Having trouble with the pendulum.

G

Gio Sr.

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have said before I am trying to get basics and repeatable form.

I am watching a lot of youtube and AZ videos. Yesterday I was working on a comfortable stance and smooth stroke and follow through.

My problem was on the warm up strokes my tip was all over the place. Left and right mostly. I really had to focus to get the tip to the red dot on the CB.
I'm a chubby guy so I figure I'm bouncing of myself .

Where do I look, grip, feet whatever?

Thanks
 
Gio Sr. said:
I have said before I am trying to get basics and repeatable form.

I am watching a lot of youtube and AZ videos. Yesterday I was working on a comfortable stance and smooth stroke and follow through.

My problem was on the warm up strokes my tip was all over the place. Left and right mostly. I really had to focus to get the tip to the red dot on the CB.
I'm a chubby guy so I figure I'm bouncing of myself .

Where do I look, grip, feet whatever?

Thanks
Click to expand...



Might be that you are not at 90 degrees.
When your cue tip is at the cue ball your arm should hang straight down from your elbow. Make sure your grip is loose.
randyg
 
randyg said:
Might be that you are not at 90 degrees.
When your cue tip is at the cue ball your arm should hang straight down from your elbow. Make sure your grip is loose.
randyg
Click to expand...

Thanks randyg I'm on my way to practice now. I'll see if I can get on of the guys to watch out for that for me.
 
Check these first:

Check that the cue isn't bumping into your stomach during your full stroke. Adjust your feet and lower body if necessary so this doesn't happen. It will be easier if you ask a friend to watch as you shoot.

Also make sure your grip is loose and relaxed so the cue pivots smoothly across your fingers.
 
I think you'll honestly be surprised at how lightly you have to "grip" the cue. To me, it's more of a gentle cradle.

Very, VERY, very little pressure there.

Any instructors feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I turned more to a 90 degree and that helped. I was bumping into the groceries :wink2:.

Thanks for your help guys.
 
fathomblue said:
To me, it's more of a gentle cradle.
Click to expand...

A tight grip is the number one cueing error my students had. I think this is partly due to one definition of grip being tight grasp. Gentle cradle is definitely a more appropriate term.
 
Mark Avlon said:
A tight grip is the number one cueing error my students had. I think this is partly due to one definition of grip being tight grasp. Gentle cradle is definitely a more appropriate term.
Click to expand...

Do you recommend the tip dipping after contact or letting the tip go through the ball straight by letting the cue slide , Mark?
 
fathomblue said:
I think you'll honestly be surprised at how lightly you have to "grip" the cue. To me, it's more of a gentle cradle.

Very, VERY, very little pressure there.

Any instructors feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...


I worked on this today. It did make a difference. My grip was loose but it got tight during the stroke.

Thanks
 
JoeyInCali said:
Do you recommend the tip dipping after contact or letting the tip go through the ball straight by letting the cue slide , Mark?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean in the second part of your question. It seems that you're saying the stroke stops at perpendicular and the cue then slips through the hand. I wouldn't suggest this.

For most players, the tip will dip towards the table as they go forward of perpendicular. Where the tip ends up will depend on the shooter and their stance, and their finish position. Each player should know where their tip finishes.

What is important is finishing the stroke well. They should accelerate the cue through contact with the cue ball. A good way to ensure this occurs is to let the elbow naturally close completely, or let the grip hand contact the chest. Either way stops the cue's forward movement.

If instead, the shooter tries to stop the cue shortly after contact, there is the possibility the cue begins to decelerate prior to contact, and the tension may cause the cue to veer.

Randy, I was working. :)
 
Last edited:
Mark Avlon said:
What is important is finishing the stroke well. They should accelerate the cue through contact with the cue ball. A good way to ensure this occurs is to let the elbow naturally close completely, or let the grip hand contact the chest. Either way stops the cue's forward movement.

If instead, the shooter tries to stop the cue shortly after contact, there is the possibility the cue begins to decelerate prior to contact, and the tension may cause the cue to veer.
Click to expand...

Something to work on, thanks Mark. I have been guessing about all this stuff and chasing rabbits.
 
Mark Avlon said:
I'm not sure what you mean in the second part of your question. It seems that you're saying the stroke stops at perpendicular and the cue then slips through the hand. I wouldn't suggest this.

For most players, the tip will dip towards the table as they go forward of perpendicular. Where the tip ends up will depend on the shooter and their stance, and their finish position. Each player should know where their tip finishes.

What is important is finishing the stroke well. They should accelerate the cue through contact with the cue ball. A good way to ensure this occurs is to let the elbow naturally close completely, or let the grip hand contact the chest. Either way stops the cue's forward movement.

If instead, the shooter tries to stop the cue shortly after contact, there is the possibility the cue begins to decelerate prior to contact, and the tension may cause the cue to veer.

Randy, I was working. :)
Click to expand...



Working, my God, what's this World coming to!

Just one thing to add. With a perfect pendulum stroke the cue tip is level at contact with the cue ball (provided that you start level). After the cue ball leaves (1/1000 second) the cue stick just continues on it's course until the back hand has gone home. That in part will have the tip pointing down somewhat.

Have to go back to work,
randyg
 
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