Consistent Pool Stroke or Shot
8/24/2007 6:14:05 PM
Consistent Pool Stroke or Shot
How do you guys keep your stroke or shots consistent? I sometimes get the feeling that my shots go to hell after a lot of practicing or playing, and I just lose all of my stroke consistency. What can I do to fix this?
Consistent Pool Stroke or Shot
Replies & Comments
billiardsforum on 8/24/2007 6:23:26 PMI guess there are a few drills out there to help improve the consistency of your pool shots and your stroke in general. It won't happen overnight, but it will come.
There is a drill where you shoot a long, straight in shot, with the cue ball two spots from an end rail and the object ball a two spots from the opposite end. The goal of this to pocket the ball with center stroke while making the cue ball perfectly roll a 1/2 of a turn and finish in the exact same spot that the object ball left from.
You have to remain down at the table so that you can see and analyze all misses, even those with minimal skew or drift. The stroke remains the same after that is perfected for draw shots and follows, with the exception of elevation changes of your bridge. Speed is same, stroke is same. Concentrate on the center and replacing the object ball though. This is test enough of your right and wrong way of stroking perfectly.
Then, once you have done this about 4000 times, take a week off. You'll come back and try it again, and you'll be suprised at how much easier it will seem.
jeter on 8/24/2007 8:50:24 PM
A week off? I know that if I take a week off, it only makes my stroke that much worse, or so it seems. I have been trying some drills but with minimal success. What I do is when I feel myself getting out of stroke, I take a 5 to 10 minute breather, and then run a bunch of rounds of this drill. What I do is a draw shot drill where you place an object ball at the center of the table, and the cue ball around 9 to 12 inches behind it, and in line with a corner pocket. With this drill, if I can pocket the object ball consistently while drawing the cue back to the opposing corner, I'll start to get my stroke back a little, but not to where I want it.
ernier on 10/11/2007 5:57:39 PM
I have found that, to play consistently, you have to keep your mind on the game and really concentrate. Ignore all the noise and action that's going on around you and just focus on making that shot and leaving yourself good for the next one. This, and a lot of practice, are what works best for me as far as being consistent goes.
Fenwick on 11/2/2007 12:36:09 PM
I have played several sports and done a lot of practice drills. Some involved doing the same hit using a Robot 6 dozen times, (Table Tennis not ping pong), and the same release over and over, Bowling, (150+ games a week) just to name a few. What I have learned is never do anything without thinking about what it is you intend to do first. Sounds simple but I.M.H.O. it's the hardest part of practicing. Another thing I learned is it is better to practice for one hour of quality practice 7 days a week if possible then to practice for 4 hours hitting bad shots 3 times per week. As mentioned when doing searches on drills, it is very important to analyze every shot you make especially your misses. A great tool is a video camera. I would sit and watch myself over and over for hours. Now that I'm getting back into billiards after 20+ years the camera is getting dusted off. I also did practice drills in my head when ever I could and still do. Those that know me know when I get into something I go all in. Also, I never give up. I may stop but I never quit. Last, it's not about being the best but being your best and giving it your all win or lose.
DLCBreaks on 12/14/2007 7:04:21 PM
Looking back on my 58 years of playing and thinking about my game now, I realize that I am a better player now than I have ever been because of my mental attitude. The mental part tells me that I now take each shot, no matter how seemingly easy, as a challange to get the cue ball to that perfect place for the next shot. I take my time, never rush, always plan ahead to the final shot. I don't like to practice (my practice is to play other people) because it is too easy to get sloppy and forget the basics. Here are some steps you might consider. 1. Break so that the cue ball stays in or near the center of the table. 2. Look over the table from several angles, trying to spot where trouble may occur. 3. Make your stance comfortable. Move a chair or obstruction if necessary. 4. Stay down low with chin very close to the cue. 5. Keep your stroke consistant and make any adjustments on the object ball while you are stroking the cue. 6. Know where your cue ball will end up. 7. Do the same routine on every shot. 8. Remember your mistake and vow not to do that again. 9. Be positive, be courteous and have fun, just play to win!
DLCBreaks, Thanks for some excellent advise. Today someone tried to hustle me but found out I may not be smart but I'm not stupid, a word I hate and never use towards anyone ever! After he realized I would not care to supplement his income, $75 was the opening bid he played me anyway. First shots out of the box after I broke he ran 24 balls. His second run was 46 balls. He then had enough and we had some time for small talk and found we had some common grounds. I asked for constructive criticism and here is the point and I thought it was a good one to add to the list. He said stay down until the cue ball stops moving and follow through. Simple, right? Sorry for the long winded reply.
Consistent Pool Stroke or Shot
- Title: Consistent Pool Stroke or Shot
- Author: jeter
- Published: 8/24/2007 6:14:05 PM
