Elbow Drop - Billiards Digest October 2024

[DrCue'sProtege]

In the October 2024 issue of Billiards Digest, page 19, in the Different Strokes section of Quick Hits it plainly states that Snooker players never drop their elbow during the stroke. It goes on to say that pool players tend to drive through the shot more. That obviously implies that pool players do indeed drop their elbows.

There have been alot of folks here on this forum, including many instructors, that teach the opposite. I even had one instructor put a water bottle on my elbow to try and prevent me from dropping the elbow.

r/DCP

 

[Texas Carom Club]

So

 

[garczar]

As long as your delivery is pure what does it matter? IMO too many folks get caught up in this. Results speak for themselves. A golf analogy would be the # of great players, many in the HOF, with funky home-made swings. They PLAYED THE GAME and weren't worried what it looked like.

 

[boogieman]

If you hit the microdot on the CB and follow through (pure stroke) it doesn't matter in the slightest. Now obviously if the drop is throwing your tip off it's target, then it's a problem.

 

[Bob Jewett]

In the October 2024 issue of Billiards Digest, page 19, in the Different Strokes section of Quick Hits it plainly states that Snooker players never drop their elbow during the stroke. It goes on to say that pool players tend to drive through the shot more. That obviously implies that pool players do indeed drop their elbows.
...

The quote is wrong. There are lots of snooker players who drop their elbows and some pool players who don't. So... the speaker may be referring to general trends, but the statement has many exceptions.

In addition, there are snooker players who on a single stroke from address to finish will drop, raise and drop their elbow again. It's easy to see examples of this if you watch pro snooker videos.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

...there are snooker players who on a single stroke from address to finish will drop, raise and drop their elbow again. It's easy to see examples of this if you watch pro snooker videos.

It's always been my impression that most snooker players have that "piston" stroke - I've seen it a lot. I assume the object is to keep the cue level throughout - here's a diagram comparing elbow and cue motions with the different strokes.

Note that the "tip dip" with the pendulum stroke happens well after contact with the cue ball. Given this I much prefer the simple repeatability of the pendulum (KISS).

pj
chgo

 

[bbb]

It's always been my impression that most snooker players have that "piston" stroke - I've seen it a lot. I assume the object is to keep the cue level throughout - here's a diagram comparing elbow and cue motions with the different strokes.

Note that the "tip dip" with the pendulum stroke happens well after contact with the cue ball. Given this I much prefer the simple repeatability of the pendulum (KISS).

pj
chgo

View attachment 789184

Why don’t you show the tip going up in the upper part of the arc mafter contact on the pendulum stroke?
Asking for a friend

 

[lfigueroa]

It just doesn't matter.

I'm just a deweeb but on some shots I drop, on others I don't. As long as the stroke is straight and true it doesn't matter.

Lou Figueroa
why does that
remind me of
something...

 

[straightline]

Any numbers on people who developed their stroke when they were 3, 4 feet tall?

 

[pt109]

I try and hit the ball with the CUE….don’t care what my arm does….my basic stroke is piston.

 

[Fatboy]

Nothing like something new to discuss

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Why don’t you show the tip going up in the upper part of the arc mafter contact on the pendulum stroke?
Asking for a friend

I don’t follow. The tip doesn’t go above the bottom line of the stroke (the grip hand doesn’t go below it).

pj
chgo

 

[mr3cushion]

I would say 90% of 3C players apply the 'Piston Stroke' on 95% of shots.

Meaning, not a lot of 'Elbow Drop'. The force needed for a few shots is ,why the, 'Run up to the CB' is faster, the shaft goes through further, hence the drop.

Artistic 3C players have more 'Combinations of the 2 strokes'!

 

[straightline]

I would say 90% of 3C players apply the 'Piston Stroke' on 95% of shots.

Meaning, not a lot of 'Elbow Drop'. The force needed for a few shots is ,why the, 'Run up to the CB' is faster, the shaft goes through further, hence the drop.

Artistic 3C players have more 'Combinations of the 2 strokes'!

You guys play on superconducting equipment - given. Guys with the super pool strokes would probably be ejected.

 

[mr3cushion]

You guys play on superconducting equipment - given. Guys with the super pool strokes would probably be ejected.

I'm going to show You a video from 1983.

A Non Heated Brunswick Anniversary 3C table.

The cloth was Simonis, (3 months old) K55 rubber.

Myself, playing 3C 'Trick shots' which require a 'Stroke'!

Notice I do Not contact the CB with 'Visible' force.

 

[straightline]

Nice. Table's still billiard grade and slick though. Cool sound track as well.

 

[mr3cushion]

Nice. Table's still billiard grade and slick though. Cool sound track as well.

What do You mean, 'Billard Grade'?

Explain please!

This is a 'Standard Brunswick 5'x10' 3C table' made in 1943-45.

The Simonis 3C cloth from 83, was a little faster than the 83 Simonis 'Pool' cloth.

It has 1.5" slate, K55 rubber which was likely about 25-30 years old.

I'm playing on it 40 years after its construction.

BTW, just to be clear. NO 'Foreign Substance' on the CB or OB's!

 

[straightline]

Billiard grade as opposed to Stevens pool grade. 100 mph center ball angles.

 

[mr3cushion]

Billiard grade as opposed to Stevens pool grade. 100 mph center ball angles.

 

[mr3cushion]

Was looking for a more Technical/physics styles answers