I think I’m actually really good at aiming but I think sometimes I miss because on a shot that requires more power I change my grip pressure on the stroke. Any tips for maintaining the same pressure throughout the stroke or is it just practice practice practice? ?
Any tips for not changing your grip pressure on the shot.
- Thread starter Magictrat007
- Start date
For higher speed shots, it helps to use a longer bridge length so you have more distance and time to accelerate the cue with the same force (grip pressure). You'll also want to move your grip hand back when using a longer bridge to keep your swing arm perpendicular. Hope that helps!
If your grip pressure changes during the stroke, it always gets tighter, never looser. So on shots where you suspect that, try starting with a more closed grip.
pj
chgo
pj
chgo
Your hand should be closed all the way around the cue stick. No daylight around the stick. No gap between the stick and the web between thumb and index finger.
Your grip area on the cue stick must not be slippery. My cue has no wrap and even though it is shiny, it is not slippery. If your stick is slippery, you will have to tighten your grip a lot on power shots. That's bad.
I have started using the following technique to ensure a loose grip on break shots. First, I move my grip back because my bridge is going to be longer. Then I grip the cue very, very tightly -- white-knuckle tight. Then I release all of the grip/tension in my hand. This leaves my hand stuck to the surface of the cue. Then I break.
BlueRaider
Registered
I'm guessing the shots where you tighten your grip are outside your comfort zone, thus causing the breakdown in your mechanics. Progressive practice helps with this.
Set up the shots where you tend to tighten your grip, but make them very easy. OB close to the pocket, CB close to the OB. Shoot that over and over to get a feel for what a totally relaxed grip feels like. Because the shot is easy, your grip will stay relaxed throughout the stroke because there's no fear of missing and no desire to "muscle" or steer the cue. Just a pure, relaxed swing. Pay very close attention to how it feels--especially in comparison to your normal tense stroke on difficult shots.
Start increasing the distance slowly until you feel the tension creep back in. Then work on relaxing your grip at that distance. Rinse and repeat with increasing distance/difficulty.
Set up the shots where you tend to tighten your grip, but make them very easy. OB close to the pocket, CB close to the OB. Shoot that over and over to get a feel for what a totally relaxed grip feels like. Because the shot is easy, your grip will stay relaxed throughout the stroke because there's no fear of missing and no desire to "muscle" or steer the cue. Just a pure, relaxed swing. Pay very close attention to how it feels--especially in comparison to your normal tense stroke on difficult shots.
Start increasing the distance slowly until you feel the tension creep back in. Then work on relaxing your grip at that distance. Rinse and repeat with increasing distance/difficulty.
From Grip to Grabbing.
Here's the definition of Grip.
physical hold, the strength to hold something, or the manner of holding it.
One thing you should never do with your handle hand is ''grip'' it.
The manner is....
You do a side to side ''pinch'' & GRAB during contact.
Closing your fingers naturally creates your ''cradle''.
Here's the definition of Grip.
physical hold, the strength to hold something, or the manner of holding it.
One thing you should never do with your handle hand is ''grip'' it.
The manner is....
You do a side to side ''pinch'' & GRAB during contact.
Closing your fingers naturally creates your ''cradle''.
Oh my God, you hit the nail right on the head. Yes it happens on shots where I get a little longer or a little more angle than I want. I will definitely take your advice and keep shooting them until I feel comfortable.