As you know Pidge, not everything in pool can be described in writing, and my english is a bit weak; therefore, i opt not to go into details of the most important topic in pool, actually more for snooker than pool. Hope you will forgive me, this time. Thanks.
The Grip
- Thread starter Pidge
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As you know Pidge, not everything in pool can be described in writing, and my english is a bit weak; therefore, i opt not to go into details of the most important topic in pool, actually more for snooker than pool. Hope you will forgive me, this time. Thanks.
I can assure you, grip transition timing, what ever magical and mystical secret it may be, is not the most important thing in snooker.
As we all know, the most important aspect of snooker is getting the waistcoat to match the trousers.
Pidge, i did not say secret, some people know it ( i know one of the top snooker players know it), some know it but do not know how to use it, some are using it intermittently, but do not know exactly what it is they are doing therefore, lack consistency, some never heard of it. Is that the definition of secret!
No, no, you're right. That doesn't sound at all like the definition of a secret. Sounds like you want me to solve a riddle though, so I'll have a go...
...is it a toaster? I bet its a toaster. I'm right, aren't it!
LOL , only for improved accuracy and consistency, mainly snooker. It is none of what has been stated on this thread so far, unfortunately.
Is it possible that certain grips or grip techniques encourage a straighter stroke and less wrist curl ?
What about grip pressure and maintaining the same pressure ? I can hit soft shots with a very soft grip pressure, but on stronger shots I need to hold it tighter or the cue will fly out or I will grab the cue on the forward stroke which is not good.
What about grip pressure and maintaining the same pressure ? I can hit soft shots with a very soft grip pressure, but on stronger shots I need to hold it tighter or the cue will fly out or I will grab the cue on the forward stroke which is not good.
It depends massively on the person for your first question. There is no 1 grip fits all I'm afraid. What works for me may not work for you as far as enabling you to keep a steady wrist.
Grip pressure is a subject I enjoy. Again, there is no right or wrong grip pressure. Some hold it loose, some strangle the cue. However, one thing that is important is keeping the same grip pressure throughout the shot. Don't clench tighter as you move the cue forward to hit the shot. That will cause the tip to deviate off the path you had in your practice strokes. For me, I have a loose grip generally, but if I have to hit a shot hard I will increase my grip pressure. What I do is though I use the practice strokes with the tighter grip and this allows me to practice stroking straight with it so there is no need to clench the grip when I go to hit the cue ball. What ever you do, don't start with a loose grip and end with a tight one. Try keeping the pressure consistent throughout.
IMO, every step in pool we do 100% correct reduce the error rate of sending the cue ball 100% to where intended; with pocket size and pocket shape in pool large, the error tolerance (ET) becomes slightly larger than snooker ET. So short range shots usually gets pocketed with high error rate.
But on very long and hard cuts, key shots in pool, and slightly off angle shots in snooker ET becomes a problem and one of the vital factor is the correct grip, grip pressure, and timing.
But there isn't a 100% correct way to grip the cue, nor is their a 100% correct grip pressure. Everyone is different, so there is no one size fits all in pool for the grip.
FYI, for those interested, generally recommended "best practices" concerning the grip can be found here along with a video demonstration:
grip "best practices" technique advice
Enjoy,
Dave
grip "best practices" technique advice
Enjoy,
Dave
Sorry Dr. Dave, what is illustrated is not the optimum way, it will work for 85-90% of pool shots. I do agree on your statement in the vid, Grip are most important!
Pidge, you said "But there isn't a 100% correct way to grip the cue, nor is their a 100% correct grip pressure"
Sorry Pidge, you are wrong, especially if you play snooker!
Sorry Dr. Dave. I have stated in earlier posts in this thread, that i wish not to write about this topic. Only reason is it is hard to explain in writing, and will lack the time to respond to questions.
Thanks for understanding.
Its ok Naji, I understand. I've made 147s with several different grips, grip pressures and fundamentals throughout my time playing snooker, but if you say I'm wrong, I must be.
Pidge, i did not say you cannot play, pool and snooker all about position play, you must be a great position player where all your shots are made with ease, and less demand for accuracy, with occasional difficulty. Actually that is what differentiate good players from best for the long run.
My statements deal with making difficult long shots, off angle shots more consistently, demands high cuing accuracy, and optimum grip method is required, at times high aiming accuracy could suffices if focus power is available.
Are we friends now!
We were never not friends Naji
friends can have disagreements from time to time. My point is, you can ask anyone on the snooker world about the grip and not one will say there is a right way to grip. As far as long cut shots go, it is more about cue delivery and sighting abilities rather than the ability to have a super awesome grip. If you focus on delivering the cue straight and to your target then the grip will adjust to allow this without you having to think about it. I'm not saying it isn't important to have a decent grip, I'm just saying the less you think about it, the more you will gain.
Pool and snooker all about position play, you must be a great position player where all your shots are made with ease, and less demand for accuracy, with occasional difficulty. Actually that is what differentiate good players from best for the long run.
Making difficult long shots, off angle shots more consistently, demands high cuing accuracy, and optimum grip method is required, at times high aiming accuracy could suffices if focus power is available
You need to stop and ask yourself why the best players un the world have such fantastic positional play. Its because they have the ability to hit the cue ball exactly where they want with the utmost consistency. They have this phenomenal accuracy with a variety of grips, stances, cue actions and bridges. To say there is only one way is false. Perhaps there is only one way for you, but not for everyone else.
I do look forward to hearing your method on the grip. You never know Naji, it could not only help us pool players but it could go global and across all fields. If people knew this way of holding something they could chop carrots quicker, dice unions faster, hit a tennis ball harder, drive a golf ball more accurately, hammer nails dead straight, cast a fishing rod to that one spot where no one can reach where all the prize carp like to hang out. Jeez, the possibilities are endless Naji! So please, get this stuff either written down on a hard back and on the shelves, or make it available as a download ASAP!!
If your want to understand the grip, go to a pro event and Just watch their back hands. I did this in the early 80's as I knew I had a problem and had put it off too long. Watch the pros. I attended a Camel Pro event in Denver and videoed every players grip during shot execution. I just found the norm and let my hand do what it does naturally. What happen was the best. My percentage of making spot shots rose dramatically, and I was able to play 30 hours a week and improve, whereas I had to play 45 + hours a week to keep me where I was at as I was unable to keep improving with my old grip.
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