Back hand grip

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KaMiKaZi

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Hey guys, great forum with very knowledgeable posters.

I have a question about cue grip with your back hand. I tried searching but did not find anything. I normally try to hold the cue one of two ways (see pics). One where the cue rests only on the index finger (open) and one where it rests between index and thumb (closed).

I normally hold with the open grip but find that my linen wrap gets slick (another topic) and the cue does not feel stable anymore (wants to slip).

What way do you guys think is the best way to grip the cue?
 

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I like both your cradles.
randyg

Put this in the Instructors Section..........
 
Agree, I think either one works as long as it's repeatable and comfortable for you. Both should promote a fuild stroke with minimal chance of redirecting or squeezing the cue.

Scott
 
Thanks guys. The normal way I shoot is the open type craddle, however the Irish linen grip on my cue tends to get slippery lately and then the cue no longer feels "grounded" in my hand (moves forward slightlyc when I stroke). I am currently looking Ito purchasing a new cue but in the meantime I have started including my thumb in the cradle.
 
I vary between those grips too.. A cradling grip without too much pressure works best for me..

I think I've tried nearly every grip but I am certain when I'm playing my very best that I'm not "gripping" but I am gently cradling the cue..
 
"The Grip"

We are all cavemen people, so keep it simple and hold the cue like you were to pick up a stick off the ground (or for you modern men, like you would pick up a brief case by the handle).

I play with an engineer-type who finds a "new grip" almost every day. We call him "The Grip". His latest idea is to hold his cue so firmly he develops tough calluses, which he cuts off with an exacto knife. No kidding. I told him he is a nut, then laid the Ben Hoganism on him to hold his cue like he was holding a "wounded bird". That should occupy his engineer mind for a few sessions...

$5 says Efren has never given one conscious thought on how he should grip his cue
 
Shakeysmooth said:
We are all cavemen people, so keep it simple and hold the cue like you were to pick up a stick off the ground (or for you modern men, like you would pick up a brief case by the handle).

I play with an engineer-type who finds a "new grip" almost every day. We call him "The Grip". His latest idea is to hold his cue so firmly he develops tough calluses, which he cuts off with an exacto knife. No kidding. I told him he is a nut, then laid the Ben Hoganism on him to hold his cue like he was holding a "wounded bird". That should occupy his engineer mind for a few sessions...

$5 says Efren has never given one conscious thought on how he should grip his cue
Click to expand...

I will take that $5 bet if 45 years ago count......:-)
randyg
 
ask around

KaMiKaZi said:
Thanks guys. The normal way I shoot is the open type craddle, however the Irish linen grip on my cue tends to get slippery lately and then the cue no longer feels "grounded" in my hand (moves forward slightlyc when I stroke). I am currently looking Ito purchasing a new cue but in the meantime I have started including my thumb in the cradle.
Click to expand...

I don't know what it entails but there is a procedure called waxing the wrap. It felt someones cue that had it done and it felt really good. I use a wrap less cue myself because I always felt that that Irish Linen was to slippery. You might really like that waxed wrap. Good luck to you.
 
ask around

KaMiKaZi said:
Thanks guys. The normal way I shoot is the open type craddle, however the Irish linen grip on my cue tends to get slippery lately and then the cue no longer feels "grounded" in my hand (moves forward slightlyc when I stroke). I am currently looking Ito purchasing a new cue but in the meantime I have started including my thumb in the cradle.
Click to expand...

There is a procedure that is called waxing the wrap. I was allowed to use someones cue that had it done and it felt really good to me. I presently use a wrap less cue because I don't find it to be as slippery as the Irish Linen wraps. Also if you play a long time it keeps a more consistent feel, it doesn't get damp which I like. So ask around you might really like a waxed wrap. Good luck to you.
 
Efren's grip....

Shakeysmooth said:
We are all cavemen people, so keep it simple and hold the cue like you were to pick up a stick off the ground (or for you modern men, like you would pick up a brief case by the handle).

I play with an engineer-type who finds a "new grip" almost every day. We call him "The Grip". His latest idea is to hold his cue so firmly he develops tough calluses, which he cuts off with an exacto knife. No kidding. I told him he is a nut, then laid the Ben Hoganism on him to hold his cue like he was holding a "wounded bird". That should occupy his engineer mind for a few sessions...

$5 says Efren has never given one conscious thought on how he should grip his cue
Click to expand...

Talked to a cue seller/player named Al, from the Chicago area, who claimed to have been a friend of Efren. He stated that Efren advised (I am paraphrasing here) to get in touch with your feminine side for your technique. Does anyone out there who knows Efren have first hand knowledge of what Efren actually does, or even what he SAYS he does? Obviously his grip is loose and has been described from early on as "pump-handle." Incardona told Rempe that no he is not pumping a handle he is playing the violin. Let's assume this is true, that his stroke is pump-handle. This brings some forces into play which I will explain in a few minutes after I do some work......
 
hunger strike said:
Talked to a cue seller/player named Al, from the Chicago area, who claimed to have been a friend of Efren. He stated that Efren advised (I am paraphrasing here) to get in touch with your feminine side for your technique. Does anyone out there who knows Efren have first hand knowledge of what Efren actually does, or even what he SAYS he does? Obviously his grip is loose and has been described from early on as "pump-handle." Incardona told Rempe that no he is not pumping a handle he is playing the violin. Let's assume this is true, that his stroke is pump-handle. This brings some forces into play which I will explain in a few minutes after I do some work......
Click to expand...

Here are some oldies, but goodies, related to this topic.

Efren Reyes stroke analysis:
Regular and slow motion: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8DYDMMw5TtE
From his [righthand] side: http://youtube.com/watch?v=INzRX2mf2nw
From the rear (and slightly to his lefthand side, so you can see inside his grip hand: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EDoGDojBzRM

Hope this is helpful!
-Sean
 
pump handle....

During the stroke: since Efren's hand, and most people's hands, move up and down relative to the exact horizontal plane of the table, there are vertical forces besides gravity holding static friction between your fingers and cue. There is another recent thread asking why some pros and others "waggle" during warm-up strokes but then shoot straight on the last forward stroke. I could be wrong, but part of this could be finding a balance between keeping a loose, noninterfering grip and keeping the cue from sliding out of the grip hand (while at the same time, of course, rehearsing the tip path.) As always, there may be something in what I just said that you can find fault with, but if we all had mercury level switches on our cues, we would all get blown up eventually.... the arm is a lever not a piston.
 
Thanks everyone. I will check out the videos when I get home.

I have tried waxing the cue (just used wax paper) and it works very well for a very short period of time (45min to hour) but drys out your hand so that you have to reapply it several times throughout a days session and if you do not the cue feels worse than it did in the first place.
 
hunger strike said:
During the stroke: since Efren's hand, and most people's hands, move up and down relative to the exact horizontal plane of the table, there are vertical forces besides gravity holding static friction between your fingers and cue. There is another recent thread asking why some pros and others "waggle" during warm-up strokes but then shoot straight on the last forward stroke. I could be wrong, but part of this could be finding a balance between keeping a loose, noninterfering grip and keeping the cue from sliding out of the grip hand (while at the same time, of course, rehearsing the tip path.) As always, there may be something in what I just said that you can find fault with, but if we all had mercury level switches on our cues, we would all get blown up eventually.... the arm is a lever not a piston.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you're talking about the players that have an exaggerated 'stroke' or aimpoint in their warmups, like having the tip actually brush the table on their break warm up strokes, or the practice of kicking the dominant arm out as they're settling down to do their warmup strokes. I know I sometimes kick my arm out and loop it around if i feel like my arm is too 'tight' or rigid. Sort of like how a golfer will waggle a club to make sure their wrists are loose and supporting a smooth, hitch free transition during the swing. I personally think it helps a ton, i've suggested this practice to a few people I see really gripping the cue firmly, if you're white-knuckling the cue, it's very likely you're tense all the way up your arm and into your shoulder/back, and there's no chance in hell it's improving your stroke or feel on your shots.
 
sfleinen said:
Here are some oldies, but goodies, related to this topic.

Efren Reyes stroke analysis:
Regular and slow motion: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8DYDMMw5TtE
From his [righthand] side: http://youtube.com/watch?v=INzRX2mf2nw
From the rear (and slightly to his lefthand side, so you can see inside his grip hand: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EDoGDojBzRM

Hope this is helpful!
-Sean
Click to expand...


I watched these video's and whoever this is clearly is holding their hand too far forward. Someone should teach him a proper stroke, that might help his game :grin-square:
 
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