Is a Short Backswing the Teacher?
- Thread starter Mitchxout
- Start date
Short back stroke.
Your accuracy improves because you're traveling less distance to the CB contact point so any slight movement in your back swing doesn't move the cue around as much.
When you narrow the motion you lessen imperfections showing up.
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When you narrow the motion you lessen imperfections showing up.
Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2
Exactly. Most people with a longer backstroke aren't actually taking the cue back in a straight line. I know for me personally I was pulling to the right a little bit, and then on my forward stroke would either stroke straight from my new position, or subconsciously twist my arm to try and hit where I was aiming. In either case, it generally resulted in not being very consistent.
Makes perfect sense. But these particular players I'm referring to are taking it to the extreme. Less than 5" at the most, maybe 2" at the least. I've been more in the 8-10" range.
Allen Hopkins made a nice living with his mini-back swing. :wink:
His began because of cramped quarters in his childhood basement.
best,
brian kc <---- now thinking about reinstalling some lally columns.
:grin-square:
His began because of cramped quarters in his childhood basement.
best,
brian kc <---- now thinking about reinstalling some lally columns.
:grin-square:
If your shorten the distance between your bridge hand and the CB it will have the same affect and actually force you to have a shorter back swing. But the follow through is the most important thing to remember to do because its how you get action on the CB.
Brian beat me to it , watch Allan Hopkins . I tried the way he does and really improved my game , but I'm so old I forget to short stroke it . jim
It's like throwing a dart, you want to take it back smooth
If you're going to shorten something, I'd recommend the follow through instead. Taking the cue all the way back is usually beneficial on fully released shots.
It's like throwing a dart, you want to take it back smooth, then simply return it with acceleration to where your hand started. Extending your follow through leads to all sorts of control issues because it amplifies the "after contact" reaction of the cue-ball.
If you're going to shorten something, I'd recommend the follow through instead. Taking the cue all the way back is usually beneficial on fully released shots.
It's like throwing a dart, you want to take it back smooth, then simply return it with acceleration to where your hand started. Extending your follow through leads to all sorts of control issues because it amplifies the "after contact" reaction of the cue-ball.
Really I always have been of the mind set if you try shortening your follow through it leads to decelerating stroke or jab stroke ,, some guys in darts including me don't take it back far at all but have a full follow thru ,, kinda like a quarter back throwing from the ear
1
I was always taught that the backstroke is as long as needed, this is how we predict the speed of a shot. The follow through should mirror the backstroke, also. If you pull back 8 inches, you should follow through 8 inches.
As for a punch style stroke...it has its uses but I wouldn't advise using it for all or most shots. Its ideal for stun run through, firm stun and where a full follow through can't be achieved. For everything else I'd use a follow through as long as the backstroke. If you incorporate a pause at the end of the back stroke and focus in the tip when pulling the cur back before switching to either CB or OB the you should accelerate through and pull back nice and straight regardless of how long the backstroke is.
As for a punch style stroke...it has its uses but I wouldn't advise using it for all or most shots. Its ideal for stun run through, firm stun and where a full follow through can't be achieved. For everything else I'd use a follow through as long as the backstroke. If you incorporate a pause at the end of the back stroke and focus in the tip when pulling the cur back before switching to either CB or OB the you should accelerate through and pull back nice and straight regardless of how long the backstroke is.
Agreed! You need to fill your toolbox,
just don't do like me and pick the wrong tool at the wrong time. 
The debate over follow through must be something that comes up every 6 months or so. The follow through itself has no effect on the CB. However, the follow through itself is a result of what was done prior to contacting the CB. Therefore, in an indirect way, the follow through does in fact affect what happens to the CB. The human arm and reflexes aren't capable of instantly stopping the forward motion of the cue. It can't go from acceleration to stop instantly. There has to be some deceleration. Like it or not, you can't escape the physics involved.
I suggest adding a "Chris Melling" style pause at the backstroke. It took some time but the short backstroke became a gimmee on long strait shots. Just don't jerk it forward after the pause. Let it flow.