What is your Pre-Shot Routine

I usually have a beer to wet the palette and then it is good to have a clean, chilled shot glass. I place it directly in front of me, pick it up with my left hand, toast the bar and then throw back my shot of Jager!
 
jason said:
I usually have a beer to wet the palette and then it is good to have a clean, chilled shot glass. I place it directly in front of me, pick it up with my left hand, toast the bar and then throw back my shot of Jager!
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When I clicked on this thread I thought I was going to get to be the smart-ass...you beat me to it :grin:
 
I have a very distinct pre-shot routine in golf, not so much in pool. Although I think it is important to have some sort in pool, I don't think it has to be absolutely the same each time.

When I play golf, I do exactly the same things from the time I arrive at my ball until I hit it. I don't know of anyone that does that playing pool.
 
If I break and make a ball and have a shot on the lowest number ball (9ball) this is what I do

-Look at whole table, find any trouble spots, go over the run out over my head ball by ball. I stand anywhere by the table but behind the cueball where i'm lined up for my first shot. I find if you stand behind your shot your inclined to look at that first shot only and maybe rush it, and not notice the other balls on the table.

-I Look at the next ball first, to see what angle I need for it, for the 3rd ball.

-I get behind the cueball. Think in my head what I need to do with the cueball, what english etc...

-I find the contact point on the object ball standing up behind the cueball. I visualize the shot.

-I then move over to the object ball standing straight in line with it to find the contact point.

-I get behind the cueball again, stepping back from the table, to see everything more clearly. I visualize the shot once again.

-take a couple warm up strokes in the air to make sure my shaft is smooth, no dirt and to loosen up the arm alittle.

-I step INTO the shot.

-When i'm down on the cueball I take a few warm up strokes paus at cueball and look back and forth at object ball and cueball to make sure im alligned perfectly. I adjust if need be.

This sounds like a lot but it really isn't, this all is fairly quick at the table. I do this on every shot, no matter how easy it is.
 
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Nature Boy said:
I have a very distinct pre-shot routine in golf, not so much in pool. Although I think it is important to have some sort in pool, I don't think it has to be absolutely the same each time.

When I play golf, I do exactly the same things from the time I arrive at my ball until I hit it. I don't know of anyone that does that playing pool.
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When I played golf my routine was pretty much set from shot to shot. At pool I don't, and I don't think it matters very much.
Allison Fisher always seemed to have a well defined pre-shot.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
When I played golf my routine was pretty much set from shot to shot. At pool I don't, and I don't think it matters very much.
Allison Fisher always seemed to have a well defined pre-shot.
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I'm glad I am not the only one that thinks this way. I think rhythm is much more important in pool than a routine. A good player will do a lot of things consistently, yes, but not for every shot.

Yes Allison is close, but even she varies a little.
 
Nature Boy said:
I'm glad I am not the only one that thinks this way. I think rhythm is much more important in pool than a routine. A good player will do a lot of things consistently, yes, but not for every shot.

Yes Allison is close, but even she varies a little.
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See, I always thought that your pre shot routine was your rhythm. I don't see why people consider slow players out of rhythm, that is their rhythm. A rhythm is something that is repeated over and over again, no matter how slow or fast it is, whatever works for you.
 
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pooljunkie4ever said:
I have been thinking about mine and after futher review, I don't have a consistent one, lol.
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The one main thing I try to do that's important to me is to take my time and stand behind the shot pretty close to how I'll line up shooting, then visualize the aim (the path of the cue ball) and reaction of the object ball. I try to mentally connect the object ball to the pocket. When I get down to shoot (by stepping forward into the shot) , I want to be right on that line right away, with very little adjustment needed.

This "sizing up the shot and alignment" just takes a couple of seconds. I've been doing this for about 5 years now, so it is just second nature. This one move does so many positive things for me, both before and after the shot (in the form of feedback) , that I consider it the most important part of my routine.

Chris
 
For me, the pre-shot routine has three components: 1) shot conceptualization, 2) finding the correct line of aim for the shot selected, and 3) positioning the body correctly for the selected sight line. Get these right and you'll be prepared for shot execution, which, smilarly, has many components.

Shot Conceptualization
Is offense or defense called for in the present position?
What shot is appropriate for this position?
What stroke and speed are applicable to the shot?

Finding the Line of Aim
Whatever method you use to find the line of aim is OK.
I like to stand behind the shot and let the visualization process take over.

Positioning the Body Correctly for the Selected Sight Line
Making sure of my stance
Setting my bridge hand consistent with the shot as visualized
Setting my grip with the back hand
Alignment of my body and head with the sight line
 
Pre-shot routine

Mine is pretty fast and fluid. I am more conscience of it in pressure situations, taking my time a little more, concentrating on my form and my stroke more than anything else.
 
sjm said:
For me, the pre-shot routine has three components: 1) shot conceptualization, 2) finding the correct line of aim for the shot selected, and 3) positioning the body correctly for the selected sight line. Get these right and you'll be prepared for shot execution, which, smilarly, has many components.

Shot Conceptualization
Is offense or defense called for in the present position?
What shot is appropriate for this position?
What stroke and speed are applicable to the shot?

Finding the Line of Aim
Whatever method you use to find the line of aim is OK.
I like to stand behind the shot and let the visualization process take over.

Positioning the Body Correctly for the Selected Sight Line
Making sure of my stance
Setting my bridge hand consistent with the shot as visualized
Setting my grip with the back hand
Alignment of my body and head with the sight line
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One of the best posts I have every seen on this forum.....congratulations.

I also have three pre-shot routines. Although they may look like just one there has to be three if not more.

AS SJM just posted:

THINK
SEE
DO

That's how the Brain & Body operate together. I'm impressed....SPF=randyg
 
randyg said:
One of the best posts I have every seen on this forum.....congratulations.

I also have three pre-shot routines. Although they may look like just one there has to be three if not more.

AS SJM just posted:

THINK
SEE
DO

That's how the Brain & Body operate together. I'm impressed....SPF=randyg
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Wow, I'm humbled to have your endorsement, Randy. Your kind words are appreciated.
 
good thread

To add to what most of you have said CJ Wiley emphasizes CLEAR YOUR
HEAD FIRST! For Jason this may mean a shot of Jagar, for most of the rest
it is probably something else.:)
 
Great information here. I am working on nailing down my pre-shot routine.
Really believe this has to be the most important part of your game.
 
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