Topic: learning the snake

[Old Meister]

I never saw a shot that I didn't learn back in the day, even invented a few, but this snake shot is giving me fits. I can't wrap my mind around how you can put enough pressure on the ball so that you can cause enough lateral movement but then still come around on it without a hitch in the movement. I recently got DSL(finally) and now can watch those who use the Snake exclusively. Yep, I agree it is an impressive way to play. It replaces my pin pull and pin reversal push in a way that seems much more immediate but in trying the shot it seems like that pressure/opposite pressure thing escapes me.. Any thoughts?

[B,inSA]

i dont think you really "get it" untill one day it just clicks. ive thing been messin with this  thing fer months and just cant get the motions. i can master the motions individualy but not the single motion itself. if that makes any sense. i feel lucky though because i have not seen or stumbled upon but a few of you old-schoolers shots. the other day on youtube i found a vid of this guy doin a shot and just killin the ball. everyone gave good comments and thats not always the case on youtube. Anyway, its a pull with the far 2 man . this guy was starting all the way against the far wall and pullin it just as far as you possibly could and hammerin it home. im proud to say it took me about 30 times before it looked sweet and i hope to include it in my arsenal. against my competion , my push with close 2 man rod is very frustrating to many. i really dont think they believe that im hitting holes that im finding. welp if you guys ever wanna let me know about some shots, shoot. also what do you think this newest shot im doin will set up? Thx,    B

[Billings Semi-pro]

OM,

When you come to Billings I will spend some time with ya on the roller.  I shoot the snake and front pin as my "A" game.  First, try practicing the laterial pitch, slowly, over and over, and little by little start increasing your speed.  After awhile you will get it. 

B,inSA,

Set the ball up as close to the far wall as possible on the 2 bar and pull the ball past the reach of the center man on the opposing 3 bar and brush the ball up with the near wall man on the two bar.  There are many options with this.  Short pull, straight pass, angle/chip set shot, middle pull, long pull, pull into a sling-shot, pull into a push kick, and the list goes on. 

[B,inSA]

B Semi pro, thanks man but i got  lost on the " brush the ball up with the near man" part. i like the idea of settin it up for a pull to push kick. that sounds sick. also what is a sling shot? is it similar to a whip? cause i dont really know what a whip is, but i think its when you let the ball roll away from ya a little on push er somethin

[chance37]

go to you tube and type in rob atha....he has a video of a slingshot from the 2 and 3 bar and its SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!But the idea is to hit the ball just as it comes off the wall.....just watch the video itll show you

[bbtuna]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xvJBMTnykpI

rob atha showing the sling shot

[Billings Semi-pro]

B,inSA,

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xvJBMTnykpI

Watch the video.  Now imagine you have the ball on the 2bar and it is set up in the pull position as close to the far wall as possible.  From a set position, pull the ball into one of the many options open in the opposing defense.   Short pull, straight pass, angle/chip set shot, middle pull, long pull, pull into a sling-shot, pull into a push kick, and the list goes on.  I try to copy Rob Atha's 2bar tic tac style slingshot every once and awhile.  It is a nasty shot.  

The pressure on the ball is important to help with the pitch of the ball.  Practice rocking the ball with your wrist.  I would practice controling the ball in the front pin position by tapping on the ball and walking the ball.  The ball can't be to far back in the front pin position or you could squirt it backwards when trying to shoot the roller.  

[B,inSA]

wow, thx B S-P . i been practicin' for the last 2 and a half hours. i didnt even realize that i missed the first hour o' the Spurs game. So it was a great practice session(alone). i got that fist pull goin' and i checked out the vid and got the sling-shot. Damn, words cannot describe the strides i make , 2-3 hours at a time. thats how i improve ,2-3 hours at a time every few months. and i play all the time, but i just am not foos knowledgeable. i see or hear yall talkin bout somethin er find somethin on youtube , and its like " why didnt i think if that" . so keep it comin guys, help me improve........ and one day ill "see ya across the table"       B

[chance37]

I think a big key is to take a day or two off every once in a while.....youll find that when you get back on the table you're much sharper after a break....Think about it athletes in any sport rest their bodies and mind....it is a vital aspect of learning.........But damn it has to be the hardest thing for me to do because every dy I get home I wanna practice....I feel like I'm never gona get to where I want if I don't play all the time....but man the feeling of taking off a few days and walking up to the table...dropping the ball...and tearing the table up is what makes me take the time to recoop........just my 2 cents

chance