Billy Thorpe's Grip Hand

[JMS]

I was watching the USA vs. Russia Matches the past couple of days. I noticed on Billy Thrope's grip hand that he has his index finger completely off of the cue. I have only seen Joe Tucker play like that before. What are the benefits, if any to doing that?

 

[Scratch85]

What are the benefits, if any to doing that?

I've not noticed Thorpe's grip hand but I have seen advice for long straight shots to include "gripping the cue with the last two fingers only". I've never made great sense of that but maybe it applies.

The thing I do know is, if you move your thumb from in front of your index finger to the front of your middle finger, it changes the angle of your wrist. It continues to change all the way back to your pinky. Maybe Thorpe uses that as a way to make sure he has the wrist angle that best suits his stroke.

 

[Johnny Rosato]

I was watching the USA vs. Russia Matches the past couple of days. I noticed on Billy Thrope's grip hand that he has his index finger completely off of the cue. I have only seen Joe Tucker play like that before. What are the benefits, if any to doing that?

That's just the way "Billy" is comfortable with. With my over-the-hill gang we watch a lot of pool. I try to point out all the pro's styles, stances, grips, et cetera. What I'm hoping for is that my opponents will try to imitate someone else rather than being natural & comfortable in their own stance. We do laugh about it when I succeed, just my way of "sharking" them without "sharking" them! LOL

 

[Black-Balled]

The smoothest stroke can only be achieved by holding the cue with a single finger, balancing cue upon finger, not gripping it with the digit.

That is my misdirection aid.

 

[ctyhntr]

When you wrap your hand around a cue, your wrist will want to curl if you tighten your grip. Many of my past instructor tell me to cradle, not grip my cue.

 

[tableroll]

I was watching the USA vs. Russia Matches the past couple of days. I noticed on Billy Thrope's grip hand that he has his index finger completely off of the cue. I have only seen Joe Tucker play like that before. What are the benefits, if any to doing that?

I was told by a respected instructor that keeping the index finger off of the cue is the right way to cradle it. The cue moves slightly if the index finger is on it.

 

[West Point 1987]

Efren pretty much uses only his index finger and thumb...the rest of his fingers just curl around the cue, but don't really contact it. Ronnie Alcano uses just his thumb, index and middle finger, with his ring finger and pinky hanging out in the air. Lots of ways to skin the cat. Whatever works for you is best...but when you're knocking the rails off the table and can't figure out why, it's often either alignment (foot position) or something going on in your grip hand/harm. An unintentional curling of the wrist, drop of elbow or tightening of the grip mid stroke can be devastating and hard to self-diagnose...