I have spent some time watching and analyzing the videos in order to decide how to fix my pool stroke.
I intended to analyze to video and fix each area that was a problem but this is not the ideal way to do this as I said in the last article.
The alternative would be to do nothing and accept the way things are or devise a plan for major changes. I will not accept a sub-optimum cue action just because changes are difficult.
What Is Wrong With My Stroke?
Generally:
My entire stroke mechanics is pushed over to the right with my head struggling to get in line with the cue. It looks like I have adjusted my cue alignment in order to get in line with my eyes.
In Detail:
- The right leg in my stance is much too close to the cue.
- My left leg is not far enough forward.
- My elbow is not behind my head and in line with the shot.
- Wrist and shoulder are not in line with the shot.
- When my chin is on the pool cue I need to be facing the forward.
- Backswing is too fast.
- Head and body movement on the final stroke.
- Cue going through the ball offline.
- Wrist twisting inward on follow through.
What Do I Need To Do?
I needed a plan of action, all of this analysis without action will achieve nothing.
Changing each individual part of my cue action will not work in the long run. I need to adjust around 6 or 7 areas in my stroke which is probably going to be very very difficult, to say the least.
However, the difficulty is not a problem for me but I don’t want to spend months changing each individual part of my stroke only to have it not work again under pressure because I have to remember where each individual part has to be in order to play this two-stroke straight.
My Decision Is Made.
I think what I will do is rebuild my whole stroke from the ground up.
So my plan of action is this, using my video analysis and my camera and recorder I will rebuild build my stroke from the ground up. I do mean from the ground up I will extend the line that’s on my table vertically down to the floor and draw a line continuing on back to hold the wall.
- It is good practice for the eyes to lead the aiming process.
- The feet are then put into place.
- Then the cue is put on the aiming line.
- Lastly, the body is molded to the cue.
How To Make These Difficult Changes?
I started with the stance:
- Feet shoulder width apart.
- Right toe on the shot line to move hips to the left.
- Left knee forward and bent to turn the hips away from the cue.
Next The Elbow and Shoulder:
- Elbows pushed wide apart.
- Right elbow behind the head.
- Shoulder turn as I move into the stance.
Head and Eyes:
- Head facing forward.
- Eyes level.
- Vision center over the cue.
Hand and wrist:
- Loosen the grip.
- Open fingers on the backswing.
- Keep My wrist in line on follow through.
How to Stay Organized?
The tasks in the groups above can be worked on together. So if I am working on my stance I will work on all three stance changes together. I will check on my progress in a mirror to get immediate feedback.
Check my alignment on a daily basis until it becomes part of my normal routine continue to play straight shots down the line into the corner pocket looking at both ball placement in the pocket and where my cue is in relation to the shot line.
Time Scale for Success.
At the time of writing, we are in the grip of the covid 19 pandemic which has confined us all to a few weeks at home and has closed the operations in many pool halls in Florida.
This means that I have probably 10-12 weeks to fix my stroke before I will be able to play in any pool tournaments.
I have a table at home and so I can practice a few hours a day for 3 months keeping a close eye on the possibility of slipping back into old habits. Video records will need to be taken of practice sessions to provide the needed feedback.
I am looking to play in a competition in September.
