The crouching stance

[garczar]

I’m 6’3” and was wondering about how to use ‘back leg locked’.

Try it maybe?? Seriously, just experiment with what works and is comfortable. That back leg straight works well if you're shorter but imo if you're 5'11+ its easier to crouch somewhat. I'm 6'2" and have always kinda squatted a tad. Straight back leg never was right for me. Mosconi, btw, was a LITTLE guy. His stance is fine if you're that short.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Try it maybe?? Seriously, just experiment with what works and is comfortable. That back leg straight works well if you're shorter but imo if you're 5'11+ its easier to crouch somewhat. I'm 6'2" and have always kinda squatted a tad. Straight back leg never was right for me. Mosconi, btw, was a LITTLE guy. His stance is fine if you're that short.

I'm 6'3" and like to get as low as possible over the cue for aiming purposes. Can't do that nearly as well with a straight leg.

pj
chgo

 

[JC]

I’m 6’3” and was wondering about how to use ‘back leg locked’.

If you feel it pulling on your hamstring open your stance a little at a time by moving your front leg out until it feels good. As long as your cue is over your back foot your head will stay on the shot line regardless of where your front foot is (to a point). Look at the video I posted of the two tall guys playing on page one. The young one with the straight back leg is 6 foot 5 or 6 and has the highest fargo rating in Oregon currently. He looks very comfortable at the table.

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

I am 6 feet even.

 

[JC]

I expect to improve now even though I'm older and I am pretty happy about it. In fact I have already improved in just a couple of weeks. I guess we will see what Fargo says in a year or so. I'm a 597 today and have been right in there since I logged my first game in the system 5 years ago.

Revisited this thread. In spite of limited competition in 2020 I am a 607 today. And was on the slow and steady rise prior to everything being shut down.

 

[JessEm]

Crouching tiger, hidden dragon.

This tread brought to mind George Carlin's shtick about Coach Parcells wearing a Giants uniform.

Congrats on the improvement.

 

[maha]

the most important thing is to have a stance that is comfortable as you play pool for hours. and if not you well be worse off .

as long as you can deliver a straight stroke in line to the cueball hitting where you want it just doesnt matter.

 

[pt109]

Revisited this thread. In spite of limited competition in 2020 I am a 607 today. And was on the slow and steady rise prior to everything being shut down.

Great to see you posting, Mr Chaplin.
I’ve always used a version of Joe Davis’ boxer stance...my feet are farther apart due to my height...6 feet.

 

[ChrisinNC]

I don't know who those instructors may have been, but any qualified instructor would have instantly noticed the crouch in your stance and would have tried to stress to you the importance of attempting to change it immediately.

I can’t recall there being a name pro pool player that has a crouching stance, so there has to be a very good reason not to.

 

[JC]

I can’t recall there being a name pro pool player that has a crouching stance, so there has to be a very good reason not to.

Have a look at Earl and Shane and I personally believe Earls deep crouch is taking a toll as he ages.

 

[ChrisinNC]

Have a look at Earl and Shane and I personally believe Earls deep crouch is taking a toll as he ages.

I stand corrected from my previous post. You are right indeed - Earl does crouch.

 

[I Got Lucky]

Dr Dave does the crouch thing and it works very well for him. I can't watch his videos because of it.

 

[dr_dave]

I can’t recall there being a name pro pool player that has a crouching stance, so there has to be a very good reason not to.

Most pro pool players are very short, so there is no need for a wide or crouching stance; however, some do it. SVB has a crouch and he isn't even very tall (although, he towers over many other players).

 

[dr_dave]

Dr Dave does the crouch thing and it works very well for him. I can't watch his videos because of it.

It doesn't just "work" for me, it was necessary to eliminate the neck, back, and hamstring pain I was getting with a "textbook" pool stance. For those interested, the reasons why I crouch are described in these videos:

A proud croucher,
Dave

 

[I Got Lucky]

You don't have to explain yourself Dr Dave Everyone is entitled to find whats best for them. Keiths chicken arm stroke worked VERY well for him but was far from conventional.

 

[dr_dave]

You don't have to explain yourself Dr Dave Everyone is entitled to find whats best for them. Keiths chicken arm stroke worked VERY well for him but was far from conventional.

Are you saying my technique looks as bad as Keith's? Ouch!

Seriously though, thank you for the supportive comment.