What is your pre-shot routine?
- Thread starter Rasta
- Start date
cuetechasaurus said:
Perhaps I'm not applying wrong, perhaps you are not seeing the effectiveness of the concept, or the underlying principle of the concept itself. If you think taking advantage of the cueball's natural tendencies is the same as letting the cueball control me, you probably don't understand.
I don't shoot without knowing where the cueball is going to end up. I can't necessarily put it on a coaster, but it usually ends up pretty much where I want it. I have pretty good speed control, and I look for patterns that allow me to let the cueball do its thing. That's a whole lot different than what you make it sound like, that I just look for a shot, take it and then look for another shot.
Let me ask you this: If you switch from a 9 foot table to a bar box with an overweight cue ball, do you try to make the mud ball react the same way as a smaller cue ball? Or, do you just accept the fact that the cueball will react differently, and adjust your patterns accordingly? I do the second. I don't like to fight the cueball unless absolutely necessary, no matter what size it is.
I am really not concerned about how the majority of most pro players play. Most players have a style differing from mine. A few have a similar style. I am more inclined to study the play of the second group.
Incidentally, I do practice side, draw and follow, because when I do need them, I want them to work. However, during game time, I try very hard to choose patterns that render such things unnecessary. Usually such patterns exist.
Your previous post about eating properly at a suitable time before playing sounds like a very good tip. I will have to try to do that.
Good Rolls,
Rasta
Rasta,
I would say don't restrict yourself too much at this stage of the game. Play more angles, more spin shots, more routes, etc. and try to direct the cueball freely on the paths you've selected. The more shots you play and the more routes you learn (by repetitive use), the more options you will have in selecting your patterns. Much shape play is based on unnatural angles and spin. Plus you will eventually learn what works for you and what doesn't. You will improve your shotmaking too by playing more angles with different spin. Once you feel pretty solid with it, you can better assess your risks and options, and ultimately as your skills get better and better you will have a much larger arsenal of low risk options to draw from.
In a way, I envision what you are doing now as "cinching shape". You're not going to reach your full potential until you hone every weapon in the arsenal and can execute them with complete confidence. For example, the straight back draw shot is one of the most overlooked position plays on the table. I see players trying to weave around the rails on natural shape and mess up by scratching in the side or hitting obstructing balls when all they had to do was get straight on a ball and hit a simple 2 foot draw shot.
Anyway, that's my suggestion. Get some accustat tapes and watch the patterns the pros are playing. They play angle and just direct the cueball on the route they need.
Chris
I would say don't restrict yourself too much at this stage of the game. Play more angles, more spin shots, more routes, etc. and try to direct the cueball freely on the paths you've selected. The more shots you play and the more routes you learn (by repetitive use), the more options you will have in selecting your patterns. Much shape play is based on unnatural angles and spin. Plus you will eventually learn what works for you and what doesn't. You will improve your shotmaking too by playing more angles with different spin. Once you feel pretty solid with it, you can better assess your risks and options, and ultimately as your skills get better and better you will have a much larger arsenal of low risk options to draw from.
In a way, I envision what you are doing now as "cinching shape". You're not going to reach your full potential until you hone every weapon in the arsenal and can execute them with complete confidence. For example, the straight back draw shot is one of the most overlooked position plays on the table. I see players trying to weave around the rails on natural shape and mess up by scratching in the side or hitting obstructing balls when all they had to do was get straight on a ball and hit a simple 2 foot draw shot.
Anyway, that's my suggestion. Get some accustat tapes and watch the patterns the pros are playing. They play angle and just direct the cueball on the route they need.
Chris
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TATE said:
Well said, Chris.
I'll add something that the great George "Ginky" San Souci taught me. He felt strongly that another reason a good pre-shot routine is so important is to maintain a good playing rhythm. He raised this point in a practice match we played after noticing that I didn't chalk up on one particular shot. Not even raising the question of whether my tip required chalk for the next shot, he told me that one reason to chalk up on every shot is that it by m,aking it part of my pre-shot routine, it would help me to establish an even playing rhythm.......a little piece of advice that definitely helped me improve my pre-shot routine.
Rasta said:
The bold part just simply isn't true, no matter what game you are playing.
By the way, what game(s) do you play???
And as for the big cueball on the barbox, I know it's easier to follow with and harder to draw. I adjust accordingly.
Rasta, if you were saying that you only stick to the VERTICAL AXIS of the cueball (i.e. top, center, bottom), and only use sidespin when necessary, I would pretty much agree with you. But you are saying that on the majority of your shots, you just hit the cueball in the middle-no top spin, no bottom spin, unless it's neccessary. The problem is that no matter what game you are playing, patterns ALWAYS require you to use a little top here, some draw there, and sometimes some sidespin here and there.
The fact that you said you aren't concerned with what the pros do tells me that you are a beginner to this game. What level do you play at? Can you run racks of 9ball? 8ball?
And one last question, you sound very similar to a poster who was banned named DHakala. Is that you? Be honest.
sjm said:
The rythm or pace is so often overlooked, especially by myself.
I was sitting next to a road player at a tournament. We were watching Frank Almanza play (Frank the Barber). While I was looking at what Frank was doing on the table, road player was noticing something else. He said to me "now, that's a good pace to play at". When he drew my attention to Frank's pace, I immediately saw what the player was watching. Frank was smooth and graceful and he looked like he was floating around the table in a dance step, yet he never rushed or dallied over a shot. He looked so relaxed and comfortable because he was playing at his own perfect pace, more like a waltz opposed to my rushing around. While it's not in my nature to waltz around like that, I certainly learned something right then and have since taken it a little easier.
Chris
cuetechasaurus said:
Then you aren't seeing ALL your shots / patterns. If you like to use english, those are the patterns you will see. I look for natural patterns because I like to hit centerball. For most shots, this is possible. I will grant you that sometimes I have to stray from the center point, usually one or two balls per rack.
8 9 14.1
I just recognize that the ball will play like it has follow on it, and try to work it into my pattern choices.
First choice center point. If that's not appropriate, I'll still try and stay on the vertical axis. If that's not appropriate, I'll use side. Most times, first choice works well. That part of my game isn't broken; I'm not trying to fix it. If you do it differently and it works for you, great! I'm not trying to get you to change.
If you are going to paraphrase me, sir, please do so accurately. I said I am not concerned with what the pros that have a dissimilar style to mine do. Not all the pros (or even amateurs) play the same way. I am eager to watch and learn from pros that have a similar style of play as me.
I've run a few, but no one will be staking me against Efren anytime soon. I've also had more than my share of poor performances, hence this thread. As far as time in sport, let's just say longer than average.
Recently I decided to take the game more seriously. I had the good fortune of watching world class athletes of a different sport train for a few years. I would like to try to apply what I've learned from them to my pool game, to challenge myself.
Incidentally, one of the things I learned was to keep it simple. Complexity should be avoided where ever possible.
Well, at least this statement explains your attacks. No, it's not me. Sorry to disappoint you. Of course, I recommend you have a moderator check me out for your own peace of mind.
Good Rolls,
Rasta
Glad to know you are not DHakala.
Now would you care to explain which pros have a similar style to yours?
Now would you care to explain which pros have a similar style to yours?
cuetechasaurus said:
Nope. I can't put a name to 99% of the pros I see play. That doesn't mean I don't pay attention to their style of play when they are playing (on television).
Care to add any other tips for a pre-shot routine? That's the part of my game I need to fix. (Not the only part, but the only part that has been mentioned in this thread, except maybe your eating tip)
Good Rolls,
Rasta
I have to agree
I think this is often overlooked. Realization that we don't directly control the object ball or even the cue ball helps us focus on what we CAN control, at least to some extent, and that's the movements of our body. We can keep most of our body still (though I have a long way to go on this one and jump up on a lot of shots), we can drop down into a practiced, correct stance, we can grip the cue lightly, we can learn to deliver a quality stroke. If we focus on what we can control, the end result (ball pocketing and position play) eventually improves.randyg said:
Rasta said:
A few things to keep in mind that I think will improve your consistency- First, you have to make sure you do the same thing every time, on every shot, whether its an extremely easy or a tough shot or anywhere in between. Take the same amount of practice strokes every time. One secret for that is to count the strokes in your head. This helps prevent negative thoughts from creeping in, which often cause you to change your mind at the last second and miss. Another thing to be aware of is your balance. If you feel yourself rocking back and forth, or side to side, you need to adjust your stance. The slightest movement in your body can effect your stroke. Thats all I can think of right now, hope this helps.
good rep points
I tried to give you good rep points just to be mean, but it kept saying I had to spread them around before giving you any?!cuetechasaurus said:
Handsumm
Banned
Wrote this a couple months ago:
Pre-Shot Routine:
1) Assess the table
- Can I run out?
- Are there trouble balls?
-How can I set up to break them out?
-How do I go about the runout
-What is the KEY ball?
2) Pick your shot
-if nervous, its early in the match, or you have a difficult layout
pick the simplest one (unless it doesn't offer position to another ball)
3) Address your shot
-am I planning a runout or a safety?
-what is the position route (3 ball rule)
-what speed/english do I use?
4) Take your stance
-align your body in a comfortable, yet balanced manner
REASSESS THE SHOT ONE LAST TIME, DON'T GET DOWN ON THE WRONG SHOT!
5) Get down on the ball
-ensure your entire body is aligned in the correct manner
-find out where you're going to make contact with the cue ball and the object ball,
and with what speed/english (use the clock reference if you feel necessary)
example: say to yourself, "ok, 6 o'clock, medium-hard stroke, follow through"
6) Make final adjustments if necessary
-bridge, bridge length, grip, stance
- make sure you feel confident about making the shot
-am I lined up correctly?
-is it too difficult?
7) Take some slow, meaningful practice strokes
-tougher shots need more, but always use at least 3 or 4 for even the simplest shots
-look from tip to cue ball to object ball to pocket and back through to tip at least twice
-pause on the final (or even last two) practice strokes
-breathe slowly and calmly
-if your are nervous, or unsure of the shot,
reassess again and calm down with soothing words:
"its going in, smooth, breathe, I am ready"
-maintain a loose, comfortable grip
8) strike the cue ball in the correct spot, with smooth precise, stroke
-follow through the cue ball and pause
-remember position of cue tip for future adjustments if necessary
note: your tip should be touching the cloth after a draw stroke
it should be just above after a stun
about 2 inches above the cloth after a follow
( NEVER ABOVE THE CUE BALL HEIGHT AFTER THE STROKE!)
9) regroup and assess new table layout
Pre-Shot Routine:
1) Assess the table
- Can I run out?
- Are there trouble balls?
-How can I set up to break them out?
-How do I go about the runout
-What is the KEY ball?
2) Pick your shot
-if nervous, its early in the match, or you have a difficult layout
pick the simplest one (unless it doesn't offer position to another ball)
3) Address your shot
-am I planning a runout or a safety?
-what is the position route (3 ball rule)
-what speed/english do I use?
4) Take your stance
-align your body in a comfortable, yet balanced manner
REASSESS THE SHOT ONE LAST TIME, DON'T GET DOWN ON THE WRONG SHOT!
5) Get down on the ball
-ensure your entire body is aligned in the correct manner
-find out where you're going to make contact with the cue ball and the object ball,
and with what speed/english (use the clock reference if you feel necessary)
example: say to yourself, "ok, 6 o'clock, medium-hard stroke, follow through"
6) Make final adjustments if necessary
-bridge, bridge length, grip, stance
- make sure you feel confident about making the shot
-am I lined up correctly?
-is it too difficult?
7) Take some slow, meaningful practice strokes
-tougher shots need more, but always use at least 3 or 4 for even the simplest shots
-look from tip to cue ball to object ball to pocket and back through to tip at least twice
-pause on the final (or even last two) practice strokes
-breathe slowly and calmly
-if your are nervous, or unsure of the shot,
reassess again and calm down with soothing words:
"its going in, smooth, breathe, I am ready"
-maintain a loose, comfortable grip
8) strike the cue ball in the correct spot, with smooth precise, stroke
-follow through the cue ball and pause
-remember position of cue tip for future adjustments if necessary
note: your tip should be touching the cloth after a draw stroke
it should be just above after a stun
about 2 inches above the cloth after a follow
( NEVER ABOVE THE CUE BALL HEIGHT AFTER THE STROKE!)
9) regroup and assess new table layout
A pretty good player once told me he figures I've got a fifty/fifty chance of beating anyone I play, be it an A player or a C player. That's good, in that he feels I can compete with some good players. It's also bad, in that I can lose to some pretty poor players.
It's like my game is either on or off. It may stay in one mode for half a game before switching, or it may stay in a single mode for a few matches. I agree with the previously mentioned player; it's a coin toss which game I bring. I might win a weekly tournament one week, and go two and out the next week.
My good performances tell me I've got it in me. My poor performances tell me that I don't have a good command of the skills I have acquired over the years; I can't apply them at will.
My reasoning is if I develop and use a pre-shot routine, perhaps I can increase my consistency.
To everyone who has replied thus far, thanks for the input.
Good Rolls,
Rasta
RASTA!!! Seriously, when I read this I thought somebody had taken over my account and described EXACTLY what was happening to me on a pool table. Its the same thing as you and I can't stress enough that I need to develop a pre-shot routine.
When the game is ON, it feels so easy to put all the pieces together about what to do before attacking the shot, it becomes natural.
Inconsistency is a bit**
jdxprs
Banned
ive never had a defined pre shot routine. but im working on one now. oe of the things im trying to do is rate he difficulty of each shot on a 1-5 basis. 1 being easiest, 5 toughest. on shots that are 4's or 5's im trying to slow myself down a little extra and look for other options such as playing a safety.