Learning to shoot with your opposite hand

justnum

justnum

Billiards Improvement Research Projects Associate
Silver Member
Learning a reliable stroke takes time.
After acquiring a decent stroke I have become too casual. Less concentration and shooting more loosely and less disciplined.

After learning to shoot with my opposite hand, I put more effort into my stroke and feeling out the mechanics again.

I dont plan on world class billiards matches, just have enough skills to pocket low percentage shots regularly. Having both hands capable has benefitted me in league.
 
I'm not sure if this holds any water, but I was told that mixing in time opposite-handed helps prevent neck injury when you're putting in a ton of hours.
 
I use a bridge only when absolutely necessary.
Instead, I shoot opposite handed whenever possible.

As a teenager, my stepdad and I practiced playing 14.1
It was a more challenging game the way we played it.

You could only shoot one shot right handed and then the
next shot had to be left handed and then right handed and
back and forth alternating hands throughout the race to 150.

14.1 allows you to pick the shot you can best handle with the
opposite hand and you will shoot 1/2 of all your shots in the
match right handed and left handed. And you play a broad
variety of different shots....cuts, banks, full table shots, short
shape position, It makes your control the cue ball a lot more.
 
Bavafongoul said:
You could only shoot one shot right handed and then the
next shot had to be left handed and then right handed and
back and forth alternating hands throughout the race to 150.
.
Click to expand...

There are a couple guys at the local watering hole that like to play scotch doubles for small stakes...I talked them into letting me be my own doubles partner shooting every other shot off handed. Had a lot of fun and actually faired pretty well. Now they make me get a partner lol...
 
My stroke with my right hand is such that the cue grazes my side as I make my shot. A good checkpoint that my stroke remains straight. I employ the same technique with my left hand, and although it's not as sure a stroke, the cue does remain relatively straight through the stroke.

Actually I think my left handed stroke is much better, as I seem to draw the ball almost effortlessly (my right hand is more piston-like), but I was a converted left-hander as a child.
 
I shoot left handed to avoid using a bridge too; and since my left eye is my good eye, I get a whole new perspective.
 
Learning to play with the opposite arm is strong.
I've never mastered it.
But I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
 
I shoot lefty, but have worked on my right handed shot off and on for a while. I'm comfortable enough that I'd rather shoot right handed in a match than use a bridge. My pocketing is fine, but my touch isn't quite up to speed.

Usually when I shoot around with the low ranked players on my team, I'll shoot right handed exclusively. I get the practice and it gives them a chance!
 
I believe jay helfert is the authority on the matter.

If only we could talk to him...:D:D

I cant make a ball left handed and dont feel like my pool me has suffered one iota because of it.
 
measureman said:
Learning to play with the opposite arm is strong.
I've never mastered it.
But I would give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
Click to expand...

I became ambidextrous as a young teenager, from sitting in the bathroom reading my Dad's magazines. The ones Mom made him put between the mattress and box spring.
It has served me well in pool. :)
 
When I'm on the practice table I switch hands every shot, took a few weeks to get the hang of it but it has paid off huge for me.

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
 
I remember my Dad telling me to learn to shoot with both hands in pool, although he trained me to box lefty or righty and be able to switch hit in baseball. I never was any good switching hands in pool. Johnnyt
 
I used to practice shooting one-handed without a bridge. Tough to put spin on it though... Great for reaching over the table, when I don't want to scratch my cue on the lousy house bridge....
 
smashmouth said:
no evidence to suggest it makes your overall game better
Click to expand...

Well, no evidence to suggest it makes your overall game worse! Any tidbit or extra skill can only be an edge if used in the right situation. Shooting lefty for the sake of it, other than because you were living in a pool hall since 3 and so good righty, probably not...
 
I often switch hands instead of using a bridge. Really just about the only time I would use a bridge is if I have to shoot over a ball that is right next to the cue ball. I find the stability of my off hand jus isn't there yet when in tha tough situation.

As another post mentioned, I am pretty good (relatively) at it except for controlling the speed.
 
smashmouth said:
no evidence to suggest it makes your overall game better
Click to expand...



Well when you get in those spots where it's difficult to get on the ball which are obviously different spots for lefties or righties it gets you out of that jam. Another tool in the tool box is always good to have.
 
I can't even spank the monkey left handed, I started using a bridge years ago and continue to use it today. Just like the off hand, using the bridge just requires practice. Don't believe it, look at all of the snooker players out there that use them extremely well.
 
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