It is one of the most difficult things to do, yet it sounds so easy. Keeping still, and in particular keeping the head still is what helped my game the most when starting out. I had a tendency to lift my head. This was because of my grip not releasing from the cue properly. I have a long backswing, regardless of the power needed. The cue is pulled back all the way to my bridge for soft/medium, medium, firm and hard strokes. So, bringing the cue all the way back when my grip didn't release properly meant the butt of the cue rose up, and my chin had to move up too. Then as I went forward with the cue my chin dropped. It caused all kinds of problems.
So, how do you practice keeping still? It starts at your base. Having a solid base will stop any major body movements such as swaying side to side and forwards and backwards. So, make sure those feet are firmly planted and you are comfortable. Comfort...its important. If you decide to change your stance for example to a more square stance it will be uncomfortable. But any stance becomes comfortable after a bit of practice, so don't go changing your stance unless its needed.
Next the bridge. That, like the feet has to be planted firmly. Have as much of the hand as you can in contact with the table. A lot of players that move forwards and backwards have the bridge just barely touching the table. Put a little more pressure and weight on the bridge and you will stop the forwards and backwards movement.
Next the grip. I grip firm, with the cue tight up to the webbing in my V. I would say about a 7 out of 10 with 10 being a death grip. So its massively important that I release fingers from the cue when I pull back. Add in the wrist, which mine is always locked until after contact and it makes it even more important to release properly so the cue stays level when I stroke. But, even if you grip loosely you still need to release properly, just not as much as myself for example. Also tightening of the grip on the forward stroke is a killer. Especially if you cradle the cue in your fingers, then tighten too soon before contact it causes the head to jolt up if you have your chin on the cue. Not only this but it makes any spin you wanted to apply disappear.
The chin. If like me you play with the chin touching its really important to pull the cue ball level. I could never have a stroke like Mika with my chin always touching the cue. My head would bob up and down like crazy. So, chin on the cue all the time means you have to keep the cue level to avoid head movement.
Next...the head. Just concentrate on keeping the head still. You keep the head still and chances are the rest of the body will be still. When at the table practicing just get down without using any balls and just bull back and stroke forward trying to keep the head still. Then slow the back swing and front swing right down. To like 1/10 the speed it normally is. This will let you know exactly when your body parts move and you can rectify them.
A fine example of someone who has staying still down is Judd Trump. Watch when he plays a power draw shot. Most players will lean forward and rise up throughout the shot but Judd stays nice and still and the result is his cue goes up from his bridge and into the air a bit.
So, how do you practice keeping still? It starts at your base. Having a solid base will stop any major body movements such as swaying side to side and forwards and backwards. So, make sure those feet are firmly planted and you are comfortable. Comfort...its important. If you decide to change your stance for example to a more square stance it will be uncomfortable. But any stance becomes comfortable after a bit of practice, so don't go changing your stance unless its needed.
Next the bridge. That, like the feet has to be planted firmly. Have as much of the hand as you can in contact with the table. A lot of players that move forwards and backwards have the bridge just barely touching the table. Put a little more pressure and weight on the bridge and you will stop the forwards and backwards movement.
Next the grip. I grip firm, with the cue tight up to the webbing in my V. I would say about a 7 out of 10 with 10 being a death grip. So its massively important that I release fingers from the cue when I pull back. Add in the wrist, which mine is always locked until after contact and it makes it even more important to release properly so the cue stays level when I stroke. But, even if you grip loosely you still need to release properly, just not as much as myself for example. Also tightening of the grip on the forward stroke is a killer. Especially if you cradle the cue in your fingers, then tighten too soon before contact it causes the head to jolt up if you have your chin on the cue. Not only this but it makes any spin you wanted to apply disappear.
The chin. If like me you play with the chin touching its really important to pull the cue ball level. I could never have a stroke like Mika with my chin always touching the cue. My head would bob up and down like crazy. So, chin on the cue all the time means you have to keep the cue level to avoid head movement.
Next...the head. Just concentrate on keeping the head still. You keep the head still and chances are the rest of the body will be still. When at the table practicing just get down without using any balls and just bull back and stroke forward trying to keep the head still. Then slow the back swing and front swing right down. To like 1/10 the speed it normally is. This will let you know exactly when your body parts move and you can rectify them.
A fine example of someone who has staying still down is Judd Trump. Watch when he plays a power draw shot. Most players will lean forward and rise up throughout the shot but Judd stays nice and still and the result is his cue goes up from his bridge and into the air a bit.
