longer cue questions

[Jdm34]

I am 6'5 and learned to shoot pool at this height. I have been trying different extensions and some custom cues that are longer 60-62 inches. I am currently using a 60 inch cue with a 3.5 inch mid extension and its a 50/50 some shots feel so much easier and others feel completely off to were I pull my stroke and 2nd guess myself.
I am aware that it takes time to adjust but just want to adjust to the right choice.

1 what would be considered to long
2 at my height most shots my hand is in front of my elbow at cue ball contact with very little follow through with out a lot of elbow drop.

3will I gain consistency if I go long enough so all shots I contact cue ball when my hand is below my elbow

4 I miss my shots a lot with a longer stroke

5 in your opinion what would be easiest to adjust to. Back extension mid extension.

 

[Neil]

I am 6'5 and learned to shoot pool at this height. I have been trying different extensions and some custom cues that are longer 60-62 inches. I am currently using a 60 inch cue with a 3.5 inch mid extension and its a 50/50 some shots feel so much easier and others feel completely off to were I pull my stroke and 2nd guess myself.
I am aware that it takes time to adjust but just want to adjust to the right choice.

1 what would be considered to long
2 at my height most shots my hand is in front of my elbow at cue ball contact with very little follow through with out a lot of elbow drop.

3will I gain consistency if I go long enough so all shots I contact cue ball when my hand is below my elbow

4 I miss my shots a lot with a longer stroke

5 in your opinion what would be easiest to adjust to. Back extension mid extension.

1. Too long would be when you need an assistant to chalk your cue because you can't reach it, or when the butt extends out over another table.

2. No matter the length of your cue, your hand ideally should be right below your elbow at cb address. If you have very little follow through, odds are you are just poking the cb and not stroking right through it.

3. That stands to reason.

4. So do a lot of people. Most do not hit the cb where they intend to, or even think they do. It's due to a lack of proper alignment and not having a straight stroke and uncontrolled elbow drop.

5. Personal preference on where you like the shift in balance of the cue.

 

[FranCrimi]

I am 6'5 and learned to shoot pool at this height. I have been trying different extensions and some custom cues that are longer 60-62 inches. I am currently using a 60 inch cue with a 3.5 inch mid extension and its a 50/50 some shots feel so much easier and others feel completely off to were I pull my stroke and 2nd guess myself.

I am aware that it takes time to adjust but just want to adjust to the right choice.

1 what would be considered to long I can't tell you exactly but I can help with a guideline. When your grip hand is properly placed in relation to your bridge hand and the length of your bridge for a particular shot --- And your grip hand is positioned at the beginning of the wrap area or before the wrap begins. Then you might want to consider whether it might be too long.

2 at my height most shots my hand is in front of my elbow at cue ball contact with very little follow through with out a lot of elbow drop. That's not good. The cue you're currently playing with sounds too short.

3will I gain consistency if I go long enough so all shots I contact cue ball when my hand is below my elbowYes. Once you find the correct cue length for you, you will gain consistency for sure.

4 I miss my shots a lot with a longer stroke If you pocket balls better when you cut your follow through short, then you have stroke flaws that need correcting.

5 in your opinion what would be easiest to adjust to. Back extension mid extension.] Depends on how it affects the cue's balance point. Balance points farther back seem to be more favorable for ball-pocketing and less favorable for finessing shots. Forward balance points have the opposite effect. Most players have balance points somewhere between the two.[/QUOTE

 

[Bob Jewett]

... 1. What would be considered too long? ...

You should be able to achieve something like perpendicular (forearm to cue stick) at tip-to-ball contact. I'm comfortable if a student is about a hand ahead of that since many old-time players were up there, but I'd rather see perpendicular.

As for grip position on the cue stick, I think it's OK to grip the butt cap. Any part of the cue in back of the grip hand doesn't do much for you.

The last part of the equation is your bridge length. If you have a 20-inch bridge (distance from the bridge hand to the cue ball) you are going to need more length. If you never use more than an 8-inch bridge, you would need less.

So, for the longest bridge you normally use, and with a perpendicular forearm or close to it, your hand should be on the butt cap.

 

[Jdm34]

You should be able to achieve something like perpendicular (forearm to cue stick) at tip-to-ball contact. I'm comfortable if a student is about a hand ahead of that since many old-time players were up there, but I'd rather see perpendicular.

As for grip position on the cue stick, I think it's OK to grip the butt cap. Any part of the cue in back of the grip hand doesn't do much for you.

The last part of the equation is your bridge length. If you have a 20-inch bridge (distance from the bridge hand to the cue ball) you are going to need more length. If you never use more than an 8-inch bridge, you would need less.

So, for the longest bridge you normally use, and with a perpendicular forearm or close to it, your hand should be on the butt cap.

the biggest shot I would say I see a problem is when the cue ball close enough to the rail that you battle weather or not to bridge on the rail or table. if I need some English particularly draw I cannot get it and my hand at contact is a couple inches in front of my elbow and I fight the arc the tip dropping because of follow through.

 

[Jdm34]

the biggest shot I would say I see a problem is when the cue ball close enough to the rail that you battle weather or not to bridge on the rail or table. if I need some English particularly draw I cannot get it and my hand at contact is a couple inches in front of my elbow and I fight the arc the tip dropping because of follow through.

I also notice at almost 64 inches I can shot a lot more shots with a level cue. I believe it puts my body in a better position. on the other hand all my regular every day shots feel very uncomfortable. this is with a bid extension ive been practicing with a 30 inch butt and 31 inch shaft feels good to me so 61 seems to be the right length for me.

 

[Bob Jewett]

the biggest shot I would say I see a problem is when the cue ball close enough to the rail that you battle weather or not to bridge on the rail or table. if I need some English particularly draw I cannot get it and my hand at contact is a couple inches in front of my elbow ...

I assume that this is with your grip hand all the way at the end of the cue stick. Is that right?

 

[Jdm34]

I assume that this is with your grip hand all the way at the end of the cue stick. Is that right?

yes hand all the way back and maybe 4 to 6 inch bridge length. I like to shoot with a pendulum stroke but it seems for me to advance to next level with a standard cue is to develop a cylinder stroke and get my elbow moving as part of the stroke. When I do it right I get great spin and make the ball but it seems I lose control and struggle to pocket balls.

 

[Bob Jewett]

yes hand all the way back and maybe 4 to 6 inch bridge length. I like to shoot with a pendulum stroke but it seems for me to advance to next level with a standard cue is to develop a cylinder stroke and get my elbow moving as part of the stroke. When I do it right I get great spin and make the ball but it seems I lose control and struggle to pocket balls.

I don't see that the piston (cylinder) stroke is needed.

You may want to post a video of you shooting. Page 16 of this handout:

http://www.sfbilliards.com/richandout.pdf

has suggested camera angles.