Why would you forget to use your pre-shot routine.

[chefjeff]

Do you have a 'trigger' for your per-shot routine ? I mean something that starts the routine each and every time ? I suggest a move that occurs every shot regardless of the specifics (open, bridge over a ball, ball on rails etc). When you do the trigger move, and you've practiced a reasonable amount, you should fall into your routine quite easily and without forgetting.

Dave

Good idea, Dave....what's your specific trigger?

Jeff Livingston

 

[DaveK]

Good idea, Dave....what's your specific trigger?

Jeff Livingston

After figuring out what I want to do, and picking out the contact point on the OB, I go stand right behind the shot. With my cue hanging on the end of straight arms I make my initial alignment mostly getting my feet in place. Then I bend over into the shot, and to do so I must bend my right arm (right handed stroke) into it's stroking position (elbow bent to about 90 degrees). For me, when I bend my elbow I'm starting my pre-stroke. That's when the thinking ends and the stroke begins.

Dave

 

[Snapshot9]

mine is pretty much the same ..

But when I start to get down, or shortly after, if there
is some reason for me to give pause, like having to
finesse the cue ball around other balls, or having to
put a lot of draw or spin on the cue, I will reflect
on that right before I start stroking the cue ball to shoot.

To me, it is just making sure I do with the cue ball what
I intend to do. Kind of a check and balance feature.

 

[DaveK]

Very excellent point!. When it's my shot, the pre-shot routine starts when I walk up to the table, (I also work on it while in the electric chair too).

First I chalk up and think about what I need/want to do. Then I lean down on the rail and look at the shot from the cue balls perspective. I may walk around the table and look at it from the other side if it's a very difficualt shot.

This process never changes and is kind of like my warm comfort blanket.

What you describe is mostly before what I would call 'pre-shot' routine. As an example, do you go sit down between every shot ? I ask because you say your pre-shot routine starts when you walk to the table. What if you are already at the table ? Your description seems to me to be a pre-inning routine. It also includes a lot more than simply preparign for a stroke.

I see the 'pre-shot' as the set-up for a stroke. The walking and chalking and looking down lines from perspectives has nothing to do with exectution. The 'pre-stroke' routine in my opinion is what you do to prepare for the biomechanics of a stroke. What you describe has more to do with the strategic / thinking side of the game, it changes as the shot and game change. The pre-shot routine is much more physical in nature, relating to preparing the body to exectute a pool stroke. Note that this exectution of a pool stroke has nothing to do with playing of any game. You need to play a stoke to play pool, but you don't need to play pool to play a stroke. You need to look at them completely independantly.

Dave

 

[JimS]

Why would you forget to use your pre shot routine? Age! Beginning at age 55 the brain starts to grow teflon... nothing sticks. Retirement begans at 65-70 because by then you have to be re-trained every morning.

 

[jjinfla]

Is the pre-shot routine a conscious or unconscious process?

I personally believe that the closer it becomes an unconscious process the better you will play.

I only think of it when I am practicing. During tournament play I have too many other important things to think about. Like run out now or run to a safe shot or play safe/defensive now. Am I using reverse english? Where is my contact point. Nice smooth stroke. Where do I want that CB to end up? All different thoughts depending on the present situation.

And lately while sitting in the chair watching a lower rated opponent I am telliing myself that if I am playing my game (which has really imporved) there is no way he/she will win one game against me let alone 4 or 5. Unless I make a mistake. So mistakes are verbotten.

Jake