Critique, please...

[humperdingle]

Well, had a freak 83 on lineup today, so started filming some practice just incase it could be replicated...

It couldn't but managed a 59 in this vid, which beat my previous best of 53.

Started to go pear shaped just after 50.

I'd appreciate any critique of where i'm going wrong. I have picked up the fact my bridge hand isn't always flat on the slate when it probably should be.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4IFoO-1CZ0E

[DeanH]

In all, not bad at all
nice cue action
1. I think your bridge hand not being flat is due to the long bridge (length of cue between cue ball and bridge hand) if you reduce this distance the bridge hand may be able to lay flat.
2. (as mentioned to Canny Tim earlier ) you appear not to have a walk in to the stance, and just drop down into address position.

not that I am criticising, just make note of what I have noticed.
look forward to the TSF-coaches comments

[jrc750]

You potted some tough shots there so as long as they go in, in my opinion your technique works for you
But one thing that is glaringly obvious is, ...................................... you have too many reds above the blue spot, and none below the black spot !!!
I don't have any at all above the blue, and at least 3 below the black, starting with one closest to cushion, and try and keep the white as close as possible to the object ball, less distance to travel means more balls available to pot

[humperdingle]

In all, not bad at all
nice cue action
1. I think your bridge hand not being flat is due to the long bridge (length of cue between cue ball and bridge hand) if you reduce this distance the bridge hand may be able to lay flat.
2. (as mentioned to Canny Tim earlier ) you appear not to have a walk in to the stance, and just drop down into address position.

not that I am criticising, just make note of what I have noticed.
look forward to the TSF-coaches comments

Yes it's weird what you notice only after watching a video of yourself playing. I did try to shorten the distance between bridge and CB after this video. I think not having flat bridge hand hampers the ball control somewhat.

I'm standing where I plan to 'drop in' to the shot. Right foot is on the line of aim, left foot takes a half step in. I just can't get a consistent 'walk-in'... Just doesn't seem to work for me.

Thanks for the comment

You potted some tough shots there so as long as they go in, in my opinion your technique works for you
But one thing that is glaringly obvious is, ...................................... you have too many reds above the blue spot, and none below the black spot !!!
I don't have any at all above the blue, and at least 3 below the black, starting with one closest to cushion, and try and keep the white as close as possible to the object ball, less distance to travel means more balls available to pot

Thanks - this is one of my lineup layouts. I use different ones through a session - sometimes only black, pink and a few reds, sometimes just reds, etc. I like this particular one as it has 4, 5, 6 reds and encourages me to use the whole table.

[Terry Davidson]

Not enough shots from the yellow side of the table so I can see what's happening with the grip forearm and hand. Otherwise, I would agree with shortening the amount of cue you have over the 'V' of the bridge. For your height it should be around 11" to 12" but remember to bring the grip hand up on the butt the same amount so everything stays the same.

You looked like you stayed still through backswing and delivery but I'm wondering if that table is a bit slow. With the power you used on that first black and on my table the cueball would have went into the middle pocket. I also noticed another screw shot on the black where the cueball should have traveled further with the amount of power you use.

I don't think you have any serious problems outside of that bridge hand and all you need is practice to improve. I agree with using a line-up with some reds behind the black. I use the 4-6-5 myself however I think you should use the 2-6-7 set-up.

Terry

[itsnoteasy]

I like it, not much wrong there, just as others have said, cue ball control, near the end when on Cush why so hard? Did you have that power in mind before you got down, could be worth fixing the shot in your mind before you get down.
I don't think you are far away from clearing them, I can't believe your best at it was only fifty odd.

[humperdingle]

I like it, not much wrong there, just as others have said, cue ball control, near the end when on Cush why so hard? Did you have that power in mind before you got down, could be worth fixing the shot in your mind before you get down.
I don't think you are far away from clearing them, I can't believe your best at it was only fifty odd.

On the missed red? I think it was a tougher shot than the camera angle suggests, but still managed to fluff it by a few inches. Probably caught in two minds on very soft or very hard and went somewhere between lol (semi? )

[itsnoteasy]

On the missed red? I think it was a tougher shot than the camera angle suggests, but still managed to fluff it by a few inches. Probably caught in two minds on very soft or very hard and went somewhere between lol (semi? )

No the green off the Cush before the missed red off the Cush lol. A quarter of that power and you are nicely on a red to middle or even top bag.

[j6uk]

Nice one, keep up the good work!

I like what terry said and would try being tidier by, laying out your balls with care

Look into cueing a bit closer to the white and you might want to develop a 'bouncing ball cue action' mantra..

[humperdingle]

No the green off the Cush before the missed red off the Cush lol. A quarter of that power and you are nicely on a red to middle or even top bag.

Aah yeh, played with way too much top, too. I think in the back of my mind, I was thinking 'end of break', which never helps.

[humperdingle]

Not enough shots from the yellow side of the table so I can see what's happening with the grip forearm and hand. Otherwise, I would agree with shortening the amount of cue you have over the 'V' of the bridge. For your height it should be around 11" to 12" but remember to bring the grip hand up on the butt the same amount so everything stays the same.

You looked like you stayed still through backswing and delivery but I'm wondering if that table is a bit slow. With the power you used on that first black and on my table the cueball would have went into the middle pocket. I also noticed another screw shot on the black where the cueball should have traveled further with the amount of power you use.

I don't think you have any serious problems outside of that bridge hand and all you need is practice to improve. I agree with using a line-up with some reds behind the black. I use the 4-6-5 myself however I think you should use the 2-6-7 set-up.

Terry

This particular table was recovered a couple of months ago, so is fairly slow.

Yep, i'll try different layouts next time. Maybe use a tripod so I don't have to wedge the iphone behind a picture frame

[magicman]

The idea of a table being recovered and then being slow - bizarre!! The whole point of a new cloth is beautiful playing conditions, and if the only criteria chosen by the club is for the table cloth to last for as long as possible by being a thick as a towel then you're playing in the wrong club!

As for your style - the 'floating hand' and huge over-hang of cue are immediately obvious. Bring your bridge hand in much closer and get your hand on the table! On the plus side, you stay very still and most of the time you cue through the ball pretty smoothly

[humperdingle]

The idea of a table being recovered and then being slow - bizarre!! The whole point of a new cloth is beautiful playing conditions, and if the only criteria chosen by the club is for the table cloth to last for as long as possible by being a thick as a towel then you're playing in the wrong club!

As for your style - the 'floating hand' and huge over-hang of cue are immediately obvious. Bring your bridge hand in much closer and get your hand on the table! On the plus side, you stay very still and most of the time you cue through the ball pretty smoothly

Lack of clubs around these parts unfortunately!

Yeh the spider bridge needs to be banished except where required!

[chrissmall147]

Hi humperdingle

Heres my list

1 tip too far away from cue ball in the address position and when cueing. Tip should be roughly quarter of an inch away from cue ball in address position and when feathering.

2 bridge hand too far away from cue ball. Ideal distance is one hand away. From this position you can play any shot you want from low to high power. No matter what shot you play your hand is in the same position at all times.

3 bridge hand must be flat on the table. Grip the cloth with pinkie tip forefinger tip and pads of the hand for a rock solid bridge. The
Way you have the bridge its very difficult to keep it stable and any movement and the cue goes of line.

4 this is me just being pernickety but stay down on the shot until the ball has disappeared. You get up a tiny bit early.

5 youre feathers are far too long. Shorten them a bit and you will feel more in control of the shot. Plus the longer the feathers more chance of the cue not going back and forward in a straight line. Everyone has personal choice for length of feathers but again your feathers are too long.

6 just moving the bridge hand closer in will give you more control and you will be more compact. This will automatically bring the tip closer to the cue ball and will also cut down the length of your feathers for you. So correcting one thing can also correct a couple of other things too.

7 last thing, just something for you to keep an eye on. Im sure I noticed your elbow dropping very early on a couple of shots and there is no need on low and medium power shots. Let acceleration dictate the follow through. Good luck mate.

Cheers Chris small

[humperdingle]

Hi humperdingle

Heres my list

1 tip too far away from cue ball in the address position and when cueing. Tip should be roughly quarter of an inch away from cue ball in address position and when feathering.

2 bridge hand too far away from cue ball. Ideal distance is one hand away. From this position you can play any shot you want from low to high power. No matter what shot you play your hand is in the same position at all times.

3 bridge hand must be flat on the table. Grip the cloth with pinkie tip forefinger tip and pads of the hand for a rock solid bridge. The
Way you have the bridge its very difficult to keep it stable and any movement and the cue goes of line.

4 this is me just being pernickety but stay down on the shot until the ball has disappeared. You get up a tiny bit early.

5 youre feathers are far too long. Shorten them a bit and you will feel more in control of the shot. Plus the longer the feathers more chance of the cue not going back and forward in a straight line. Everyone has personal choice for length of feathers but again your feathers are too long.

6 just moving the bridge hand closer in will give you more control and you will be more compact. This will automatically bring the tip closer to the cue ball and will also cut down the length of your feathers for you. So correcting one thing can also correct a couple of other things too.

7 last thing, just something for you to keep an eye on. Im sure I noticed your elbow dropping very early on a couple of shots and there is no need on low and medium power shots. Let acceleration dictate the follow through. Good luck mate.

Cheers Chris small

Thanks, appreciate that.

I'm going to try another vid on Monday, hopefully eradicating the bridgehand issues, which seems to be the common issue... Maybe burst the 83

Regarding the dropped elbow, I find myself doing this on slow, straight shots when CB is close to cushion.