[Big_Bad_Bern]

Painting the cue ball is the idea of keeping your tip in contact with he cue ball a second longer than usual. I find that most players tend to pop or punch the cue ball instead of brushing it. This leads to problems with skidding on center ball shots and miscues with draw and spin shots. To compensate for popping or punching most players just stay near the center of the ball with their tip and never learn how to properly draw, follow, or spin the cueball. These players give up a multitude of position options and lessen the fun they receive from the game.

So the next time you find yourself at the table, spend some time with your focus on learning to paint the cue ball. Set up some spin shots and instead of punching or popping the cueball feel your tip brushing the cue balls surface, you don't need an exagerated follow through just slow down and focus on really feeling the brushing of your tip on the cue ball. Make or miss the balls, it doesn't really matter because at this moment pocketing skills are not what you are working on, your working on brushing the cue ball like a master. Soon enough you will be making all the shots and spinning the cue ball like a top when you need to and painting beautiful runouts on the green canvas.

Bern

[Pelican]

I don't understand why this does not come natural to me. If I concentrate this is how I stroke. If I do not force myself to think of it I just pop or jab at the ball. I wish there was some way to make it work without thought.

Pel

[Pin]

I'll experiment with this. I don't think my spin is particularly effective at the moment, and this might just be why.

Pel, I'd guess that your brain has created two different kinds of stroke - one the normal one you've internalised all your life, which you perform automatically, and one which comes out when you make a choice to work on your painting.

Perhaps starting with a conscious choice to paint the cue ball in 'normal' situations will help. Sometimes I find I need to make a very conscious effort to leave old patterns and actually apply new things I've learned. It frustrates me relentlessly!

[Big_Bad_Bern]

Hi Pel, the problem that I find with most player jabing and poking is that they focus on hitting the cue ball with their tip. Once this is accomplished they tend to grip their cues tightly with their back hand and stop their strokes early so they can see the results, basically the cinch the shot. Most people focus on the result of the shot, if it was successful they never stop to think if they could stroke it better, the best players just put the best stroke they can on every shot because they already know the outcome of the shot, they don't have the fear of the result and are in no hurry to see what happened they already know.

I would suggest you try two things #1 put the cue ball on the foot spot and shoot it down into one of the corner pockets but hold the cue so loosely that when you finish your stroke it slides forward through your hand ( basicly toss your cue lightly at the cue ball), you don't want to drop the cue butt, but this will give you the feeling of not tightening your grip at your stroke finish. Shoot this 10-20 times. I actually show my students that I can draw the cue ball over 7 diamonds using one finger on my back hand to hold the cue, this proves to them that gripping tightly at the end of their stroke robs power it doesn't create it. I don't recommend this stroke for regular play as you giv up to much feel for soft touch shots and precise position plays but it is a great demonstration.

#2 make all your decisions for the shot standing up, position, pocket etc. and once you get down on the shot just focus on a smooth backswing and then following through the cue ball to your target with the best possible stroke.
The shot and the position is already predetermined when you decided to hit the shot with 2 tips low outside english and with a 3 speed stroke, if you hit the shot with a good stroke the position you envisioned must occur if the ball is pocketed.

Thanks

Bern

[Big_Bad_Bern]

Hi Pin, learning new things is one of the reasons we all play this game, I just had a conversation at a tournament with a retired gentleman who was surprised to have been moved up in rank at his age because he figured that his physical skill could not improve past how he had played for 30 years. I pointed out to him that he has had very good physical skills for awhile and that his knowledge and thinking of the game had improved to level with his physical ability and this is what lead to his sudden spurt. He was thrilled and is now in search of more knowledge to help his game grow. Always keep learning and growing.

It is good to see your back also.

Bern

[John]

I agree completely. I'm way past the age where I'll ever be a great player. I'd be satisfied with pretty good. My mental game has greatly improved in the last few months. Table analysis especially. Position playing, cue ball control, soft touch shots. I'll never be 19 again, with 19 year old eyes and 19 year old reflexes. I'll just be a sneaky, calculating old man with a straight stroke.

I'm learning new things and having fun becoming better and better. It's work but I refuse to stagnate. Lately, I've been focusing on good bridge lengths and a long, straight follow through (twice bridge length and then some), especially on follow shots.

[SuperLarry]

John, on Oct 3 2008, 09:13 PM, said:

I agree completely. I'm way past the age where I'll ever be a great player. I'd be satisfied with pretty good. My mental game has greatly improved in the last few months. Table analysis especially. Position playing, cue ball control, soft touch shots. I'll never be 19 again, with 19 year old eyes and 19 year old reflexes. I'll just be a sneaky, calculating old man with a straight stroke.

I'm learning new things and having fun becoming better and better. It's work but I refuse to stagnate. Lately, I've been focusing on good bridge lengths and a long, straight follow through (twice bridge length and then some), especially on follow shots.

John, old age, gamemanship, treachery, and a little sharkin will defeat impetous youth every time in pool. This is a wonderful topic, keeping the cue tip on the cue ball longer, as you know is one of my main things I teach in my ball rollers course. Remember me beating on you to stop sliding off the ball, and not staying with the shot.