It’s a good idea to stop and check some basics from time to time. We
tend to drift into old habits and go into slumps, unless we’re
vigilant. When you’re having a slump, or when you’re trying to help
someone learn the game, the following are ten of the most common
problem areas that cause us trouble, and some simple suggestions for
dealing with them.
1. Doubt: Don’t shoot in the Thinking Position don’t
think in the Shooting Position. Don’t go down on a shot until you have
a plan. If you go down, and feel you should change your plan, stand up,
back away, chalk up, and start over. If you shoot with doubts or
without committing to your plan, you’re likely to get what you had in
mind – doubtful results.
2. Tip & Chalk: Some players don’t maintain their
tip adequately. If your tip is too flat, you will not get as much spin
as you expect, and you’ll miscue more easily. Keep your tip rounded and
shaped the same all the way around. Chalk the edge of the tip. That’s
where it really is needed, and where you will miscue. Actually look at
your chalk job before hitting an extreme spin shot.
3. Vertical Axis: Many players gradually develop a
habit of using english on every shot. When you hit the cueball anywhere
on its vertical axis (in other words, no sidespin whatsoever), it goes
straight, in precisely the direction you aimed. Hit even a millimeter
to the left or right of the axis, and that cueball is going to squirt
and curve. If it hits the target, it’s because the squirt and curve
happened to exactly cancel each other out at that distance & speed.
And of course, there is also spin-induced throw and transfer of spin to
the object ball to deal with. Master the vertical axis. Get off the
axis only when there is good reason, and you know you’re making the
adjustments. It’s a lot easier to deal with a cueball that’s going
where you aimed.
4. Undercutting: Because of collision-induced throw
(a friction phenomenon between balls), most misses are by undercutting.
For example, how often do you see someone miss a table-length,
close-to-the-long-rail shot to a distant corner pocket by overcutting
and hitting the end rail? Rarely. In fact, I call this “missing on the
pro side" because most of us undercut and miss by hitting that side
rail. The real fix here is to gain a clear understanding of the “rules"
of throw. But since we don’t have space for that here, plan on cutting
a little thinner. The softer you’re going to hit the shot, the further
it is from the pocket, and the closer the cut angle is to a half-ball
hit (30°), the more throw effect you’ll get, and the more you’ll need
to compensate. Overcut a little.
5. Elevation: Because we have knuckles, and because
pool tables have rails, we can never get our stick completely flat.
It’s important to get as close to flat as practical, though, because as
we elevate the butt of the cue, we risk unintentionally causing the
cueball to curve. If we strike the cueball with any sidespin
whatsoever, it’s going to curve. The more sidespin, and the more
elevation, the more curve. Try to keep your stick within a finger
thickness of the rail, unless you have reason to elevate. When you must
elevate and hit straight, focus on hitting the vertical axis.
6. Unstable bridge: The purpose of the bridge is to
provide a solid foundation that will guide the cue to your precisely
intended contact point on the cueball. If your bridge is not a rock,
your plans are not going to work. Do not move your bridge side to side.
Try anchoring the bridge to the table. With an open bridge (no loop
over the shaft), press your forefinger firmly into the cloth. With a
closed bridge (forefinger looped over the shaft), press your middle
finger into the cloth.
7. Unstable stance: If your stance is moving, you’re
not going to be aimed where you think you’re aimed. Settle into the
floor. If you’re not comfortable, or if you have to twist or move to
get aimed, get up, chalk up, and try again.
8. Finishing: One of the most common problems is not
finishing a shot. Not following through, poking, and jumping up all
lead to missed shots and inconsistent ball action. Get your stick
through the cueball, and allow it to follow through as far as its
momentum takes it.
9. Staying down: Coming up before the shot is
complete is a common problem. Your body knows you’re going to jump up,
and that affects your stroke. You need to plan on staying down, so your
stroke will complete without interference. When possible, stay down and
watch the shot until the balls come to a stop. Down until done.
10. Pocket speed: The harder you shoot, the smaller
the pockets become, and the more you lose control of the cueball.
Pocket speed is the speed that sinks the ball, but without hitting the
back of the pocket. Less speed, more control. Shoot only as hard as
necessary for the current shot, position requirements, and equipment –
and understand the trade-offs.
Far more games are won or lost on these kinds of basics than are won or
lost with tricky, advanced shots. In fact, with better basics, we don’t
get in trouble and need those fancy shots nearly so often. Simple is
good.
» left by jimmy from san francisco, ca (2 years 269 days ago.)
I think it's going to help me in my game. I see myself doing a lot of the things mentioned in the article and it makes sense. Respond to this comment
» left by MLastra from Puerto Rico (2 years 218 days ago.)
Yes it was. These are things that we need to be reminded. They make a lot of sense. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 116 days ago.)
As an avid player, these fundamentals are the foundation of your game. I've been playing for about 5 years and my skill level is advancing as I learn all of these rules and understand how to control them. Thank you for posting them so I have somewhere to read them when I need to remind myself of what I'm supposed to be doing verses wondering why my game is falling. One ball at a time!!
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