Stroke execution and consistency

This video demonstrates some of the most important aspects of a textbook billiard stroke. If you want to improve your consistency, this video sheds light on what you should be doing.
(MUST VIEW VIDEO)

[@busterbuster1641]

3:03 - Couldn't agree more. "maintain straight allignment with our LOVER'' ;)

[@ronthepoolstudent]

That did sound like lover lol

[@randallburns4946]

What a Great Video! You continue to help me play better! Thanks Ron!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Randall, that is wonderful to hear. Helping you and others, is my ultimate goal,,,let’s get better together. 😊❤️🎱

[@Sadie04074]

You are one of the best instructors out there for beginning and intermediate players.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Sadie, I’m only sharing the methods and techniques that have helped my game. I appreciate the kind words and I’m glad my content is of help. Let’s all get better together 👍🏻 😊❤️🎱

[@vansepicpoolshots]

Once again, good stuff, Ron! I can't wait to try this for myself! The video doesn't lie. I am aware of my many flaws. No matter how much I work on the fundamentals, I tend to "break down" under certain situations, definitely when I am "jacked up" for my shot, also when I get comfortable I tend to stray away into my bad tendencies. I have been out of practice for more than a month, due to an ankle injury, and I can't wait to get back at it. I hope that the time off will give me an awareness to my flaws, and the insight to fix them when I become able. Thanks for what you do.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Oh no V, get that ankle back up and running. It won’t take long to get back in the groove I’m sure. We have work to do 😊 Thanks too 👍🏻👍🏻

[@chuckrhodes4253]

Thank you Ron, once again you are touching on a subject I can really relate to. Long shots were veering off just enough to miss the mark and pocket. Saw a video Pocketed! had with Max Lechner where Max was going through his warm up routine. I'm always interested in new way to warm up to keep it fresh. Max lines up all 16 balls across the table along the first diamond. He goes through his pre-shot routine, sets and shoots, concentrating on his stroke and follow through. He does quite a few times to develop his muscle memory. I have tried it and I like it. I focus on my pre-shot routine so it's the same each time. When I set, draw back and shoot I strike the ball just above center and focus on NOT hitting the ball but Pushing it forward. That help me smooth out my finish which when I pause at the end of the stroke my tip is about a tip below center just above the table. After the first round I set them up again. This time I push just a little harder watching the balls each time I pause at the end of the stroke to see how they spin. Now to the grip. Very loose now. It's given me more control over the cue ball. More than I thought possible. My thumb and second finger secure the stick as it rests in my third finger between the first and second knuckle. First finger just rests on the stick. This has really helped with keeping my wrist in one set alignment even though the grip is loose. Crazy but it works. I've found also the when I step into the shot my right foot has to be to left of the shot line and not on it. This frees up my arm to hang naturally and my vision is aligned correctly. Thanks again buddy for putting these together. Really do appreciate it. Like someone likes to say "Keep on practicing" Peace

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Chuck, it’s a battle for all of us players trying to figure out the combination. Even the pros are constantly tweaking their strokes so we are doing it right. It’s such a fickle skillset game to say the least. I used to say golf was the toughest but no more. Thanks 💪🏻😊

[@TopDownDC]

Another way to line up stickers for straight-in drills is with a laser level... I keep a small one in my case when I'm not using it at home.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

That’s a good idea, thanks Rob 👍🏻

[@phil2768]

It's really interesting that I also self-discovered many of the same issues you have (long time ago before ever seeing your videos). Below are the main things I try to make myself conscious of when practicing shots - you might not be able to be conscious of them on every shot, just choose some at first, like hitting the cue ball exactly where you should. When I have a practice session I try to pick at least 3 or 4 to concentrate on, then my next practice session I will choose another combination. Practice over and over and over again, first with straight shots so eventually it becomes part of your subconscious - *DON'T* try to think of these things when playing a match, you will sabotage yourself, that's why you think of and do them over and over and over during practice - all this is conditioning you and your muscle memory. *At any time after getting down for your shot, if your feel you are over correcting or it just doesn't feel right RESET!, stand back up and start again* *Preparation* 1. Stand behind the cue ball, object ball and pocket. Chalk your cue and take a deep breath to give yourself time to pause and assess the shot. 2. Eye the point on the object ball to hit, with the pocket your aiming for now in your peripheral vision. 3. Adjust to correct your position while standing (if needed) behind the cue ball and the object ball while assessing the point on the object ball to hit. 4. Step into the shot - always keeping your eye on the point of the object ball you wish to hit. 5. Take another breath to pause slightly and go down in position for the shot. 6. Always keep your eye on the hitting point on the object ball. 7. Relax! Loosen your wrist, hand, shoulder and bridge arm. *Ensure your grip on the cue is loose.* 8. Make sure your cue arm is centered (not leaning to the left or right) keeping your elbow elevated enough that your cue is parallel to the floor or only very slightly angled. *While feathering (usually 3 or 4 times):* 9. Transfer your vision to the cue ball for a moment to ensure the tip of your cue is going to hit the cue ball in the correct place (usually during or just before the first feather) - make any slight corrections needed. 10. Change your focus back to the object ball, on the point you wish to hit. 11. Make sure only your forearm is moving while feathering (almost like it is just dangling from your elbow like on a hinge) 12. Make sure your upper arm is fixed in position to ensure you're not dropping you're elbow or shoulder (especially important while executing the actual shot and follow through) 13. Make sure your cue is still parallel throughout. 14. Make sure your bridge hand stays still throughout. 15. Only once fully comfortable, pull your arm back and *smoothly* stroke through the shot, pushing through the cue ball (not over exaggerating the push through). 16. Follow the object ball with your eyes to the pocket while staying down after the shot - always staying as still as possible (including your bridge hand) until the object ball comes to a stop.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Excellent Phil, the whole idea is to execute without thought. Once a player reaches that stage of development, consistency will happen. A great player and I were just discussing this same thing only yesterday. Ingrain ingrain ingrain 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks again for taking the time to articulate this so well to me and the viewers 👍🏻

[@phil2768]

@@ronthepoolstudent No problem, happy to give my own insights and experience. I fixed some typos btw.

[@cliftonhodge7672]

Just subscribed this is perfect for me as a novice 😎

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Clifton, welcome! Let’s take our games to that next level 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@steveedwards636]

Thanks!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Steve for the Super Thanks, I really appreciate it bud 👍🏻😊👍🏻❤️🎱

[@jasonsanders9054]

If you don't want elbow drop just look at svb stroke. His elbow is a little in and his wrist is rolled with his knockles pointed at the ground. Same is true with efrain Reyes. Now elbow drop isn't always a bad thing. I personally will let my elbow drop on same shots. But it's a stroke I've used for 30 years. So I have good timing with it. I wouldn't tell someone to add an elbow drop who wasn't already doing it . Same is true in reverse. If a player is having success with an elbow drop I wouldn't dare to suggest they change it.

[@Soul_Freezer]

Very true. In fact, Darren Appleton did a video on elbow drop. He said it’s not much of a concern if it occurs after contact with the cue ball.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJetpJyKg7p6sJY I was sent this by one of my subscribers. There are great tips presented here that helped me with my power draw shot. Thought I’d share.

[@beercanbrian1880]

This is good stuff. Especially for bar guy or beginnerish type players whose mechanics are so out of whack they'll never get beyond a three ball run. What's funny and I always say, there's textbook and then there's what works. Keith McCready and Alan Hopkins are my two favorite examples of not textbook yet were great players.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

And those filipinos with their loopy strokes and slippy grip hands

[@beercanbrian1880]

@@ronthepoolstudent Yup. "Flamboyant" was one announcers description of the great Filipino players stroke. You have to have some semblance of textbook but the bottom line is consistency consistency consistency.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@beercanbrian1880 amen to that Brian.

[@tableroll1]

Beginners? Fundamentals are for pros. They practice fundamentals a lot.

[@SenseiNatePlaysPool]

Something I noticed with your draw shots… I’m not sure if it’s because you’re so worried about keeping your elbow up, but it seems to actually raise higher during the delivery. This may be overcompensation or it may be purposeful- either way this can result in unwanted swerve in the cueball if there’s sidespin, or small hop off the table because it inherently means you’re elevated at cueball contact. One of the reasons why I drop my elbow is to keep a more level cue through the delivery. It give me a bigger “sweet spot” in the stroke timing and keeps elevation to a minimum for a straighter cueball.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

It’s really because I’m diving at the bottom of the cue ball as I’m so paranoid I’m only going to stun draw the shot. I force the cue tip downward thus the elbow must be moving upward unintentionally as I stroke this way. Btw, have you watched Bob’s (shortstop on pool) video about elbow drop Nate?

[@SenseiNatePlaysPool]

@@ronthepoolstudent I’m very familiar with Bobs elbow drop video. I disagree. Plain and simple. But I understand his point of view and his explanation of mechanics. I agree with less mechanics, it’s easier to maintain consistency and to a certain extent accuracy. That said- there are factors in additional mechanics like an elbow drop, wrist snap, slip stroke, etc that have the potential to make up for a lot of errors that occur in a pendulum stroke. For instance, some of those mechanics can allow for a more efficient power to spin ratio, making certain shots require less energy/speed to accomplish. When you add speed with a more limited pendulum stroke, it requires a higher energy output for the same action, and that’s where flaws come. If you have a more efficient stroke, then ramping up the speed of the hit requires less energy, and therefore CAN result in less flaws. Keep in mind, when I say “speed” here, I’m mostly referring to more/quicker muscle activation. Quicker muscular actions require a higher bar of fine tuning to be accurate. With a few extra additional mechanics, you need to rely less on pushing your muscular activity to unstable limits while maintaining the same result. I say “can” cause it really depends on the player and their technique. Look at fedor gorst, Tyler styer, Albin ouschan, yapp, the list goes on. They all include extra mechanics because there’s a very broad range of shots they need to execute. I really like Bob and his analysis, but the vast majority of what he plays is straight pool, where the game doesn’t constantly rely on those bigger shots that rotation games require. To be fair though- he’s a much better player than I am lol.

[@SenseiNatePlaysPool]

For clarity, the reason extra mechanics makes sense I can demonstrate with numbers. Let’s say you need a power of 10 and tip placement accuracy of 10. A pendulum stroke can get you there but you lose accuracy the higher energy output you have. So you’re relying on 1 single factor to get those 10s. Let’s say you have a couple other mechanics involved… you now can get 10 by adding 6, 2, and 2 together. None of those parts require so much energy that you lose accuracy, therefore you can have confidence knowing you’re gonna hit the right part of the cueball and still have enough power.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@SenseiNatePlaysPool yes, I’ve pretty much engrained my limited brain capacity with the quiet elbow so teaching this almost 67 year old new tricks is easier said than done. I find myself playing within my ability and there are times I have to ditch it and just play safe because it’s out of my skill zone. It does suck for sure that it takes so long to implement a change and then that change affects other stroke mechanics.

[@SenseiNatePlaysPool]

@@ronthepoolstudent honestly, an elbow drop isn’t necessary, but for a smooth, gripless, and straight follow through, I do suggest the slip, at least to rewire your brain to feel the shot in your fingers differently. You don’t always have to train to the max degree. But again- you’ll never know what feels natural if you never give it a try. Who knows, you could be a 67 year old slip stroke prodigy. If there’s no improvement, then ditch it and play within your limits (as we all should do).

[@jasonsanders9054]

Slip stroke and jab stroke are both very powerful. Honestly the normal pendulum stroke is what I use the least.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I’ve evolved since this video and I’ve found the slip stroke to be amazing. When I published this video, I was a rookie at this stroke but today, it’s a natural movement I can deploy when needed. Thanks again 👍🏻

[@tableroll1]

Hi Rod. Noticed you have your little finger off the cue when you stroke. Perhaps the ring finger is off too, I can not tell. What about your index finger? Is it off the stick too and only your third and fourth finger are cradeling the stick? Do you have different "cradles" for different shots or are you fingers always the same when "cradling the cue? Thanks, Rod

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I always cradle off the middle finger Rod. On the back stroke, my index finger is lightly involved along with my middle finger but the index moves away during the forward motion. On that forward motion, my ring finger cradles along with my middle finger slightly making contact. Mostly however, it’s the middle finger and thumb that are controlling the grip. Also, my cue tends to barely slip forward, (at times) on some stroked shots. Btw, my first name is actually “Ron” thanks 😉

[@brett6314]

I have been exploring this exact subject for me. It came ot Obvious extreme during a match when i actually missed the 9 ball rack! Twice! Then the opponent team, guy i know, said to keep my thumb pointed down. I did it and the 9 ball broke twice in a row. Now I'm super confused on how to hold my cue. Ugh. I am missing to the right when i try to hit it hard.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Here ya go Brett, these things MUST be sound in order to have consistency. See link below: Improve your consistency kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpzUfqSKg7N1gZY

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@kb3170 opps, here’s the correct video. Trying to ingrain the pause. Hard to shoot without thought yet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXWnpnWNYtyeask

[@drmdr1]

Ron I absolutely love your videos!!! I found them a little late but thank God for KZbin, it could be available forever! I have a question for you. I had the exact problem you were describing when I put some power into my shots my cue was veering off. I did what you suggested and my cue began finishing right on line but I am still rattling the ball in the pocket? If I shoot it softly it goes directly into the center of the pocket ball after ball but as soon as I put some power behind it the cue ball is veering off a little every so often even though my cue is ending right on the paper reinforcement. Do you have any ideas on why this might be?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Matt, welcome to the channel. Question for you, can you video yourself? If you can, is it possible you could email me a link to: [e-mail] Video a front, rear and shooting arm side angle. This would be the best way to start answering your question as i’ll need to see your stroke mechanics first. Thanks

[@drmdr1]

I will video myself but it will be a few days begore I can do it. But I will send the video to you! Thank you for your prompt response!!!@@ronthepoolstudent

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@drmdr1 no hurry, at your next convenience 👍🏻

[@megaworldcentre]

im confuse....how do you apply spin (english ) on cue ball, of course if you apply spin it wont go straight, can you show us a video...im really really confuse with that stroking straight, ty

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks for your question MGC. Although this video does not address your question exactly, shoot the shot I’m showing in this video with “your cue”. This will give you an idea of how much defection there is. From there, compensate your aim to make this shot. It takes a lot of practice and experimentation on your part for you to learn (through feedback) your equipment’s limitation as well as how to make those adjustments. Shoot this shot several times from both the right and left sides of the cue ball. Thank you and luck 🍀👍🏻 See link below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iILOkJKlacaWZ7c

[@kb3170]

Try pointing thumb downward barely keeping the cue from rolling off your fingers with your palm of your grip hand facing slightly to the rear, away towards the butt end of the cue instead of towards body... You'll be amazed at how easy this creates a straight and true stroke

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks k b, I’ll give it a try when I’m back to the table 👍🏻

[@kb3170]

It helps keep your other fingers from throwing off an easy shot

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@kb3170 thanks man 👍🏻

[@kb3170]

@@ronthepoolstudent I hope you read that book you told me you bought. Lol. I can give you a dozen or so off the top of my head. Yet I can truly see that you will be a monk master really soon. Tim" the monk" Miller the lesson book and many more titles on Kindle for reasonable prices and some are free to read with unlimited. It's always good to have something tangible; then from there go...! You can thank me later.

[@brett6314]

Do you try to maintain that palm angle back throughout the stroke? Seems to rotate more downward as I push past bottom of the pendulum/contact. I'm hyper focused on this subject right now.

[@sultan6353]

thank you Ron pls upload video for eye pattern while binding down for shot till final strok

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I can do that 👍🏻 I’ll try to fit it in soon sultan…

[@sultan6353]

@@ronthepoolstudent thank you

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@sultan6353 👍🏻, still need to cover visual center, haven’t forgotten it Sultan.

[@jamescathcart4762]

Hey Ron, Do you still incorporate the bottle drill in your practice sessions, or are you past that now? Just curious.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I actually worked with it the other day James. I haven’t on a regular basis though.

[@jasonsanders9054]

You can actually get better draw with an open bridge if your stroke is good. It's because you can hit lower on the cue ball

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Exactly

[@Mike01212]

Well Ron, your going to get me in trouble again, promised the wife to work on the honey do list after work, change of plans, looks like it’s going to be a practice session!!!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

😂careful, happy wife happy life🤣

[@Mike01212]

I’m fortunate she’s a player also, more on the for fun of the game, we won are mixed doubles league this week,, never complains about practice time. I’m lucky!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@Mike01212 congratulations on that win 💪🏻👍🏻💪🏻

[@Mike01212]

Totally off subject, but what kind of chalk are you using? Thx just curious

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@Mike01212 Taom Pyro and love it. No chalk clings to the cue ball and it lasts for a year even though I shoot daily. Stays on the tip longer too.

[@kb3170]

It's good to have back up shots especially without the buzzer

[@kb3170]

Attack, defend or stay in your chair.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Youre correct kb and sorry but just found your comment 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@kb3170 👍🏻😊👍🏻

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@kb3170 thanks man, it’s taken Herculean effort that’s for sure 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@kb3170 off to the table for my three hour session 👋

[@jasonsanders9054]

Slip stroke will fix this issue. Just learning the slip stroke will straighten your normal stroke. As you back swing slide your back hand back on the cue then swing forward. Cue is straight. If you slide your hand back on the cue then swing forward it will be straight

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I keep hearing this Jason then others say nooooo lol 🤷🏻‍♂️ I’ll mess around a bit with it tomorrow…

[@jasonsanders9054]

@@ronthepoolstudent also in your other video you was talking about your tip diving down at impact of the cue ball. Your tip should drop about 4 or 5 inches after contact of the cue ball. If it's diving down before that you are holding the cue to far back . Move up 3 inches on the cue with your back hand and see if this fixes your diving problem

[@jasonsanders9054]

A good check for when your tip is dropping. Is place the cue ball on a paper towel with a black circle around the cue ball strike a stop shot off the paper towel . Then measure the distance from the cue ball the start of the chalk marks are from the cue ball. Adjust bridge length and back hand grip positions till your getting 4 inches from the cue ball where the tip is dropping. Once your repeating this 4 inches of pure stroke . Mark the butt of you cue with tape and your shaft with erasable marker. This is your home for most shots. After this is muscle memory. Then work on how you need to correct for when your longer bridging or shorter bridging. Longer bridge length requires a higher elbow location. This is why when you see good players with really long bridge lengths. Their strokes seem like a downward motion. Earl Strickland is a prime example

[@jasonsanders9054]

And a fyi the purer your stroke gets. The more likely you will start liking harder tips on your cue. I am a huge moori quick lover. As well as a few other hard tips. Moori quick tips have one of the highest spin rates of tips on the market. Once your stroking pure. This means insane action when you need it. Plus I think speed control is better with a hard tip. This is because you are moving the cue slower to generate speed. But this is also why I'm a carbon fiber guy to. My playing cue is super stiff, with a hard tip. I get crazy draw with it. Also I easily spin around the table with a high ball.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@jasonsanders9054 will do 👍🏻thanks

[@jasonsanders9054]

You don't find the perfect stroke. The perfect stroke finds you

[@johnbissell3533]

IS Breathing routine ever a part of your total shot routine

[@ronthepoolstudent]

It’s not something I’ve covered yet but absolutely John. Great question 👍🏻

[@johnbissell3533]

@@ronthepoolstudent THE'Monk" has a video he swears by and. I have tried it. It's a lot of work on top of all your great videos but it does help an old fat guy.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@johnbissell3533 thanks John, I’ll check it out. 👍🏻

[@larryn1929]

I have pulled out the soda bottle once again. Every day that is the 1st thing I do.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I need to get back at that too 👍🏻

[@jasonsanders9054]

You are cocking you're elbow in during the stroke. When you it good your elbow starts in and doesn't shift in or out

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I’m seeing I always veer my cue so I have lots to figure out that’s for sure. Thanks Jason 👍🏻

[@josephmcgee8450]

Ron, Please turn off fire on tv!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I’ve only been using the TV fireplace during my intros Joseph, have you noticed this? Thanks!

[@jhonnyalexanderantequeralu4370]

Que sea en español

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Sorry, not sure how to caption it in Spanish 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@josephmcgee8450]

Please turn off fire place on TV. It’s distraction from lesson!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

👍🏻

[@nathanlarue7674]

Easily distracted and the game of pool,not a good combination.

[@HotelTwoFive-Sev]

If that distracts you, pool aint for you.

[@richardclingempeel6111]

Mike Segal has the worst chicken wing I've ever seen. Hard to believe that he's a pro. Watch his match with Efren Reyes.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I’ll have to watch some of his matches from back in the day Richard 👍🏻