Back To Elbow Dropping..........

D

DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
i've been watching some of my Accu-Stats tapes over this past weekend of the 1994 U.S. Open Final between Efren and Nick Varner. also been watching the 2002 Hasseroder World Pool Championship Final between Earl and Francisco Bustamante.

one thing is very clear to me...........they are dropping their elbows. and at times its a very noticeable drop. there was a shot by Varner where he dropped his elbow so much it just sort of leaped out at me it was so noticeable.

what to make of this, i just dont know............:confused:

DCP
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i've been watching some of my Accu-Stats tapes over this past weekend of the 1994 U.S. Open Final between Efren and Nick Varner. also been watching the 2002 Hasseroder World Pool Championship Final between Earl and Francisco Bustamante.

one thing is very clear to me...........they are dropping their elbows. and at times its a very noticeable drop. there was a shot by Varner where he dropped his elbow so much it just sort of leaped out at me it was so noticeable.

what to make of this, i just dont know............:confused:

DCP
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I have to again ask whether or not you really read any of these posts. The elbow drop posts come up so often, it's getting annoying. And all the answers end up being the same.

Elbow Dropping Threads

Most of the instructors would rather teach to not drop the elbow. From an amateur point of view for repeatability, this makes sense.

From most long-time players points of view, including watching the professionals, nearly all top players from professionals to local league players drop their elbows. Often, the drop is before contacting the cueball. This is why so many players aim so low that it looks like they'lll miss the cueball.

Tony Robles is probably one of a very few number of pros that doesn't drop his elbow significantly; all other pros drop it anywhere from slightly to super significantly.

There isn't a single snooker professional that doesn't drop their elbow.

Dropping the elbow on power shots may save you from trips to the hospital or physical therapy.

Fred
 
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sorry about that Fred. i knew there was one a few weeks ago but i didnt realize there were so many posts on this over the last couple of years. however, please note this was the very first one i started regarding Elbow Drop.

also, just wanted to tell you i enjoy your articles in the magazine, you do an excellent job with your writeup.

DCP
 
Neil said:
Bet a part of you was just dying inside, wanting to get out and make another post after about a week of being held in check, wasn't there! LOL
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no, i wasnt dying to post. my life doesnt center around this AZ Forum. and i wasnt being held in check, i was just sitting back and watching all the nonsense that goes on here, ultimately realizing that whether i am here posting or not its going to just continue.

and Neil, i am grateful you havent ignored me. also hope Blackjack will one day soon quit ignoring me. and i would still enjoy the opportunity to email with you instead of posting on this forum. its always nice to have someone help with your game. your welcome to PM your regular email to me.

r/DCP
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i've been watching some of my Accu-Stats tapes over this past weekend of the 1994 U.S. Open Final between Efren and Nick Varner. also been watching the 2002 Hasseroder World Pool Championship Final between Earl and Francisco Bustamante.

one thing is very clear to me...........they are dropping their elbows. and at times its a very noticeable drop. there was a shot by Varner where he dropped his elbow so much it just sort of leaped out at me it was so noticeable.

what to make of this, i just dont know............:confused:

DCP
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You are watching what they call the "old timers" (this is still true to many younger Filipino players), who learned and got accustomed to that stroke. Most of these players never had pool tutor.
 
Cornerman said:
I have to again ask whether or not you really read any of these posts. The elbow drop posts come up so often, it's getting annoying. And all the answers end up being the same.

Elbow Dropping Threads

Most of the instructors would rather teach to not drop the elbow. From an amateur point of view for repeatability, this makes sense.

From most long-time players points of view, including watching the professionals, nearly all top players from professionals to local league players drop their elbows. Often, the drop is before contacting the cueball. This is why so many players aim so low that it looks like they'lll miss the cueball.

Tony Robles is probably one of a very few number of pros that doesn't drop his elbow significantly; all other pros drop it anywhere from slightly to super significantly.

There isn't a single snooker professional that doesn't drop their elbow.

Dropping the elbow on power shots may save you from trips to the hospital or physical therapy.

Fred
Click to expand...

Nice recap of past conclusions. Great post, in my opinion. There is always opposition to this, though...
 
First, I must admit that I am an “elbow dropper”.

Second, I believe the game requires some level of elbow drop in order to complete the shots required in the real world.

Third, it’s down a question of when & how much. Obviously, the elbow should not just collapse...it should roll with the remainder of your stroke arm.

Most would agree that snooker players have developed the most technically potent stroke mechanics for the game. Even so, they exhibit the inferior "elbow drop". As others have indicated, this is most noticeable on power shots.

For the majority, snooker shots are hit very softly…which requires little follow-through…hence the illusion that the elbow does not drop. Here is a video of one of the brightest snooker players in the game. Notice the results of the very first stroke in this video. I think this single video demonstration should resolve the issue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDAzmCycm04

There is a controversial instructor on YouTube that claims to have perfected the pool stroke. He claims his elbow does not drop at all throughout his stroke. First, he only demonstrates a short stop shot…which requires little follow-through…hence the illusion that the elbow does not drop. Second, if you watch closely, even on such a trivial shot his elbow does indeed drop a small amount. I’d love to see him stroke a table-length hanging ball and snatch the rock 6’ or so. His pokey little 45* to 45* stroke will vaporize in a real game situation.
 
The only shot that I really focus on keeping my elbow motionless is on a slow roller in the side. I find that if my elbow drops on a slow roller, then I miss it 90% of the time. Keeping my elbow up seems to get more accuracy out of this particular shot.

Jon
 
Just for clarification, I can't actually find the answer in the previous threads, is it okay if I drop my elbow occasionally between matches?

Boro Nut
 
Boro Nut said:
Just for clarification, I can't actually find the answer in the previous threads, is it okay if I drop my elbow occasionally between matches?

Boro Nut
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I lift my elbow/forearm while consuming my beverage of choice :) Does that help?

As for dropping or not, I'm not all that sure what I do.. I try to be as still as possible, and try not to drop it, but when I get into competition, I don't consciously concentrate on my elbow :)
 
Snorks said:
I lift my elbow/forearm while consuming my beverage of choice :) Does that help?
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That's a relief. I was getting sick and tired of being harassed by taxis every time I walked down the street. On the downside, I can't believe I ever thought this jacket actually fitted me.

Boro Nut
 
I originally come from a very good snooker backround & dont know of a single player that doesnt drop their elbow when cueing, amateur or professional! I find that the degree of my elbow drop depends on the shot im faced with, but it definately drops on everyshot.

I think its a natural thing to do to cue through each ball. But i find myself having to slightly adjust my action for american pool probably due to the weight difference of the white ball.

I find myself using more of a rolling/rythemical flicking action instead of wat id do playing snooker using more of a smooth punching type action with a deliberate pause.
I pretty sure a few players who've come from a top snooker backround and have played at a high level american pool have had to do the same and change their action a little bit too. (Tony Drago, Steve Davis)

Some one above posted a clip of ken doherty who's a great player and a good cueist, Most people rate Stephen Lee and Shaun Murphy as the two best cueists on the professional snooker circuit.

Clip of Murphy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDuIcIqhybo&mode=related&search=
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i've been watching some of my Accu-Stats tapes over this past weekend of the 1994 U.S. Open Final between Efren and Nick Varner. also been watching the 2002 Hasseroder World Pool Championship Final between Earl and Francisco Bustamante.

one thing is very clear to me...........they are dropping their elbows. and at times its a very noticeable drop. there was a shot by Varner where he dropped his elbow so much it just sort of leaped out at me it was so noticeable.

what to make of this, i just dont know............:confused:

DCP
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You know what?? who cares about elbow drop....it happens and it's a natural part of the follow through motion....
 
Cornerman said:
There isn't a single snooker professional that doesn't drop their elbow.

Fred
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Not according to the top snooker coach in the UK - See bottom of page

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/intermediate/cue_action/cue_action.htm

or the top of this page

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/basics/the_grip/the_grip.htm

On the other hand I have also found an Irish coach now working in Qatar who insists that the elbow must be dropped.:D See page 7

http://www.ribsa.net/Coaching/PJ Nolan Coaching Guide.pdf

Another thread with Hendry

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=71088
 
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Scaramouche said:
Not according to the top snooker coach in the UK - See bottom of page

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/intermediate/cue_action/cue_action.htm

or the top of this page

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/basics/the_grip/the_grip.htm

On the other hand I have also found an Irish coach now working in Qatar who insists that the elbow must be dropped.:D See page 7

http://www.ribsa.net/Coaching/PJ Nolan Coaching Guide.pdf

Another thread with Hendry

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=71088
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What they say and what they do are totally different. They do. No question about it. Now what?

I've pointed to many of the snooker videos where every top snooker player drops their elbow on power shots. That includes Stephen Hendry. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=300417&postcount=41

Fred
 
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Cornerman said:
What they say and what they do are totally different. They do. No question about it. Now what?

I've pointed to many of the snooker videos where every top snooker player drops their elbow on power shots. That includes Stephen Hendry. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=300417&postcount=41

Fred
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"They do" is the answer to the wrong question. Should it be minimized is the right question, to which I think the answer is yes.

pj
chgo
 
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