Importance of Tip Location When Addressing CB?

[ChrisinNC]

Regarding tip location when addressing the CB, and it's importance. I haven't seen this topic discussed in a while on this forum. I've always felt, for me, it is important to address the CB in your pre-strokes and certainly on your final cue tip address to the CB before starting your actual stroke, as close as possible to the point on the CB you are planning to hit - high, low, center, left, right or a combination of any two.

Some of our players do that, and some of our players (including some the good ones) don't seem to do it. Many just address high or center on the CB on every shot, and on their delivery stroke, still may hit draw or L or R spin. Others prefer to address low on the CB nearly every time, but then may not necessarily hit every shot with draw.

For myself, when I'm in to my pre-strokes and locking in on my intended aiming/target line, particulary when planning to apply L or R spin, it's absolutely critical to address the CB to the point on the CB I'm planning to hit it. Just curious what other players here prefer to do, and why does that make sense to you? I'm particularly interested in the opinions on this specific topic from our professional instructors on here such as Scott and Randy?

 

[Straightpool_99]

Final tip adress (forward pause before final backswing) is at my intended final tip position. I improved my accuracy greatly after implementing that (about 5 years after I started playing). I guess I don't have the talent to be casually swerving the cue into the intended tip position. Straight back and forth, that's the ticket for me.

 

[mikewhy]

Try setting the tip on the cloth as you approach, right on the smiley formed by the bottom curve of the ball. I find it helps me center over the shot. And then address the cue however you like. When you're centered, very little of that matters all too much.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[tim913]

I see some people play that way, and they play very well, but it throws me off..timing or whatever. My tip position starts and ends the same.

 

[ChrisinNC]

I see some people play that way, and they play very well, but it throws me off..timing or whatever. My tip position starts and ends the same.

To clarify, you're saying your tip position is the same on every shot? Just curious - centerball, high or low?

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Just curious what other players here prefer to do, and why does that make sense to you?

I visually "measure" how far my stick is aimed from the OB contact point, either through the CB's center or through whatever off center point I choose for spin (adjusting for squerve, of course). So it's aligned with my intended tip/ball contact point for that purpose - and so I can take any practice strokes on the same final line.

pj <- also to be sure I'll hit the tip/ball contact point
chgo

 

[tim913]

To clarify, you're saying your tip position is the same on every shot? Just curious - centerball, high or low?

No, I'm saying if I'm going to use high left my tip starts there and doesn't deviate throughout practice strokes or final delivery. The next shot might require low right or center. A really good player told me that he lines up low center, and he does, on every shot and on the final stroke changes cue tip position on the CB to apply necessary spin.
He says he does it 'cause he can actually see the reflection of the cue tip on the CB to ensure he is lined up center ball initially. Maybe it is more important to players using an aiming system, such as ghost ball, than it is for contact point shooters...don't know

 

[Runner]

Django puts the tip super low, sometimes touching the table, then on the final stroke moves to his intended impact point... don't know how he does it!

I'm always at the same tip location.. low left?.. that's where I'm aiming, no movement.