Is a Slip Stroke OK?

zpele

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Recently I watched my stroke in a mirror and saw that I drop my elbow so I have been working on correcting it- which incidentally has made me take two steps backwards in my potting ability.

So now that I have isolated the elbow drop I have developed a slip stroke on some shots.

It may be because before when I dropped my elbow I was stroking very far through the cueball and in order to get the same effect without dropping my elbow I have to use a slip stroke.

My question is if this is something I should correct or if it is something that is acceptable. Should I be moving my bridge hand closer to the cueball when stroking? I usually stay about 9 to 10 inches away whenever possible.
 
Recently I watched my stroke in a mirror and saw that I drop my elbow so I have been working on correcting it- which incidentally has made me take two steps backwards in my potting ability.

So now that I have isolated the elbow drop I have developed a slip stroke on some shots.

It may be because before when I dropped my elbow I was stroking very far through the cueball and in order to get the same effect without dropping my elbow I have to use a slip stroke.

My question is if this is something I should correct or if it is something that is acceptable. Should I be moving my bridge hand closer to the cueball when stroking? I usually stay about 9 to 10 inches away whenever possible.

2 things... If you were dropping the elbow because you had to to reach the cueball and you didn't address the issue when you stopped the elbow drop the slip would have evolved to compensate... As long as the drop was after contact it was not an issue... The slip is definitely before contact so I would bet the drop was a well.. Try gripping further back and your problem may go away....

There is nothing wrong with the slip stroke in that it has been used at world class levels in earlier generations... It's almost extinct now so that may be an indication that it was an evolution in mechanics that could have been fixed otherwise by fundamentals......

Shoot a video and toss it into the ask an instructor section here... I am sure you will get the answers you are looking for.. I am only guessing based upon the order of events you have described....

Chris
 
Don't see a problem either way ...

A slip-stroke is fine. You don't see it used much anymore but will work well.

There is also nothing wrong with an elbow drop (on the backstroke) if you'e pulling the cue straight back without an arc.
 
Most things "work". The problem is, that's an ambiguous standard. Work as in, capable of getting a good result? Or do you mean, work reliably under pressure? What about if you're jacked up? Do you do it then?

My philosophy is simple: What ever the top 100 people at anything do in common is a fundamental. If you deviate from that paradigm, you will work harder for equivalent performance. If that's worth it to you because you enjoy playing with a slip stroke, then yes, it "works."
 
Nothing wrong with a slip-stroke.........I've seen a few great players slip.
....for one thing, it encourages you to not death-grip the cue.

Nothing wron with dropping your elbow either.....
.....I've seen even more great players do that.
 
i dont think anything is wrong with using a slip stroke as long as you are going to use it on every single shot as part of your preshot routine.
 
OLDzilla advice !

Do what comes natural.

Think of baseball players and golfers and poolplayers.

They all finish with good contact but with many styles.

The slip stroke is kinda like a Jim Furyk appoach, a bit odd. But it can be very good !

They all try their natural approach. Results are the most important thing !

I do remember quite a few old timers that used the slip stroke perfectly.

Pat Howey being a great one !

:cool:
 
i dont think anything is wrong with using a slip stroke as long as you are going to use it on every single shot as part of your preshot routine.

What about when you're jacked up and about an inch from the OB? Or on a slight masse? Or on a jump shot? What about the break?
 
What about when you're jacked up and about an inch from the OB? Or on a slight masse? Or on a jump shot? What about the break?

I know you are quoting scotty but I say again,

do what comes natural.

These are some different situations that need different approaches.

Right tool for the right job !

Have to develope the tool, maybe on the spot !

But use a natural tool.

:cool:
 
Recently I watched my stroke in a mirror and saw that I drop my elbow so I have been working on correcting it- which incidentally has made me take two steps backwards in my potting ability.

So now that I have isolated the elbow drop I have developed a slip stroke on some shots.

It may be because before when I dropped my elbow I was stroking very far through the cueball and in order to get the same effect without dropping my elbow I have to use a slip stroke.

My question is if this is something I should correct or if it is something that is acceptable. Should I be moving my bridge hand closer to the cueball when stroking? I usually stay about 9 to 10 inches away whenever possible.



I don't know if I read this right BUT

A slip stroke is when the back hand slips backwards on the cue on the backstroke.

randyg
 
It's like this. Someone asked Jack Nicklaus about the left heel coming off the ground in the backswing. His response was this. If it comes off the ground, fine. If it does not come off the ground, fine. Just don't make it do what it is not doing naturally.

If a slip stroke comes natural to you then go with it. I have seen lot of good players do it when they get older and can't bend over as far.
 
I don't know if I read this right BUT

A slip stroke is when the back hand slips backwards on the cue on the backstroke.

randyg

That is correct. If you know any old time Memphis players, ask them about Jack Hunter. He was a master of this technique.
 
What about when you're jacked up and about an inch from the OB? Or on a slight masse? Or on a jump shot? What about the break?
well thats the reason i personally wouldnt be able to use it effectively, i need a solid routine or my game tends to go astray-and there are definitely times (like a jump shot, etc where you cant really use the slipstroke). Some people could probably use it fine, but i think if you dont consistently approach your shots relatively the same way you run the risks. I think its interesting you dont see many top players who use it, doesnt make it wrong or right but it makes you think.
 
Recently I watched my stroke in a mirror and saw that I drop my elbow so I have been working on correcting it- which incidentally has made me take two steps backwards in my potting ability.

So now that I have isolated the elbow drop I have developed a slip stroke on some shots.

It may be because before when I dropped my elbow I was stroking very far through the cueball and in order to get the same effect without dropping my elbow I have to use a slip stroke.

My question is if this is something I should correct or if it is something that is acceptable. Should I be moving my bridge hand closer to the cueball when stroking? I usually stay about 9 to 10 inches away whenever possible.

Sounds more like a release than a slip stroke. If the cue is sliding as your arm is moving forward, then it's a release and not a slip. It's not a bad thing to do, but can cause a bad habit of not following through if you're not careful.
 
Sounds more like a release than a slip stroke. If the cue is sliding as your arm is moving forward, then it's a release and not a slip. It's not a bad thing to do, but can cause a bad habit of not following through if you're not careful.

Hi Fran !

Good point, which means to me there are different types of slip strokes.

I guess the variations came from person style and doing what comes natural. :wink:

:cool:
 
Slipstroke?

Worked for Mosconi!

Bill S.


lol, I was wondering how many posts this would go before someone made this claim.

No he didn't, Bill -- numerous eye witnesses have testified, the available video reviewed, and even Bob Jewett has recanted.

Lou Figueroa
this should be good
 
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