Dart jumping?
- Thread starter racer rx
- Start date
Tom Rossman uses the "dart jumping" method, and is considered to be one of the best (if not the best) jumper in the trick shot world. It seems, biomechanically, to be an easier, more tension-free way to jump. I think most players jump the traditional way (jacked up) because it is more similar to their regular stroke, and may take less getting used to.
I've never been able to dart jump because I play left handed, but I'm right handed. I can't make a bridge steady enough to do it. But I jump balls fairly well when they're not too close, with good accuracy. I played a guy one time that couldn't make 3 balls in a row and we played on tight pockets upstairs at Hard Times and I was giving him the 7 out. I couldn't lock him up at all, he jumped everything and hit it and got away with it just about every time. Very frustrating, because it took me about 5 hours to get the money when it should have been over with after a set or 2. Oh well, that weapon will never be in my bag of arsenal. Peace.
Dart Jumping... is using a short jump stick and holding the jump stick just like a dart. Between the thumb and index fingers. You can really site down the cue quite well.
The other method involved to jack up the rear of the cue and hit it similar to a normal stroke.
The other method involved to jack up the rear of the cue and hit it similar to a normal stroke.
sjm said:
I make an optional very thin and light handle for my jump cues that allows you to achieve legal length and still get the "shaft jump" feel. I can regularly get over a ball 1 inch away and occasionally get over one 1/4 inch away.
I still prefer the jacked up method though, as I feel it is a bit more accurate for me.
The dart method is best only for very close jumps, IMO.
racer rx said:
I think the standard underhand stroke is more accurate, which is why most very good amatures and pro's don't use the dart type IMO. It has its place though; the dart type is good to clear a close object ball.
All you have to do with either stroke is hit with a little unwanted english and it's a miss especially at a longer distance. While players might practice the dart type, I don't think they'll ever trust it as much as the underhanded stroke they have used for years.
One more aspect to put in the equation is doing something with whitey. In most cases you have more c/b control with an underhanded stroke. Granted jump cues have little weight so it's limited and a factor.
I've said before I'm not JC fan and that is one of the reasons. I might want to jump with draw or jump draw it back a few feet or inches. Either one is not likely unless the cue has more weight. Might as well use my playing cue if distance permits. I have one JC that is heavier than most at over 11 oz. I prefer to use it for a little more control.
When the distance is to close then I have no option but to kick etc. In most cases the option of hitting a ball on the correct side out weighs jumping over a ball at one inch and making contact. Personally I seldome practice jumps and never real close. Just some food for thought and I'm sure the pro's weigh the percenages.
Rod
I'll use dart style if I have to. You've mentioned you can get the cue ball up more quickly with dart style. It also comes in handy when the cue ball isn't near the rail. I can use dart style with the cue ball sitting near the middle of the table. When I can reach it, I use the jacked up method. I'm better with that.