Chin on the cue!

Field of vision

bobforest said:
I seem to recall being told something similar... i.e. the main benefit is that you have a fairly consistent line of sight down the cue... is that right?

Cheers

Bob
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The closer your chin is to the cue the closer your tip, the CB and the object ball appear in your field of vision. In theory at least, this makes aiming easier.

I like to get that low when lining up many shots (especially long shots), but at my age I can't shoot with my chin that close. So I get as low as is comfortable. I find that as I warm up and play for a while, it's a bit easier to get closer to the cue.
 
I see a lot of players who miss (and miss by a mile) because they refuse to get down very low,
especially on long shots.

I never saw anyone miss because they got "too low".

You don't need to literally rub your chin but getting down low will help. Someone on here said it best...
"It's not always about comfort."
 
sakujack said:
put your chin on the cue.
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Caudron Frederic 2011_12 - 2.jpg

cuelemans.jpg

m1fzrq5af8u0.jpg

semihsayginer.jpg

Or, do not compare apples to oranges.
 
benturner said:
How important is it to have you chin reating on the cue while down on the shot? I see alot of players do this with chin completely on it some just above and Corey duel who seem to be more upright. Does this matter at all ?
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It is what feels comfortable to you. There is a VERY long line of champions (not keyboard warriors) not having had their chin on the cue. They did what felt most comfortable and allowed them to see the shot the best. For some it is low on the ball, and some it is higher on the ball.
 
My understanding is that a majority (say over 50%) of women use that stance. I do 80% of the time unless I'm at a place which doesn't allow my that position. Personally I don't see any reason to use that form unless it's something it's going to add (or increase) a certain type confidence as in: you feel like it gives you a better view of the precise point of contact on the cb and ob; clearer view of your contact point on the cb; perhaps it's a comfort thing.

For me, I already had a natural very low stance but once I realized that it's a form used by many pro's (women) I felt better of making the switch. Mosconi had a very high stance, Efren has a very high stance too, so do very many players. Personally I wouldn't recommend it to someone unless they already had a predisposition to staying very close to the table.

IMHO, Loren`
 
bobforest said:
Two different disciplines with enough differences to mean anyone would find it almost impossible to top dog in both... personally I'd love to see the top... very best.. pool players have a crack at the world snooker championships... and vice versa

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
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I so wish Ronnie O'Sullivan would come to a pool tournament. I would love for him to consider coming to the next ULTIMATE 10 BALL CHAMPIONSHIP. No one would expect him to win but what a thrill it would be for us guys who have never seen him in person. And who knows, he pots so well, he might just win it.
JoeyA
 
JuicyGirl said:
My understanding is that a majority (say over 50%) of women use that stance. I do 80% of the time unless I'm at a place which doesn't allow my that position. Personally I don't see any reason to use that form unless it's something it's going to add (or increase) a certain type confidence as in: you feel like it gives you a better view of the precise point of contact on the cb and ob; clearer view of your contact point on the cb; perhaps it's a comfort thing.

For me, I already had a natural very low stance but once I realized that it's a form used by many pro's (women) I felt better of making the switch. Mosconi had a very high stance, Efren has a very high stance too, so do very many players. Personally I wouldn't recommend it to someone unless they already had a predisposition to staying very close to the table.

IMHO, Loren`
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Warren Kiamco has a slightly elevated stance and he is probably about the same height as Mosconi......
 
Double-Dave said:
Or, do not compare apples to oranges.
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Here is a couple more. I gathered pics of most players in what was considered their prime.

kmdvljc.jpg


goQbX4L.jpg


cXFTl9b.jpg


bE1dXyi.jpg


US7TvoZ.jpg


ntqW3HDl.jpg


How about this monster player?
HqBKTFA.jpg


And the man himself...
VrHuv8t.jpg





JohnPT said:
I don't disagree with the other stuff you mentioned but I just wanted to correct your statement regarding Efren.
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Efren more in his prime
EoNFSvo.jpg


And what Efren thinks of not being comfortable at the table
pGihlGe.jpg
 
JohnPT said:
I don't disagree with the other stuff you mentioned but I just wanted to correct your statement regarding Efren.

images
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I want to agree with you Efren has a low stance and not like Mosconi's but... I am going to back up my statement. Efren has his cue about 4-8 inches below his chin. Efren's chin is not resting on the cue, which is what I do.

here's a link from the Super Billiards Expo.

Direct Link to Efren at 2013 Super Billiards Expo

2013 SBE link- Efren Vs. Thorston
 
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mamics said:
The paradox being of course - why dont the top snooker players win every major pool tournament if they are 'better' at cuesport ?
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Because they have the possibility of millions playing snooker in the UK. Why would they want to play for peanuts?

For instance:
Steve Davis... Career winnings, £5,614,630
Ronnie O'Sullivan... Career winnings £7.091.664
 
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You can find tons of pictures of people with their chins high above the cue. This includes:

– guys who are starting to stand up, or otherwise don't normally shoot so high
(Earl does not shoot that upright, in his prime or otherwise).

– old timers who grew up in the era of straight pool.

– guys who play a completely different game, like 3C, where seeing the path the CB takes over the whole table is essential.

If you plan on playing 3C or you're mostly concerned with comfort, stand taller.
If you want to shoot effectively in the games that are popular today, you gotta get down!

In this pic we have:

Every US Open champ from the past 6 years.
Every DCC All around champ from the past 6 years.
Every Challenge of Champions champ from the past 6 years.
Robocop, just because.

K8or84U.jpg


The only guy who shoots even remotely "upright" is John Brumback and he still looks pretty low there.
 
flyvirginiaguy said:
Because they have the possibility of millions playing snooker in the UK. Why would they want to play for peanuts?
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Makes complete sense to me. I've got no idea on tourny prizemoney from either major events (pool or snooker) - but I will take ur word on it.

Followup question - why dont more top (pro) pool players have a crack at the big $$ prizemoney on offer in snooker ?
 
benturner said:
How important is it to have you chin reating on the cue while down on the shot? I see alot of players do this with chin completely on it some just above and Corey duel who seem to be more upright. Does this matter at all ?
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There are several advantages to a low stance, with the chin closer to the cue. Here's the list from the low-stance resource page:

- It makes it easier to be consistent with your visual alignment (for more info, see vision center). With the chin so close to the cue, it is easier to see (or even feel) whether or not you are off to one side or the other.

- Being closer to the cue allows you to sight more along the cue, similar to a marksman looking down the barrel of a gun. This can help you better visualize the line of the shot. Note that with a low stance, it helps to use an open bridge or longer bridge length to allow you to see more of the cue (for more info, see bridge length).

- There is less eye movement between the CB and the OB while checking the tip position and aiming line in the set position.

- It is easier to visualize and create the exact tip position desired.

Regards,
Dave
 
One thing I didn't see mentioned here. If you play closed bridge, unless you use the rail, it's extremely awkward to rub the cue on your chin (snooker style). Most "rubbers" play open bridge.

Another point, in snooker, there is much less forgiveness. The snooker stance is not about comfort, it's about aligning your body the exact same way every time in a robot like consistency.

With an open bridge/chin close to the cue, you cannot produce as much juice on the cb. Snooker players stand very static when stroking. The only parts moving are the elbows and for some, the wrist. In 9 ball, most people who juice the ball have a much looser stroke. Different strokes for different games I would say.

Not sure if it makes sense but it does in my mind :-)

Cheers
 
Also, does the ball size between disciplines limit how easy it is to switch between them ?

ie. There seems to be alot of 'imagination' & 'feel' to aiming correctly to make pots. (ghost ball / contact point methods etc.)

Correctly & consistently "imagining" 2 1/16" v's 2 1/4" balls for aiming would make switching between games difficult ? yes / no ?

(sux for me if so, I love playing pool at home with 2 1/4" & also enjoy playing snooker at the club on the full size tables with 2 1/16 balls)

Maybe I should buy some 2 1/16" pool balls (if they make them ?) for home play ? (pockets will seem like buckets at home - but at least the ball sizes wont change / my aim wont get thrown off when switching between games ?)
 
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benturner said:
How important is it to have you chin reating on the cue while down on the shot? I see alot of players do this with chin completely on it some just above and Corey duel who seem to be more upright. Does this matter at all ?
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For me i believe i played better 9 ball when i was able to get down with my chin on cue, but that was 20 years ago and 100 pounds less.

The players that know me, know i been bodybuilding for a very long time, so even know all the weight i gain was mostly muscle weight, thats what took away my limberness to get down low like i used to be able too.

I just feel it took a lot away from my ball making skills, i notice a lot of players as they age tend to shoot up higher , iam sure it because of some weight gain or injury.
 
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