Jumping Techniques: Overhand or Underhand?

beetle

beetle

Do I bug you?
Silver Member
I am interesting in discussion from jumpers out there. Which do you prefer, overhand or underhand, and what are pro's or con's?

Personally, for most of my jumping, I prefer overhand, but I often get some unintended masse on the cue ball. I like overhand because it is easier for me to reach the shot.

I think if you're taller, the underhand (or normal pool stroke) is easier than if you're shorter. Maybe, though, it's just a technique problem on my part.
 
beetle said:
I am interesting in discussion from jumpers out there. Which do you prefer, overhand or underhand, and what are pro's or con's?

Personally, for most of my jumping, I prefer overhand, but I often get some unintended masse on the cue ball. I like overhand because it is easier for me to reach the shot.

I think if you're taller, the underhand (or normal pool stroke) is easier than if you're shorter. Maybe, though, it's just a technique problem on my part.
Click to expand...

The general rule of thumb for jumping is this - whenever possible, you should only be jacked-up (overhand). Only when height is of the utmost importance should you flip to underhand since you're going to lose a lot in accuracy.
 
beetle said:
I am interesting in discussion from jumpers out there. Which do you prefer, overhand or underhand, and what are pro's or con's?

Personally, for most of my jumping, I prefer overhand, but I often get some unintended masse on the cue ball. I like overhand because it is easier for me to reach the shot.

I think if you're taller, the underhand (or normal pool stroke) is easier than if you're shorter. Maybe, though, it's just a technique problem on my part.
Click to expand...

LOL, wassup Beetle!
 
Both have their place in my experience.

I use the overhand, or dart throwing, technique when the CB is close to the OB being jumped and it's a full ball (or close to it) jump. I usually use my jump bridge as well when using the dart stroke.

I use the underhand (or normal stroke) when the distance from the CB to the OB is fairly long so I don't have to get whitey as high as soon. The angle of my jump cue is considerable less steep when using this normal jumping stroke.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
The general rule of thumb for jumping is this - whenever possible, you should only be jacked-up (overhand). Only when height is of the utmost importance should you flip to underhand since you're going to lose a lot in accuracy.
Click to expand...

Seems like you got it exactly backwards to me. Maybe you are just using the terminology differently than most? Underhand is like a normal pool stroke, and should be used when possible because it is more accurate. Overhand (or the dart stroke as an alternative) is needed when you have to get the cue ball up quick and high, or when you are not tall enough to do a jump underhanded.
 
I use a dart stroke for jumps over about 45 degrees shaft angle, and use underhand (i.e. normal-ish) for jumps under about 30 degrees shaft angle. The angles in between generally depend on how high and whether I want follow or draw on the cue ball, and on where on the table the cue ball is.
 
I use underhand for regular jump shots with shallow angle and sidehand for steep angled jump shots. I'm quite tall and can use underhand for almost all jump shots but I prefer sidehand for the steep and short jumps. I think SVB and most of the taiwanese (short players) use the sidehand quite well...
 
I use both tecniques. I could improve the dart method, but I don't jump enough to do it.
 
Thanks for the comments. I think I will spend a few hours over the next several days on jump shots. I played an opponent recently who nailed them every time I left him "safe". I usually make contact but 50% of the time leave a shot since I don't have the control I'd like.
 
I'm with dave here...and use the same guidelines!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

cigardave said:
Both have their place in my experience.

I use the overhand, or dart throwing, technique when the CB is close to the OB being jumped and it's a full ball (or close to it) jump. I usually use my jump bridge as well when using the dart stroke.

I use the underhand (or normal stroke) when the distance from the CB to the OB is fairly long so I don't have to get whitey as high as soon. The angle of my jump cue is considerable less steep when using this normal jumping stroke.
Click to expand...
 
beetle said:
Thanks for the comments. I think I will spend a few hours over the next several days on jump shots. I played an opponent recently who nailed them every time I left him "safe". I usually make contact but 50% of the time leave a shot since I don't have the control I'd like.
Click to expand...

Put 50 jumps in your daily/weekly practice sessions, and almost no time, they will feel natural and your confidence will grow.
 
i normally jump with my playing cue unless its in the range that its too close then i use my jump cue. i prefer the underhand (not the dart method) because i have never seen anyone able to put draw on the cue ball using the overhand method. i think its just easier to control the cue ball with the underhand method.
 
beetle said:
I am interesting in discussion from jumpers out there. Which do you prefer, overhand or underhand, and what are pro's or con's?

Personally, for most of my jumping, I prefer overhand, but I often get some unintended masse on the cue ball. I like overhand because it is easier for me to reach the shot.

I think if you're taller, the underhand (or normal pool stroke) is easier than if you're shorter. Maybe, though, it's just a technique problem on my part.
Click to expand...

It depends on the shot for me. If I need to keep the ball low with some force then it's underhanded. If I need to get over a ball at a short distance or jump into a tight space then it's overhanded.

The way to avoid unintended masse is to practice until you can make the cueball hit the end rail and come straight back. This will allow you to fix the deficiency in your stroke that is causing you to hit the cue ball where you don't want to. Most of the time it is caused by a tendency to throw your hand out to the right or left on the final stroke. This causes the tip to move off line.

All jump strokes are easier to reach if you're taller but as people like Rafael Martinez show us even short people can be phenomenal jumpers.

The key is to play with all the stroking positions and learn what the limitations of each are and learn which ones are right for the shot you are faced with.

You can draw, follow, use left and right, and masse on a jump shot. You just have to know how and when.
 
I could never jump over handed until recently. I spent 15 mins. a day working on it and I'm very glad I did. It's MUCH more accurate then unhanded. I agree with another post ...I only use under handed jumps when It's a long jump.
 
Poolplaya9 said:
Seems like you got it exactly backwards to me. Maybe you are just using the terminology differently than most? Underhand is like a normal pool stroke, and should be used when possible because it is more accurate. Overhand (or the dart stroke as an alternative) is needed when you have to get the cue ball up quick and high, or when you are not tall enough to do a jump underhanded.
Click to expand...

I think you have it wrong...! Rule of thumb is- where the thumb goes! regular pool stroke is overhand, dart stroke is underhand.
 
Black-Balled said:
I think you have it wrong...! Rule of thumb is- where the thumb goes! regular pool stroke is overhand, dart stroke is underhand.
Click to expand...

Maybe in an alternate universe, but here in the Milky Way the regular jump stroke is underhand (think bowling). Nobody would accuse you of throwing a bowling ball overhanded. At least that's what I meant!
 
beetle said:
I am interesting in discussion from jumpers out there. Which do you prefer, overhand or underhand, and what are pro's or con's?

Personally, for most of my jumping, I prefer overhand, but I often get some unintended masse on the cue ball. I like overhand because it is easier for me to reach the shot.

I think if you're taller, the underhand (or normal pool stroke) is easier than if you're shorter. Maybe, though, it's just a technique problem on my part.
Click to expand...

Seems like I am missing something. A lot of short people jump SIDE armed quite successfully.
 
beetle said:
I am interesting in discussion from jumpers out there. Which do you prefer, overhand or underhand, and what are pro's or con's?

Personally, for most of my jumping, I prefer overhand, but I often get some unintended masse on the cue ball. I like overhand because it is easier for me to reach the shot.

I think if you're taller, the underhand (or normal pool stroke) is easier than if you're shorter. Maybe, though, it's just a technique problem on my part.
Click to expand...

I use my regular stroke (jacked up, of course). Because I am short I stick to jumps where the cue ball is closer to the rail so I can reach it and I refrain from jumping balls unless they are pretty easy and aren't likely to give up ball in hand. (A good thing, right?) I never have been able to get the hang of the dart method. I have a good jump break cue and can get over a full ball from a fraction more than a hand span away. Anything closer I am kicking.
 
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