Camcorders and Practice by Dominator and others
DJ Posts
I set up my DV camera for a short time during my practice, and I was amazed at how valuable it was to see myself throw.
I hooked the camera up to my Mac and used iMovie to step through it frame by frame. I could see that the dice were not parallel to the table at the low point of my throw, and had a good look at my lag/lead situation. Now I just have to figure out how to make adjustments!
Has anyone else (outside of Sharpshooter) done this? Any suggested camera angles or other video techniques? I shot from behind my throw station, toward the receiving station. Need better lighting.
Dominator responds
My suggestion is take one problem at a time and try to correct it. Don’t try to do too much at the same time. Your muscle memory will go on over load
Dominator
DJ responds
Thanks Dom,
I’ve been practicing very regularly since the June AC course, and I find myself hitting some issues (most in practice, some at tables).
1. Consistency: I can have some good streaks of 15+, but very few on axis hits. One or the other of the dice goes 1 or 6 (hardway set).
When I do have one that leaves my hand, flies right, bounces right, it almost always seems to be a 5-2 or 4-3.
2. I see that the dice are splitting, crossing, and running when they land, but have trouble making the right adjustment.
3. I’m somewhat concerned about some pain in my thumb and wrist since I’ve been throwing alot. I’ve cut back and started using a squeeze ball, but it’s too early to tell if it helps.
I know this is alot, but I’m interested in any comments anyone has on these items.
Thanks,
DJ
Dominator responds
Hi DJ,
First your problems and feelings are what most controlled shooters go thru at the beginning. You have taken great strides DJ, since the AC class. I will try to answer your points below. And everyone, this is a good excersise for anyone that is having problems. You questions will be answered on this board.
1. Consistency: I can have some good streaks of 15+, but very few on axis hits. One or the other of the dice goes 1 or 6 (hardway set).
When I do have one that leaves my hand, flies right, bounces right, it almost always seems to be a 5-2 or 4-3.
Dom:
Consistency is the biggest thing that we must attain with our controlled shooting. It is where it all begins. This part of your questions has many different points to them. First guys and gals, get it out of your mind that every toss has to be on axis! I hear so much about "On Axis". Tiger Woods doesn’t shot a perfect shot all the time either, but he makes enough GOOD shots to win tournaments. Off axis with the hardway set and not showing a seven is a GOOD shot. The important thing is NOT TO MAKE A SEVEN. That is what we are all trying to accomplish. Now off axis shots or secondary hits, is what the hardway set is all about. If most of you numbers have a 6 or 1 in them and you are using he hardway set, then you are not on axis with most of your throws and you should continue to use the hardway set.
Not being on axis with the hardway set, that is you not hitting many hardways, most generally means that you toss is too hard at the landing spot. Try to soften your toss.
The double pitch seven outs with the hardway set, usually means that your fingers are not straight across the dice. Check to make sure that they are. The other reason for a double pitch seven is how tightly you are holding the dice. Make sure, that you grip on the dice with your fingers is soft, just enough to hold them up. Now, when you are hitting many hardways, and I mean after after about 6 months of practising, and your seven outs are double pitches, then I would move to the three V set.
2. I see that the dice are splitting, crossing, and running when they land, but have trouble making the right adjustment.
DJ, all these problems are grip problems. Lay a mirror on it angle on your throwing station and:
1. Make sure your fingers are square across. The slightest bit off will cause problems
2. Make sure you have equal pressure on both dice. If they aren’t this will cause crossing over. Your index finger and your thumb should have equal pressure on the dice and your index and ring finger should be used as a guide, or as Frank says, the wings of a plane, to guide the dice in air.
3. Make sure your landing is soft. I will say this again only this time I am going to yell, MAKE SURE YOUR LANDING IS SOFT! A hard landing will cause the dice to go all over the place and cause you problems
3. I’m somewhat concerned about some pain in my thumb and wrist since I’ve been throwing alot. I’ve cut back and started using a squeeze ball, but it’s too early to tell if it helps.
LOL…..This only means that you are practicing a lot, but it also is telling me that you are probably holding the dice way to tightly, and your wrist is to stiff. Loosen up your wrist and grip!
Hope this helps you and everyone else. Print this out and refer to it during practice. Remember that I want you to perform at the tables as you do in practice, so practice is important. Do it right!
Dominator
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