Chin off the cue

[Thunderball]

Interesting poll.

I say that bnecause I've been wondering about this myself quite a bit lately.It seems I'm all over the map when it comes to this matter.I go from goatee rubbing to almost upright and anywhere in between it seems.

The best player in my town (quite a few of you know him I imagine) stands as tall as anyone I've ever seen play and he can flat out play.

I voted doesn't matter fwiw.

I do however need to figure out what best for me...but how to decide?

 

[kildegirl]

pool

How far do you recommend your cue being away from your chin? Seems like the traditional position is basically touching. Just wondering what most peoples opinion is... or does it even matter?

DOES NOT MATTER. PLAYERS SHOULD DO WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO, AND THAT RELATES TO THEIR COMFORT ZONE. IN ANY TYPE OF GAME OR ENDEAVOR, THE PLAYER SHOULD ALWAYS DO IT HIS WAY. TRADITION NEVER POCKETED ANY BALL.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I think you are making the all too common
mistake of thinking that what works best for you, is best for everybody.

FWIW it is NOT true that one can see the aim point any better
by being down lower. If you do, that would indicate you have a flaw
in your alignment.

I think you just made the same common mistake. Some people (I think most people, as a matter of fact, judging by how many put their chins on the cue) do see what they're pointing their stick at better when their eyes are closer to it. If that wasn't true, rifle marksmen wouldn't do it so consistently.

pj
chgo

 

[dabarbr]

I think you just made the same common mistake. Some people (I think most people, as a matter of fact, judging by how many put their chins on the cue) do see what they're pointing their stick at better when their eyes are closer to it. If that wasn't true, rifle marksmen wouldn't do it so consistently.

pj
chgo

Good point. You don't see many riflemen shooting from the hip.

 

[Dead Crab]

I certainly shoot better if I get my chin down on the cue. This may be because my aiming points are at the bottom of the ball. If you are aiming on the equator, ghost balling, or using fractional ball aiming, it may be less of an issue.

I'm none too flexible, so I have to bend my knees a lot to get my chin on the cue. Probably doesn't look too smooth, but at least for now, it is what works.

 

[pdcue]

I think you just made the same common mistake. Some people (I think most people, as a matter of fact, judging by how many put their chins on the cue) do see what they're pointing their stick at better when their eyes are closer to it. If that wasn't true, rifle marksmen wouldn't do it so consistently.

pj
chgo

And your mistake would be not understanding that the key to
shotmaking is not where your eyes are, but that they are in the same
position relative to the cue every time. For most people, this is MUCH
more likely to happen if they play with their head down on the cue.

That fact should not be misinterpreted as supporting the premise that
being lower, in and of itself, results in better shotmaking skill.
It doesn't.

A little rifle knowledge is a dangerous thing.

There are many similarities between shooting a rifle and shooting
a cue ball.

But don't overdo the points in common and loose sight of the
vital diferences. I know you understand the important fact that one
propels a projectile straight out of the barrel, directly at a target
which is much larger than the bullit itself.

Hitting a cue ball at an object ball is a much different kettle of fish.

Dale

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I'm none too flexible, so I have to bend my knees a lot to get my chin on the cue. Probably doesn't look too smooth, but at least for now, it is what works.

I have the same problem, and I worried about bending my knees a slightly different amount each time - until I started spreading my feet more. That seems to help (although it might look even goofier).

pj
chgo