Grip This!!!!

[BRKNRUN]

Ok I have seen actually very little regarding proper grip...Usually it is make it realxed, grip with the first finger and thumb, grip with the second and third finger and keep the thumb relaxed, point the thumb toward the ground etc. etc.

I have looked at many pictures of "Grips" trying to find a consistency....not so much in grip pressures.

I have been analyzing the knuckles of various players good bad and in between.

The knuckles I have paid attention to are the two main sets of knuckles...It appears that the main hand knuckles (The 5 across the eyes knuckles) align along the side of the cue....they don't get on top, and they don't fall underneath....

The other knuckles (The main knuckles in your fingers) seem to align directly under the cue or to the "outside underneath"

I am sure that players with longer fingers will have the knuckle on the very bottom, and players with shorter fingers will have the knuckle to the outside underneath...

I fall into the outside underneath catagory on normal diameter cues, but as the cue diameter gets smaller (toward the front of the wrap) my knuckles align at the very bottom.

First, is it a big deal that the knuckles are not at the very most bottom of the cue, or would it be better to have a custom butt diameter that allows the knuckles to align directly under the cue....(would that lead to a more consitent delivery of the cue)

Thoughts?????

I am inserting two pictures to show an exampe of the finger knuckle being in a different spot....(which one of these guys is better??? ...lol jk )

On a serious note...look at other pictures of Cory, Efren, Johnny, Earl etc etc you will see what I mean about the finger knuckle...

 

[td873]

Thoughts?????

Grip is very unique, just as stance and stroke. Most humans don't have a problem holding a stick. In fact, the only thing that I instruct students NOT to do is grip too tightly. Other than that, holding a stick is an individual preference.

As a technical matter, the most commonly taught grip is a light grip, with the weight of the cue resting on the first two fingers (not a tight grip), with your knuckles creating a straight line perpendicular to the floor. There should be not bowing or curving of your hand under the cue.

But again, whatever works for the individual is most important.

-td

 

[JoeW]

Posted this in another thread but perhaps this is where the action will be.

With regard to the grip hand, there seems to be an interesting phenomena here that I was just studying. Perhaps someone else knows more.

I placed the cue on the edge of the table and stroked along the crease between the rail and the table. Stroking in this way one can see the least deviation in stroke. To study the stroke I followed all the way through until my hand touched my chest. This allows me to study any tip deviation from the line.

If the little finger and the ring finger remain in contact with the cue these fingers tend to cause the hand to twist and throw the stick off line towards the end of the stroke. I think that is fairly common knowledge. Fast Eddie will lose to Minn Fats

The next part is new to me. When the stick is held with the first two fingers and the thumb, the stick can be held in a few different ways.

1. The weight of the stick can rest on the inside of the finger tips. This leads to a slight deviation from the stroke line towards the end of the stroke. Seems that carrying the weight here also leads to a slight twist of the wrist and tends to get the ring finger and the little finger into the act. Minn Fats will lose to Willie Mosconie

2. The weight can be carried on the inside of the knuckles of the first two fingers with the thumb knuckle used to hold the stick in place. This may or not lead to deviation from the stroke line depending upon one’s concentration.

3. The weight can be carried primarily by the thumb knuckle with the stick held in place by the first and second finger. This leads to the least stroke deviation for me.

Assuming that slight deviations from the stroke line can lead to missed shots it would appear that grip #3 is the better grip for a consistent follow through.

I only experimented with this for 30 minutes or so and there may be other ways to hold the stick that I am not aware of. It is obvious to me that grip #1 is not a good grip.

With regard to Brknrun's question it appears to me that the thumb knuckle should carry the weight. The knuckles of the first and second finger should be "higher" and against, rather than under the cue.

 

[Scott Lee]

Grip is very unique, just as stance and stroke. Most humans don't have a problem holding a stick. In fact, the only thing that I instruct students NOT to do is grip too tightly. Other than that, holding a stick is an individual preference.

As a technical matter, the most commonly taught grip is a light grip, with the weight of the cue resting on the first two fingers (not a tight grip), with your knuckles creating a straight line perpendicular to the floor. There should be not bowing or curving of your hand under the cue.

-td

Good information for the most part! It doesn't matter how you cradle the cue in your hand...finger and thumb, forefinger off the cue, or full hand grip...the important factor is keep the grip loose and the wrist flexible during the execution of the stroke. You have to allow the weight of the cue and timing to create the stroke speed. Many players grip the cue too tightly as they strike the CB, and this inhibits a natural finish to your stroke. The knuckles on the grip hand should be flat, and parallel to the cuestick at ball address (contact). During the backswing the knuckles tilt backwards; they're flat at contact; and at the finish, the knuckles tilt up (and your grip hand finishes on or near your chest and armpit). This can only happen with a LOOSE grip. A tight grip at impact ruins your stroke! All SPF instructors understand the dynamics of the grip, and it is demonstrated and analyzed during video review of the student's stroke.

Scott Lee

 

[Stones]

Now, I really feel like a knuckle head!!!!

Stones