Great question! I taught a friend of mine how to draw and he had the same question. The cool thing is, I recorded it. Check out this video - ua-cam.com/users/shortsBtt-NVobEjM?si=YnbEb3rmmweEf4MZ
I love your demeanor, and your voice. They seem to be perfect for giving pool instruction via video. I don’t teach follow through, I teach smooth acceleration of the tip through the cue ball contact point. Seems like that is the new trend now and I’ve been teaching it since the 70s
@@silvercue9625 The best follow through drill I've ever seen or tried is probably the most fun. Just shoot long straight shots with the cue ball a few fee from the object ball. Practice hitting top center of the cue so that you follow the object ball into the pocket for a scratch. As you get better change the distance and angle of the object ball and shot. It's fun because you can count how many shots you make and see the result of follow through as the cue ball accelerates forward after contact. It took maybe 500 balls for me to completely change my stroke. Abought 2 easy nights of practice. Now before any night of play I hit 2 or 3 racks this way just to groove my stroke before I warm up.
Open bridge, pull your index finger back tight against your thumb but keeping it straight and hold it tight like your holding onto a rope that your life depends on. 41 years of playing pool and still learning new things. Agree with you except for the follow through on a shot that close using draw. I know you shot the cue just off center and the cue pulled back and right. I was taught by Al Kokalas years ago how to shoot moving the cue ball as little as possible. He taught me how to hit my object ball hit a rail and literally rock the cue ball off the rail less than an hairs width away from the rail to leave the opponent a tough shot if we didn’t have a good shot for him to continue with our next shot. I miss him, he’s been gone a long time, Jeff Dovinsky taught me side pocket shots. The first time I met Jeff at Sunshine Liquors on Okeechobee Rd in Ft Pierce, He said women aren’t allowed to play pool…come here let me show you something and I still play at 68 and I am still learning and improving my game. Al and I shot Scotch Mixed Doubles and he wanted to back me to go pro but I had young children and I will be in church on Sunday of at all possible not shooting pool.
From someone who's been playing pool about 40 years, this is some excellent advice. Just getting back in to pool, I've noticed myself doing most of these things. Thanks for your effort.
I went to teach a very green player and I had trouble as he is 7 inches shorter than me and I shoot differently. I thought him some stuff but he is from Japan and maybe only played a couple times in his life.
Josh, You may not be certified, be a teaher, or any of the other things you mentioned, but you changed my game. I play league pool and I win more than I lose, but I;'m no shark! Haven't even gotten to staying down, yet. Putting a follow through in my stroke, even when shooting easy, increased my accuracy 50% or more. The difference was so impressive, I couldn't believe it was happening! Much appreciaiton for you taking the time and effort to make the video. I am grateful; hope you do some more!
All are correct. Unstable bridge, not following through, and popping up all ADD variables to the stroke mechanism. Removing all of these WILL make your stroke mechanism more accurate than it was. Understand that it will not give you a 100% perfect stroke, but it will 100% make your stroke more accurate than it was. Good tips. Good video. Short, clear, and concise.
This was incredible. Thank you for posting this. I’m 50 years old and haven’t played in a very long time and joined an in house pool league and I’m not doing very well. I’m hit and miss and watching this video will really help me along with the cue ball placements.
About the moving and jumping up on the shot. I was once told to shoot with my ears! What he meant was do the shot and wait until you hear the object ball fall before you move. "Sounds" kind of odd but it will keep you down on the shot!
While this technique 'sounds' like it could help, there are a significant amount of shots that a dropped ball isn't the desired outcome...~~Just me, RD
I was taught somewhere along my hustling and getting hustled journey of pool, to stay down till you see the ball go in the pocket. When I’ve made tough shots it really works often! I was battling an experienced one pocket player this week and made a straight back bank on my pocket left handed! I’m naturally right, but not staying down is the main flaw I see with players.
Look up my friend Randy Goettlicher "Pops" one of the original 4 Master Instructors certified by the BCA. When Allison Fisher first came to the U.S., she spent some time with Randy and ever since that time his system has been evident in her game. His boiled down training rests on one single principal, after aligning yourself with your shot, place your bridge hand down firmly and ensure that the tip of your cue is at point of contact with the cue ball and your hinge (elbow to wrist), makes a 90-degree angle with your upper arm. Then, the fundamentals of your stroke consist of these elements (Set/Pause/Finish/Freeze): SET= bridge down, shot aligned, cue tip at point of contact! Then a minimum of two slow and deliberate practice strokes, BUT if you take 2 or 4 ALWAYS do exactly the same number of practice strokes! On to the next: PAUSE= at the end of your 2 or more practice strokes you pause with the tip of the cue in the back position to re-assess and at this point do not shift your eyes back and forth but shift from the cue ball to the object ball (this part takes from a split second to one or two seconds). Almost there: FINISH= Then take your stroke and FOLLOW THROUGH! (Exactly what you did with the two marks on the table) and MOST important is to FREEZE for the entire time of the cue ball travelling to object ball, then object ball to pocket and after even up to the cue ball reaching its final resting place. Allison at her very best will stay down on a shot almost until the cue ball comes to rest or move only to clear the way for the cue ball. This allows you time to analyze your shot, did you get the expected result, is the cue travelling the way you expected it, are you setting up for the next shot and if not you can see and analyze what you did wrong. IF you jump up, you're breaking that cycle of acquiring data and you will take far longer to progress further in your game! That system of Set/Pause/Finish/Freeze is the basis of consistency in billiard sports, and it was pioneered going on 40 years ago, by Randy and Jerry Breiseth (also one of the four original Master Instructors)! I too attended Randy's original pool school, Cue-Tech in Dallas Texas for the expert level 3-day course 20 years ago now.
Solid advice right here from this guy. Been shooting for 20 years, half of that in an in-house league at my local pool hall. I've seen it all there, from rack-runners to first-timers and EVERYONE falls prey to this stuff. The difference is in knowledge: the people running racks KNOW what they're "supposed" to do, even if they sometimes forget it or aren't paying attention to it in the moment. But amateurs like me? Lots of us have never been taught what we're supposed to do in the first place! If I could give this vid more than one like, I would.
Nicely stated! And I agree. I've been shooting for 30 years, and shooting amateur league for 19. I'm still trying to make follow through a muscle memory response. I like the drill! I have tried others with little success. Thanks!
Great video! These are indeed golden tips that can make a tremendous difference. I have noticed considerably better accuracy just with firmer body position. This is also so important to remember that the shot is NOT complete when you hit the cue ball
You're absolutely right, 1. Have a good comfortable steady stance like a statue. 2. A good strong bridge that even an earthquake isn't going to make it fall, lol, it shouldn't move. 3. Your stroke is what makes the shot, straight and true and follow through. And above all relax smile and have fun...
Snooker player here and the most important aspects of all cue sports is to the have a loose grip and really play through the cue ball, don't move on your shot at all always keeping your head still. When you make a decision about where you are hitting the white, come down to that aiming point straight, don't move the cue left or right once you are down on the shot.
100% absolutely correct! Anyone learning to play pool should focus on these things above almost anything else... step number 1 is learning how to hit the ball- if you learn to do that right in the beginning, there's no limit to how far you can go. The only thing to add to this (imo) is the distance between your bridge and the cue ball. I see lots of very skilled & very new players w too long of a distance between the two & it will destroy your accuracy 🎉 nice video, & great advice 👍
I can see your a good shooter. You have these three correct, because I am still making these same mistakes, after 50 years of playing Billards. Keep up the good teachings. Sam
@@samuelpoleson thanks, Sam! Also, just because I know these doesn't mean I always apply them. I'm an amature and still learning and honing my skills also! I appreciate you watching!
An error that I see with myself and others is rotating/twisting the wrist at the same time you describe the head pop/body movement when making the shot. It's so frustrating lol....takes a lot of focus to zero in on it and "force" the wrist to relax but it makes a HUGE difference
Red Door Den Training Center with Greg Hogue is about the best training I've seen out there. I took the training myself. Greg is amazing, and the pricing is very reasonable.
I tell players that I help to stay down until they either make or miss the shot. Goes for safeties as well you either make the safety or you miss it. If you have ever shot a rifle or pistol you stay absolutely still during the shot. Your forearm is the trigger finger so just focus on the contact point and a smooth transition. Your game is getting stronger as well! Keep up the good work!
This is a great starting point for starting to teach newer players man. I harp on these 3 exact things to my guys all the time!!!! Very cool to put it all together in a slick video. And props for showing the $hitty follow through when you were demonstrating a bridge, then coming back to show it when talking about follow-through!!!! 💯💯💯💯
Good advice, bound to improve some games. If I might throw a couple thoughts in, in no way am I trying to advise (perhaps maybe 6:48 a thought).I believe the perfect stroke is the one that's most comfortable to you that gives you your best outcomes the cue ball only knows where it's hit,in which direction its hit, and how hard it's hit.A good bridge will definitely help with that. The whole game boils down to one thing control the cue ball if you control the cue ball you control the table.A wise old man once told me there's three things you need to be decent at this game you need great eyesight solid nerves and a little bit of luck.
In of your segments you mentioned being uncomfortable, I play this way at certain times as it helps me focus on other aspects that are important to that particular shot. Good video
Thanks, Josh. These are simple mistakes I make. Your tips will make my game today unbeatable! 😁 Saying "stay still" to myself will help a lot. 😁 😁 I would really appreciate many more tips like this. 😁 😁 😁
Great video I do all three Being from Taylor Michigan and growing up with a pool table but no instructions Joined a league and my pool journey has begun!
Great points and tips all. Thanks for posting! Little things I've forgotten since I walked away from billiards when Joe Biden did his "head pop up" in Afghanistan, except it cost 13 military people their existence and then some.......
Very good post Josh! Coming back to basic fundamentals seems to be necessary at all levels as we progress. I asked a friend ( fargo 709 ) if he could give me one tip that might help my game. ( I'm fargo 540 ). He said make sure the bridge hand is solid. Press down on the table and stabilize the bridge. A pro in Vegas told me to follow through. ( I thought I was? ). I asked what's one thing pros do that amateurs don't. He said pros use the rails extensively. Sometimes 4 rails around to get the best shape.
It's like playing Whack-A-Mole at Chuck E Cheese when a room full of players keeps popping up as they shoot. Just hilarious sometimes. BUT we all started out with tons of bad habits! My habit is to stay down until all the balls on the table stop moving and the tip of my cue at the end of my stroke just touching the cloth. Its taken years and I still mess up. I work with several players on thier stroke and this video will be shared with them. Thanks for another great video Josh! See you in Orlando!
Ive been shooting since the 70s and he is right , stay down on your shot , i bridge on my thumb sometimes, but i wrap , you keep pressure on index finger it steadies your cue stroke , follow through is important
Good tips - I particularly like the putting weight on the left hand and staying down following the shot. The third tip reminds me of playing golf where you need to keep your head still until after the club strikes the ball. Maybe if you waited until you hear the cue ball strike the object ball before looking, it will help. Just a thought.
Great video and all valid points. To review - stable bridge, still body and head, follow thru stroke. So here's the thing - you can't think about all of those while you're shooting and still make a shot. Too much clutter in the mind. Here's a better approach. Focus on what TO do rather than what NOT to do. Imagine your cue is hanging on a long thin fragile wire that's stretched across the room. The wire runs thru the center of your tip and thru the cue and out the center of the rubber bumper. Make it a rule while you're shooting and immediately after your shot that the cue must not damage that fragile wire by moving off line. After that the only other thing is the follow thru. For that you imagine a spot past the cue ball where the cue will come to rest after the shot. So when you shoot you intend to literally toss the cue down the wire and the tip into a space that is beyond the cue ball. You need to visualize where the cue will finish and your stroke should be nothing more than going from point A to point B. How hard you toss is how hard you shoot. But your motion needs to be simple and pure. So if you focus on keeping your cue on line and finishing online and focus on throwing the cue tip to the point past the ball - all those other things like not moving and having a stable bridge automatically happen because you're focused on doing one thing as opposed to not doing three things. Add a loose grip to the mix and watch the magic happen. Resignation is also a big part of this mindset. Don't anticipate the hit and don't anticipate the object ball going into a pocket. You have to resign yourself to whatever happens after your stroke. After you stroke you need to become a spectator and just pay careful attention to what happens. But this is how you're supposed to cue a ball every time you shoot and for every type of shot.
Really nicely explained. As an amateur, I tend to do all of these things. I’ve never heard of flat palming before and I’ve watched TONS of tutorials before. Subscribed! Thanks, brutha. 🫡
HAHAHAAHA Yo Josh! I played today with some of the fellows. The follow through worked well but, I still felt better banking and won the first game with a three in the side. Game two a four rail. Finished with straight BLACK-NO-CREAM-NO SUGA hahahahaha show me more BIG DAWG!! GAP out, peace
Took lessons with Tony Robles...for the staying down on the shot, he had me remain motionless till all the balls stopped moving and the object ball fell into the box. It was painful at first but it worked pretty well.
Another way to practice your follow-through is to put a piece of tape or a rubber band on your shaft where your bridge hand should normally end up. On every shot, you should strive to reach that mark. One thing to note, the more practice one gets, the more comfortable on the table one becomes and the easier good habits come.
Hey Josh, I rarely comment and if I do I'm usually pretty snotty. But you nailed it. I went out and did the palm press and the robot arm and I noticed a difference right away. Thanks for the tip and good luck with your channel.
Excellent video. Thank you! Amazing that when I begin to correct all those bad habits my game improves. Actually before I started watching the video I predicted them. Yep, I suck at playing pool, guys
Thanks for these tips, I have just started to play pool and I intend to try these ideas and see how I go. Again many thanks for your tips and I have subscribed.
Great advice to straighten your back leg to avoid "popping up" during your stroke. It most certainly is difficult to continue this bad habit when you take the "spring" in your knees out of the equation.
I would really appreciate you showing us how to play a long pot when the natural angle is also sending the cue ball into the opposite top pocket. How do you make sure of avoiding the in off ?. Many thanks. (Liked and Subscribed)
Thank you. I really appreciated you making this video.. All 3 of those are things ive been told about from better players and I work to improve on them still.
Something I like to do to not lift off the table too quick is simply mellow out doubt would be #4 and it goes hand in hand with #3 you always visualize your shot and execute without a doubt you’ll make it everybody lifts off the table or hold they’re bridge better if they’re confident
BIG DAWG, This is GAP..... I like this video my man. I see these things all the time but never gave them any thought. That funky jab shot is something I do and hate it( cause I miss). But, if you would, my biggest problem is "THE STRAIGHT IN SHOT"!!! I can see a bank shot so much easier and I'll bank a possible straight in before I shoot the very easy straight in. Talk to me, PEACE
Another great way to learn to stay down after your shot is to practice hitting the cue ball spot to spot and have it come back and hit your cue tip. Be sure to watch the cue ball as it goes down the table and comes back.
Thank you found myself in that same exact situation I grew up shooting pool and I just now am learning the professional way of shooting keep going man you are doing good
Great video! New subbie! I see so many people make these mistakes. I even pop up from time to time if I’m unsure or uncomfortable with a shot, especially a hard, long shot. Otherwise I stay down until the ball reaches the pocket.
What a great question.. this seems to be a debate lately. I always look at the hit point on the object ball, but I know other people look at the cue ball. I think there's a case to be made for both ways
Another thing you can do in practice to help you get used to staying down on the shot is to have someone stand behind you and hold a cue butt an inch or so above your head while you are down on the shot so that if you jump up on it, you whack your head against the cue butt. Then when you get used to staying down you no longer need this method, especially as you cannot really use it anytime other than in practice. You can also when down on the shot say the word 'back' to yourself in your head when on the back part of your final backswing and then say the word 'hit' as you make contact with the cue ball, which can help you stay focussed on timing the cue making contact with the cue ball and can help you stay down.
@@veronicahawthorne3452 I cannot claim it as my own idea and it is from an author called W. Timothy Gallwey/Timothy Gallwey who wrote a series of books called The Inner Game of ___________. One was called The Inner Game of Tennis where the method used was 'bounce' and then 'hit' for whenever the opponent returned the tennis ball and you would say the word 'bounce' if the ball landed on the court on your side of the net and say 'hit' when you made contact when returning it. The idea being not to fill your head with several technical thoughts, as well as to be looking at the ball as it contacts your racket strings, rather than looking away to see where the ball would be heading before you had even hit it and risked making a bad contact. The Inner Game of Golf was another, where you used saying the 'back' and 'hit' method at the end of your backswing and when the club head makes contact with the golf ball, so as again not to fill your head with several technical thoughts and to also be looking down at the ball to say 'hit' at the point of contact, meaning that you are not prematurely raising your head on the shot to see the flight of your ball. I just thought the back/hit method could possibly work for cue sports too.
i just started 2 days ago i just learned how to stop making the ball jump but i still need improvement can’t hit the balls right or get a spin to them only can hit straight on balls no type of side shots or anything
Another tip on staying down is to count to 3 after your shot. Actually watch the ball drop before moving. Helps with getting to know the table as well.
My favorite bridge hand ever is Corey Deuel's when he makes a closed bridge, but he floats his palm and is entirely on his fingertips haha, I guess with insane talent and practice hours you can make it work.
@@Amateur_Pool you have to wonder how much better he could be with textbook technique from day 1; also his fingers bend like crazy so he's got more surface area on the table than typical people.
That depends on what is preventing you from running out. If you're missing shots, you want to practice shot making (stroke) drills (like this one ua-cam.com/users/shortsan-Z7mPzi14?feature=share ). If you're having trouble shaping, run cue ball control drills (like this one ua-cam.com/users/shorts560jyILyCxM?feature=share ). If it's pattern play that's messing you up, throw up 5-6 balls and think about the pattern before you start running out. I also have several "pattern play" videos on my channel that can help you get into the right mindset of thinking about your patterns. Good luck!
Oh thank God... He isn't saying I can't use an open bridge. I hate when people say using an open bridge is a mistake, that's just not true. The suggestion on the bridge was great!
For sure! You can use any type of bridge you want, but you just want it to be stable. For newer players especially, a fingertip bridge tends to move around a lot more.
A question Josh , if you have your bridge hand flat on the table how do you put top spin on the cue Ball????? Tip is low Angle is downward !!!!! Please explain
I did notice that when I tightened my bridge, I ran a table and didn't miss. A friend of mine told me that you have to come up with a style or routine when you play. Like in the NBA Reggie Miller and Cartwright had an unorthodox style of play, but they were consistent and made it work. One of them would circle the basketball before every shot but it worked out for him. The other one moved it left and right before every shot. I was also told by some great players to do 3 pauses on all your shots. When the pool tip is next to the cue ball count 1 2 3. When you pull back, you pause on the back swing and count 1 2. and when you follow through you stay down and count 1 2 3 4. He also said that pro players have a slower swing. Beginner and intermediate players swing fast. What I used to do to stay down every time is say to myself "go down, stay down". Kind of the same idea of where you do all the work to get extremely low on each shot and it takes a lot of work to step back up or jump up. The one thing you didn't mention is how a lot of players do an elbow drop that screws up their game. I was told to eliminate that elbow drop to better your game. What I do is tense my back shoulder and neck to eliminate that elbow drop and it has made me play better. Aka stroke correcter. Thanks for all your information that you share and I wish I could play you one day.
@@Amateur_Pool Tomorrow I play APA 8 ball and 9 ball at Brewski's (formerly known as Tilted Kilt) in Bolingbrook Illinois. I am a 5 in 8 ball and a 6 in 9 ball. I am the guy on the team who has to play the highest players on the other teams so I have to up my game some more.
If you use very high engish then its ok to make a finger tip bridge. For me its the only way to strike to cue ball at the very top. Mike Segal and others do this bridge when using high english
Hey Josh I agree with you on the follow through with your stick but can cause the cue ball to comeback and hit your cue resulting in a foul hit?
Great question! I taught a friend of mine how to draw and he had the same question. The cool thing is, I recorded it. Check out this video - ua-cam.com/users/shortsBtt-NVobEjM?si=YnbEb3rmmweEf4MZ
I love your demeanor, and your voice. They seem to be perfect for giving pool instruction via video.
I don’t teach follow through, I teach smooth acceleration of the tip through the cue ball contact point.
Seems like that is the new trend now and I’ve been teaching it since the 70s
That would be true only if you hit the ball below center, creating a draw shot.
@@silvercue9625 The best follow through drill I've ever seen or tried is probably the most fun. Just shoot long straight shots with the cue ball a few fee from the object ball. Practice hitting top center of the cue so that you follow the object ball into the pocket for a scratch. As you get better change the distance and angle of the object ball and shot. It's fun because you can count how many shots you make and see the result of follow through as the cue ball accelerates forward after contact. It took maybe 500 balls for me to completely change my stroke. Abought 2 easy nights of practice. Now before any night of play I hit 2 or 3 racks this way just to groove my stroke before I warm up.
Open bridge, pull your index finger back tight against your thumb but keeping it straight and hold it tight like your holding onto a rope that your life depends on. 41 years of playing pool and still learning new things. Agree with you except for the follow through on a shot that close using draw. I know you shot the cue just off center and the cue pulled back and right. I was taught by Al Kokalas years ago how to shoot moving the cue ball as little as possible. He taught me how to hit my object ball hit a rail and literally rock the cue ball off the rail less than an hairs width away from the rail to leave the opponent a tough shot if we didn’t have a good shot for him to continue with our next shot. I miss him, he’s been gone a long time, Jeff Dovinsky taught me side pocket shots. The first time I met Jeff at Sunshine Liquors on Okeechobee Rd in Ft Pierce, He said women aren’t allowed to play pool…come here let me show you something and I still play at 68 and I am still learning and improving my game. Al and I shot Scotch Mixed Doubles and he wanted to back me to go pro but I had young children and I will be in church on Sunday of at all possible not shooting pool.
From someone who's been playing pool about 40 years, this is some excellent advice. Just getting back in to pool, I've noticed myself doing most of these things. Thanks for your effort.
Good job👍
Thank you! So glad that you're getting back into the game
I went to teach a very green player and I had trouble as he is 7 inches shorter than me and I shoot differently. I thought him some stuff but he is from Japan and maybe only played a couple times in his life.
Josh, You may not be certified, be a teaher, or any of the other things you mentioned, but you changed my game. I play league pool and I win more than I lose, but I;'m no shark! Haven't even gotten to staying down, yet. Putting a follow through in my stroke, even when shooting easy, increased my accuracy 50% or more. The difference was so impressive, I couldn't believe it was happening! Much appreciaiton for you taking the time and effort to make the video. I am grateful; hope you do some more!
All are correct. Unstable bridge, not following through, and popping up all ADD variables to the stroke mechanism. Removing all of these WILL make your stroke mechanism more accurate than it was. Understand that it will not give you a 100% perfect stroke, but it will 100% make your stroke more accurate than it was. Good tips. Good video. Short, clear, and concise.
Well said! Thanks for the comment!
This was incredible. Thank you for posting this. I’m 50 years old and haven’t played in a very long time and joined an in house pool league and I’m not doing very well. I’m hit and miss and watching this video will really help me along with the cue ball placements.
That's awesome! I hope it helps!
About the moving and jumping up on the shot. I was once told to shoot with my ears! What he meant was do the shot and wait until you hear the object ball fall before you move. "Sounds" kind of odd but it will keep you down on the shot!
While this technique 'sounds' like it could help, there are a significant amount of shots that a dropped ball isn't the desired outcome...~~Just me, RD
"sounds" like pretty okay advice (i see what you did there)! LOL... good stuff, Dave!
I was taught somewhere along my hustling and getting hustled journey of pool, to stay down till you see the ball go in the pocket. When I’ve made tough shots it really works often! I was battling an experienced one pocket player this week and made a straight back bank on my pocket left handed! I’m naturally right, but not staying down is the main flaw I see with players.
@@joshmiller8192 100%... that and bridge!
I watch every shot go to the pocket when I can. I can see where my shots go down to the centimeter. It really helps
Look up my friend Randy Goettlicher "Pops" one of the original 4 Master Instructors certified by the BCA. When Allison Fisher first came to the U.S., she spent some time with Randy and ever since that time his system has been evident in her game. His boiled down training rests on one single principal, after aligning yourself with your shot, place your bridge hand down firmly and ensure that the tip of your cue is at point of contact with the cue ball and your hinge (elbow to wrist), makes a 90-degree angle with your upper arm. Then, the fundamentals of your stroke consist of these elements (Set/Pause/Finish/Freeze): SET= bridge down, shot aligned, cue tip at point of contact! Then a minimum of two slow and deliberate practice strokes, BUT if you take 2 or 4 ALWAYS do exactly the same number of practice strokes! On to the next: PAUSE= at the end of your 2 or more practice strokes you pause with the tip of the cue in the back position to re-assess and at this point do not shift your eyes back and forth but shift from the cue ball to the object ball (this part takes from a split second to one or two seconds). Almost there: FINISH= Then take your stroke and FOLLOW THROUGH! (Exactly what you did with the two marks on the table) and MOST important is to FREEZE for the entire time of the cue ball travelling to object ball, then object ball to pocket and after even up to the cue ball reaching its final resting place. Allison at her very best will stay down on a shot almost until the cue ball comes to rest or move only to clear the way for the cue ball. This allows you time to analyze your shot, did you get the expected result, is the cue travelling the way you expected it, are you setting up for the next shot and if not you can see and analyze what you did wrong. IF you jump up, you're breaking that cycle of acquiring data and you will take far longer to progress further in your game!
That system of Set/Pause/Finish/Freeze is the basis of consistency in billiard sports, and it was pioneered going on 40 years ago, by Randy and Jerry Breiseth (also one of the four original Master Instructors)! I too attended Randy's original pool school, Cue-Tech in Dallas Texas for the expert level 3-day course 20 years ago now.
Solid advice right here from this guy. Been shooting for 20 years, half of that in an in-house league at my local pool hall. I've seen it all there, from rack-runners to first-timers and EVERYONE falls prey to this stuff. The difference is in knowledge: the people running racks KNOW what they're "supposed" to do, even if they sometimes forget it or aren't paying attention to it in the moment. But amateurs like me? Lots of us have never been taught what we're supposed to do in the first place!
If I could give this vid more than one like, I would.
@@Dimlhugion thank you!!
100 ball runner here... You are spot on with your advice .Great job. Impressive.
@@robertdenson3375 100 ball run is impressive! Great job. Thanks for the support!
Nicely stated! And I agree. I've been shooting for 30 years, and shooting amateur league for 19.
I'm still trying to make follow through a muscle memory response. I like the drill! I have tried others with little success. Thanks!
Great video! These are indeed golden tips that can make a tremendous difference. I have noticed considerably better accuracy just with firmer body position. This is also so important to remember that the shot is NOT complete when you hit the cue ball
You're absolutely right, 1. Have a good comfortable steady stance like a statue. 2. A good strong bridge that even an earthquake isn't going to make it fall, lol, it shouldn't move. 3. Your stroke is what makes the shot, straight and true and follow through. And above all relax smile and have fun...
Thanks!
Thank you!
Snooker player here and the most important aspects of all cue sports is to the have a loose grip and really play through the cue ball, don't move on your shot at all always keeping your head still. When you make a decision about where you are hitting the white, come down to that aiming point straight, don't move the cue left or right once you are down on the shot.
Thank you Josh, I have been wanting to improve my game in anyway I can! I will work on those 3 things will let you know what my results are soon!
Awesome! Best of luck bro
100% absolutely correct! Anyone learning to play pool should focus on these things above almost anything else... step number 1 is learning how to hit the ball- if you learn to do that right in the beginning, there's no limit to how far you can go. The only thing to add to this (imo) is the distance between your bridge and the cue ball. I see lots of very skilled & very new players w too long of a distance between the two & it will destroy your accuracy 🎉 nice video, & great advice 👍
I can see your a good shooter. You have these three correct, because I am still making these same mistakes, after 50 years of playing Billards. Keep up the good teachings. Sam
@@samuelpoleson thanks, Sam! Also, just because I know these doesn't mean I always apply them. I'm an amature and still learning and honing my skills also! I appreciate you watching!
An error that I see with myself and others is rotating/twisting the wrist at the same time you describe the head pop/body movement when making the shot. It's so frustrating lol....takes a lot of focus to zero in on it and "force" the wrist to relax but it makes a HUGE difference
For sure! 75% of the time, when I miss, I feel my wrist rotate!
Man you're giving great info. Smart and easy to listen to and very nice and positive. You are a good teacher
Thanks, Mark!
Red Door Den Training Center with Greg Hogue is about the best training I've seen out there. I took the training myself. Greg is amazing, and the pricing is very reasonable.
I tell players that I help to stay down until they either make or miss the shot. Goes for safeties as well you either make the safety or you miss it. If you have ever shot a rifle or pistol you stay absolutely still during the shot. Your forearm is the trigger finger so just focus on the contact point and a smooth transition. Your game is getting stronger as well! Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
This is a great starting point for starting to teach newer players man. I harp on these 3 exact things to my guys all the time!!!!
Very cool to put it all together in a slick video. And props for showing the $hitty follow through when you were demonstrating a bridge, then coming back to show it when talking about follow-through!!!! 💯💯💯💯
You noticed that too. I was going to call him out on it, but he covered it on the 2nd tip, 😂👍
@drewvonporte i'd like to say it was on purpose, but it wasn't. I did notice it though, which is why I used it for the second example!
@@drewvonporte btw, I'm holding editing lessons for 10 million an hour... sign up please, lol
@@Amateur_Pool that wasn’t on purpose?? Even better of you to use it as an example 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
Wow that’s cheap! Where do I sign?? 🫠
@@drewvonporte lol... 🤣😂
Very well documented. Learnt the 3 big mistakes every one makes . Presenter is very good in simplifying which makes it easier to understand 👍👍👍
Thank you!
Good advice, bound to improve some games. If I might throw a couple thoughts in, in no way am I trying to advise (perhaps maybe 6:48 a thought).I believe the perfect stroke is the one that's most comfortable to you that gives you your best outcomes the cue ball only knows where it's hit,in which direction its hit, and how hard it's hit.A good bridge will definitely help with that. The whole game boils down to one thing control the cue ball if you control the cue ball you control the table.A wise old man once told me there's three things you need to be decent at this game you need great eyesight solid nerves and a little bit of luck.
In of your segments you mentioned being uncomfortable, I play this way at certain times as it helps me focus on other aspects that are important to that particular shot. Good video
Thanks
Been shooting 300 years. Good advice! Pbia guys may discount follow though but that is where the FEEL exists
300 years!!!! Sheesh, lol
following through is the main key to do right and proper shots , thanks for good video
Thanks, Josh. These are simple mistakes I make. Your tips will make my game today unbeatable! 😁 Saying "stay still" to myself will help a lot. 😁 😁 I would really appreciate many more tips like this. 😁 😁 😁
You got it, my man! I'll try to put out more videos like this in the future
Great video
I do all three
Being from Taylor Michigan and growing up with a pool table but no instructions
Joined a league and my pool journey has begun!
@edwardwallace1633 thanks, Ed! Good luck in league.. maybe we'll run into each other. I play down river every now and then
Great points and tips all. Thanks for posting! Little things I've forgotten since I walked away from billiards when Joe Biden did his "head pop up" in Afghanistan, except it cost 13 military people their existence and then some.......
Exhale while shooting and it will help with after shot lift or jerking also will help with a smooth follow thru!!
Very good post Josh! Coming back to basic fundamentals seems to be necessary at all levels as we progress. I asked a friend ( fargo 709 ) if he could give me one tip that might help my game. ( I'm fargo 540 ). He said make sure the bridge hand is solid. Press down on the table and stabilize the bridge. A pro in Vegas told me to follow through. ( I thought I was? ). I asked what's one thing pros do that amateurs don't. He said pros use the rails extensively. Sometimes 4 rails around to get the best shape.
good stuff Tom! I'm just spreading what works for me, and what i've learned. It's nice to hear that pros have told you the same thing!
It's like playing Whack-A-Mole at Chuck E Cheese when a room full of players keeps popping up as they shoot. Just hilarious sometimes. BUT we all started out with tons of bad habits! My habit is to stay down until all the balls on the table stop moving and the tip of my cue at the end of my stroke just touching the cloth. Its taken years and I still mess up. I work with several players on thier stroke and this video will be shared with them. Thanks for another great video Josh! See you in Orlando!
Great stuff (staying down until the balls stop rolling). I appreciate you sharing the video (and watching it yourself as well)! Thank you!
Ive been shooting since the 70s and he is right , stay down on your shot , i bridge on my thumb sometimes, but i wrap , you keep pressure on index finger it steadies your cue stroke , follow through is important
Good tips - I particularly like the putting weight on the left hand and staying down following the shot. The third tip reminds me of playing golf where you need to keep your head still until after the club strikes the ball. Maybe if you waited until you hear the cue ball strike the object ball before looking, it will help. Just a thought.
@@allanfischer9417 It must be why Earl wears a weight on his left forearm.
Great video and all valid points. To review - stable bridge, still body and head, follow thru stroke. So here's the thing - you can't think about all of those while you're shooting and still make a shot. Too much clutter in the mind. Here's a better approach. Focus on what TO do rather than what NOT to do. Imagine your cue is hanging on a long thin fragile wire that's stretched across the room. The wire runs thru the center of your tip and thru the cue and out the center of the rubber bumper. Make it a rule while you're shooting and immediately after your shot that the cue must not damage that fragile wire by moving off line. After that the only other thing is the follow thru. For that you imagine a spot past the cue ball where the cue will come to rest after the shot. So when you shoot you intend to literally toss the cue down the wire and the tip into a space that is beyond the cue ball. You need to visualize where the cue will finish and your stroke should be nothing more than going from point A to point B. How hard you toss is how hard you shoot. But your motion needs to be simple and pure. So if you focus on keeping your cue on line and finishing online and focus on throwing the cue tip to the point past the ball - all those other things like not moving and having a stable bridge automatically happen because you're focused on doing one thing as opposed to not doing three things. Add a loose grip to the mix and watch the magic happen. Resignation is also a big part of this mindset. Don't anticipate the hit and don't anticipate the object ball going into a pocket. You have to resign yourself to whatever happens after your stroke. After you stroke you need to become a spectator and just pay careful attention to what happens. But this is how you're supposed to cue a ball every time you shoot and for every type of shot.
Beginner just getting into shooting pool regularly rather than once every blue moon over the last 25 years. Appreciate the advice.
Love to hear this! Appreciate you watching the vid also!
The follow through drill just got added to my routine. Thanks! 👍
Find the center of gravity of the cue the know where to properly grip it. Most people hold the cue way too far back.
Really nicely explained. As an amateur, I tend to do all of these things. I’ve never heard of flat palming before and I’ve watched TONS of tutorials before. Subscribed! Thanks, brutha. 🫡
@@thegodofpez thanks for the sub! I appreciate it!
The stance one helped me BIG time. I'm still working on the other two. Thanks for the tips!
@@huntress-ro5jl glad it helped! Thanks for watching
5:40 Yep. I try to launch the cue at the object ball. This takes care of the follow through and the anticipated cueball contact.
That works for me also!
i write on my bridge hand "stay down" between my thumb & forefinger in red - Great video Josh!!
What a great idea!
@@Amateur_Pool thank you! i am in my 2nd year of the APA and i struggle!! :)
Well presented...thank you for sharing!!!
HAHAHAAHA Yo Josh! I played today with some of the fellows. The follow through worked well but, I still felt better banking and won the first game with a three in the side. Game two a four rail. Finished with straight BLACK-NO-CREAM-NO SUGA hahahahaha show me more BIG DAWG!! GAP out, peace
@garyprentiss6252 nice work!
You will lose far more than you will win.
Took lessons with Tony Robles...for the staying down on the shot, he had me remain motionless till all the balls stopped moving and the object ball fell into the box. It was painful at first but it worked pretty well.
great advice!
Another way to practice your follow-through is to put a piece of tape or a rubber band on your shaft where your bridge hand should normally end up. On every shot, you should strive to reach that mark. One thing to note, the more practice one gets, the more comfortable on the table one becomes and the easier good habits come.
That's a great tip! I've never heard that one before but I love it I'm going to use your tip and make a short/reel about it! This is a good one!
Hey Josh, I rarely comment and if I do I'm usually pretty snotty.
But you nailed it. I went out and did the palm press and the robot arm and I noticed a difference right away.
Thanks for the tip and good luck with your channel.
Thank you bro! I'm glad it helped you.
Excellent video. Thank you! Amazing that when I begin to correct all those bad habits my game improves. Actually before I started watching the video I predicted them. Yep, I suck at playing pool, guys
Thanks for these tips, I have just started to play pool and I intend to try these ideas and see how I go. Again many thanks for your tips and I have subscribed.
Thank you, Norman! Glad the video was useful for ya
Great advice to straighten your back leg to avoid "popping up" during your stroke. It most certainly is difficult to continue this bad habit when you take the "spring" in your knees out of the equation.
I struggle a lot with long shots. Hopefully, these tips will help out. Cheers
cheers
I just now realized when i use a closed bridge i am sometimes on the fingertips.
Keep em coming
Hey Josh, that was outstanding advice, man I do it all three of those thanks for putting that out. Peace brother.
@toddswanhart9777 thanks, Todd!
Yes the follow through working on mine also.....I have all 3 problems but getting better thanks to watching your videos
@terellwalker2352 thanks, Terell!
I would really appreciate you showing us how to play a long pot when the natural angle is also sending the cue ball into the opposite top pocket. How do you make sure of avoiding the in off ?. Many thanks. (Liked and Subscribed)
Good tips. Wish I knew all this back in the 70's when my Dad taught me to play😮
Thank you. I really appreciated you making this video.. All 3 of those are things ive been told about from better players and I work to improve on them still.
@@jasonmetz7428 🙌🙌
Something I like to do to not lift off the table too quick is simply mellow out doubt would be #4 and it goes hand in hand with #3 you always visualize your shot and execute without a doubt you’ll make it everybody lifts off the table or hold they’re bridge better if they’re confident
BIG DAWG, This is GAP..... I like this video my man. I see these things all the time but never gave them any thought. That funky jab shot is something I do and hate it( cause I miss). But, if you would, my biggest problem is "THE STRAIGHT IN SHOT"!!! I can see a bank shot so much easier and I'll bank a possible straight in before I shoot the very easy straight in. Talk to me, PEACE
Thanks, bro! Appreciate the kind words. That straight shot can be a killer. It all boils down to a good, straight, stroke for those shots.
Another great way to learn to stay down after your shot is to practice hitting the cue ball spot to spot and have it come back and hit your cue tip. Be sure to watch the cue ball as it goes down the table and comes back.
#1 was a great heads up for me. Thanks Mr. J.
Your most welcome!
Your correct with leg still and head popping up because i send it in other videos so thank you.
Thank you found myself in that same exact situation I grew up shooting pool and I just now am learning the professional way of shooting keep going man you are doing good
@floydweeks6103 thanks, Floyd
Great video! New subbie! I see so many people make these mistakes. I even pop up from time to time if I’m unsure or uncomfortable with a shot, especially a hard, long shot. Otherwise I stay down until the ball reaches the pocket.
Thanks for the sub! Much appreciated
where are your eyes focused on when you take the shot, are you watching the tip of cue stick, the spot on the cue ball or past the cue ball?
What a great question.. this seems to be a debate lately. I always look at the hit point on the object ball, but I know other people look at the cue ball. I think there's a case to be made for both ways
Simple yet very important video thankyou Josh
@marklewis9871 thanks, Mark!
Another thing you can do in practice to help you get used to staying down on the shot is to have someone stand behind you and hold a cue butt an inch or so above your head while you are down on the shot so that if you jump up on it, you whack your head against the cue butt. Then when you get used to staying down you no longer need this method, especially as you cannot really use it anytime other than in practice.
You can also when down on the shot say the word 'back' to yourself in your head when on the back part of your final backswing and then say the word 'hit' as you make contact with the cue ball, which can help you stay focussed on timing the cue making contact with the cue ball and can help you stay down.
I’m loving the “back, hit” method! 👍
@@veronicahawthorne3452 I cannot claim it as my own idea and it is from an author called W. Timothy Gallwey/Timothy Gallwey who wrote a series of books called The Inner Game of ___________.
One was called The Inner Game of Tennis where the method used was 'bounce' and then 'hit' for whenever the opponent returned the tennis ball and you would say the word 'bounce' if the ball landed on the court on your side of the net and say 'hit' when you made contact when returning it. The idea being not to fill your head with several technical thoughts, as well as to be looking at the ball as it contacts your racket strings, rather than looking away to see where the ball would be heading before you had even hit it and risked making a bad contact.
The Inner Game of Golf was another, where you used saying the 'back' and 'hit' method at the end of your backswing and when the club head makes contact with the golf ball, so as again not to fill your head with several technical thoughts and to also be looking down at the ball to say 'hit' at the point of contact, meaning that you are not prematurely raising your head on the shot to see the flight of your ball.
I just thought the back/hit method could possibly work for cue sports too.
Great tip. Getting hot on the head would make you stay down, for sure!
Nice tips and after watching this video I showed it to one of my teammates and he went from a SL3 to a SL5 in APA just on the bridge tip alone
@@willshire316 🙌
Thanks for sharing what works for you.
For sure! Thanks for watching it!
Thank you brother for the awesome pointers!! 👌
@@brianducharme8864 🤜🤛
Thanks for the tips, are you keeping your eye on the object ball throughout the stroke?
I do, yes. I know other people do not though. I think there's a case to be made for both ways.
i just started 2 days ago i just learned how to stop making the ball jump but i still need improvement can’t hit the balls right or get a spin to them only can hit straight on balls no type of side shots or anything
@Lotionuser just keep practicing. It takes a little time
Having a smooth straight stroke is very important :) Solid fundamental is a key to playing high level pocket billiards
@@josephnewcomb5670 100%
@Amateur_Pool A Family friend of mine taught Me all this when I first started playing @13 :) he was Texas 9 Ball Champion in his younger years
Very helpful video man keep making them it's good advice
Thanks
Another tip on staying down is to count to 3 after your shot. Actually watch the ball drop before moving. Helps with getting to know the table as well.
That's a great tip!
I find it easy to emphasize my follow through on draw shots; tip to the cloth. How do you do emphasize the follow through on high action?
I do it the same way for every shot. I try to imagine myself hitting the object ball with my cue, not the cueball.
Thanks for your advice. What pool cue do you use?
it's a cuetec true wood 2
I like the coaching, keep it in the rotation. Also, i don't know why but i had to resubscribe .... Thanks UA-cam🤨
@@22nstewart you're not the first person to tell me that... so annoying. Thanks for the re-sub!
Im gonna try the straight leg tonight. Thanks man
I tried it. You're right, it's uncomfortable at first... but it worked. Thanks for the info
Good tips! Loving the pool table space bro!
@@metellus8152 thanks, bro!
Guilty as charged. Good stuff. I know all this, but applying takes discipline.
For sure!
Great video Josh.😎
thank you
Bridging with a high looped bridge may not be for everyone but with enough practice it can really help on certain shots.
My favorite bridge hand ever is Corey Deuel's when he makes a closed bridge, but he floats his palm and is entirely on his fingertips haha, I guess with insane talent and practice hours you can make it work.
@@benfgreatestever8915 when you have his talent, I guess it doesn't matter
@@Amateur_Pool you have to wonder how much better he could be with textbook technique from day 1; also his fingers bend like crazy so he's got more surface area on the table than typical people.
Good info...!! Can't wait too implement..you did a terrific job....Good Work..!!!
@@mikeulintz8686 thank you!
nah Bro, this was very helpful!! thanks! easy to hit the like button!
Thank you, bro!
My first time watching your video,,, love it, thank you👍🇨🇦
@@DianneJabalee awesome! Thanks for checking it out!
Good advice! I would like to see more videos like this one Learned a lot from video Short and simple
Thanks and Good bless Charly.
@@BuNNDoGG thank you!
Do you have any drills that help increase your run outs?
That depends on what is preventing you from running out. If you're missing shots, you want to practice shot making (stroke) drills (like this one ua-cam.com/users/shortsan-Z7mPzi14?feature=share ). If you're having trouble shaping, run cue ball control drills (like this one ua-cam.com/users/shorts560jyILyCxM?feature=share ). If it's pattern play that's messing you up, throw up 5-6 balls and think about the pattern before you start running out. I also have several "pattern play" videos on my channel that can help you get into the right mindset of thinking about your patterns. Good luck!
Please tell me where you got your table spots! Drop a link if you can
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Thank you. Really like the advice
I was just explaining to my younger co-workers, how to make a proper bridge. Phone must be listening, because this immediately popped up on my feed
@@robertbarwikowski9831 awesome!
Oh thank God... He isn't saying I can't use an open bridge. I hate when people say using an open bridge is a mistake, that's just not true. The suggestion on the bridge was great!
For sure! You can use any type of bridge you want, but you just want it to be stable. For newer players especially, a fingertip bridge tends to move around a lot more.
A question Josh , if you have your bridge hand flat on the table how do you put top spin on the cue Ball????? Tip is low Angle is downward !!!!! Please explain
@barryclark2582 I bend my knuckles up, while keeping weight on my palm.. the key is stability
I did notice that when I tightened my bridge, I ran a table and didn't miss. A friend of mine told me that you have to come up with a style or routine when you play. Like in the NBA Reggie Miller and Cartwright had an unorthodox style of play, but they were consistent and made it work. One of them would circle the basketball before every shot but it worked out for him. The other one moved it left and right before every shot. I was also told by some great players to do 3 pauses on all your shots. When the pool tip is next to the cue ball count 1 2 3. When you pull back, you pause on the back swing and count 1 2. and when you follow through you stay down and count 1 2 3 4. He also said that pro players have a slower swing. Beginner and intermediate players swing fast. What I used to do to stay down every time is say to myself "go down, stay down". Kind of the same idea of where you do all the work to get extremely low on each shot and it takes a lot of work to step back up or jump up. The one thing you didn't mention is how a lot of players do an elbow drop that screws up their game. I was told to eliminate that elbow drop to better your game. What I do is tense my back shoulder and neck to eliminate that elbow drop and it has made me play better. Aka stroke correcter. Thanks for all your information that you share and I wish I could play you one day.
@Pumpkinpoolandbilliards-dg3nb thank you! Maybe we'll run into each other one day. I'd be happy to play ya!
@@Amateur_Pool Tomorrow I play APA 8 ball and 9 ball at Brewski's (formerly known as Tilted Kilt) in Bolingbrook Illinois. I am a 5 in 8 ball and a 6 in 9 ball. I am the guy on the team who has to play the highest players on the other teams so I have to up my game some more.
Excellent tutorial, Word for word , Thank You !
@davidarchuleta8446 thanks, David!
Thanks for the tips bro.
If you use very high engish then its ok to make a finger tip bridge. For me its the only way to strike to cue ball at the very top. Mike Segal and others do this bridge when using high english
No such thing as high English. It is simply a follow shot.