Hi guys I am a above average shooter in my league. I am constantly messing with my back hand grip on my cue. I try holding the cue with just my thumb and index finger loosely and using alot of wrist action. This grip seems to produce the most english but sometimes lacks constintancy. My friend grips with his whole hand. I was wondering if you guys had an opinion on what grip would produce acuracy and also allow you to use english and move the cueball around the table with a softer stroke.
back hand stroke
- Thread starter Rick
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I can't imagine that a lot of wrist of action is good foor your stroke. In fact I used to have to focus using a minimum of wrist action to maintain more control.
I hold my cue with three fingers; the pinky I don't use. When I stroke back and forh I usually let the cue swing on my index and middle finger.
I would think that you run a greater risk of deflecting your cue ball if you use a lot of wrist action. A lot of english is useless if you can't keep the cue ball under control.
I hold my cue with three fingers; the pinky I don't use. When I stroke back and forh I usually let the cue swing on my index and middle finger.
I would think that you run a greater risk of deflecting your cue ball if you use a lot of wrist action. A lot of english is useless if you can't keep the cue ball under control.
"I am constantly messing with my back hand grip on my cue. I try holding the cue with just my thumb and index finger loosely and using alot of wrist action."
There are times when using your wrist for stroke is beneficial. For instance, when you have a short shot that's easy to make but you need a lot of stroke or finesse to get position on the next shot. You are right about the consistency problem. When you have a long difficult shot, you want to shoot with a very straight stroke to enhance accuracy. Try putting an object ball in the center of the table and the cue ball close to one of the corner pockets so that the shot is a long straight shot. You will probably find it extremely difficult to make this shot with your current wrist stroke.
To make this shot with some consistency (it's always a hard shot for me) try cradling the cue so that the cue is resting on the two middle fingers. Your thumb should point straight down to the ground barely touching the cue. Focus on using just your elbow and nothing else (this can really be difficult for you if you're used to using your wrist) when you shoot the shot, and shoot with a soft to medium stroke. Practice this until you can make the shot or come really close most of the time. Once you get this stroke down, you'll have two strokes to use depending on the situation.
Hope this helps you.
There are times when using your wrist for stroke is beneficial. For instance, when you have a short shot that's easy to make but you need a lot of stroke or finesse to get position on the next shot. You are right about the consistency problem. When you have a long difficult shot, you want to shoot with a very straight stroke to enhance accuracy. Try putting an object ball in the center of the table and the cue ball close to one of the corner pockets so that the shot is a long straight shot. You will probably find it extremely difficult to make this shot with your current wrist stroke.
To make this shot with some consistency (it's always a hard shot for me) try cradling the cue so that the cue is resting on the two middle fingers. Your thumb should point straight down to the ground barely touching the cue. Focus on using just your elbow and nothing else (this can really be difficult for you if you're used to using your wrist) when you shoot the shot, and shoot with a soft to medium stroke. Practice this until you can make the shot or come really close most of the time. Once you get this stroke down, you'll have two strokes to use depending on the situation.
Hope this helps you.
Everybody's stroke is different, and it is impossible to evaluate your stroke via the internet. Find a certfied instructor that can evaluate your fundamentals, not a league buddy. What works for your friend might not work for you. Your wrist, arm, shoulder, balance, & Stroke is unique to you. Below is a drill for draw shots. Ensure that you use the same stroke on each shot. On a drill such as this, I advise students to adjust their grip on the butt of the cue (Forward on shorter shots, and back further on longer shots) this increases your stroke length as opposed to stabbing into the longer shots, or forcing more power into the shot by "hitting" the cue ball as opposed to "stroking" it. Above all else, the way you grip (two, three, or four fingers) should be comfortable and consistent. I use the thumb and three fingers, but it's also important which part of the fingers is gripping the cue, and how tight. Hope this helps - Enjoy the drill.
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I agree with one poster that every shot is different and need to adjust accordingly. An easy, short shot can be drawn back excessively with looser grip more wrist follow thru, longer more difficult shot would be way harder to deep draw while still making the ball, find acceptable medium or try a different shot
rick,,,,i think that is an impossible question for anyone to address because it is so relevant the indivisual. there are as many grips as there are players. in particular,,,,the greatest teacher in the world has not watched you play. your best answer would come from observing other players and videos.
but in a general sense,,,,i think it is most important to strive for consistancy.
but in a general sense,,,,i think it is most important to strive for consistancy.