LOL.... Sometimes it's best for RU-vidrs to shut up and show the viewers. Occasionally I get sick of my own voice and everyone else's..... so what's the sense in dealing with that when the video says it all? Have a good weekend.
Hi Roy... I'm glad I was able to help you and push you past this issue. I know how frustrating it can be but ultimately it shows how important it is to you and how serious you take the game, which is "what it takes." Peace!
Awesome vid JD , explains clearly on why We have to keep the elbow high. Shows where that snap or natural follow through. I dont know if instructors dont understand or they keep it as secret. They kust say follow. Butvthe wrong way is follow too. Thanks very much JD. Very unselfish of you.
Thank you, Badjal. Any legit instructor knows this but it's not spoken often for some reason. Problem is: some instructors aren't legit and can't beat anyone who can play. My agenda here is truly to help players who might be struggling. I would have no reason to keep anything from anyone. My life is an open book and if I can't make things a little easier than I had it I'm gonna do it. Peace
The Philippine order of the confusing stroke will not take too kindly to Mr. Disque revealing their secrets…I on the other hand really appreciate the content. thank you John.
LOL... They're most often very nice people and I'm sure they'll be OK. Did you know you can get a very nice hotel room in the Philippines for $10 a day? Id really like to get there and just experience the culture.
I don't think that is the reason they do that, any decent player knows what english you need to put on the ball. It is simple after a while, but execution, on the otherhand can be a problem
@@JohnDisque I live here. Trust me, you are not going to get a "very nice hotel room" for 530 pesos, which is about what $10 is worth right now. But you are going to meet a lot of nice people, albeit a little backwards, and you are going to find a lot of really good players that no one has heard of outside the Philippines.
I often re-watch your videos. I don't know what it is but I am drawn to your style and vibe. Glad I found you on here JD! You r doing hreat things goe the gane and your fans love you. Something to be Proud Of!
John u got me again... i really need to look at this move.... seeing the line on your elbow gave me my mental picture. This could be my killer..... Thanks again for your no nonsense presentation through your own experiences.... vince
Hi Vince, Keeping your elbow up through the stroke is going to feel awkward to you at first - stick with it and it'll get easier. If you are dropping your elbow and shoulder you can still play good but you're not going to progress to a consistent, straight stroke and therefore you'll be limited. Let me know how it goes. Peace
Hi John, I’ve been watching your pool videos for about 3 months and I believe you have help my game a lot in just that short time. Thank you. I’m not a real good player, but I’m a B player and it’s tuff to find a good person to help you to get better, I would like to make it to a A player if possible and with your help I think I can do it, I practice about 4 hours a day (in 2 hr session) Thank you for your help.
Hi Billy. Happy new year. I'm a little late here but welcome to the family. It's you that has to do all the work. My job is to just keep you focused and going in the right direction. There's no doubt in my mind that you'll make it to the A-level and beyond. The key is continually progressing, learning and challenging yourself. I'll be here cheering you on when you win and picking you up when you fall. I didn't have that so I decided to be what I wish someone else was. You got this! Peace
Hey - He might do that! I'll ask him to commentate and I bet he does it. He's not camera-shy. You're not the first person to be uncomfortable with James. I had a real problem with him for a long time...., but he kind of grows on you.
This is a very interesting video for me, because I realized my entire stroke has my elbow very low, start to finish. The good news is, it keeps my cue very level, but it got me wondering why all the pros seem to have their elbows well above their heads. Then I thought, "Maybe if I elevate my elbow, my follow through will improve, because the tip will tend to seek out the cloth?" So now I'm experimenting. Thanks for posting this!
Hi Gary, The lower part of the arm should just kind of hang like a swing-set and the muscles of your shoulder are kind of holding everything up. When it's pulled back the weight of the swing, or whatever is sitting on the swing does all the rest of the work naturally. If you ever heard someone say "let the cue-stick do the work" this is what they're referring to. The follow-through becomes natural and if you're forcing the stroke forward it's too easy to go off line or twist your wrist or try to help the stroke by using other muscles in your wrist and arm, which is impossible to maintain consistently. The problem is: many player drop the elbow at the split second before hitting the cue ball. Because you haven't been doing all this... it's going to be hard to make it a habit... but stick with it and you'll see your game improve once it is a habit. Peace
@@JohnDisque I was at 8 Ball league tonight, fighting my stroke - all herky-jerky. Then I remembered your description of how the stroke should work, and started focusing on letting the cue do the work. Ended up shooting pretty decently, once I made that adjustment. Thanks again!
@@JohnDisqueone thing that has helped me straighten my stroke with less effort is, while keeping the elbow up, to think of pulling the elbow straight *back* or rearward of the cue ball, like a bow string pull. This does mean my elbow isn’t as high as it possibly could be, but is still close to it and just as importantly it is in a dead straight line with the cue. When I combined this with your advice here keeping the elbow up high, my swing very naturally became a straight pendulum as if swinging on a hinge. In fact I find when I think of it this way I naturally have less vertical movement of the elbow during the stroke (elbow stays more vertically fixed) than when I was just focused on keeping it “up”. It seems to help me lock up the shoulder/upper arm/elbow in place where they need to be. May just be me and this is in no way contradictory to your excellent fundamental point here. I just found that small refinement useful. Love and light!
True! Start with the elbow higher. Then some elbow drop is not a big deal. There are numerous instructors, and clowns on RU-vid, that say you can't be a good shot maker with an elbow drop! Tell that to Fedor Gorst and many top European players. You seem like a pretty damn good player and you have a very noticeable elbow drop. Yes, start with the elbow elevated. I had a problem with starting with my elbow too low and just figured this out about two weeks ago - after years of playing. In the last two weeks I have beaten more good players than ever before by just starting with a higher elbow position. Makes a big difference. My elbow drops but AFTER I have done through the cue ball.
Hi James, Ultimately it's all about what works for you. We all have different muscle structure and density, bone structure and body shapes. Some players have a longer extension and if you really study their stoke you can see that a premature elbow drop would destroy their stroke. It would be unnatural not to drop your elbow at all throughout the whole stroke and follow through but the timing of the drop is crucial and should be after contact with the cue ball. People will debate this forever and ultimately they're going to conclude that every player is different. Peace
Hey man , really appreciate your down to earth NC style… one question I’ve never seen addressed: local pool bar league guys - Always emphasize to keep the cue as horizontal/parallel & entire cue close to the cloth as possible--but if keeping elbow high- this seems almost impossible to do ? (Or maybe cuz I’m nearly 6’2” and need to get down further?) Anyhow, you-and notably Max Eberle- seem to be shooting w cue held in a 10+ degree angle.. I saw a draw video by max whom even said on a draw shot it is misconception to hold cue horizontal as close to the cloth as possible… if I understood correctly ///anyways love 4 you to clear this up John , thx
Sorry I'm way let on this reply. I thought I already took care of this. Max is right - it's a misconception. He's a great, proven instructor and a great player and he won't steer you wrong. With your elbow way up and locked it's eventually going to have to come down with your follow-through... The important thing is that it doesn't come down before the tip hits the cue-ball. That what destroys pool game. Peace
Great video brother. Well you gonna tell us if you got a date or what ? Thanks for pointing out about the elbow. I had noticed it in Efren but didn’t put it all together until you pointed it out. Thanks!
Hi Robert It turned out that the lady can play and has been around some of Kentucky's road-dogs for many years. She knows more about pool than most of today's players. In-fact I think those Kentucky guys sent her in to assess the situation... and would simply laugh when I asked her this. LOL I didn't get a date, but I made a friend. If you watch Efren's elbow in the old videos from his younger years and then watch a more recent video you'll see he adjusted a few things. Peace to you and your family and thanks for your support.
@@JohnDisque again thank you so much. I worked on my elbow position today and am trying to get a better note consistent stroke form. I truly appreciate everything that you are doing and I did have to do a flake on today so that video was an awesome one as well
@@robertmarascalco6945 Sure thing Robert.I'm glad I could help you just by pointing out this common issue with players who are struggling. All the work is up to you and it will take about 3 weeks of playing to make it a habit.
Hey! I used to rush really bad because I associated "allowing more time to negative thinking." I felt the sooner I shoot it the less time I had for negativity. I didn't realize I had the fix the negativity and was fixing the wrong thing. If you're referring to my nature and the way I speak.... I'm double checking what I'm about to say and searching for the most clear and simple way to say it. Peace
Just discovered your channel a few weeks ago and I think it's pretty dam good. Don't know if you have time to answer questions but I'll ask one anyway. I tend to have my elbow level when I get down on a shot. Your elbow looks like it's at least at 10 degrees then drops when striking the cue ball. I play bank pool very well and I hit most of my shots firm. But when not banking I have terrible speed control. Should I try lifting my elbow a bit when getting down on a shot? I realize everyone is different but i want to get better even if I'm 67. Thanks, Gary from Kentucky.
Hi Crazey, Welcome to the channel. You're right about everyone's body structure and muscle tightness being different. What works for some people doesn't work for others but the kiss of death is the tip of the cue going off-line during the stroke. You can do everything else perfect but if you're stroke is not straight it will destroy your game. I would suggest experimenting with your elbow and the tightness of your shoulder. Some guys literally flex their shoulder muscle and keep it flexed during their stroke to keep their elbow from dropping and throwing the cue-tip off line. Other guys keep it loose. No matter how old you are you can always improve your pool game. I know guys over age 80 who play like they're age 25 and are playing the best pool of their lives. Peace
Damn, you got a fan. I've been working on my stroke as well - somedays i got it, then i start messing with it and now I'm all messed up. Even my pops can beat da hell out of me now. Maybe there's a mental aspect to it as well. - or maybe that old man found his stroke. - Depressing! Aloha
Do what you have to do to get your stroke straight and consistent. I have recent videos on how to analyze your stroke and fix it. Nothing else you try is going to matter until you fix this and keep it maintained.
Great , but … I’ve been watching these Filipino money game vids w big$ at stake - & notice they do the slip shot thing , & drop the elbow all loosey gooses & snappy & never (rarely) miss ! Trying to reconcile that you know… what you think
There's more going on than you think and you're missing it because you're watching the balls. Keep your eyes on the player through the entire shot. You'll see they straighten their elbows and tighten their shoulders at the last split second. All the rest is weird, show-boating nonsense. It's not just the Filipinos that do this. SVB also has a double pump, unorthodox elbow and shoulder alignment but watch the whole thing and forget the balls. Peace
@@JohnDisque i see it now - ILLUSION-and now I see it everywhere-yes some utterly nonsense flare 🔥, smoke n mirrors and then right thru the smoke unveils a pinned high elbow smooth strait stroke - After - the audience hypnotized b4 hand - and yes elbow goes Higher so come down lower but still high (like I am right now 🤞 🎱
isn't the entire idea to have as little as elevation as possible for pin point accuracy? isn't adding more elevation also adding slight swerve to the cueball aswell, or is this not the case?
No, but that would be accurate if the cue-ball was square and you were pushing it around the table. That issue has been over-stated and exaggerated for the purpose of getting RU-vid views and to the point of newbie players being over-level where the back of their cue is lower than the front - This is because to achieve a perfectly level cue they have to drop their shoulders and they end up with pathetically weak strokes. Now there's a point where you don't want to be jacked up unless you're masseing the ball or using extreme deflection but that's a different story. Tune-in to Shane Van Boening, Josh Filler, Jayson Shaw or any other high level pro playing a match and you can easily see none of them are perfectly level. In-fact if they were level they'd be dragging their knuckles on the table every time they draw the ball. Peace
it is easier for myself to stop a cue ball and not so easy to follow both cue ball and object ball into pocket which is something i do for a drill. Anyone else subject to this??????
That's a great stroke-drill and will teach you all about what your stroke is doing and where you're actually hitting the cue ball. Just make sure it's perfectly dead-straight in. Just because we're aiming top-center doesn't mean we're hitting top center and it only takes a hair of being off to miss the scratch. ---- The mistake I see players make here is in adjusting their aim when they miss the scratch. Now they're aiming somewhere else to hit top center but that's just compensating for a flawed stroke. The key is to fix the stroke and hit the cue-ball where you're aiming it. Peace
I am working on it noticed the distance where I am from cue ball to my stance was playing into this issue but I'm experimenting with it just can't believe I never considered this before
I did. She's cool and has been around the pool scene so she has many stories about the local shortstops.... but I think one of them guys sent her in here to size me up..... or maybe I'm just being paranoid. She's cool either way.
Hi Rod, Welcome to the family.. I have a few videos on the subject you bring up but they're not endorsements. Every pool player likes different things and different tips work for different players. The best thing to do is ask to shoot a few balls with the cue of as many friends as you can gather before asking them what tip they're using and when you're done with that ask the player of the tip you like what they're using. I know great players who shoot with $70 tips and I know great players who shoot with 50-cent K-Mart tips. When I was young we had 3 choices: Triangle, Elk Master and I forget the other one. I chose Elk Master because it's super soft and I draw the ball a lot. I was never about to change it because it worked for me. Cory Deuel also uses Elk Master and also because he draws the ball a lot. Efren Reyes and a few other top pro players also use Elk Master but again - these are not endorsements - it's just what their game calls for. Peace
That's a temp wrap you can buy and put on your cue. I have them on all my cues because I like the wrap to come all the way down to the end of the butt. It's not oversized - they're the length of a standard cue-wrap although I wish they made them oversized. I'd like one that extends from the bottom of the butt to the joint. I have a video or two on installing these things. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QsCBSZUr2aI.html. Here's another one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9wRfbrzflwc.html
Your buddy there needs to learn some pool etiquette. I love technology but playing with your cell phone while your opponent is at the table is just not right. Something I have to up with these days and makes me long for the days when pool etiquette was still part of the game.
I truly miss pool etiquette too. It's one reason I stick with playing older guys. I came up in old-fashioned pool rooms that were like churches, where you didn't disrespect anything or anyone or you got thrown out. James should know this and he probably does but... you can't change this in people. I learned the hard way not to bring it up because #1 - you're never going to change it and #2 - the more they know it bothers you the more they'll do it... and word gets around at lightening speed in 2021. You either use that anger/energy to help your game and you stomp them or you just don't play them.
There's a guy in here that chalks after he misses and takes the chalk with him when he walks away. You can start playing with 10 cubes of chalk on table and within 20 minutes they'll be all gone and hidden somewhere. He's hoping to break my rhythm and force a miscue or just play bad. It's aggravating as hell and one day I blew up on him and told him to chalk before shooting but he still does it and it's as pathetic as it gets.
@@JohnDisque Check out this pool etiquette video from Dr. Dave Billiards if you haven't seen it. Pretty funny and spot on. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8UdqaV05Kuk.html
Picking up chicks is easy when you keep your elbow up.... Otherwise.... no ladies for you and you're stuck with the hairy dudes at Rita's Bikeless Biker Bar. LOL
