Interesting that you should mention this about the grip. That is a sharp observation.
I know that the masses will point out how Reyes, Bustamante, Pagalayan, and other champions have that "loosey goosey" grip. I recognize that before we get started here.
They're a different breed who emulate the style as soon as they get on the table to learn the game. What they've trained themselves to do, or I should say not do, is grab the cue and change the grip pressure from backstroke to impact. That's tough under pressure.
I talked to Strickland and Wiley about this...they both advocate a firm grip. So now we have different schools of thought on it.
I think for most, this is the school we should all attend. If it's firm from start to impact, there's little that can happen by clenching because it's already tight. I don't mean a "death grip" nor do they. It's a great way to keep it constant from the start of the stroke, at the transition, and just prior to impact with the CB.
Funny how CJ got run off of this forum by the gang of know it all's who feel their position of superiority and rank among the gang is threatened by a real pro who had so much wisdom, experience, and jewels on his Dvds that he should have charged triple. But no, they accused him of being a huckster and snake oil salesman.
In retrospect, it wasn't funny at all. It was sad and disgusting.
AS FOR MYSELF..........when I find myself missing balls, instead of tinkering around with any preshot routines, bridges, aiming processes, etc. etc....the very first thing I do is tighten up on that grip slightly. Amazingly, everything falls right back into normal and the balls start going in the hole again. The firm grip, FOR ME, doesn't affect the English, draw, or follow, one bit. Recent videos of that Cheng Yu Hsuan confirm this, he's holding it pretty snugly...and he hits 'em very good. AND he avoids the closed bridge except when on or close to the rail.
I believe the firm grip FOR ME...keeps the cue on a straight line and keeps it from wiggling around during the stroke.
When I say "firm grip"...I do not mean that it's like a vise grip, but just about like holding a baseball bat waiting for a pitch....snug, but ready for a wrist snap on contact like Hank Aaron did.
Again...that works for ME. Whether it helps anyone else, remains to be seen.
Just conversation here...no preaching. It's certainly a worthy idea to experiment around with to find out if it suits a particular player.
:thumbup:
I'd say you know far, far more than the average bear as well as the bears who think they rule the forest.