distance from chin to cue when in stroke

O

obclassicut

Percentages
Silver Member
Is it beneficial to have your chin almost touching the cue when stoking? My chin is about 6 inches away when i shoot but most people have there chin directly on the cue. Maybe this is due to height differences?
 
The closer, the better.

You probably going to hear a lot of different opinions, some people might say it doesn't matter, whatever works for you, and others might say the closer, the better.
Personally, I think you get better aim and sight when you lower your chin closer to the cue. Look at all the professional snooker players, I haven't seen one player who doesn't do that.

article-0-0117320000000578-980_468x488.jpg
 
If you having trouble lower the chin closer to the cue, most of time, you need to adjust your body stance and leg placement to lower your center gravity.
 
I have played with my chin on the cue for years, but I've started experimenting with a less extreme stance recently.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Certain shots are VERY hard to shoot with your chin on the cue. If the OB is close to the CB, many times the CB blocks your view of the OB. For these shots, I always come up a bit.

2. In certain table positions (reach shot, shooting over balls, and when the CB Is about 8-10" off the rail), It can be too easy sometimes to get your upper body all wrenched up trying to get your chin down. When I do that, my stroke suffers badly.

3. One benefit of playing with your chin in the cue is that you get a tactile (touch) reference point for cue/head alignment. If you're off the cue, it is a visual alignment.

4. Overall, I believe that playing low can help your accuracy, but with one VERY important stipulation. In your pre-shot routine, as you are moving from a standing position to approaching the CB, it is critical to aim the cut before you get down, and KEEP WATCHING the lines AS you get down into the stance.

My overall opinion is that a higher stance gives you a better perspective of the overall shot, but a lower stance can give you more straight line accuracy.

That said, you already know that many great players have a more upright position. I will also say that when I find myself in the zone, I usually realize that I'm playing with my chin 4-6" above the cue. That's why I'm considering making this permanent change to a slightly higher head position.

Find the best balance for your particular physique and visual acuity, and don't be afraid to commit to the position that works best for you.

-Blake
 
Take all the current pro players for example, there are much much more players who play with chin close to cue.
Alex, Shane, Jason Shaw, most of Pinoy players, just to name a few.
 
There are a lot of advantages to keeping your head down and not a whole lot supporting the opposite. We can start with the obvious which is, it's important to keep your head in the same position throughout the shot. Why? Because your head is attached to your neck which is attached to your shoulders which are attached to your arms which are holding your cue. You move your head, you move your cue, it's that simple.

The next obvious advantage is consistency. When it comes to any repetitive action, it's good to keep as much the same as possible. Why keep your head down? Why not? It's easier to keep your chin an inch above your cue than it is to keep it 6 inches above, unless you have uncanny familiarity with what six inches from your chin looks like.

The last reason I give you is less obvious. I think (and I could be wrong), your body locks into position when you keep your head down. I find my arm swings straighter and I'm more consistent, especially when hitting the ball especially hard. I do think it's easier to hit the ball hard from a more upright position but I strongly believe you lose accuracy.


Now, I'm sure there are plenty of players out there that have their heads far above their cues. I know a bunch of them and some of them are truly great. If you're already great, don't bother listening to me. If you are looking for a reason to go one way or the other, all I can say is, all signs point to keeping your head down.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
There are a lot of advantages to keeping your head down and not a whole lot supporting the opposite. We can start with the obvious which is, it's important to keep your head in the same position throughout the shot. Why? Because your head is attached to your neck which is attached to your shoulders which are attached to your arms which are holding your cue. You move your head, you move your cue, it's that simple.

The next obvious advantage is consistency. When it comes to any repetitive action, it's good to keep as much the same as possible. Why keep your head down? Why not? It's easier to keep your chin an inch above your cue than it is to keep it 6 inches above, unless you have uncanny familiarity with what six inches from your chin looks like.

The last reason I give you is less obvious. I think (and I could be wrong), your body locks into position when you keep your head down. I find my arm swings straighter and I'm more consistent, especially when hitting the ball especially hard. I do think it's easier to hit the ball hard from a more upright position but I strongly believe you lose accuracy.


Now, I'm sure there are plenty of players out there that have their heads far above their cues. I know a bunch of them and some of them are truly great. If you're already great, don't bother listening to me. If you are looking for a reason to go one way or the other, all I can say is, all signs point to keeping your head down.
Click to expand...

Second to that!
 
It totally depends on which dominant eye is applying TOI as x approaches infinity.

But in all seriousness, simply observe top pool players. There is NO set rule and we can argue merits of chin vs non-chin all day long. Watch Mosconi. Compare to the pic's others have already posted in your thread. Geno just may have an opinion on this and he'd be one of many good people to chime in here.


Mosconi:
http://www.fanpix.net/gallery/willie-mosconi-pictures.htm
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
It totally depends on which dominant eye is applying TOI as x approaches infinity.

But in all seriousness, simply observe top pool players. There is NO set rule and we can argue merits of chin vs non-chin all day long. Watch Mosconi. Compare to the pic's others have already posted in your thread. Geno just may have an opinion on this and he'd be one of many good people to chime in here.


Mosconi:
http://www.fanpix.net/gallery/willie-mosconi-pictures.htm
Click to expand...
Mosconi played with his head above the cue a little bit?
 
Excellent answer!

SloMoHolic said:
I have played with my chin on the cue for years, but I've started experimenting with a less extreme stance recently.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Certain shots are VERY hard to shoot with your chin on the cue. If the OB is close to the CB, many times the CB blocks your view of the OB. For these shots, I always come up a bit.

2. In certain table positions (reach shot, shooting over balls, and when the CB Is about 8-10" off the rail), It can be too easy sometimes to get your upper body all wrenched up trying to get your chin down. When I do that, my stroke suffers badly.

3. One benefit of playing with your chin in the cue is that you get a tactile (touch) reference point for cue/head alignment. If you're off the cue, it is a visual alignment.

4. Overall, I believe that playing low can help your accuracy, but with one VERY important stipulation. In your pre-shot routine, as you are moving from a standing position to approaching the CB, it is critical to aim the cut before you get down, and KEEP WATCHING the lines AS you get down into the stance.

My overall opinion is that a higher stance gives you a better perspective of the overall shot, but a lower stance can give you more straight line accuracy.

That said, you already know that many great players have a more upright position. I will also say that when I find myself in the zone, I usually realize that I'm playing with my chin 4-6" above the cue. That's why I'm considering making this permanent change to a slightly higher head position.

Find the best balance for your particular physique and visual acuity, and don't be afraid to commit to the position that works best for you.

-Blake
Click to expand...

I really like your post, especially the sentence beginning with "In my opinion...".

I teach getting your chin as close to the cue as is comfortable. When I'm playing well, I notice that my chin is even closer than normal.
 
I grew up playing snooker... mostly with a one piece cue... was taught a snooker stance from the beginning.

When playing pool, I've (more than once) ripped a hair out of my chin because I didn't shave and it got snagged in the two-piece cue's joint!
 
no idea???!!! never seen myself in a mirror while shooting (or a picture of me shooting). now you've got me curious...:confused:
 
hmm....best answer I've ever heard to this question was along the lines of "do you fire a rifle more accurately from the hip or when it's under your chin?"
 
LHP5 said:
hmm....best answer I've ever heard to this question was along the lines of "do you fire a rifle more accurately from the hip or when it's under your chin?"
Click to expand...

pressed against my right cheek (the one on my face)....would be tough to stroke a cue that way.
 
trustyrusty said:
pressed against my right cheek (the one on my face)....would be tough to stroke a cue that way.
Click to expand...

LOL. Obviously the analogy has to be slightly tweaked to fit the situation, but I think the point does come across. But hey it's something I heard that makes sense to me. Everyone is slightly different or we would all be world champs.....wouldn't that be nice.
 
12 posts and he's just ITCHING to get banned....

didn't quote it, and didn't mention the name....what an idiot
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top