Why do pros rarely use the dart stroke for jump shots?
- Thread starter newcuer
- Start date
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
Because dart jumps are lame... (and for short people
) - I have used a 'dart' style only when reaching at length. I played a shot not long ago, body length rested on the rail of the table, bridging over a ball, and making quite an elevated jump to make a shot in the top corner. Was 'Kung-fu-esque' Besides this, I'd never use that style, nor do I remember using it. I have a video of it, but not sure how to share here, as I don't use the 'Tube of You' (maybe can screenshot in a sequence If I find it)I play with an older guy who is quite short, and he can't get the angle required cueing across his chest, or with a high, straight elbow. He darts fairly competently though.
I also had wondered why a majority of players are cueing across the chest when jumping, rather than keeping their elbow tall and straight (turned out, a lot of them are shorter than I'd imagined when watching on a screen lol). But also, having spoken to a couple of people who do this, the wrist action for shorter and higher jumps can be emphasized in this position in a more natural way. I play jumps with a high straight elbow, and do see their point. Some of the very best jumpers in the world are using this method, and despite being confident in making a high percentage of jump shots where I am aiming to pot, I am not on the same planet as those guys.
I watched Fu Jian Bo on the table next to me in a tournament once, and he was jumping with insane control. Spin, swerve, you name it. He also used a dedicated jumper, and on occasion his break cue. Only one shot he cued across his chest, and he was using his jump cue elevated at an 'extreme' angle. But the majority of shots were played with a high, straight elbow. which is what I decided to practice and have had decent success with. In fact, before watching him, It was my first couple of months switching to pool from snooker, and I was very much in the 'No jump' camp, and was content not to bother with them. Now, I am very much of the opposite opinion, and am probably a little too 'jump happy'
Last edited:
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
Maybe not lying fully on the rail as I remembered
2 rails and position on the 9. Ran out from here. I think if the CB was not so close to the 10, I would have come from the side. I chose the dart because from this position it was otherwise impossible to get the elevated angle required.
I can’t speak for the pros but for me it is far less accurate.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your insurance covers race change? WTF??View attachment 753056View attachment 753057View attachment 753058View attachment 753059View attachment 753060
Maybe not lying fully on the rail as I remembered
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
People from places living in places that are not the place that is the place they are from lol
That's an ignorant remark. I didn't bother to read further.
There's a time and place for everything. Not many people have seen Efren jump. I have, It was perfect. Like A dart.
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
"Because dart jumps are lame... (and for short peopleThat's an ignorant remark. I didn't bother to read further.
There's a time and place for everything. Not many people have seen Efren jump. I have, It was perfect. Like A dart.
)"It's in jest. I literally have 0.001% uses for a dart jump, as described above.
I think I have possibly played two in the entire time I have played pool. Shots like that posted above, which I probably wouldn't opt for in serious matchplay. Making it irrelevant (and 'lame' by definition of the word, to me and my game).
I wonder why Efren rarely jumps? Probably multiple factors relating to comfort, not that he can't. If I was short and needing to perform dart style jumps, I'd probably choose to kick a lot more too.
I think my other thoughts are valid enough, even if the first comment bothered you (it wasn't meant to
)
Efren rarely jumps because he doesn't have to. His kicking skills provide better options. Putting whitey in the air has its hazards. My 8 ball airborne effort last night demonstrated that hazard oh too well. Jumping to make the 8 and have it get both points and go in another hole.
The crowd went wild. 
Before jump cues were everywhere it was common (at least in the non-pro circles I played in) to use just your shaft for jumping - a dart stroke was more feasible because the shaft's too short for a normal stroke.
pj
chgo
pj
chgo
Sorcery I tell you...
I still do that. Still haven't quite gotten the hang of it either.
I have heard before that the elbow cannot be below your jumping hand for it to be legal. Not able to find a rule stating that but I assumed that is why pros don't dart.
Because it's way less accurate. Especially at the pro level when they are usually jumping to make the shot, not just make legal contact. If they can't comfortably jump without a dart stroke, they're likely better off kicking.
With all things being equal, have your elbow tall and straight is preferred, but it requires more body elevation to get your shoulder up above the cue. The extra body elevation is not always easily obtainable. So they have to choose between overly elevating their body or shooting with the "side-arm" elbow. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.
Hogwash
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
English or Chinese 8-ball and you're still good for the +1 hahaEfren rarely jumps because he doesn't have to. His kicking skills provide better options. Putting whitey in the air has its hazards. My 8 ball airborne effort last night demonstrated that hazard oh too well. Jumping to make the 8 and have it get both points and go in another hole.
Though I think there's no jumping in English pool (the kicking game on those tiny tables is insane in the couple times I have bothered to watch it)
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
Got you. I do occasionally end up with my back foot on its toes, and therefore stability can be a factor (and that sometimes encourages me to kick instead). I find cueing across my chest only really occurs to my brain when reaching out across a little from a side rail. Going to talk jumps when I catch up with my friend later.
Because dart jumps are lame... (and for short people
I'm 6' 4" which is probably short by your standards but I use the dart stroke only.
Reason is that both my shoulder are totally gone and I can't lift my arms near shoulder height. I'll leave the reasons alone.
I also have a buddy I play against about two to three times a week and he is about 6' 2" and he also uses dart stroke.
Like you, I also use it because of shoulder issues that make it very difficult for me to use a standard stroke.
I do think it's a little bit more difficult to aim accurately with a dart stroke. Certainly not impossible, but a bit more challenging.
It's worth mentioning that a lot of people find that a dart stroke makes it easier to elevate at the vertical levels necessary to get over blockers that are very close to the cue ball.
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
I'm 6'1" - Whatever works for you, and anyone else, is always the right way. If you are successful, than that's the only real objective. Sorry to hear about your shoulders. I actually dislocated my left shoulder not too long ago (ended up having a minor fracture to the scapula also). It didn't inhibit my playing really, but it seriously affected things like opening doors, or making sweet, sweet love. Would feel fine, until postured or pressed in a way where it made my whole nervous system feel like it was jumping out of my body.
In fact, playing mostly right handed, the shoulder didn't inhibit my game much at all besides feeling slight discomfort on certain shots. Certainly noticeable stretching a bridge over a ball, or similar. Really, It was where I would usually play left handed where I very much noticed the shoulder was an issue.
I actually have a final check and physio recommendation session next week. Also have another medical issue to take care of soon that will see me not playing for a fortnight. Not looking forward to that..
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
The shorter old guy I play who darts, has pretty much a 100% success rate, but then he is opting to jump a lot less than I am and probably, having played for many, many years, knows his limitations well.
Agree, there are situational contexts where it would be the 'best tool for the job' - position/equipment available