The guys on my league team are around 500-550 Fargo and they all use jump shots. I don't have a Fargo rate but play about the same speed. I've never spent my time learning to jump. I think I'm better off spending my time on better ball pocketing and position play. What do you think?
At what point do you think it's adventagious to learn to jump?
- Thread starter brigeton
- Start date
It's a good tool to have in your arsenal, I'd say. I agree that you should spend most of your training time on ball pocketing and position play (and don't forget safeties), but I think you should at least be able to contact your object ball with a jump reliably, to give yourself an opportunity to get out of trouble that way when a kick is not available.
Should you spend a lot of time learning how to hit the ball with precision on a particular side, with spin? Probably not.
Should you spend a lot of time learning how to hit the ball with precision on a particular side, with spin? Probably not.
DieselPete
Active member
Multiple answers. If you have limited practice time, you’re probably right. Pocketing and position determine the outcome of the vast majority of games.
But if you want to be the best player you can possibly be, you need every tool, so the time to learn is now.
You had to know that your post will eventually attract jump haters, and it will. But if your league rules and the host location allow jump cues, learn how to use one.
DieselPete
Active member
I agree. But I could be labeled as a “jump hater” because I believe the game is designed to be played in two dimensions. In spite of that, I can embrace that the rules are what they are, which is why I suggest that if is his goal is to maximize his potential then he should learn to jump now.
When in Rome, right?
I think jump shot is just another skill. If you are comfortable with kicks and banks, then I'd suggest to improve on those first.
Jumping is like kicking or banking or any other more advanced skills. Up to a certain competition level, utilizing those skills don't significantly improve the winning probability any more than without using them.
That is to say, jump shot is not an efficient skill to use unless the opponent can run racks (i.e. not your average moms/pops player).
I'm at the stage where my skills are decent with banking and kicking, but I want to add skills to my arsenal. I won't get to use it in a game due to local house rules. But I love the game enough to want to learn everything that I can to improve in the sport. For that reason, I'm going to start practicing jump shots despite not getting to use it during league nights.
Maybe you also have deep passion with the sport. In that case, you'd naturally want to improve your skills regardless. Not to be able to win more games but to be better than yesterday.
Jumping is like kicking or banking or any other more advanced skills. Up to a certain competition level, utilizing those skills don't significantly improve the winning probability any more than without using them.
That is to say, jump shot is not an efficient skill to use unless the opponent can run racks (i.e. not your average moms/pops player).
I'm at the stage where my skills are decent with banking and kicking, but I want to add skills to my arsenal. I won't get to use it in a game due to local house rules. But I love the game enough to want to learn everything that I can to improve in the sport. For that reason, I'm going to start practicing jump shots despite not getting to use it during league nights.
Maybe you also have deep passion with the sport. In that case, you'd naturally want to improve your skills regardless. Not to be able to win more games but to be better than yesterday.
I know you don't have a problem with jumping in general so I'm going to assume this is a tongue in cheek response. That said, I agree with your comment for the most part.When you've given up learning how to kick.
To the OP:
While it sounds great to have a handle on all aspects of the game at any skill level. The truth is, skill sets need to be built up with concentrated effort. You need to pot balls before controlling the CB. You need learn successful patterns before worrying about a 'moves' game. You really should become skilled at kicking before jumping. The reality is, understanding kicking angles/spins will help increase your ability in other aspects of the game. Defaulting to a simple jump rather a moderately difficult kick is right choice when you need to weigh the odds, but a disservice to your development as a player.
We all know hopping over a ball with a jump stick is relatively easy. So keeping up with the ~500's in this area shouldn't be very difficult. Focusing on becoming proficient with a jump shot, meaning tight range control, CB spin and >50% potting, isn't something required to be >650 player.
Learn it right away and learn to do it properly.
A jump cue does not need to be expensive
Get a 3"×3" section of cloth and put it under the CB so you don't damage the cloth when practicing.
Deliberateness is the key to getting the CB off the slate.
Get a 3"×3" section of cloth and put it under the CB so you don't damage the cloth when practicing.
Deliberateness is the key to getting the CB off the slate.
That's like asking when you should learn to turn left when driving. It's all part of the toolkit you need to become a complete player. Having the skill to hop over a ball (never mind jump cues or playing cue) is a skill any player should have. Of course you first need to learn the basics of shooting before putting much time into jumping a ball, but once you can shoot say 3-4 balls in a row with good position, nothing wrong with shifting some focus to jump shots or masse or kicking.
I agree with this, if there's a chance to make a ball with a jump shot I'd much prefer that to kicking and possibly selling out.
I can kick well, but not well enough to make anything that isn't hanging out by the pocket.
Haven't learned to jump yet though lol
Definitely agree that you should learn now. Playing against a skilled jumper changes decisions.
The question isn't when to learn it's - do I want to use a jump cue?
If you want to use a jump cue in the future, or at least give it an effort, then now is the time to learn to jump - there's no reason to wait.
If you're the kind of guy who doesn't subscribe to jump cues then don't bother and spend your time practicing your kicks.
I quit in 2004 and had never used a jump cue. Got back into it 3 years ago and put 100% effort into practicing and saw everyone using jump cues so I bought one and practiced. I became proficient but realized I am a much better kicker than jumper so I basically stopped using my jump cues and now I practice kicks quite a bit.
Oh, and if you really want to learn how to kick start playing "kick safe"
If you want to use a jump cue in the future, or at least give it an effort, then now is the time to learn to jump - there's no reason to wait.
If you're the kind of guy who doesn't subscribe to jump cues then don't bother and spend your time practicing your kicks.
I quit in 2004 and had never used a jump cue. Got back into it 3 years ago and put 100% effort into practicing and saw everyone using jump cues so I bought one and practiced. I became proficient but realized I am a much better kicker than jumper so I basically stopped using my jump cues and now I practice kicks quite a bit.
Oh, and if you really want to learn how to kick start playing "kick safe"
Here is my assessment. At that Fargo Rate, you should find a jump cue that enables you to easily get over the interfering ball AND a jump cue where you can almost always hit your object ball. I went through 3 or 4 jump cues until I found one where I could shoot accurately with it. I have no idea why I couldn't shoot accurately with the other jump cues. I could get over the interfering ball, but I would almost never make the object ball. So try 5-6 out and pick the one that gives you the best results.
I rarely practice jump shots, because with my current jump cue I can almost always hit the object ball and prevent a foul and I make the object ball a decent amount of the time. Jump shots rarely come up. As I get better in other aspects in my game and my Fargo Rate increases, then I will practice jump shots more often. At a 500-550 Fargo Rating, sure it would be a nice tool in your bag if you were a GREAT jumper, but I think you're time would be better spent getting better at other aspects of your game that you use constantly.
In conclusion, find a decent jump cue. It really isn't hard to get over an interfering ball with a good jump cue from 6 inches away or more. And if you can hit the object ball consistently, at least you will prevent a foul. As your game improves, practice jumping more with the goal of increasing the number of times you actually make the object ball and to even get position after. So I would buy a good jump cue right now, with the goal of preventing fouls, and not necessarily with the goal of spearing in object balls with great frequency.
When both engines are on fire and the tail section has come off.
If you’re genuinely north of 500, I’d say it’s time to put that tool in the box.