 

[gregcantrall]

The Unobtainium pursuit of the Pure Centerball Strike is my Hobby, Habit, Addiction or perhaps Afliction. Stephen Hendry has provided proof of theory in my current endeavors.
The touch or the feel.
My Delta Formation is Challenge-O the Workshop. Membership requires execution of same. Then we can negotiate. :wink

 

[gregcantrall]

The Unobtainium pursuit of the Pure Centerball Strike is my Hobby, Habit, Addiction or perhaps Afliction. Stephen Hendry has provided proof of theory in my current endeavors.
The touch or the feel.
My Delta Formation is Challenge-O the Workshop. Membership requires execution of same. Then we can negotiate. :wink

I mean it still boils down to the perfection of the strike to the white.
Ronnie has spoken of his helpers or coaches in his pursuit of perfect.
Choice of Master, ......go ask Yoda or Yogi.

 

[gregcantrall]

One final check at the end of your backstroke? What are you checking in the middle of your execution stroke? What are you even debating me about?

As to the first question. I am dialing in the final focus....both visual and mental. I have used the Big Eye and imagined the shot. Then as Barry says, I just "play the shot". Oh so simple, just like Basic training, something I excelled at. :shrug
Okay as to the second question.....Huh? Maybe I need a picture. Oh oh wait I remember now, it was me saying that girls sports were stupid. So why should "Girls" be allowed to play? Thank you Coach McHargue, well also English teacher.

 

[gregcantrall]

Debating forms or styles or methods is of little value to us. We the Three. Me Yoda and Yogi.
The proof is in the Puddin. So based on my alignment with the GOATs I accept the title of Old GOAT with several amending add ons, that are pg13.

 

[gregcantrall]

When Barry tells the Begginer, "wait....Play the shot." They are indeed laying the foundation. Her focus is on other things. Remember him saying that making the ball wasn't important. However having the bricks in place when they get a nother lesson or...they get to what you are doing just before pulling the Ring finger trigger.
So many want to rush on to trick shots.

 

[gregcantrall]

Master? Whewt, whewt, Master, show Yourself.
There is no such being known to mankind in Billiards.

Which Master are you addressing. I am a Masterdebator.

 

[gregcantrall]

At my age, I know what feels good, I just can't do it for as long. Shrug.
That's why I stay on the short track. You know.....$5 three ball.

 

[gregcantrall]

One final check at the end of your backstroke? What are you checking in the middle of your execution stroke?

It's kind of like dialing in a microscope. The greater the magnification the slower the control adjustments are. :shrug . My best guess. Of course I am a Master guess or two....should have 3 options:scratching head:

 

[gregcantrall]

Thinking about the time of the pause.....hmmmmm kind of like a shark move I know OF. Ask them about their breathing just before the shot.

 

[gregcantrall]

So the Wait is just reservation for the computer. Use as much or as little as you need. Just beware the infinite loop.

 

[gregcantrall]

It is useless to have a fine tunable microscope if the base has a wobble.
Back to the Basics.