BlindPlayer
05-12-2005, 03:22 PM
I'm interested in learning what other pre-match routines are being used out there other than these:
1) Checking My Alignment - Place 2 OBs 3' or 4' away aligned horizontally to the line of travel a.k.a. perpendicular. If I can hit the CB such that the 2 OBs split apart evenly then all is coming together for me. If not I must find and correct the cause.
Another is to place an OB on the end rail and from 6' or 7' distance stroke the CB against the OB and see if the CB comes straight back 'atcha' (or very very close to it).
Another is to place the CB a diamond's (DsL)length from the end rail the OB a DsL from the CB lined up as a straight in shot to the opposite corner pocket. If I can make a straight in shot down the center of the pocket that far away pretty much aimed.
I (almost always remember to ) go through these drills before a match so corrections are made before it's too late. Making corrects of this nature after the match starts is too late - but that's what some players do.
2) Checking Each Table Used in a Tourney - I check the alignment of the side rails passed the side pocket. Sometimes they're are NOT aligned which (of course) means that you can make a shot down the rail passed the side pocket in one direction but not the other.
In an 8 ball match in '93 my opponent gave me a weak break (no balls pocketed). I chose solids but stripes blocked both corner pockets at the foot rail. All the solids had to be pocketed in the corner pockets at the head rail and side pockets. One shot had to pass the side pocket from the 'kitchen' to the head rail corner pocket. Getting shape behind my balls in the 'kitchen' was a neat challenge. It was memorably the best runnout I've ever had.
3) Checking the Rails - Try bank shots on ALL 6 rails...looking for consistency. Sometimes there's a dead rail or one has just been replaced (just one) and it responds different than the other 5. It's nice to know these things ahead of time. I try soft, medium and medium-hard speeds on each rail - each table is different. If one wins and moves on to another table for the next set in a tourney - the table checks start all over again.
4) Checking Pockets - I take two balls and place them in the jaws of the pocket to check how tight/loose the pockets are and check the angle of the pocket cut. Some angle cuts mean more balls will 'jaw' in the pocket and balls must therefore be pretty much dead center and cheating the pocket then takes on a whole new meaning and I may not try it depending on distance of OB from the pocket.
5) Checking Drift - I 'slow roll' a ball towards and into each corner pocket to see if it drifts any. Sometimes a shape shot will call for a "slow roll" but if one of the quadrants of the table has a drift to it I will avoid that scenerio. Have to use medium speed or better to make sure the OB stays true.
ANY OTHER THOUGHTS?
1) Checking My Alignment - Place 2 OBs 3' or 4' away aligned horizontally to the line of travel a.k.a. perpendicular. If I can hit the CB such that the 2 OBs split apart evenly then all is coming together for me. If not I must find and correct the cause.
Another is to place an OB on the end rail and from 6' or 7' distance stroke the CB against the OB and see if the CB comes straight back 'atcha' (or very very close to it).
Another is to place the CB a diamond's (DsL)length from the end rail the OB a DsL from the CB lined up as a straight in shot to the opposite corner pocket. If I can make a straight in shot down the center of the pocket that far away pretty much aimed.
I (almost always remember to ) go through these drills before a match so corrections are made before it's too late. Making corrects of this nature after the match starts is too late - but that's what some players do.
2) Checking Each Table Used in a Tourney - I check the alignment of the side rails passed the side pocket. Sometimes they're are NOT aligned which (of course) means that you can make a shot down the rail passed the side pocket in one direction but not the other.
In an 8 ball match in '93 my opponent gave me a weak break (no balls pocketed). I chose solids but stripes blocked both corner pockets at the foot rail. All the solids had to be pocketed in the corner pockets at the head rail and side pockets. One shot had to pass the side pocket from the 'kitchen' to the head rail corner pocket. Getting shape behind my balls in the 'kitchen' was a neat challenge. It was memorably the best runnout I've ever had.
3) Checking the Rails - Try bank shots on ALL 6 rails...looking for consistency. Sometimes there's a dead rail or one has just been replaced (just one) and it responds different than the other 5. It's nice to know these things ahead of time. I try soft, medium and medium-hard speeds on each rail - each table is different. If one wins and moves on to another table for the next set in a tourney - the table checks start all over again.
4) Checking Pockets - I take two balls and place them in the jaws of the pocket to check how tight/loose the pockets are and check the angle of the pocket cut. Some angle cuts mean more balls will 'jaw' in the pocket and balls must therefore be pretty much dead center and cheating the pocket then takes on a whole new meaning and I may not try it depending on distance of OB from the pocket.
5) Checking Drift - I 'slow roll' a ball towards and into each corner pocket to see if it drifts any. Sometimes a shape shot will call for a "slow roll" but if one of the quadrants of the table has a drift to it I will avoid that scenerio. Have to use medium speed or better to make sure the OB stays true.
ANY OTHER THOUGHTS?