Do you need to learn different strokes in pool? The pool stroke and how it affects your shots. Yes you do need at least two different strokes to be able to play all of the shots that will come up in pool games.
Introduction.
I don’t have a perfect pool stroke which is why I was practicing in the pool hall a while back. Its the same pool hall that I used to play in years ago before my break from the game. I don’t go there that often because its smokey and my practice routine usually gets interrupted by players looking for a game or looking for advice. However, it is where I learned to play 9 ball, knew many players and had a lot of fun and action in the past..
Practicing strokes.
Players often walk over and ask questions while I am practicing. I need a lot of practice, the truth is that I need to practice even more than the other players are practicing.
It’s the only way to keep up with the better players.
Stroke Questions.
Anyway, he was watching me for a while, I finished my game and then he comes over.
“Excuse me!”
I am usually nice to people because I like to help and I want to encourage them to do as well as they can.
We exchange some polite banter and then he starts to ask me questions about the particular shot that I was working on.
Where was I hitting the ball?
What spin was I using?
Was my grip loose or firm?
Stroke Demonstration.
I showed him what I was doing and how I was hitting the ball. He then asked about my pool stroke and if I wouldn’t mind playing a different shot for him, which I did.
By this point he looked confused. He didn’t understand why I would hold the cue a couple of different ways. He also noticed some changes in my stroke.
My Different Strokes.
I use at least three different types of stroke:
- Soft finesse stroke.
- Punch stroke.
- Follow through stroke.
Now I can combine these 3 strokes with the different types of shot:
- Top Spin
- Back Spin
- Stun Shot
Of course, I know there are some more shots.
The point is if you combine the three shots, with the three strokes, that’s a lot of combinations. OK, its nine combinations anyway.
How to Hold The Cue.
So there is not just one way to hold the cue and a perfect pool stroke the ball that will work for all shots. One grip and one stroke will not work.
You will waste so much practice time trying to perfect a one grip suits all shots approach. The man I had been talking with had apparently been working on a specific grip for quite some time.
He had been trying to make this one grip/stroke work for all shots on a pool table.
One Stroke Is Not Enough
If you are thinking that one grip or secret pool stroke fits all, then try to spend some extra time alone on a pool table and discover the different ways that you can make the ball move around the table by changing your grip hand pressure. Just as an example, try playing a stun shot with a punch stroke and gently squeezing with your back fingers as the cue goes through the ball.
The draw shot or screw back is another example of how the stroke and grip can change the end result. Following through with a loose grip or snapping through with a tighter punchy grip, the results will be totally different.
Practicing The Strokes.
You have to set time aside to experiment and test things out in a practice session. Time spent on this exercise will pay greater dividends than running out racks against the ghost.
Whilst standing in the pre-shot position, decide which stroke to use in order to achieve the desired shape. Play the Shot through in your head before getting into your final stance.
Playing the ghost will maintain your existing skills, whilst experimentation will expand your range of shots and may take you to a new level
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