Too much chalk?

R

Ruark

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm not a top player, just some guy who lives out on a farm and has a pool table, so forgive me if this is a dumb question.

It seems like often when I watch some pro on YouTube or TV, some of them just CONSTANTLY rechalk their cues. After EVERY single shot, no matter how light, they grab the chalk and grind the tip into it like they were drilling for oil.

It seems hard to believe that they really NEED that much chalk! Is this some kind of nervous tension thing, or do they really need to do it? Is this something the average player should emulate? Just curious, thanks.
 
Being at the pro level means that one miscue/mistake can be very costly. Sometimes it even determines whether or not you advance in a tourny or "pack your bags."

The underlying premise for this is Peace of Mind.
 
Plus, many incorporate chalking into their pre shot routine. They really aren't thinking about the chalking as much as thinking to the shot while they chalk.
 
Oh, it's just part of the game. Just like back when I played baseball...every time before I stepped into the batter's box I would smack the bottom of each shoe (cleet) before batting.
 
thekaiserman said:
Always chalk up before you miscue
Click to expand...

I suggest chalking up afterwords too.
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seven_7days said:
Being at the pro level means that one miscue/mistake can be very costly. Sometimes it even determines whether or not you advance in a tourny or "pack your bags."

The underlying premise for this is Peace of Mind.
Click to expand...

Yes, this exactly. When practicing or playing alone, I see no need to really coat a million layers of chalk. However when you play a game with someone else, forgetting to chalk and then miscuing can easily determine a win or lose... So out of experience from playing games (and losing), I guess one may develop a kind of habit for chalking, even if unnecessary. And especially professionals, since it is an income... they literally cannot afford to risk miscue.

So my answer to the question (although I do not think I am qualified to say) is to an extent, it is a nervous tension thing... puts you at ease, and in my opinion, I do not think it is necessary to chalk quite so much, but it certainly isn't a terrible habit either.
 
Most of the time you see a player chalking the cue while looking at the table, or walking around and chalking, he is thinking about the next shot and where he wants the cue ball. Also as alluded to my several it is probably part of the person's preshot routine. Though it may not be needed, chalking after every shot is not a bad idea. I have seen guys/gals lose when they missed a hanger due to a miscue. When I practice, I try to play as if in competition. If I am not chalking often enough during practice, most likely when I am mentally wrapped up in a competitive match, I'm not going to vary much from when I'm practicing. In other words, I use the same number or practice strokes, the same pause, the same grip, the same stance, chalk after every shot, and so on in practice as I do in competition so it becomes part of my routine. The last thing I want is to get in a pressure situation, and change something even if it's as small as chalking the cue or the number of practice strokes.
 
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