finger tapping

bullshot

bullshot

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Just a question I've wondered about for a while. I've noticed that a lot of players have an interesting quirk (or maybe it serves a purpose?) and that is tapping either the ring finger or the middle finger of their bridge hand as they make the practice strokes. Is this a habit or does it do something?
 
Serves no purpose.

I used to do this. It was not something I did consciously. It used to happen when I stretched my fingers out wide and pushed them down into the cloth to get a really solid bridge (something that snooker players are sometimes taught to do). When I used to do this, the second finger was fairly rigid but lifted off the cloth very easily. It just seemed to twitch of it's own accord. Especially when I was concentrating hard, I think - but I can't be sure, because I was concentrating hard...

When I stopped using that sort of bridge, this involuntary twitching stopped.
 
Its a secret! Naw kidding i noticed that when i first started playing myself and now i sorta do or catch myself doing it sometimes..
 
The only time I see people doing this (including myself) is when they are really in stroke and are making everything they shoot at.
 
I do it when I'm having a hard time concentrating. takes my mind off of distractions and people sharking me.
 
It's Morse code. The player is tapping out the description of the shot. You have to know Morse code to understand it.

:p

-Sean
 
I do it and sometimes dont even realize im doing it, Like a poster said earlier i do seem to do it when im really in stroke. Might be some sort of subconscious confidence:cool:
 
Different for me

I do it to move my fingers into an either more relaxed (what I feel is more natural or comfortable) position or I am steadying my bridge when i put them down.
 
that's subconscious, and that's how neurotic system works for some of us. I know several local players doing this.
Better stress of trying to concentrate hard is released in this form rather than in what South African player Zbynek Vaic does ;)
 
I remember Kevin Trudeau asking Mike Sigel this exact same question on one of his instructional DVDs streamed on the IPT site way back. Mike simply replied "that just means my mind is thinking".
 
I thought about this thread last night when I caught myself tapping the pinkie of my bridge hand.

Our best local pool hero doesn't tap any fingers, though- he very softly and lightly strokes the felt with the ring finger of his bridge hand.

THAT must be why I can't play.

Personal new rule: No more tapping pinkie. Smooth felt stroking with ring finger from now on.

This HAS to be better than the other gimmicks I've tried (lucky argyle socks, etc.). Now I'll really make some balls!!! : )
 
I've noticed that Glen Atwell does this...so, it's certainly not a bad thing...
 
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