Chest contact

It has always bothered me that so many are so quick to answer with a standard answer to a question like this chest/chin thingie.

Never has the statement first been made "It depends on the shot." Just two pics of shots that there is no way to get down low for the chest/chin on the chest.

Why shots like this are not thought about when replying on how to is beyond me. Seems any good instructor would know that a shooting stance is all dependent on the the ball layout on the table.

If snooker fundamentals really don't cross over to pool, why recommend them?

Why not just state, use whatever stance is comfortable to you for the shot layout and allows you to be consistent in your stroking. Seems to fit all shots huh......

But than again I'm a banger and just spend alot of table at the table playing 14.1 or doing my 15 ball runout drill.

Sorry, but my question wasn't intended for bangers.
 
So is this how we should approach a shot?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C26wSCKev6Q&spfreload=10


It has always bothered me that so many are so quick to answer with a standard answer to a question like this chest/chin thingie.

Never has the statement first been made "It depends on the shot." Just two pics of shots that there is no way to get down low for the chest/chin on the chest.

Why shots like this are not thought about when replying on how to is beyond me. Seems any good instructor would know that a shooting stance is all dependent on the the ball layout on the table.

If snooker fundamentals really don't cross over to pool, why recommend them?

Why not just state, use whatever stance is comfortable to you for the shot layout and allows you to be consistent in your stroking. Seems to fit all shots huh......

But than again I'm a banger and just spend alot of table at the table playing 14.1 or doing my 15 ball runout drill.
 
Now I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure when the CB goes forward of the tangent line.

That's not draw.
I've just watched some of his videos...he has a like 1.5ft stop shot on the 8 and names it as a stop shot but the cue ball travels back about a balls length... Lol.

If he plans on making a cut and stunning the cue ball he is going to be way out if that's his ability on making a stop shot. How can you judge going into the pack when you cant make a 1.5ft stop shot stop dead? Posting pictures of different scenarios in 14.1 would be the least of my worries. Id be going back to basics.
 
Playing with side, or learning to naturally play with side isn't difficult. That's the main reason they don't waste time with pivot points. The pivot point for BHE is so far back on my snooker cue that if I bridged there wouldn't make an ounce of difference to my game because my accuracy of the hit would be all over the place which means either less or more side than intended...kinda makes playing with side pointless if you cant control the spin for position.

I cant say I've ever noticed any severe swiping, bit I'm sure it happens. Players are taught to cue through the ball rather than across it but players develop their own methods of doing it. I've spoken with Judd about side and he says to line up with the tip position and cue straight through. If it is true he is swiping on some shots its clear to me he doesn't know he is doing it.
What size tip do you have on your snooker cue Pidge?

I was using my 9mm thin / short brass ferrule E8B cue on the snooker table a week or so back and the pivot point was about 14.5", which is a pretty comfortable length I think. When playing softer side shots the effective pivot point can get back to awkward lengths for sure, due to the swerve. In many of these cases, I use the same bridge length and adjust the aim for the expected swerve.

If you get the chance to chat to Judd again, ask him about straight power draw back shots with reverse side. Had a perfect view of him playing one of these on my big screen a couple of weeks ago, looking straight down the camera and he aligned CCB and stroked with a lot of left and he appeared to be doing the same thing on quite a few similar shots, when camera angle was less ideal. It may be intuitive.

A lot of snooker players will tell you they use ghost ball to aim, because that's all they've really heard about, and they can visualize that it describes what they achieve, but I doubt whether many actually visualize a ghost ball, I think they can just see where the OB is going based on their alignment. In the same way, they may make some assumptions about their cuing and application of side on some shots.
 
You're finally making some sense.:) Amazing what good fundamentals and a straight stroke will do for ya. And you thought it was TOI......oh wait, that didn't exist back then.

I started a thread not too long ago titled "an easy way to improve one's game".....or something like that. It stated all you had to do was watch Ronnie O'Sullivan you-tube videos for one hour a day.

That's ridiculous.
 
Remember you are talking about a pro level player here, that has honed his skills through about 3000 hours of practice a year. :o

I've just watched some of his videos...he has a like 1.5ft stop shot on the 8 and names it as a stop shot but the cue ball travels back about a balls length... Lol.

If he plans on making a cut and stunning the cue ball he is going to be way out if that's his ability on making a stop shot. How can you judge going into the pack when you cant make a 1.5ft stop shot stop dead? Posting pictures of different scenarios in 14.1 would be the least of my worries. Id be going back to basics.
 
What size tip do you have on your snooker cue Pidge?

I was using my 9mm thin / short brass ferrule E8B cue on the snooker table a week or so back and the pivot point was about 14.5", which is a pretty comfortable length I think. When playing softer side shots the effective pivot point can get back to awkward lengths for sure, due to the swerve. In many of these cases, I use the same bridge length and adjust the aim for the expected swerve.

If you get the chance to chat to Judd again, ask him about straight power draw back shots with reverse side. Had a perfect view of him playing one of these on my big screen a couple of weeks ago, looking straight down the camera and he aligned CCB and stroked with a lot of left and he appeared to be doing the same thing on quite a few similar shots, when camera angle was less ideal. It may be intuitive.

A lot of snooker players will tell you they use ghost ball to aim, because that's all they've really heard about, and they can visualize that it describes what they achieve, but I doubt whether many actually visualize a ghost ball, I think they can just see where the OB is going based on their alignment. In the same way, they may make some assumptions about their cuing and application of side on some shots.
My cue is a Parris cue which as far as I know are not known for their low deflection properties so the pivot point should be around average. It has a 8.3mm tip, brass ferrule and is 1 piece. My natural bridge length is around 14" on most shots and BHE isn't effective. I've not actually tested its pivot length properly but I've messed around with it. I would hazard a guess that its about 19" or so if I remember rightly for firm stun shots with side.

A lot of amateur snooker players tell me they use ghost ball to aim. All the top boys ive spoken to on the subject cant explain how they pocket balls. Experience is hard to explain I guess. The same is true with Judd and how he plays some shots with side. He simply doesn't know I think. I don't think he would intentionally sweep, but memory probably tells him on certain shots he gets the best results when he does. The camera angles can be deceptive. Even if a camera angle looks perfect chances are it isn't. From playing with him every time I've seen him use side on a shot he has started with the tip to wither side of the cue ball, and not centre ball.
 
I like to get lower on the longer shots so that I have a similar visual perception

Not many pool players get right down. Earl is probably one of the best at getting as far down as possible and I've seen some shots he makes with the cue right up against his cheek. If you don't get down far enough to have the chin touching the cue can rub against the nipple or ribs...very sensitive areas and can be quite uncomfortable so players learn to avoid it. The fact a lot of pool players, especially amateurs stand very side on to the shot doesn't help getting the cue close or touching the chest.

The chest can be a hindrance to a persons cue action. You can set up with the cue on line but as you make the final drop into position you can either bring the cue to the chest which for a right hander makes your cues alignment go to the right, or drop onto the cue with the chest and push the cue outwards which for a right hander causes your cues alignment to go the the left. Then it can also cause a sweeping motion in a players cue action if the chest gets in the way.

I use the chest as an alignment aid. For a regular shot it is always touching the same part of my chest. So I instantly know if my alignment is right by how it feels on my chest. It does help to keep the cue on line when cueing, but it isn't at all necessary. I feel a lot of amateurs could benefit from having contact with the chest, but at the same time it could ruin a lot of amateurs games if its done incorrectly.

I like to develop the sensation that I'm shooting out of the center of my chest. The actually hand motion is very quick and precise, there's no need to follow though more than a few inches. I can see how the chest may be a guide for some players, especially if they developed the habit early in childhood.

Trying to develop this after years of playing would be very tough, and probably not beneficial anyway. I like to get lower on the longer shots (higher as they get closer) so that I can keep a consistent visual perception between the cue-ball and object ball.

Pidge, do you get the sensation that you're cue is shooting out of your "center" (chest or other example)? This is just mental image, however, it seems to be effective to find the visual and physical center. I'm not sure where I learned this, it may have been from the same snooker coach I worked with.
 
I did a little practicing with chest contact today on shots where you don't need to move the cue ball much, I felt lIke a snooker player how I was hitting the ball and it was very accurate.I think it might be good to practice with chest contact on hard shots where you don't need to move the cue ball around too much.
 
a great guide for masse' shots

I did a little practicing with chest contact today on shots where you don't need to move the cue ball much, I felt lIke a snooker player how I was hitting the ball and it was very accurate.I think it might be good to practice with chest contact on hard shots where you don't need to move the cue ball around too much.

The chest can be a great guide for masse' shots as well.

veriig.jpg
 
There aint nothing wrong with some good chest contact.

Of course after that last CJ post I can no longer think about pool.:)
 
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She's actually using 'The Inside Touch" technique.

I agree completely.
A little more T.O.I. on this one perhaps...:thumbup:

She's actually using 'The Inside Touch" technique ;) I was going to use that name, however the acronym may have been a "touch" risque for the pool world.

Hot-Girls-Playing-Pool-18.jpg
 
I like to develop the sensation that I'm shooting out of the center of my chest. The actually hand motion is very quick and precise, there's no need to follow though more than a few inches. I can see how the chest may be a guide for some players, especially if they developed the habit early in childhood.

Trying to develop this after years of playing would be very tough, and probably not beneficial anyway. I like to get lower on the longer shots (higher as they get closer) so that I can keep a consistent visual perception between the cue-ball and object ball.

Pidge, do you get the sensation that you're cue is shooting out of your "center" (chest or other example)? This is just mental image, however, it seems to be effective to find the visual and physical center. I'm not sure where I learned this, it may have been from the same snooker coach I worked with.
The feeling isn't in the centre of my chest, its more upper chest towards my armpit. The cue runs very close (feel-wise anyway, in actual fact the cue brushes along my chest about 2" above the nipple) my armpit. That's where I look for the feeling that says my alignment is ok.

I agree the follow through isn't necessary, well not a very long one anyway. My follow through varies with how hard I strike the ball and how far I've pulled the cue back. Generally speaking I pull back similar to Ronnie in that for 90% of shots there or thereabouts I pull the cue all the way back, using all of my bridge length. This means I have to vary my bridge length somewhat. I don't give it any thought about adjusting the length it just happens. It helps with keeping my cues delivery a consistent speed.

Do you use a closed bridge for most shots? I've found that when I use a closed bridge (which is quite rare) I have to really lengthen my bridge, or stand taller slightly to get a good view of the picture in front of me. When a longer bridge isn't possible I find my self letting my chin off the cue an inch or two so I can see enough of the cue ball and OB relationship.
 
Earl Strickland told me he had the image of the cue-ball coming back and hitting him

The feeling isn't in the centre of my chest, its more upper chest towards my armpit. The cue runs very close (feel-wise anyway, in actual fact the cue brushes along my chest about 2" above the nipple) my armpit. That's where I look for the feeling that says my alignment is ok.

I agree the follow through isn't necessary, well not a very long one anyway. My follow through varies with how hard I strike the ball and how far I've pulled the cue back. Generally speaking I pull back similar to Ronnie in that for 90% of shots there or thereabouts I pull the cue all the way back, using all of my bridge length. This means I have to vary my bridge length somewhat. I don't give it any thought about adjusting the length it just happens. It helps with keeping my cues delivery a consistent speed.

Do you use a closed bridge for most shots? I've found that when I use a closed bridge (which is quite rare) I have to really lengthen my bridge, or stand taller slightly to get a good view of the picture in front of me. When a longer bridge isn't possible I find my self letting my chin off the cue an inch or two so I can see enough of the cue ball and OB relationship.

I sometimes use a closed bridge quite a bit and other times I favor the open bridge. The only advantage with the closed bridge (imo) is it gives me a bit more control over my draw shots (do you guys call it "screw shots"?) ....besides that I could use the open bridge full time and be okay with it.

When I was referring to the sensation of "shooting out of the center of the chest" it wasn't really about the physical contact, just the visual perspective.

Earl Strickland told me he had the image of the cue-ball coming back and hitting him the forehead when he was breaking really well. This is a good one for the imagination too, the mind tends to respond better to visual images than "self talk".

Now that you mention it I believe I do stand slightly taller using the closed bridge. When I was hustling back in the 80s I had to use a variety of funky bridges to disguise my playing speed, so I'm not as particular as other players on switching back and forth.

I've also found, regarding the closed bridge that it's better to have the palm off the table playing 9-Ball and the palm (mostly) on the table playing 8-Ball. Earl and I also discussed this, and he believes the same thing, maybe even more than me.
 
The feeling isn't in the centre of my chest, its more upper chest towards my armpit. The cue runs very close (feel-wise anyway, in actual fact the cue brushes along my chest about 2" above the nipple) my armpit. That's where I look for the feeling that says my alignment is ok.

I agree the follow through isn't necessary, well not a very long one anyway. My follow through varies with how hard I strike the ball and how far I've pulled the cue back. Generally speaking I pull back similar to Ronnie in that for 90% of shots there or thereabouts I pull the cue all the way back, using all of my bridge length. This means I have to vary my bridge length somewhat. I don't give it any thought about adjusting the length it just happens. It helps with keeping my cues delivery a consistent speed.

Do you use a closed bridge for most shots? I've found that when I use a closed bridge (which is quite rare) I have to really lengthen my bridge, or stand taller slightly to get a good view of the picture in front of me. When a longer bridge isn't possible I find my self letting my chin off the cue an inch or two so I can see enough of the cue ball and OB relationship.

Ok back to pool.

I often do use my follow through length as my key thought during a shot. I do this on critical speed control shots. It is much easier to me if I associate a cueball travel distance with a follow through length rather than the speed of stroke.
 
she paused, and exclaimed "2nd wife, how many have you had???"

That girl goes beyond beautiful to just being downright sexy!

Easy now, I was just using this to illistrate the "chest/cue" contact technique (CCC).

I was talking to girl that looked a lot like Shanelle Loraine in Dallas one time and said

"you remind me of my 2nd wife" -

she paused, and exclaimed "2nd wife, how many have you had???"

"just one" :thumbup:

Needless to say that went over like a "lead balloon". LoL

'The Inside Touch is the Teacher'
 
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