I see some of the greats often have their forearm on the table when shooting. I mean from the elbow to the wrist. I'm 6' 3" and 64 and that just does not work for me. Maybe I should try and improve my physical fitness and see if I can do it. Do most of you shoot that way when the balls allow it?
Forearm on table?
- Thread starter Ak Guy
- Start date
Started doing that about a year ago, like the results. Think it gives me more stability, was a tip from Rodney Morris
I do it when the shot allows and i'm long like you (6'2" but I have monkey arms so my span is 6'5"), but it feels really good to shoot that way though it's hard on the back after a time. I think I have a similar build to Johnny Archer and I saw him shoot that way and tried after that.
The forearm on the table does not have any effect at all in and of itself. More
than likely they just feel more comfortable on some shots. If however, keeping
your forearm on the table helps to avoid some bad habit, like jumping up, or some
other movement, it can effect improvement.
Dale
Johnny Archer rests his forearm on the table a lot.
if you are fit enough to get down there do it whenever possible. very stable.
Situations arise where you can't plant the forearm on the table...
Try and get the elbow down there.
these extra points of contact help bigtime.
I am just five ft. seven and always thought the taller player had an advantage with reach and everything...
maybe being closer to the table helps too.
I don't know.
best of luck.
steven
Situations arise where you can't plant the forearm on the table...
Try and get the elbow down there.
these extra points of contact help bigtime.
I am just five ft. seven and always thought the taller player had an advantage with reach and everything...
maybe being closer to the table helps too.
I don't know.
best of luck.
steven
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=381804&highlight=forearm+table
This was discussed just not too long ago. Here's more reading for you.
This was discussed just not too long ago. Here's more reading for you.
Contact on pool table
The gol is to have as many contact points between your arm or hand and the table.
It must be solid.
Willie Hoppe used a 'tripod' bridge which is usually not used by pool players - but it has at least 3 contacts.
For pool players, it is way more important to have your palm on the table than your whole arm.
Remember. When free stroking, the fundamentals can get weak and sloppy. When under pressure, strong fundamentals are mandatory. Carelessness will bite you in the butt!
Mark Griffin
The gol is to have as many contact points between your arm or hand and the table.
It must be solid.
Willie Hoppe used a 'tripod' bridge which is usually not used by pool players - but it has at least 3 contacts.
For pool players, it is way more important to have your palm on the table than your whole arm.
Remember. When free stroking, the fundamentals can get weak and sloppy. When under pressure, strong fundamentals are mandatory. Carelessness will bite you in the butt!
Mark Griffin
I don't care if you've got the tendon-strength of a Greek god and can hold that bridge as steady as a brick - the more points of contact you've got, the more stable you're going to be. The forearm on the table will always have an effect by further stabilizing your bridge. You can be perfectly stable for your own purposes, but an additional point of contact builds even more stability. I'll always look for an opportunity to get more of my arm down on the table (within the comfort and balance of my shot) in order to ensure that there is absolutely the least possible amount of movement in my bridge hand. If you're playing to win you have to look for every small advantage, especially in a game of very fine motor skills.
Personally, I think you should always try to get your forearm down when you can. I had never even considered not doing it until I read some of the threads on here about it, in fact.
For reference, I'm also 6' 3", and don't find it an issue. I'm assuming you don't play with your chin on the cue, though?
Can work well, certainly isn't a must to play well
The forearm on the table can work well but is by no means a must to play well. Coming from a time when air conditioning wasn't universal and being only a few degrees from the tropics, there was a time when a slob putting his forearm on the table would be told a thing or two, the whole damned table would be wet in a few games! You got a very nasty forearm in a few games some places too. Still a fair number of places where I wouldn't want to guess what all the stains on the table are!
When I came back to pool I shot both ways. Being over six foot myself I don't find it comfortable to shoot with my elbow on the table for very long and I don't see any reason to with a proper distribution of weight between the bridge hand and both feet.
Wait a minute! You must have your elbow on the table to shoot well. Without your elbow on the table you are doomed to always be a banger! My forearm pads/protectors will be available in a few weeks for the low low price of $39.95!
Hu
The forearm on the table can work well but is by no means a must to play well. Coming from a time when air conditioning wasn't universal and being only a few degrees from the tropics, there was a time when a slob putting his forearm on the table would be told a thing or two, the whole damned table would be wet in a few games! You got a very nasty forearm in a few games some places too. Still a fair number of places where I wouldn't want to guess what all the stains on the table are!
When I came back to pool I shot both ways. Being over six foot myself I don't find it comfortable to shoot with my elbow on the table for very long and I don't see any reason to with a proper distribution of weight between the bridge hand and both feet.
Wait a minute! You must have your elbow on the table to shoot well. Without your elbow on the table you are doomed to always be a banger! My forearm pads/protectors will be available in a few weeks for the low low price of $39.95!
Hu
Oh yeah....I'm six six, and I need to be down on the shot to see the shot line, this also stabilizes my bridge arm/critical with smaller pockets nowadays, plus I'm more relaxed during shot execution.
bent elbow on bridge arm
For years I taught the straight arm approach. This is what most of the books taught many years ago. The idea was to be consistent.
Only in recent years did I realize that everything one can do to be more stable and solid makes one a better player.
We never stop learning unless we choose to!
For years I taught the straight arm approach. This is what most of the books taught many years ago. The idea was to be consistent.
Only in recent years did I realize that everything one can do to be more stable and solid makes one a better player.
We never stop learning unless we choose to!
I agree Donny.. and I'm sorry, but this could be one of the most pointless debates I have ever seen on this forum !..
Let me elaborate..I personally don't think it matters, if you're 6' 9'' or 4' 9''...The number of contact points with the table, should be completely insignificant !..Any accomplished player, worth his salt, has already acquired the best position at the table FOR HIM, for any given shot.
Whenever possible, I always felt a palm (or at least the heel) of my hand, gave added stability when practical to do so...There are so many different layouts, and ball positions, (over a ball, off the rail, etc.) that even that simple manuver is not always possible..Its just there for you, whenever practical.
Closed bridge, or open, also will have some bearing on this..Most good players use both, depending on the shot requirements. So for someone aspiring to improve, I firmly believe you are much better off concentrating your efforts on being comfortable at the table, than trying to limit yourself to ANY particular regimen...If you watch the better players, you will see that whatever their contact points are, they look solid, comfortable, effective AND productive..
SJD
Let me elaborate..I personally don't think it matters, if you're 6' 9'' or 4' 9''...The number of contact points with the table, should be completely insignificant !..Any accomplished player, worth his salt, has already acquired the best position at the table FOR HIM, for any given shot.
Whenever possible, I always felt a palm (or at least the heel) of my hand, gave added stability when practical to do so...There are so many different layouts, and ball positions, (over a ball, off the rail, etc.) that even that simple manuver is not always possible..Its just there for you, whenever practical.
Closed bridge, or open, also will have some bearing on this..Most good players use both, depending on the shot requirements. So for someone aspiring to improve, I firmly believe you are much better off concentrating your efforts on being comfortable at the table, than trying to limit yourself to ANY particular regimen...If you watch the better players, you will see that whatever their contact points are, they look solid, comfortable, effective AND productive..
SJD
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I agree Donny.. and I'm sorry, but this could be one of the most pointless debates I have ever seen on this forum !..
Let me elaborate..I personally don't think it matters, if you're 6' 9'' or 4' 9''...The number of contact points with the table, should be completely insignificant !..Any accomplished player, worth his salt, has already acquired the best position at the
table FOR HIM, for any given shot.
Whenever possible, I always felt a palm (or at least the heel) of my hand, gave added stability when practical to do so...There are so many different layouts, and ball positions, (over a ball, off the rail, etc.) that even that simple manuver is not always possible..Its just there for you, whenever practical.
Closed bridge, or open, also will have some bearing on this..Most good players use both, depending on the shot requirements. So for someone aspiring to improve, I firmly believe you are much better off concentrating your efforts on being comfortable at the table, than trying to limit yourself to ANY particular regimen...If you watch the better players, you will see that whatever their contact points are, they look solid, comfortable, effective AND productive..
SJD
Good Post & Good Advice.
Yhanks guys
I appreciate the advice and opinions. I'm just trying to improve my game so I been asking about forearm on the table and contact lenses. It gives me incentive to improve my health and take better care of my aging body. Thanks again for the input!
I appreciate the advice and opinions. I'm just trying to improve my game so I been asking about forearm on the table and contact lenses. It gives me incentive to improve my health and take better care of my aging body. Thanks again for the input!
I completely agree - there are always extenuating circumstances. Playing in a place like the tropics where you can really mess with the table's play by doing it - of course you wouldn't do it! Common courtesy is important. And I don't mean to say you must have an elbow down to shoot well in my post - my point is that anything you can do, as Donny said, to add stability is bound to improve your shot.
I agree Donny.. and I'm sorry, but this could be one of the most pointless debates I have ever seen on this forum !..
Let me elaborate..I personally don't think it matters, if you're 6' 9'' or 4' 9''...The number of contact points with the table, should be completely insignificant !..Any accomplished player, worth his salt, has already acquired the best position at the table FOR HIM, for any given shot.
Whenever possible, I always felt a palm (or at least the heel) of my hand, gave added stability when practical to do so...There are so many different layouts, and ball positions, (over a ball, off the rail, etc.) that even that simple manuver is not always possible..Its just there for you, whenever practical.
Closed bridge, or open, also will have some bearing on this..Most good players use both, depending on the shot requirements. So for someone aspiring to improve, I firmly believe you are much better off concentrating your efforts on being comfortable at the table, than trying to limit yourself to ANY particular regimen...If you watch the better players, you will see that whatever their contact points are, they look solid, comfortable, effective AND productive..
SJD
Question. ....do you use both open and closed bridges? If so, you, as you say, are doing what accomplished players, worth their salt, do. So why not adapt and try planting your forearm on the table? It does help creating a stable bridge, but maybe more importantly, it helps with creating a stable stance. Yes, you can't do it every time, but when possible, why not use its advantages? Johnny Archer and Rodney Morris seem to practice what I'm preaching. Are the wrong? Are they not worth their salt?
As for limiting yourself, I don't see it. I am far more comfortable when I can plant my entire forearm on the table. But that's me....and many others....including some top professionals. ....billiards and snooker. As for being a pointless debate, not even close. The number one fundamental is building a stable and comfortable stance. For me and many others, being able to put entire forearm on the table (or elbow on the rail) help create that stable and comfortable stance.
I do agree with you however on not limiting yourself to any particular regime. Pool requires many different "poses". All different stances and positions come into play. As Albert Einstein once said...."There are six millions shots in the game of pool". We have to use whatever talents God has given us, and all possible aids when trying to achieve our goal of pool perfection. Practice it for a little while. I think you will find it is and aid, not a hindrance.
Per Mark Wilson
I've often wondered about this. It would seem logical that placing your forearm on the table bed would eliminate one variable and thus provide more stability.
HOWEVER, Mark Wilson, in his comprehensive and expensive book (Play Great Pool) at page 18 says, flat out, that the left arm should not be in contact with the table. His reasoning is that the bent left elbow from such a position provides less stability, and allows more head and body movement. (His text assumes a right-handed player.)
He should be back from Blackpool by now; maybe he can amplify this opinion for us. ...... Mark?
RL
I've often wondered about this. It would seem logical that placing your forearm on the table bed would eliminate one variable and thus provide more stability.
HOWEVER, Mark Wilson, in his comprehensive and expensive book (Play Great Pool) at page 18 says, flat out, that the left arm should not be in contact with the table. His reasoning is that the bent left elbow from such a position provides less stability, and allows more head and body movement. (His text assumes a right-handed player.)
He should be back from Blackpool by now; maybe he can amplify this opinion for us. ...... Mark?
RL
This is clearly preposterous. Please explain all the great players who
DON"T/DIDN"T put their forearm on the table.
Wadda yuh think, they're lucky?
Dale
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