Question:
I've been actively playing and progressing in my game for eight
years. Right now, I'm fine-tuning my game aspiring to make it into
the pro ranks, but my stroke has gotten away from me the last couple
months. My upper arm is dropping on my back swing when it used to
be level. I can still run tables, but the motion is causing comments
from other players and is concerning to me. My question is: Is it
OK to move your upper arm during your practice strokes? Help, please!!
Answer:
NO, NO, and for sure NO!!! You do not want to move your upper arm
when stroking through a ball. My question to you is – how
do you know you are moving your arm up and down? Are you videotaping
yourself? Or can feel/see the movement or is a friend just telling
you so? Either way it is important to fix problems when they arise.
I suggest next time you’re in the pool hall practice stroking
along the felt line of pool table rail. Make sure that your cue
is following the line of the felt straight and fluid- not with a
seesaw / side-to-side motion.
Listen, many moons ago, my long time coach tried to adjust my slip
stroke… he actually tried to force me to not slip and it really
messed up my game for a while. Usually, the reasons for mechanical
problems are because your body is compensating for other problems
such as your stance. So check other mechanical issues too.
On anther note: Sometimes when you focus your attention to long
on a mechanical issue you can dwell and become obsessed with it.
Your stroke might be fine and it has just become a part of your
style and now you need to be focusing on other parts of the game.
If you get a chance to take one of my open clinics I suggest you
do so and I can check it out for myself. The next one is scheduled
for June 12th at the Wynkoop and you can get more information on
my website at www.melissalittle.com
Best of luck to you,
Viper
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