Video of my technique, any advice?

[quintahunter]

I started playing some years ago, but just the casual matches a couples of times a month. Now I can practise more often and do two 4 hour sessions a week. My goal is to improve my technique so I can become a coach some time in the future. Unfortunately, we don't have any in Spain yet.

I recorded this back in February, what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKjxRImdh78

Last Saturday I was cueing like never before, potting so confidently. I wanted to do another recording session but my camera just crashed. I'd also like to know how people plan their practice sessions, but I'll save that for another thread.

Maybe you can give me piece of advice. Thanks in advance!!

[Terry Davidson]

Ander:

What's a 'quinta'? Now on to your video. Here are some points I noticed:

1. Feathering very quick...slow that whole thing down and make it more deliberate.

2. Way too much head & shoulder movement during the backswing and delivery. I think this is being caused by the butt of the cue lifting on the backswing and then lowering on the delivery but it could also be the opposite and the body movement is causing the cue butt to rise and then fall.

3. Your stance appears to have the left foot behind the right although that could be the camera angle. The left foot should be either parallel to the right foot or slightly in front of it (except for the boxer stance some people have adopted where the left foot is way ahead of the right).

4. It appears you are turning the wrist into your body during the delivery and this will take the butt off line. I wasn't able to determine whether this is happening before you strike the cueball (BAD!!!) or after you strike (BETTER!!!).

Otherwise a pretty good cue action. If you can stop the up and down movement of the head and shoulders you should see a vast improvement as the other points are just an added bonus if you can correct them too

Terry

[rovnos]

Hi quintahunter,
i too would like to know what a quinta is ! (bet it's something rude !) LOL. Im no expert, but you seemed to me to have a very wide stance with a lot of your weight on the heel of your right leg. Ideally you want a comfortable stance with your weight slightly forward. Could be a cause of your upper body movement? Im sure someone better qualified on the forum will (like Terry) will give you a better opinion on this. Good luck with your targets.

[quintahunter]

Thanks for your replies. "Quinta" is a nick I used to have from the surname "Quintana". That's how some people called my so I mixed it with me snooker hero, Paul Hunter. Nothing rude, of course LOL

Terry:

1) I noticed the speedy feathering. I seemed to get tired of feathering, so now I only do a couple of them and I'd say it's much slower, but I should record myself to prove it.

2) Someone told me about this up and down movement and saw it pretty clear on the video. I believe that is one of the reasons, together with the head & shoulder movement, that make me miss so many pots. I think I don't hit the cue ball where intended.

3) I might have done that in the past. My back leg hurt me so much that I tried to move some weight on the left by advancing this leg. I've been working on that the past two months and I feel more stable and relaxed.

4) I hadn't realised that turn of the wrist. I'll try to avoid it then.

rovnos:

I also saw that wide stance and I'd say it narrower now, but I can't confirm. Will keep and eye too.

*****

I'm glad none of you have mentioned the back pause, as it's the feature I've worked on the most. This reminds me of a doubt I have: when should I switch my eyes from the cue ball to the object ball? I used to do it at the back pause, but I think I read somewhere it should be done at the front pause. I tried to do it but felt I lost the spot to hit the cue ball, so now I do it during the backswing in some time between the front pause and the back pause. Is that correct?

[Terry Davidson]

quinta:

Shifting the eyes to the object ball is purely a matter of personal rhythm and timing and is up to every individual player. What the 'ideal' is you should switch at the rear pause just before you start the delivery. However, I myself prefer to shift the eyes at the fron pause and there are other players who will switch at the start of the delivery, at the end of the backswing, during the backswing and every point in between.

I believe it's however a player first learned and it will feel most natural to continue that eye rhythm. Trying to change it once you've learned to play is VERY difficult and does upset the timing.

Terry

[Fedia147]

I started playing some years ago, but just the casual matches a couples of times a month. Now I can practise more often and do two 4 hour sessions a week. My goal is to improve my technique so I can become a coach some time in the future. Unfortunately, we don't have any in Spain yet.

I recorded this back in February, what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKjxRImdh78

Last Saturday I was cueing like never before, potting so confidently. I wanted to do another recording session but my camera just crashed. I'd also like to know how people plan their practice sessions, but I'll save that for another thread.

Maybe you can give me piece of advice. Thanks in advance!!

Hi Amigo,

It looks like you been in the Gym for a good work out. Hitting the balls like Arnold Shwartzneger.Little joke

1 You not aiming on the way down you aiming when already down on the shot. You must aim on the aim down than do your 1-2 feathers front pause and depends on your eyes if you need a back pause or not. If you looking at the object ball than no need for the back pause, but if you look on the cue ball than you should switch your eyes to the object ball after the front pause when pulling the cue back little back pause and final delivery. It looks like you hitting your chest every time which is good and you must concentrate to hit your chest every time.
2 No front pause. Front pause is vital. Back pause not necessary but if you got use to it no problem.

3 Your yes are not working in order with your feathers. You must flicking your eyes from cue ball to object ball on every shot it will help you to time the shot better.

4 Movement on the shot . You not leaning forward on the shot and it will cause you to move your head and shoulder.It could be your stance which is hard to judge from the video.

5 Remember you have to play with your cue not your arm. Grip hand is to tight. No rhythm in your cueing at all as Terry mentioned feathering to fast. Try to practice in slow motion Aiming on the way down and count your feathers 1-2 front pause switching eyes to the object ball when pulling the cue back than final smooth delivery to complete the shot. Stay down on the shot until cue ball stops. It will help you to stay still on the shot and also if you miss than you can see where it gone wrong.

Go on Fergal Obrien web site for some practice session and little tips.

I also have DVD if you needed but the cost £150. Nick barrows 10dvds set. It will help you with your stance and techniques.

Regards
Andrei

[Fedia147]

I started playing some years ago, but just the casual matches a couples of times a month. Now I can practise more often and do two 4 hour sessions a week. My goal is to improve my technique so I can become a coach some time in the future. Unfortunately, we don't have any in Spain yet.

I recorded this back in February, what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKjxRImdh78

Last Saturday I was cueing like never before, potting so confidently. I wanted to do another recording session but my camera just crashed. I'd also like to know how people plan their practice sessions, but I'll save that for another thread.

Maybe you can give me piece of advice. Thanks in advance!!

Hi Amigo,

It looks like you been in the Gym for a good work out. Hitting the balls like Arnold Shwartzneger.Little joke

1 You not aiming on the way down you aiming when already down on the shot. You must aim on the aim down than do your 1-2 feathers front pause and depends on your eyes if you need a back pause or not. If you looking at the object ball than no need for the back pause, but if you look on the cue ball than you should switch your eyes to the object ball after the front pause when pulling the cue back little back pause and final delivery. It looks like you hitting your chest every time which is good and you must concentrate to hit or stop at your chest every time you complete the shot.
2 No front pause. Front pause is vital. Back pause not necessary but if you got use to it no problem.

3 Your yes are not working in order with your feathers. You must flicking your eyes from cue ball to object ball on every shot it will help you to time the shot better.

4 Movement on the shot . You not leaning forward on the shot and it will cause you to move your head and shoulder.It could be your stance which is hard to judge from the video. Try to lean a little bit forward on the shot it will stop your upper body movement. In mined you have to say i must stay still on every shot.

5 Remember you have to play with your cue not your arm. Grip hand is to tight. No rhythm in your cueing at all as Terry mentioned feathering to fast. Try to practice in slow motion Aiming on the way down and count your feathers 1-2 front pause switching eyes to the object ball when pulling the cue back than final smooth delivery to complete the shot. Stay down on the shot until cue ball stops. It will help you to stay still on the shot and also if you miss than you can see where it gone wrong.

Go on Fergal Obrien web site for some practice session and little tips.

I also have DVD if you needed but DVD cost £150. Nick barrows 10 dvds set. It will help you with your stance and techniques.

Regards
Andrei

[quintahunter]

Fedia147:

Thanks for your message, pity I didn't read before my yesterday's season, I'll keep it mind for tomorrow.

Lately I've been working on the aiming part of the shot, as I believe is the main reason why I miss. Nowadays I don't move as much as in the video, but still can improve. Will keep an eye on my front pause too.

My new "trick" is approach the shot as if I was pro. Believe that I'm a pro, so I don't get careless in any aspect (aiming, stance, bridge, feathering, pauses, stay still). It may sound strange but it helps me to concentrate.

Big thanks to everyone, you're a good guide to keep working on the right track.