Gripping the cue like a toothbrush?

Tried it. Didn't like it. Turned my tongue blue.

demartini rocks said:

Generally the cue is held with the thumb of the shooting hand pointing straight down to the floor when the cue tip is close to the cueball. i tried this grip but found that it to be too inconsistent for me to grasp.
So i discovered another way to grip, and that is to hold the cue like a toothbrush. the thumb is pointing towards the bristles. this grip to me is a little more steady regarding holding the cue for a straight level cuing motion.
Anybody here ever try this grip, and what did you think of it? still using it or said not for me?

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I'll give it a shot in the next few days and post the results here when done.

jimmyco said:

Tried it. Didn't like it. Turned my tongue blue.

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Wish I had your problems. Stupid thing was extended, gagged myself and threw up. Now my cue smells like vomit, any remedies?

Hits 'em Hard said:

Wish I had your problems. Stupid thing was extended, gagged myself and threw up. Now my cue smells like vomit, any remedies?

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Fasting and bleach ( lots of it )... not necessarily in that order.

Hits 'em Hard said:

Wish I had your problems. Stupid thing was extended, gagged myself and threw up. Now my cue smells like vomit, any remedies?

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Kaboom baby..... :thumbup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOmvdeNa67E

Chuck Fields said:

Kaboom baby..... :thumbup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOmvdeNa67E

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That guy sure has a f&*$%^^^&&ing filthy-a**ed potty mouth!!!

demartini rocks said:

Generally the cue is held with the thumb of the shooting hand pointing straight down to the floor when the cue tip is close to the cueball. i tried this grip but found that it to be too inconsistent for me to grasp.
So i discovered another way to grip, and that is to hold the cue like a toothbrush. the thumb is pointing towards the bristles. this grip to me is a little more steady regarding holding the cue for a straight level cuing motion.
Anybody here ever try this grip, and what did you think of it? still using it or said not for me?

Click to expand...

When I first started playing, many years ago, I used to hold my cue in the same way. That was long before I realized the benefits of having a loose grip. Now, thumb and index finger.

Try cradling the cue. For me "grip" is too tight. I don't think about anything else. YMMV

demartini rocks said:

Generally the cue is held with the thumb of the shooting hand pointing straight down to the floor when the cue tip is close to the cueball. i tried this grip but found that it to be too inconsistent for me to grasp.
So i discovered another way to grip, and that is to hold the cue like a toothbrush. the thumb is pointing towards the bristles. this grip to me is a little more steady regarding holding the cue for a straight level cuing motion.
Anybody here ever try this grip, and what did you think of it? still using it or said not for me?

Click to expand...

The whole point of your "grip" is to NOT grip the cue at all.

Your "grip" hand's primary responsibility is to simply hold the cue; just barely taught enough so you do not drop the back end of your cue to the ground. Reason being; the tighter your grip...the more likely your grip is impeding the natural motion of your stroke.

Having your thumb pointed "towards the bristles" is simply adding another piece of flesh that adds torque and inevitably impedes your stroke motion.

The beginning of your stroke typically begins with both the thumb, pointer finger and middle finger pointed directly downwards. As you progress threw you stroke; eventually your ring finger and sometimes pinky roll on to the cue as well.

If this grip isn't working or feels uncomfortable I'd consider asking a poolmate to study your pre shot approach and where your elbow is in relation to the backside of your bicep. Typically it should be parallel to the ground and form a 90 degree angle to the forearm.

Anytime you are intentionally pointing your thumb, cocking your wrist, cupping your wrist, etc there will be some muscle under tension. Your grip hand will not be relaxed. The position of my grip hand is straight down with palm inward as if you're standing with your arm hanging naturally at your side with your palm pointed inward at your leg. Now just move your thumb outward a bit to make room for the cue without changing the position of your wrist or fingers, then relax the thumb and it will naturally rest against the cue. You can experiment with what fingers cradle your cue such as just the index, index and middle, or like mine the middle and ring finger. You'll find that the more you involve the index finger the more you involve the wrist, which is fine if you want more wrist action. Different strokes for different folks as long as the wrist is straight and relaxed you can experiment with the fingers

demartini rocks said:

Generally the cue is held with the thumb of the shooting hand pointing straight down to the floor when the cue tip is close to the cueball. i tried this grip but found that it to be too inconsistent for me to grasp.
So i discovered another way to grip, and that is to hold the cue like a toothbrush. the thumb is pointing towards the bristles. this grip to me is a little more steady regarding holding the cue for a straight level cuing motion.
Anybody here ever try this grip, and what did you think of it? still using it or said not for me?

Click to expand...

I don't know about all that but I have, found late in life, that creating the right grip is probably one of the biggest and most underestimated "secrets" in pool.

Lou Figueroa

I find that if I grip the cue too tightly it makes me shake. If I play loose and light(grip), the shake goes away.

Just something I've noticed.

lfigueroa said:

I don't know about all that but I have, found late in life, that creating the right grip is probably one of the biggest and most underestimated "secrets" in pool.

Lou Figueroa

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I agree.

For me, grip plays a key role in how I play.

Different strokes for different folks, but I tend to play better with a "firm" grip on the cue. I'm not one who "cradles" or lets the cue just rest in my hand...I have a "hold" on it.

If you grip your stick to hard it might turn blue!!

This is an excerpt from my Book/dvd, "The Concise Book of Position Play," in the Fundamentals chapter.

I hope this info for help anyone that is interested.

The Grip

The proper full hand grip
The grip gives the player general control of the cue ball. Full finger grips are the most common choice among better players. The grip should rest in the palm of your hand; see Photo10, instead of lying in the player's fingers.


Photo 10

The players that use more of their wrists give more rotation to the cue as it is swung back and forth. You may want to use a finger grip when applying maximum effect to the cue ball, (the cue ball maintains spin on 3 or more cushions.) For most shots in 3 cushion billiards, (especially short-angle shots), you want to use as little wrist action as possible, for better control of the cue ball, and a consistent hit on the first ball or cushion.

The proper position of the elbow and arm at address
The proper position of the upper arm and elbow (lower arm) are the key to your stroke. All strokes are slightly different due to our different physiology, but we share the same basic fundamentals. A player's lower arm should be perpendicular to the floor and upper arm parallel to the floor, Photo 11. While stroking the cue, you will experience the wrist breaking prior to contacting the cue ball. This will bring rhythm, timing and consistency to your game.


Photo 11


Photo 12

Just at the point before contacting the cue ball, the player will have better rhythm and timing in their delivery of their cue. It's at that split second when the wrist breaks, just before contacting the cue ball, Photo12. This is the main reason why some players are able to create more effect on the cue ball than other players; fortunately, I've been one of those players that possesses this attribute.

The simple move

The last element of a proper grip is the simplest. Most average players are looking for some magical move to make just before they strike the cue ball, well; I'm here to tell you, there isn't one. It's the simple opening of the hand on the cue when swinging the cue back, Photo13, and when the cue swings forward closing the hand around the cue with all fingers, Photo14. Also the middle knuckles on the cue hand, should be pointing to the floor. This along with the arm and the elbow in the correct position when addressing the cue ball will give the player a more consistent effect on the cue ball.


Photo 13


Photo 14

mr3cushion said:

This is an excerpt from my Book/dvd, "The Concise Book of Position Play," in the Fundamentals chapter.

I hope this info for help anyone that is interested.

The Grip

The proper full hand grip
The grip gives the player general control of the cue ball. Full finger grips are the most common choice among better players. The grip should rest in the palm of your hand; see Photo10, instead of lying in the player's fingers.

View attachment 490350
Photo 10

The players that use more of their wrists give more rotation to the cue as it is swung back and forth. You may want to use a finger grip when applying maximum effect to the cue ball, (the cue ball maintains spin on 3 or more cushions.) For most shots in 3 cushion billiards, (especially short-angle shots), you want to use as little wrist action as possible, for better control of the cue ball, and a consistent hit on the first ball or cushion.

The proper position of the elbow and arm at address
The proper position of the upper arm and elbow (lower arm) are the key to your stroke. All strokes are slightly different due to our different physiology, but we share the same basic fundamentals. A player's lower arm should be perpendicular to the floor and upper arm parallel to the floor, Photo 11. While stroking the cue, you will experience the wrist breaking prior to contacting the cue ball. This will bring rhythm, timing and consistency to your game.

View attachment 490351
Photo 11

View attachment 490352
Photo 12

Just at the point before contacting the cue ball, the player will have better rhythm and timing in their delivery of their cue. It's at that split second when the wrist breaks, just before contacting the cue ball, Photo12. This is the main reason why some players are able to create more effect on the cue ball than other players; fortunately, I've been one of those players that possesses this attribute.

The simple move

The last element of a proper grip is the simplest. Most average players are looking for some magical move to make just before they strike the cue ball, well; I'm here to tell you, there isn't one. It's the simple opening of the hand on the cue when swinging the cue back, Photo13, and when the cue swings forward closing the hand around the cue with all fingers, Photo14. Also the middle knuckles on the cue hand, should be pointing to the floor. This along with the arm and the elbow in the correct position when addressing the cue ball will give the player a more consistent effect on the cue ball.

View attachment 490356
Photo 13

View attachment 490355
Photo 14

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This is a great post.

The only thing I would add is the palm of the hand is used to feel the cue ball thru the stick. The lighter you feel the cue in your grip hand palm the better you can feel the QB.

Also, one or two of your fingers, be it the index, middle, or ring can be used as a trigger to get the cue moving forward. Once the cue is moving forward the lower bicep muscle will finish pulling the lower arm to the closed position.

Thanks for the post.

John

dbgordie said:

I find that if I grip the cue too tightly it makes me shake. If I play loose and light(grip), the shake goes away.

Just something I've noticed.

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Several years back at the US One Pocket Open, I had the opportunity to play a match on the TAR table. I won the match and afterwards one of the commentators came out of the booth and complimented my play. It was Jeremy Jones. (Somewhat amusingly, BI also complimented my play after the match.) You can read the whole thing here: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=232135

Anywhos, afterwards, Jeremy Jones congratulates me saying, “Nice shooting. You only flinched twice.” And I said, “I know exactly the two shots you’re talking about. I was holding my cue too tight and I figured that out and relaxed my grip it was all OK again.” And he replied, “Right. Too tight a grip makes you too quick.”

Lou Figueroa

demartini rocks said:

Generally the cue is held with the thumb of the shooting hand pointing straight down to the floor when the cue tip is close to the cueball. i tried this grip but found that it to be too inconsistent for me to grasp.
So i discovered another way to grip, and that is to hold the cue like a toothbrush. the thumb is pointing towards the bristles. this grip to me is a little more steady regarding holding the cue for a straight level cuing motion.
Anybody here ever try this grip, and what did you think of it? still using it or said not for me?

Click to expand...

The only part of your thumb that should be touching the butt of your cue is the inner side of your thumb.
Your thumb print should never be on the cue - as that would limit you being able to pronate your wrist properly, on your backstroke and even more importantly on your follow through.