When you really think about your stroke..

travis92

travis92

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Alright, so I know that there a lott of people here that a lot more educated about this stuff than I am, so I hope you guys can help explain this.
But why is it that a lot of really good players do not stroke the cue directly under their shoulder (stroking-side shoulder). Because once you you really think about it, the elbow is a hinge joint, it can only move 2 ways ( forward and backward) and the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint so it can move in many different ways (twisting, rotating, hinging, etc..) . So in order for the cue to be coming under the pectoral muscles or under the chest when it is stroked, something has to be out of line and the shoulder is now doing a lot of the stroking but twisting the arm to compensate for the elbow not being able to bend in the intended path. That being said why is this not a point that is focused on more when teaching any type of pool, from snooker to 9-ball. I have rarely heard anyone talk about this before, so maybe I am missing a major point about this,, What are you thoughts?
 
I do not know the answer but I very much agree with you. I find that when I place my shoulder over the cue stick I am much more confident of my stroke.

I suspect that better players than me more often use a swipe or twisting action on some shots. They may simply have far better control of the stroke than us mere mortals.

It seems to me that when my shoulder is off line I am more likely to miss.
 
Lol, that s a very good question:) think the most ppl would answer you: "because it works for me..."

just kiddin a bit :p
I think not many players have the luck to start billiards with a nice guy who knows a lot of pool- and even so more less able to start right on the beginning of their *pool life* with a good instructor. I think that s all. And after they played *successfully*, included with all their technical mistakes, it is horrible hard to start *new* with a new stroke and stance. To change your stroke and stance after a very long time will cause you to feel like a real newbie- and it can take along time to be on your level again. Most ppl are afraid of this- because they think they perhaps never ll reach their level, they played before changing:)

lg
Ingo
 
Good post!

Most pool players do not have the opportunity to start with a qualified instructor. With that being said they never get to "see" themselves shooting pool. The Brain is a magnificent tool. It will adjust to any technique given time and make it work.

Granted there are simple or complex ways to move a cue stick. Both will work given time. I'm in your camp here. I feel simple is better for many reasons. Simple has fewer moving parts so less things to control. A complex stroke just takes more mental effort to maintain.....SPF=randyg

"How can you think and hit at the same time!....Yogi
 
Good post, Travis. This is exactly why we teach the pendilum stroke as the easiest, most consistent and repeatable way to move the cue stick forward in a straight line.

Steve
 
Just about every book and video address the hinge of the elbow and socket of the shoulder and keeping everthing in a plane. The problem is everyone is built different and a lot of times it is not natural or does feel comfortable. Many times they feel that they are stroking right when they actually are chicken winging it. There are always a few exceptions but those that have perfect form will usually win more than those that don't.

I along with many others have seen players not being able to hit the CB where they wanted to and then complain that the CB, cue or table is at fault because the CB behaved opposite of what they wanted. They will attempt a draw shot and when they hit the CB they are 2 tips above the center and put follow on the ball. Then complain that they hit the ball good but it didn't react right.

That is why some pool schools do a video tape and use the Rempe Training ball. To show that you are not performing correctly.
 
Okay thanks, I just did not understand because thee are a couple of pretty decent players that compete in a lot of tournament around where I live and they always preach the forearm being perpendicular to the ground, which is can only be essential if the cue is under the shoulder. They never say a word about that though though, Thanks for all of the replies.
 
travis92...The forearm is perpendicular to the CUE, not the ground. You do not "hit the ball and followthrough". You FINISH your stroke (when ends up giving you the correct followthrough...for YOU). How far do we HAVE to followthrough? None... How far SHOULD we followthrough? That depends on how your arm works with your body...everybody is a little different.

I disagree that the pendulum swing is unnatural, or requires any specific stance or cue placement. Stand upright. Let your grip hand hang loose at your side. Move your grip hand up to your shoulder, using your bicep. Where the hand stops (because the forearm and bicep meet) is the end of your stroke. There is no movement, other than the forearm (elbow doesn't move), and no integration of the shoulder into the shot. Now, bend over and do the same exact motion. There's your pool swing...simple, accurate, functional...and easy to do for ANYONE...provided they are taught correctly. Some folks just want to make it more complex than it needs to be. Video review is the easiest way to learn this...and anything else.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

travis92 said:
Okay thanks, I just did not understand because thee are a couple of pretty decent players that compete in a lot of tournament around where I live and they always preach the forearm being perpendicular to the ground, which is can only be essential if the cue is under the shoulder. They never say a word about that though though, Thanks for all of the replies.
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