position of butt hand (when shooting pool)

[Wolven]

Yes, most players get down into the stance then slide in with the tip (if that's what you meant in your post). Most pros do not. The sliding in can destroy those good upper and lower arm angles.

I invite some students to practice standing closer to the cue ball at address and to come down right atop the cue ball with a small tip gap. This one change can help many people play better instead of lunging toward the cue ball with all sorts of stroke and stroke timing issues.

Thanks Matt.
That's what I meant. I have noticed that your way to setup is the way to go.
I never have seen anyone recommend this until now.
Sliding in, I cannot make a shot..

Good to know.

 

[3kushn]

Dave missed or didn't care to address the most important aspect of Shane's break, and that Shane's release and grab of his grip hand accompanied by a wrist flick. This generates a concentrated burst of acceleration during the stroke. This grab and release-flick is extremely effective, especially when the table isn't very generous to the breaker.

Curious if you meant Release and Grab.

It looks to me he relaxes on the backstroke then slightly tightens the grip @ contact. (I can't figure out how to say this)

Then the Wrist Flick term (accusation LOL)
I don't see any forced movement in the wrist.
What am I missing?

I'm back to experimenting.
I know I'll be gone before figuring it out.
I'll have fun while getting to gone although.

What would I be doing now if I never picked up a cue and hit a ball 40 years ago?

 

[mikemosconi]

perpendicular is conventional wisdom
many old time straight pool players who didnt need alot of power were forward of perpendicular

Yes, the old timers mostly started forward of perpendicular and many would slip the grip hand back and by the time they hit the cue ball- that final stroke was closer to perpendicular. Even with the slower cloth back then, they did not need or want to move the CB very far, so you did not see many players with a grip hand towards the rear of the cue.

There is no right or wrong answer- some of the best players are at the very end of the cue and partially off the end of the cue- I've seen some great shooters push the cue forward from the rear bumper they are so far at the end of the cue.

 

[FranCrimi]

Curious if you meant Release and Grab.

It looks to me he relaxes on the backstroke then slightly tightens the grip @ contact. (I can't figure out how to say this)

Then the Wrist Flick term (accusation LOL)
I don't see any forced movement in the wrist.
What am I missing?

I'm back to experimenting.
I know I'll be gone before figuring it out.
I'll have fun while getting to gone although.

What would I be doing now if I never picked up a cue and hit a ball 40 years ago?

Yes, you're correct. Release and grab would be the right order. As for the wrist-flick, yes, it's there. He propels the cue with his wist as he begins his release. I know this because I break the same way he does. Anytime you propel the cue forward with your hand as opposed to your arm, that means your wrist is involved. I guess it's possible to propel it forward with your fingers, but you won't get any power from that. The wrist has to be involved.

Just look at his wrist position in relation to his arm from start to finish. If it changes position, then it moved. When you shoot strictly with your arm, your wrist will stay in the same relative position to your arm. Of course it will give the appearance of having moved as your arm pushes through, but don't look at it relative to the cue. Look at it relative to the arm.

 

[Ratta]

Yes, you're correct. Release and grab would be the right order. As for the wrist-flick, yes, it's there. He propels the cue with his wist as he begins his release. I know this because I break the same way he does. Anytime you propel the cue forward with your hand as opposed to your arm, that means your wrist is involved. I guess it's possible to propel it forward with your fingers, but you won't get any power from that. The wrist has to be involved.

Just look at his wrist position in relation to his arm from start to finish. If it changes position, then it moved. When you shoot strictly with your arm, your wrist will stay in the same relative position to your arm. Of course it will give the appearance of having moved as your arm pushes through, but don't look at it relative to the cue. Look at it relative to the arm.

See it the same way-- every human is different/individual- and here some players have a problem, because of their inflexible/rigid wrist. Shane s break a nice example- but I see this much more for example on those tiny "small distance" finesse shots. Where I try to explain and also "show" how these shots could/should be done with just using minor movement- and just by using the wrist.

You could have the straightest arm moving in the world: but with your wrist......you can ruin everything- or.....support the rest to a higher level