Notice The Top Pros Jumping Less?

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
I see more and more of the top pros going for the kick than going for their jump cue in the last year or so. For years before that it seemed like they would go to the air on almost every shot they couldn't hit even though it was an easy one rail kick or big ball out of the corner. Seems most have learned to kick much better to control the balls. Most jumps are a crapshoot where the CB will stop. Most have figured out that the jump is not the best option most of the time. Jump cues can=sell out sticks. Johnnyt
 
Years ago American players kicked to just hit the ball. Then one day this lucky player from the PI came over and kicked balls where they were safe or pocketed them. If the jump cue wasn't made legal before he came on the scene...it wouldn't be legal today. Johnnyt
 
Cool. An anti-jump cue thread, original.

Can't wait for chapter 2 - Whats wrong with pool and of course Chapter 3, whats the best cue.

:)

For the record I've never met anyone who would be considered a "Pro" that couldn't kick proficiently OR that had no idea at all where the cue ball was going to go after a jump. But I could be the odd ball on that one.

;)
 
Whether or not or how history might have been affected is interesting mental masturbation.

I am more curious about how and why jump shots and/or jump cues are controversial at all. I have never understood that.


As far as what the pros are doing, I wouldn't know, I am not watching.
.
 
I like the jump cue, have not noticed a trend of less use of them; but don’t discount the possibility, do not think one can say “a jump shot is ___” and/or “a kick shot is___” as opposed to a jump. It’s like any other shot; you weigh it as an option accordingly. If it affords you the best chance to win you take it ALL things considered.

There is a lot of stigma on this board especially in regards to safety play and jump cues; it’s really nuts IMHO.
 
JohnnyT, perhaps it's just evolution in kicking and safety play. As you said, it seemed they used to almost always go straight to the jump cue as it was the sure way of making a good hit. As players have gotten more proficient at kicking, that will now more often be the better shot choice. Also, part of this evolution is that guys are taking more care not to leave a jump shot on a safety. I think as it stands right now, players feel they have more control kicking than jumping, and therefore probably sell out more when jumping.
 
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jump

RRfireblade said:
Cool. An anti-jump cue thread, original.

Can't wait for chapter 2 - Whats wrong with pool and of course Chapter 3, whats the best cue.

:)

For the record I've never met anyone who would be considered a "Pro" that couldn't kick proficiently OR that had no idea at all where the cue ball was going to go after a jump. But I could be the odd ball on that one.

;)
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I heard the bca are voting to ban jump cues.any body want to
buy a jump cue.
 
PGHteacher said:
...you weigh it as an option accordingly. If it affords you the best chance to win you take it ALL things considered.

There is a lot of stigma on this board especially in regards to safety play and jump cues; it’s really nuts IMHO.
Click to expand...

I recently had a game of eight ball where I ran out all but the 8 and scratched. My opponent asked if we were playing three fouls is a loss. I said yes and he proceeded to attack with a series of safes. He had six of his balls on the table and they were in great position to hook me. I think my response was kick - kick - jump (hit) - kick - kick -jump (loss). He really tucked the last three in so I had to get a lot of air to jump and it was about table length to the 8. I didn't clear his ball on the last shot.

Point is, sometimes a jump is your best shot. Worked the first time. BTW, when I pulled out my jump stick he told me he didn't know that was allowed in the tournament, hence his tightening up on the safes.

That was my first loss on that rule, and an interesting lesson. Second lesson was to know the rules. Three fouls is not a loss in BCA eight ball.
 
Eagles89 said:
I heard the bca are voting to ban jump cues.any body want to
buy a jump cue.
Click to expand...

The BCA doesn't write rules nowadays. They simply adopt the WPA rules.

If you are talking about the pool league, the new rules come out effective tomorrow, so we will find out soon enough. I hadn't heard about this. I assume you are referring only to money ball games (8,9, 10 Ball). Jump cues are already illegal under BCAPL rules for Straight Pool and One Pocket.
 
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I think is some instances they may be jumping less due to their opponents putting them in a spot where jumping is the least desireable option. I watched a lot of 10 ball in Vegas recently and many of the players were getting the cue ball in positions where a jump was more risky than a kick. Me personally, when I bring out the jumper, run for the hills. I don't practice with it much, so it can get ugly in a hurry.:smile:
 
Johnnyt said:
I see more and more of the top pros going for the kick than going for their jump cue in the last year or so. For years before that it seemed like they would go to the air on almost every shot they couldn't hit even though it was an easy one rail kick or big ball out of the corner. Seems most have learned to kick much better to control the balls. Most jumps are a crapshoot where the CB will stop. Most have figured out that the jump is not the best option most of the time. Jump cues can=sell out sticks. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

The art of safety play has evolved to match the offensive play. It used to be that jumping wasn't even thought of, so you could leave the cue ball in the wide open without having to worry about your opponent jumping. I find this to be a issue when I play a few of the older gentlemen around here that forget I can jump, they'll leave me hooked on all kicks, but a nice easy jump is wide open with position options. And you're wrong if you think any pro is going to jump a shot if he isn't going to control the cue ball. There are just as many factors, if not more to take account of during a kick than a jump.

As for the pros jumping less, I still see them jumping at every opportunity they get. It's not that they don't trust themselves jumping, it's that leaving a jump shot on a safe/push isn't so wise anymore now that everyone jumps.
 
Everyone seams to be jumping less.

Except for me,lately I am jumping allot since it is something I am working on.I think when you make a few jump shots you want to jump every time you are hooked even when a kick is a better shot.
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
JohnnyT, perhaps it's just evolution in kicking and safety play. As you said, it seemed they used to almost always go straight to the jump cue as it was the sure way of making a good hit. As players have gotten more proficient at kicking, that will now more often be the better shot choice. Also, part of this evolution is that guys are taking more care not to leave a jump shot on a safety. I think as it stands right now, players feel they have more control kicking than jumping, and therefore probably sell out more when jumping.
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Yes, thank you. That was my point. Johnnyt
 
Alot of the pro tournaments are only allowing so many jumps per set.Most pros are only jumping less because they don`t have a choice not that they prefer to kick.
 
The safety game improved at the high level... Better safes mean you are kicking more than jumping...

Make no mistake tho If you leave room between the cueball and your blocker where the object ball they are looking at has a hole to fire at... They are going to the air and you are going back to hating jump cues..........
 
RRfireblade said:
Cool. An anti-jump cue thread, original.

Can't wait for chapter 2 - Whats wrong with pool and of course Chapter 3, whats the best cue.

:)

For the record I've never met anyone who would be considered a "Pro" that couldn't kick proficiently OR that had no idea at all where the cue ball was going to go after a jump. But I could be the odd ball on that one.

;)
Click to expand...

The best idea they have is that it is, hopefully, going to stay on the table.

But I still think that if jump shots are OK then a player should be able to take off his shoes, get up on the table, pick up the cueball with his foot and throw it at the object ball. Then we'll really see who has the skilz and who is an also-ran.
 
This is not consistent with my observation. I have not seen a decline in the number of jump shots at the top level of competition.
 
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