Any Advice on how to shoot jump shots with accuracy?

[jlrowe]

I have shot for 37 years and i really never did use a jump cue much. I have always relied on my kicking. But in the past month i have been trying to improve my jumping. It is taking a toll on my shoulder and ribs. I dont have any problems getting up over the ball but i cannot make a ball 3 inches from the pocket. I cannot get my stroke straight and never usually hit no where near center of the cueball. When i have a close ball i need to clear i have to use a dart stroke and the accuracy is really bad.

 

[maha]

if you must practice, practice, practice. only way .

but better yet get your kicking down .

or get into one pocket as 9 ball is a robotic game. and as you get older it becomes the game of choice.

 

[King T]

get the jump shot traing ball, its marked with the target spot to hit the ball and comes with a cheap-sheet.

 

[straightline]

Do you use a sidewinder stroke?

 

[SomeDeadGuy]

I wish I knew

 

[GideonF]

Dr Dave has a good video on the topic. Start with that, IMO.

 

[gregcantrall]

The technique is critical.
More than one way to skin the cat. Not all jump shots are equal.
Mike Massey put an incredible jump shot on display in the last Lake Tahoe 9 ball, in '84 (I think). It did get diagramed in a book. His exhibition included an explanation of the balls being made of shrink ah flex. As he executed the slightest skip to get whitey through a gap that he showed was to tight to fit.
His jump on the 9 foot table was spot shot length but straight in with blocking ball midway. The next ball was mid head rail so a 7 foot jump full ball that he drew back to head rail for perfect shape. One of Byrne's book diagrams the shot.

 

[jlrowe]

Do you use a sidewinder stroke?

nope.

 

[straightline]

nope.

I suppose if you're tall enough it might not matter but that seems to be the preferred delivery. Regardless, try test stokes off to the side of the ball - like golf. Then get into position and don't deviate no matter what you think you see.

 

[td873]

Can you post a video somewhere and link it here? It’s hard to diagnose with text.

Also - how many hours per week do you practice jumping? And total hours so far?
-td

 

[7stud]

get the jump shot traing ball, its marked with the target spot to hit the ball and comes with a cheap-sheet.

Are you sure?

Something seems off.

 

[King T]

Are you sure?

View attachment 916582

Something seems off.

I first saw that ball when a local instructor was using it to teach a student of his how to use it to learn to jump. He had a little sheet that he said came with it and it seemed to be a good tool.

 

[gregcantrall]

A Note to Self s
The look at whitey as you whack it is Basic.
Well if you're ever taken a walk on the wild side.

The total perversion is to use a phenolic tip jump break trio as competition weapon.
Mark Williams is a good example. HiS contact with the white produces a distinct note. Listen and learn grasshopper.
I watch and take notes. Well mental notes are reinforced by writing a note to self.
My ass says mint is it's (the phenolic tip) like driving a high performance vehicle. I can make it do some precision driving and even at speed....but when I uh screw up, it can be ugly. Eek.

 

[gregcantrall]

How does the pinball wizard song go?
"You Gotta have such a supple wrist.
That and the piano playing fingers.......
Light weight helps get it up quicker as the tip needs to deflect enough to beat the kiss. More weight facilitates the longer carry to jump full ball mid table. Mike Massey did it with his shooter. IN COMPETITION!

 

[nataddrho]

You just have to practice a while and observe how your intended shot line matches your actual ball path. It’s best to just remember the offset and work with it… like magnetic north vs true north.

You may have a different offset for major changes in elevation, maybe every 20 degrees or so.

You can also become familiar with your body position in certain positions. For example for piques (not jumps but still an elevated position) I like to bring my cue next to my cheek bone. For 45 degree draws I am floating and I don’t have a reference. For dart jumps I use my wrist and place my hand under my normal vision center.

The point is learn your natural offsets and work with them.

 

[JPB2]

Are you sure?

View attachment 916582

Something seems off.

You align the dots vertically so the clover sits higher. I have one but have not really warmed up to it so maybe the criticism is fair. I haven’t been using it. Maybe I’ll pull it out today and try it some more. Need to practice jumping a little anyway. Maybe it’s how I perceive the cueball while in a jumping stance, but just using a regular cue ball is what I use mostly. Not that I am a good jumper or practice a ton, but I’ve improved a little.

 

[gregcantrall]

Rich Geiler showed me a good progressive way to practice jump shots. Start with one piece of chalk as the obstruction. After a little practice it should become uh no biggie and a jump to clear just the edge or apriximate half a ball. Once that's mastered stack another Masters chalk. Jumping 2 approaches a full ball. 3 is the final step in the limbo like practice.
Oh and jump shot practice is frowned upon by most establishments.

 

[Mensabum]

Are you sure?

View attachment 916582

Something seems off.

 

[Island Drive]

I don't jump/own one.... I will use another's once in awhile.
If I were to practice, I'd learn from others on how to grip/position the body and then practice just shooting at a pocket till I get a feel for my predictable stance that creates my aim.... hitting the pocket center Consistently.... get a feeeel for it.