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- I recently purchased a UBC cord to check my cue alignment every correction to straighten my cue angle seems to work for a short period of time then I returned to a off angle which is approximately an inch towards my body with my backhand. I stepped into the shot every time with my right foot on the shot line in exactly the same place every time I have also tried to approach the shot from the rear to make sure that I'm getting the proper shot line I have also tried adjusting my rear foot the only thing that seems to be working for now is placing my shoulder behind my head which for me is a very uncomfortable twisting motion. Is it possible maybe I just need to do stretches to become more flexible. I have heard that some people have a perception problem in this area do you have any suggestions.
- Mike Davis, West Palm Beach Florida
- I am not familiar with this particular device, so I can't tell you why it isn't working for you. I can tell you that for many players, getting the proper alignment is one of the more difficult aspects of the game to master. The reason is that much of what is going on is happening outside of your line of sight. Proper alignment would have your grip hand and the butt of the cue directly under your elbow. Forward of your grip, the cue would be under your shoulder. My first suggestion would be to get a qualified instructor to work with you. An instructor will be able to identify and issues with your alignment and help you make the needed adjustments. If that isn't possible, you can try using mirrors or a video camera to see your alignment from a different perspective. The only problem is you must know what proper alignment should look like, in order to be able to spot any flaws.
- Steve
- Can you move the cue ball off the rail?
- Billy Neilson, Fayeteville
- Hi Billy.
The simple answer to your question is "No". Touching or otherwise moving the cue ball other than when striking it with your pool cue while stroking the ball generally results in a ball-in-hand foul. I have seen this done in some pool rooms, but it was always done by social players who really aren't playing serious or competitive pool. I don't know of any organization that allows the player to reposition the cue ball unless they have ball-in-hand.
- Steve
- I'm having trouble with my stroke. I'm noticing the cue stick, on the foward motion seems to wiggle towards the cue ball, instead of it moving in a straight line towards the cue ball. Any suggestions.
- William
- Without seeing you shoot, I would think it is one of two problems. It's possible that your alignment is off slightly. It could be a curling of your wrist, or not having the cue directly under your arm as you are lining up to shoot. The second, and most likely possibility, is that you are using too much of your arm to stroke. If you allow all of your arm, from the shoulder down to your wrist, to move the cue, you introduce the possibility of moving off line. If you use only your forearm, from the elbow down to your hand, you limit any unwanted movement of the cue. Since your elbow only opens and closes like a hinge, if that is the source of all your stroking motion, you leave the cue no choice but to move forward in a straight line. This is the reason we teach the pendilum style stroke in pool school. It allows the shooter to develop a consistent, repeatable, and straight stroke.
- Steve Jennings
- In billiards when shooting are you looking at the cue ball or the object ball when the cue makes contact with the cue ball?
- Andy Barnes, Ramsey
- Eye patterns are a critical part of the pool game. During different parts of your shooting process, your brain is asking for different information. On the majority of shots, your eyes should be focused on the cue ball during your warm-up shots. You need to verify where on the cue ball you will be making contact. Once that is determined, it's time to let your eyes move to your target (object ball) and lock in on that. There are some exceptions such as a jump or masse' shot, or when playing a defensive shot when your eyes need to be focused on the cue ball, since the important part is what your cue ball is going to do, rather than what your object ball will be doing. But these are the exceptions to the rule. Your Standard Operating Procedure should have your eyes locked in on your target when performing the final forward stroke.
- Steve Jennings
- If you scratch on the break, is it a loss in any game
and can you jump the ball to clear another ball if not, when can you jump?
Can you use another persons ball to combo and make yours in and can you use your opponents ball if you hit yours first?
- Danny Flores, Covina
- Danny,
Thanks for your questions. If you scratch on the break it is not a loss in any game. Yes, you can jump the ball to clear another ball and you can always jump a ball when you would like. No you can not use another person's ball to combo and make yours in. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
- Randy Goettlicher
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