We all know there have been several aiming threads. So, I thought I would experiment with one of the largest factors that can cause us to miss. Normally my grip hand is pretty relaxed as I try to cradle the cue. I still find myself twisting the cue on some shots and it drives me mad because it makes me miss. So I have been working on a little different grip technique and I would like to hear others opinions on this. I have been using more pressure on the back two fingers and sometimes the middle finger and just letting the index finger ride along on the side, just barely touching the cue. So far I have had some great results. I have only been doing this for the past couple of hours, but I am really excited about the results. Please let me know what you think, or if you have any questions.
Check your grip.
- Thread starter Big C
- Start date
I have heard when using center ball or close to it use a grip with more of the middle fingers, more index finger on follow, more on the pinky on draw.........
The light touch
For a light grip try just using your middle 2 fingers. It works very well and forces you to lighten up. If I find myself gripping it I just touch the tip of my index finger and thumb pressing lightly. That keeps you from squeezing the middle 2.
Play around with it and let me know if it helps. It has helped me.
Good luck.
td
For a light grip try just using your middle 2 fingers. It works very well and forces you to lighten up. If I find myself gripping it I just touch the tip of my index finger and thumb pressing lightly. That keeps you from squeezing the middle 2.
Play around with it and let me know if it helps. It has helped me.
Good luck.
td
OK, here's a huge secret... no index finger and no (or very, very light) thumb... you will shoot perfectly straight. You can use the two middle fingers or add the pinky if you prefer. However, if you use the index or thumb you will twist the cue.
On a side note, keep your palm facing down or as close as you can.
That's it... no more.... on your own!!!
On a side note, keep your palm facing down or as close as you can.
That's it... no more.... on your own!!!
I discovered something. When I'm playing my very best.....I don't think about the grip.
What I mean is...
When you are taking your practice strokes, you should be evaluating the amount of grip pressure you need to execute the shot during those strokes. Really......it doesn't matter what fingers you use, etc, as long as you delivering your tip to the proper point on the cue ball, and you are evaluating that during your practice stroke(s).
I used to get obsessed about the grip...but really, everyone grips differently, tighter, looser, etc. The only thing that matters is you are delivering the cue tip to the point on the cue ball that you want with the amount of speed/pressure that you want to apply. Sounds simpler than it is of course.
On some shots during my stroke I'll see that the tip isn't quite hitting the spot I want 'accurately' so I'll change the grip a bit (finger positioning in the grip) until I get the result I want. If you hear some good players (like Keith McCready) they'll tell you that you have to learn all of the grips. I think this is really...you have to be willing to experiment with different grips on different shots so that you can properly execute the shot.
When you're playing a LOT...and you get in stroke it will come naturally.
Here are a few fundamental grip truths:
The looser you grip, the more feel you have, and the more touch you can put on the ball. I prefer to use a loose grip as much as possible.
If the cue ball is frozer to a rail, I use a tight grip for better accuracy in hitting that small amount of cue ball that is showing (and it works!).
When I'm lining up for a power follow or power draw I keep a loose stroke in the warm up strokes, but as I execute I tighten up on the cue at the point of delivery....and boy...you can get a lot of action on the cue ball this way. I learned this from watching Steve Mizerak. A lot of that power he got in his stroke came from that grip.
Well....I hope this helps.
What I mean is...
When you are taking your practice strokes, you should be evaluating the amount of grip pressure you need to execute the shot during those strokes. Really......it doesn't matter what fingers you use, etc, as long as you delivering your tip to the proper point on the cue ball, and you are evaluating that during your practice stroke(s).
I used to get obsessed about the grip...but really, everyone grips differently, tighter, looser, etc. The only thing that matters is you are delivering the cue tip to the point on the cue ball that you want with the amount of speed/pressure that you want to apply. Sounds simpler than it is of course.
On some shots during my stroke I'll see that the tip isn't quite hitting the spot I want 'accurately' so I'll change the grip a bit (finger positioning in the grip) until I get the result I want. If you hear some good players (like Keith McCready) they'll tell you that you have to learn all of the grips. I think this is really...you have to be willing to experiment with different grips on different shots so that you can properly execute the shot.
When you're playing a LOT...and you get in stroke it will come naturally.
Here are a few fundamental grip truths:
The looser you grip, the more feel you have, and the more touch you can put on the ball. I prefer to use a loose grip as much as possible.
If the cue ball is frozer to a rail, I use a tight grip for better accuracy in hitting that small amount of cue ball that is showing (and it works!).
When I'm lining up for a power follow or power draw I keep a loose stroke in the warm up strokes, but as I execute I tighten up on the cue at the point of delivery....and boy...you can get a lot of action on the cue ball this way. I learned this from watching Steve Mizerak. A lot of that power he got in his stroke came from that grip.
Well....I hope this helps.
Big C said:
Remember that you'll have different grips depending on the shot. To avoid "twisting" you have to make sure that your grip isn't going to cause your tip to veer off as you follow through on the cue ball. You can figure this out when your practice stroking...and thus adjust your grip as needed. Practice a lot of the shots that you seem to twist on and see what kind of grip you need. Don't be afraid to experiment!
randyg said:
I don't mean different grips per say...but possible different pressure and exactly how you grip the cue.
If you study a lot of the grips of good players they all vary from shot to shot. I don't mean drastically....but depending upon the distance from the cue ball to the object ball, the type of english you wish to apply, the amount of force you intend to use.....the same exact "grip" will not work for every shot.
That is what I mean. I don't mean drastic differences...but there are some.
For example. On power draw shots I really like using just my index and thumb, because I know I'm going to tighten up at the point of impact, yet I want to make sure I don't steer the ball. For me that works.
For a center ball english shot (which is often as possible) or aiming somewhere in that vicinity on the cue ball I will use my index, middle...and sometimes the cue will rest on the third finger. If there is a long stretch...to ensure the cue is level, I might rest the cue just on my middle and third finger....as I have a tendancy to steer with the index on that shot messing up my accuracy.
I could go on and on...but that is what works for me. That is what I mean by different grips. As I said before....it is good to learn solid fundamentals from a qualified teacher. Once you have those down, I think your grip will come rather naturally, but from paying close attention to my own game I will say there are different 'grips' for pool...as in fingers you might use, and positioning on the butt of the cue.
Again, that is just my two cents. I'm no Certified instructor or anything....but I know a thing or two about a thing or two.
very interesting, i hadn't read your previous posts when i ventured my opinion, in my experience when i tighten up during my shot the OB ball takes a lot of over spin, and the ball seems to fight the pocket ( jaws out).Matt_24 said:
anyway wasn't trying to be argumentive.
rodney
I have seen so many differnet grips I don't think there is one right way.
I think what is important is you find a grip that allows you to stroke straight...which means not only do you need to find the right holding pressures and anlges, but the position forward or back on the wrap can have an effect on how straight your stroke is.
You just need to find a method this is comfortable, allows natural wrist action without too much whippyness and as very repeatable.
Heck I have seen grips that keep the thumb on top of the cue (shoots well) and some that pinch the cue between the balls of the fingers and thumbs...(nothing on the bottom for support)...(shoots well)...I believe someone posted before that this type of grip allows the cue to pivot like a fulcrum within the grip...(or something like that)...
Whatever works...
Heck...I shoot pool left handed and play golf right handed...My personal grip method is to grab the cue as if I were going to grip a golf club with my left hand and then drop the thumb so it points striaght down...I use almost the same grip pressures for a cue as I would a golf club..the last three fingers of my left hand...I just relax the pinky more than I would on a golf club grip....but for me it is pretty much the same exact grip...(just with the thumb rotated downard)
Basically think of your left hand grip at the top of your golf back swing with the wrist hinged...rotate your thumb down and you have your pool cue grip...at least for me ...
Disclaimer... I suck at pool...:smile:
I think what is important is you find a grip that allows you to stroke straight...which means not only do you need to find the right holding pressures and anlges, but the position forward or back on the wrap can have an effect on how straight your stroke is.
You just need to find a method this is comfortable, allows natural wrist action without too much whippyness and as very repeatable.
Heck I have seen grips that keep the thumb on top of the cue (shoots well) and some that pinch the cue between the balls of the fingers and thumbs...(nothing on the bottom for support)...(shoots well)...I believe someone posted before that this type of grip allows the cue to pivot like a fulcrum within the grip...(or something like that)...
Whatever works...
Heck...I shoot pool left handed and play golf right handed...My personal grip method is to grab the cue as if I were going to grip a golf club with my left hand and then drop the thumb so it points striaght down...I use almost the same grip pressures for a cue as I would a golf club..the last three fingers of my left hand...I just relax the pinky more than I would on a golf club grip....but for me it is pretty much the same exact grip...(just with the thumb rotated downard)
Basically think of your left hand grip at the top of your golf back swing with the wrist hinged...rotate your thumb down and you have your pool cue grip...at least for me ...
Disclaimer... I suck at pool...:smile: