[Pelican]

First of all, WELCOME!

Bern, I feel that a lot of shooters, especially younger ones, shoot their shots quite a bit harder than is necessary to accomplish what they want to do. Do you agree with my perception? If so, why do you feel they do this? I think they are trying to exaggerate the english because they want to impress everyone with how much they can move the cue ball around, ego thing. How do you shoot? Do you consider yourself a power shooter or a finesse shooter?

Thanks for joining us as an instructor, Pel

[Big_Bad_Bern]

Hi Pel, thanks for the welcome, I believe that most players tendancies to shoot hard come from three reasons,

1) They smash the balls very hard trying to luck a ball in so that they can continue their turn

2) They watch the pro's shoot on TV and see them move the cueball all over the table. Now not having a proper stroke they try to duplicate these shots with brute force not realizing that the pro's smooth and fluid stroke allows a optimum transfer of energy from the cueball to objectball without the need for power.

3) At some point early in their pool career they recieved acknowlegement for a power shot and it subconciously became attached to their pool persona. I think we all know a person we play with who will draw or bank a ball when a much higher percentage shot was availible because it is more important that they remain identified with that shot for their persona than win the game. They like to hear "nice ( power, draw, bank etc.) shot" much more than they like to win, thats where their joy in the game comes from it makes them feel good inside.

As for me I believe that a player should posess a well rounded game and be able to execute all stroke to the best of their personal ability, I personally like to play balls into the pocket with what I call intention, which means I like to shoot them firm enough that there is no chance for them to roll off( I don't trust any tables).

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

Bernie

[IROCK]

Welcome Bern, Your insights into the game and its equipment will be beneficial to us all. I think one reason new players shoot so hard is they just don't have the stroke yet, so they do tend to over power to get a required affect. One other thing they should remember, is t he tables the pros play on have new polished balls, and new cloth, and usually pefectly level, unlike a lot of the rooms amateurs use.