I hold the stick with my fingertips. Is this bad?

[cuetechasaurus]

Do you hold the cue completely at the tips of your fingers, like somewhat on the sides of the cue, where there is nothing underneath the cue? If that's the case, you should definitely change that, because it forces you to squeeze with your fingertips to prevent from dropping the cue.

If you are just cradling the cue with your fingertips running along the bottom of the cue, I don't see anything wrong with that, although it is uncommon amongst pros.

 

[Wazuela]

Do you hold the cue completely at the tips of your fingers, like somewhat on the sides of the cue, where there is nothing underneath the cue? If that's the case, you should definitely change that, because it forces you to squeeze with your fingertips to prevent from dropping the cue.
If you are just cradling the cue with your fingertips running along the bottom of the cue, I don't see anything wrong with that, although it is uncommon amongst pros.

Yeah that's how I've been holding the cue; with the very tips of my fingers on the side. I'm realizing now how ridiculous this is.
I was able to practice for a couple hours today with my primary focus on my grip. I experimented with different grips until I found something that felt right.
What I'm doing now is wrapping my thumb and middle finger around the cue to where they touch. My index finger is on the low side of the cue and my ring and pinky fingers are barely touching the cue.
I find myelf wanting to hold it the old way every now and then so I have to make a conscious effort not to. I'll keep working at it though.

 

[Wybrook]

Its funny that when someone posts a question like this, first it is met with rebuttal, then almost acceptance, so as not to seem judgemental.

The correct answer to this is - "This is the wrong way to hold a cue, and you should change"

If you are on here looking to maybe find the correct solution, then I think it should be presented to you, not sugar coated. Yes, there are a few exceptions of people who can play with their fingertips and even some who shoot balancing the cue on their head, but this does not mean by any stretch that this is the correct way to shoot. "Correct" is the term people have an issue with probably because they lack perfect fundamantals also and are finding a way to make themselves appear better through speech.

There are reasons why you need to hold the cue in a particular way, unless you are disfigured in some way and your body mechanics are totally different from everyone else in the world. Also, over the years, the best methods have been developed to best promote the most accuracy and execution with the least effort. If you want to get good in any sport, perfect fundamentals are critical. This lets you hone your skills better and allows for much improved consistency, which is basically the grounds for any excellence.

Anyone can make a shot once, but real professionals never miss that one shot.

 

[matta]

Its funny that when someone posts a question like this, first it is met with rebuttal, then almost acceptance, so as not to seem judgemental.

The correct answer to this is - "This is the wrong way to hold a cue, and you should change"

If you are on here looking to maybe find the correct solution, then I think it should be presented to you, not sugar coated. Yes, there are a few exceptions of people who can play with their fingertips and even some who shoot balancing the cue on their head, but this does not mean by any stretch that this is the correct way to shoot. "Correct" is the term people have an issue with probably because they lack perfect fundamantals also and are finding a way to make themselves appear better through speech.

There are reasons why you need to hold the cue in a particular way, unless you are disfigured in some way and your body mechanics are totally different from everyone else in the world. Also, over the years, the best methods have been developed to best promote the most accuracy and execution with the least effort. If you want to get good in any sport, perfect fundamentals are critical. This lets you hone your skills better and allows for much improved consistency, which is basically the grounds for any excellence.

Anyone can make a shot once, but real professionals never miss that one shot.

This is asinine! I certainly wouldn't tell some one they had to play this way. Hell, I wouldn't even teach some one to play this way.

But to say you have to a physical handicap for it work?!?!? Come on man! Get real.

Isn't the internet great. You can say whatever you want without repercussion.

matta

 

[Keith McCready]

I have long fingers and ever since I started playing, I've held the stick with the tips of my fingers.

I'm not really improving any so I'm going back to my fundamentals, trying to work out any kinks in my stroke.

I'd like to know if this is fundamentally bad?

To be very honest with you, I do it all the time. So I don't see anything wrong with it at all. :grin-square:

There's an art to it and a gracefulness. The feels is what produces that. Some people are more coordinated than others. It is a technique.

It is a lot easier for me to make certain shots when I twirl my fingers than if I were to grasp it. I have a tendency to use my fingertips when I am using inside lefts, outside rights, center rights, center lefts, but more rights than lefts. I am right-handed, and the lefts are the opposite way for me.

It seems like when you grip the ball more, that's when you got to draw it and hit it with a more firm stroke. When you hit balls with a little bit less stroke, that is when I can see that the twirl of the fingers may work. I find myself using that technique quite a bit in my arsenal of shots, and it actually made it to where I smooth the balls in a lot better using that technique than I do grasping the cue stick, like some of the other players do with a real tight grip. Maybe loosening your grip with that twirl might help you.

 

[Rob_jerrylee]

Well I can Honestly say I hold my cue with three fingers and also have a very lose grip , I get told all the time from some of the very good players in my area that I shouldn't do this and I play very well like this , it all depends on the person .

Like another thing I get told is to change my stroke because I've got the very wavey philippine type stroke but it works for me and I don't complain because that's just the way I shoot .

But if you want to get better you may want to switch your grip since you said you haven't improved it's time for a change .

 

[Wybrook]

This is asinine! I certainly wouldn't tell some one they had to play this way. Hell, I wouldn't even teach some one to play this way.

But to say you have to a physical handicap for it work?!?!? Come on man! Get real.

Isn't the internet great. You can say whatever you want without repercussion.

matta

I think you mis-read my post.....

I am not telling anyone to play a certain way or not, however there are better ways and more proper ways to hold a cue and stroke the ball. Just because someone shoots in a non-traditional way and maybe plays well like this does not mean its the best way to do it and that you should learn it. All it means it that they spent too much time developing a bad habit and now it would not benefit them to change.

As far as the physical handicap comment??? Your reading comprehension really needs work. I was implying that basically everyone is built the same physically and that there is a more "correct" way to implement stroking a cue stick. Anything further you want to pull from this is your mis-interpretation.

Another thing to ponder is that if you ever take a lesson from someone such as Tommy Kennedy, who has a well pronounced side arm stroke, he will never try to teach somene to stroke like him. He learned this way as a result of starting pool young and not being able to get over the table well enough, hence the side-arm. It stuck with his game as he developed and he never saw a reason to change it. Does that mean this is the best way to shoot? NO

The internet is great because you get to converse with people who have no concept of the subject at hand, but defend it tooth and nail.

 

[matta]

I think you mis-read my post.....

I am not telling anyone to play a certain way or not, however there are better ways and more proper ways to hold a cue and stroke the ball. Just because someone shoots in a non-traditional way and maybe plays well like this does not mean its the best way to do it and that you should learn it. All it means it that they spent too much time developing a bad habit and now it would not benefit them to change.

As far as the physical handicap comment??? Your reading comprehension really needs work. I was implying that basically everyone is built the same physically and that there is a more "correct" way to implement stroking a cue stick. Anything further you want to pull from this is your mis-interpretation.

Another thing to ponder is that if you ever take a lesson from someone such as Tommy Kennedy, who has a well pronounced side arm stroke, he will never try to teach somene to stroke like him. He learned this way as a result of starting pool young and not being able to get over the table well enough, hence the side-arm. It stuck with his game as he developed and he never saw a reason to change it. Does that mean this is the best way to shoot? NO

The internet is great because you get to converse with people who have no concept of the subject at hand, but defend it tooth and nail.

I don't disagree with anything you have to say. Your tone is over the top though.

There are reasons why you need to hold the cue in a particular way, unless you are disfigured in some way and your body mechanics are totally different from everyone else in the world.

Thanks for insulting my intelligence. How am I supposed to read that? I didn't make that comment up.

There are examples of top pros playing with their fingertips. It isn't that crazy of an idea. This is such a minor thing. This isn't like trying to play side armed.

Either way, it's pointless to argue on the internet. Have a good day, sir.

matta

 

[Scott Lee]

Wazuela...Well, there you go! An endorsement of your grip technique, by one of the best poolplayers of all time! Maybe that will silence some of the naysayers. What Keith said is right on...that the grip is all about "feeling" the cue in your hand...and like I said, it's not so much about HOW you hold the cue, as it's about NOT squeezing tightly, when you stroke through the CB. I'll be coming through Orlando in mid-October, on my way to Key West. If you'd like to schedule something with me, PM me your contact information!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

To be very honest with you, I do it all the time. So I don't see anything wrong with it at all. :grin-square:

There's an art to it and a gracefulness. The feels is what produces that. Some people are more coordinated than others. It is a technique.

It is a lot easier for me to make certain shots when I twirl my fingers than if I were to grasp it. I have a tendency to use my fingertips when I am using inside lefts, outside rights, center rights, center lefts, but more rights than lefts. I am right-handed, and the lefts are the opposite way for me.

It seems like when you grip the ball more, that's when you got to draw it and hit it with a more firm stroke. When you hit balls with a little bit less stroke, that is when I can see that the twirl of the fingers may work. I find myself using that technique quite a bit in my arsenal of shots, and it actually made it to where I smooth the balls in a lot better using that technique than I do grasping the cue stick, like some of the other players do with a real tight grip. Maybe loosening your grip with that twirl might help you.

 

[Wybrook]

With absolutely no dis-respect to Keith, but how can anything he does have any bearing on what you are supposed to do? His fundamentals are not standard, but he made them work with him for whatever reason. He talks about twirling the cue and changing grips for different shots???? Is this really what you are supposed to learn and supposed to teach?

Scott - you mentioned to the original poster that what Keith says is confirmation that the grip that he uses (and as he states, has not let him improve) is fine just because Keith uses it. Do you teach this method?

If you want to get better in pool, you cannot try to emulate anyone with an odd grip, stance or overall fundamentals. They have made it work through years of practice, perfect timing and a little natural talent thrown in. You need to, instead, try to develop skills with the most perfect form that can be duplicated time and time again, not necessarily depending on all the worlds events coordinating so you can execute successfully. Under pressure, solid fundamentals hold up better than oddball ones due to timing factors and degree of complexity of the movement being performed.

 

[RRfireblade]

To be very honest with you, I do it all the time. So I don't see anything wrong with it at all. :grin-square:

There's an art to it and a gracefulness. The feels is what produces that. Some people are more coordinated than others. It is a technique.

It is a lot easier for me to make certain shots when I twirl my fingers than if I were to grasp it. I have a tendency to use my fingertips when I am using inside lefts, outside rights, center rights, center lefts, but more rights than lefts. I am right-handed, and the lefts are the opposite way for me.

It seems like when you grip the ball more, that's when you got to draw it and hit it with a more firm stroke. When you hit balls with a little bit less stroke, that is when I can see that the twirl of the fingers may work. I find myself using that technique quite a bit in my arsenal of shots, and it actually made it to where I smooth the balls in a lot better using that technique than I do grasping the cue stick, like some of the other players do with a real tight grip. Maybe loosening your grip with that twirl might help you.

I'm confused , are you saying that on some shots you 'twirl' the cue , as in spin or roll it during the shot ?

Could you please explain twirling the fingers ?

 

[Snapshot9]

Careful Wybrook!

That's the type of thinking that led to the development of standards to begin with. And why did we develop standards? For better overall quality.

Non standard fundimentals are nothing more than compensations for a current weakness in someone's game to begin with.

As far as the grip - if you upper arm is parallel to the floor, and your lower arm is perpendicular to the floor, and your wrist is straight, you are okay.
If not, you are not okay.

 

[Wazuela]

Wow this is great!
First the local legend Adam Wheeler posted his opinion, then the great Keith McCready says he shoots with his fingertips on certain shots, and now they're debating about it!
This thread has turned out better than I imagined!
Thank you everybody for your input!

 

[RRfireblade]

Wow this is great!
First the local legend Adam Wheeler posted his opinion, then the great Keith McCready says he shoots with his fingertips on certain shots, and now they're debating about it!
This thread has turned out better than I imagined!
Thank you everybody for your input!

Mostly cause around here if your a nobody and suggest doing something un-orthodox , they climp all up in your butt about it but if your any kind of famous , they rather hang on your nuts than speak up against it.

 

[cuetechasaurus]

Its funny that when someone posts a question like this, first it is met with rebuttal, then almost acceptance, so as not to seem judgemental.

The correct answer to this is - "This is the wrong way to hold a cue, and you should change"

If you are on here looking to maybe find the correct solution, then I think it should be presented to you, not sugar coated. Yes, there are a few exceptions of people who can play with their fingertips and even some who shoot balancing the cue on their head, but this does not mean by any stretch that this is the correct way to shoot. "Correct" is the term people have an issue with probably because they lack perfect fundamantals also and are finding a way to make themselves appear better through speech.

There are reasons why you need to hold the cue in a particular way, unless you are disfigured in some way and your body mechanics are totally different from everyone else in the world. Also, over the years, the best methods have been developed to best promote the most accuracy and execution with the least effort. If you want to get good in any sport, perfect fundamentals are critical. This lets you hone your skills better and allows for much improved consistency, which is basically the grounds for any excellence.

Anyone can make a shot once, but real professionals never miss that one shot.

No offense here, but this just isn't true at all.

 

[cuetechasaurus]

That's the type of thinking that led to the development of standards to begin with. And why did we develop standards? For better overall quality.

Non standard fundimentals are nothing more than compensations for a current weakness in someone's game to begin with.

As far as the grip - if you upper arm is parallel to the floor, and your lower arm is perpendicular to the floor, and your wrist is straight, you are okay.
If not, you are not okay.

What the hell? I am really surprised to hear that from you. Look at the pros, too many of them to count don't have "standard" fundamentals.

Not everyone is the same. Different things work for different people.

 

[Scott Lee]

cuetechasaurua...tap, tap, tap! You are SO right. If you look at the top 100 pros, they ALL do different things. What's the same, is that each pro does THEIR thing, THEIR way, the SAME way, every time, on every shot. That's the real secret! That said, those same pros have put many years into refining their "process". We try to teach things that allow just about anybody to step up the learning curve. Some things are just easier to learn, and master...like SPF, for example.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

What the hell? I am really surprised to hear that from you. Look at the pros, too many of them to count don't have "standard" fundamentals.

Not everyone is the same. Different things work for different people.

 

[Wybrook]

No offense here, but this just isn't true at all.

This is kind of vague... could you elaborate then on what is exactly "not true at all"?

What I am hearing then is that it doesn't matter how you hold your cue. Just hold it any old way and then keep at it? Then what exactly do you teach in lessons? Aren't fundamentals always the first lesson for anyone? Don't pros in any sport constantly check their fundamentals and make sure they are performing their skill in the most technically perfect way? When people are playing bad, you hear...."back to the basics"??? Its because their timing is off on whatever goofy method they have adopted and they need to fix it to become more consistent. (ie. stop doing it)

Please people.... if you are going to post about abnormalities and their perceived acceptance, at least have a disclaimer that says something to the effect of "don't try this at home".

I thought it didnt have to be written, but yes, of course there are subtle differences between people and how far out they hold the cue and how low they are and how fast they stroke, etc,etc.... but there are basics you need to learn and master for anything else to work. This post was originally about someone holding a cue with their fingertips, that's all.

Let's see if this is a valid method.

You shoot with your fingertips and I will hold the cue in the "correct" fashion.
Let's shoot any number of balls and several stroke shots and we can count the number of correctly executed shots, and who is more consistent. I would be willing to make a wager.... (and I know someone will chime in about some guy they know who only has two fingers and can draw 6 table lengths.)

The top 100 in any sport all have little differences in their execution, but they all have solid basics with slight "twists" on the methods, maybe because of physical ability or different feel.

Once again, if you are teaching someone, where do you start? If everyone here knows this or it doesn't matter what you do, then why is this post even in existance??

"Sure, go ahead and put your thumb on top of the cue. I know a guy who does it and plays great!" Meanwhile, does anyone mention that you lack full mobility and probably won't be able to stroke any shot hard? No.

I understand that everone just has the propensity to argue so they are heard, but if you are asking a question and want to get better, then why not listen and take to heart the answer from people who are where you want to be and have been through all the struggles already. Wouldn't it make your route much shorter and easier?

 

[Scott Lee]

Adam...Holding the cue with your thumb on top (which restricts the natural backswing...and is BAD) is a far cry from holding the cue with your fingertips. Whether you personally like it or not, it is much more important how much grip pressure is used, when shooting, than exactly how the cue is held. FTR, I cradle the cue with my whole hand. Others like different kinds of grips. As long as the grip is loose, flexible, and remains the same throughout the stroke, how you grip the the cue is pretty much up to the individual... unorthodox perhaps, but still up to the person.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

"Sure, go ahead and put your thumb on top of the cue. I know a guy who does it and plays great!" Meanwhile, does anyone mention that you lack full mobility and probably won't be able to stroke any shot hard? No.

 

[matta]

OK, this is for the anti-fingertip crowd.

Here is a photo of my grip from the table looking up at my hand.

I'm not advocating twisting your cue with your fingers or anything like that. Hell, I'm not advocating anything. I'm open minded. You tell me why it would be impossible to have a consistent stroke like this. You convince me, I'll change.

All I have done is twist my grip hand counterclockwise slightly. So now instead of my fingers wrapping around the cue in the normal craddle grip, now my fingertips are on the cue.

It's virtually EXACTLY the same as the cradle grip. You tell me how this is so bad. Hell, go hit some balls like this. I'm sure it will feel awkward, but I bet you can make balls and play english just fine.

Edit: I can play quite well like this. I'm not a beginner. I'm a 9 in the APA 9-ball and have placed in some regional open events.

I'm serious, if you can convince me I'll play better with the cradle, I'll go through the hassle of changing.
matta

P.S. Excuse the strange piece of wood I am pretending is a cue and my dirty fingernails. This is a dirty job