Shooting One Handed

whitewolf

whitewolf

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am just fooling around trying to shoot one handed. I stink. I can't hold the cue steady. Maybe I am getting too old to learn new tricks. After a half an hour I got a lot better, but I am still very very lacking in this skill.

Can anyone chip in here and let me know how they shoot? Like, how tight do you hold the cue. Due you hold it above the cue ball and then let it drop during the stroke? Is it possible to shoot with bottom successfully? or whatever else you may want to add?

Thanks in advance, WW
 
Hold the cue with only your forefinger & thumb...basically dangling. Holding the cue loose like that, move the cue until you find the spot where it balances perfectly... no dipping forward, no raising up...perfectly balanced. That is where you always want to hold the cue. I found it easiest to put my other arm behind my back instead of on my knee. Stand behind the shot in the same place you would stand if you were shooting two handed. Line up the shot, lean forward, hold the cue in front of the contact point, make sure it's steady & that's where you want to hit and then fire away. I would start with straight in shots at first just to get the feel of it.
 
Okay ...

WW .... When I was in High School, I went to visit my brother in law school in Topeka, Ks.. I went out playing, and ran into a guy called Leo the lion who
had his left arm severed at the elbow. I beat him, but I was thoroughly impressed with his playing talents.

After that, I taught myself to shoot right (normal) or left handed, same only
one handed with both arms, and with using my left foot as a bridge (of which
I have won a lot of money with BTW).

Yes. grip the cue higher than normal (where it feels pretty balanced) firmly,
but not extra tight, and I usually stroke the cue higher and dip slightly on
the hit stroke. It takes concentration and practice, but you can become
quite good. I used to be the best in town one handed, but I am afraid a
good friend on mine has taken over that spot ... lol

Shooting one handed can be done several ways, with resting your left
hand on the cloth, but not touching the shaft; left hand not touching anything, but get to use the rails to rest the shaft on; or completely
free-hand with no left hand touching and can not use the rails to rest
the shaft on.

BTW, shooting one handed can improve your game because it draws
attention just how important a smooth stroke is when shooting with
2 hands. Also, I have always found that shooting rolling ball shots
can help your game too. My game is such, that what I practice much on,
especially before an upcoming match for, is Bank shots, all kinds, to
keep them 'tuned up',
 
whitewolf said:
I am just fooling around trying to shoot one handed. I stink. I can't hold the cue steady. Maybe I am getting too old to learn new tricks. After a half an hour I got a lot better, but I am still very very lacking in this skill.

Can anyone chip in here and let me know how they shoot? Like, how tight do you hold the cue. Due you hold it above the cue ball and then let it drop during the stroke? Is it possible to shoot with bottom successfully? or whatever else you may want to add?

Thanks in advance, WW
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I fool around with this type of shot every now and then, and it seems to help get me in stroke. I'm not sure why. I guess it gets me to concentrate on my stroke and how I'm setting up on the ball. Now, keep in mind, I only shoot one handed shots that I can play from off the rail. Otherwise, it's pretty difficut for me. I just let my forearm hang straight down, and I hold the cue pretty loosely. I find you usually have to pay pretty close attention to where you hit the CB when shooting one handed. It's pretty easy to miscue if you don't watch. For shots in the middle of the table, maybe someone else has some info. I'd be interested in hearing. I've always had to shoot these with a punch type of shot, where I end up jabbing at the CB.
 
Ymmv

I play with a slightly more point-at-it style. I grip the cue more like a handshake with thumb on top (slightly behind the balance point, so there is just a touch of forward weight), I line up the shot with the tip slightly above and behind the CB, then backstroke and drop the couple of inches as I followthrough acting as though I'm pointing at my aim spot on the OB. My stance is more upright than normal (normal for me is not a chin on the cue stroke, but about a foot or so above)

Jump shots are a little different with a cross between the handshake grip and a normal grip, moving the thumb to the side of the cue in front of the forefinger. I admit to having an advantage on the jump as i'm very "big n tall."

That's how I do it; not necesarily recommend it. At one time I played a pretty well known one-hander in SA and we went even (he could wax me two handed), with him commenting, "you know... your game doesn't fall off THAT much when you go one handed." To this day I don't think that was a complement.

Have fun...
 
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Obviously he isn't the best in the world at it, but one of the best players I've seen shoot one handed, is Luis Viera.

Came into the pool hall and broke and ran a few racks one handed jacked up.


As far as how I play, I tend to grip the butt a little tighter, and I keep the stick closer to my body.
 
whitewolf said:
I am just fooling around trying to shoot one handed. I stink. I can't hold the cue steady. Maybe I am getting too old to learn new tricks. After a half an hour I got a lot better, but I am still very very lacking in this skill.

Can anyone chip in here and let me know how they shoot? Like, how tight do you hold the cue. Due you hold it above the cue ball and then let it drop during the stroke? Is it possible to shoot with bottom successfully? or whatever else you may want to add?

Thanks in advance, WW
Click to expand...

All I can say is be VERY careful about playing anyone who is willing to play you one-handed if money is involved...I consider myself ok at 9-ball (a B-player) and Mike Davis proposed to play me one-handed...Let me just say that it was a humbling experience. In 3 races (I need 7 he needs 5) he beat me every time.

Mike uses a very unusual method, using his chin as a support on many shots. It is amazing to watch someone with such consistency and accuracy using this method.
 
When the cueball is in the middle of the table, i.e. no possibility to lay your cue on the rail, what is the best method? Try to use normal pendulum without the bridge hand or shoot slightly jacked up like with mechanical bridge?

Actually, I can picture a few 14.1 situations where a one-handed stroke would come in very handy...
 
Jack-up-pool

predator said:
When the cueball is in the middle of the table, i.e. no possibility to lay your cue on the rail, what is the best method? Try to use normal pendulum without the bridge hand or shoot slightly jacked up like with mechanical bridge?

Actually, I can picture a few 14.1 situations where a one-handed stroke would come in very handy...
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My description was all about playing without the rail, as I believe most other's were.
 
If I'm beating someone consistency...I like to offer that I will play without touching the table. To me, it's much easier than playing one-handed--but when you make the offer...the person seems to wonder if it is some kind of trick you are trying to pull with how you are wording the offer.

Shooting all shots while bridging over the table (without touching the table)...sounds tougher than it really is...
 
whitewolf said:
Thanks Timberly. So the cue never touches the 'heel' of the hand, for lack of a better term?
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Not when locating the balance point. After that I grasp the cue the same as I do shooting two handed.
 
I've been practicing some one-handed shots recently, and I've tried all the different techniques mentioned in this thread. However, the one that works best for me that wasn't mentioned is when I hold the cue as if I were using a mechanical bridge but without the bridge being there. I seem to be steady enough with it almost to the point where I'm just as good or better that way then I am with the rake.
 
Want to learn how to shoot onehanded? Check out Bert Kinister's "Advanced Fundamentals" tape, No. 11 if memory serves. It has really helped me.

Flex
 
Good subject

I play one handed...every single shot I shoot is one handed. I would be curious to see Mr. Burt's tape myself...as well as be more than happy to play some one handed pool with just about anyone in here. Rarely do I find anyone willing to play me even one handed. I am allowed to use my bridge...and I do balance my cue some with my left hand to get it where I need it on the table, but during my stroke, everything is strictly one handed.

It really does help you focus on cueing straight and making shots. Lately, I been able to draw the ball better and better. Part of my problem was I was gripping the cue way too tight and not following through enough with my stroke.

Shorty
 
Shorty said:
I play one handed...every single shot I shoot is one handed. I would be curious to see Mr. Burt's tape myself...as well as be more than happy to play some one handed pool with just about anyone in here. Rarely do I find anyone willing to play me even one handed. I am allowed to use my bridge...and I do balance my cue some with my left hand to get it where I need it on the table, but during my stroke, everything is strictly one handed.

It really does help you focus on cueing straight and making shots. Lately, I been able to draw the ball better and better. Part of my problem was I was gripping the cue way too tight and not following through enough with my stroke.

Shorty
Click to expand...

When you're matching up one-handed, does your opponent get to use your bridge? Just curious.
 
Flex said:
Want to learn how to shoot onehanded? Check out Bert Kinister's "Advanced Fundamentals" tape, No. 11 if memory serves. It has really helped me.

Flex
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I haven't seen Bert's tapes and I don't know how he demonstrates it on there but he's the one that showed me what to do. I was making straight in shots 3/4 of a table length away fairly consistently.
 
zeeder said:
When you're matching up one-handed, does your opponent get to use your bridge? Just curious.
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Never had anyone ask me that...but if they want to try it, then I may be game. Never had anyone play me one handed for that matter...they almost always insist on two hands HA HA

Shorty
 
Shorty said:
I play one handed...every single shot I shoot is one handed. I would be curious to see Mr. Burt's tape myself...as well as be more than happy to play some one handed pool with just about anyone in here. Rarely do I find anyone willing to play me even one handed. I am allowed to use my bridge...and I do balance my cue some with my left hand to get it where I need it on the table, but during my stroke, everything is strictly one handed.

It really does help you focus on cueing straight and making shots. Lately, I been able to draw the ball better and better. Part of my problem was I was gripping the cue way too tight and not following through enough with my stroke.

Shorty
Click to expand...

The one-handed pool everyone is referencing involves NO bridge at all...except bridging on the rail obviously if you're able to. If the cueball is in the middle of the table you have NO bridge, and have to develop a technique that works for you. Being able to use a bridge, while still tougher than two handed pool, is considerably easier than truly playing in the one handed style that I just described. I play pretty sporty one handed, but I'm awfully thankful for being able to use both hands. I'm always amazed when I watch a wheel chair player running out and firing balls in. I guess it just takes the same practice and dedication that a non-wheelchair player has to have to develop his/her game. Cory Deul plays real strong with the bridge!
 
Matt_24 said:
The one-handed pool everyone is referencing involves NO bridge at all...except bridging on the rail obviously if you're able to. If the cueball is in the middle of the table you have NO bridge, and have to develop a technique that works for you. Being able to use a bridge, while still tougher than two handed pool, is considerably easier than truly playing in the one handed style that I just described. I play pretty sporty one handed, but I'm awfully thankful for being able to use both hands. I'm always amazed when I watch a wheel chair player running out and firing balls in. I guess it just takes the same practice and dedication that a non-wheelchair player has to have to develop his/her game. Cory Deul plays real strong with the bridge!
Click to expand...

When I am close to the rail or on the rail, I simply slide my bridge back and shoot it one handed resting on the table. I guess I truly don't play one handed jacked up...but I play one handed with a rest. Still I don't play bad for a short fella...*wink*

Shorty
 
whitewolf said:
I am just fooling around trying to shoot one handed. I stink. I can't hold the cue steady. Maybe I am getting too old to learn new tricks. After a half an hour I got a lot better, but I am still very very lacking in this skill.

Can anyone chip in here and let me know how they shoot? Like, how tight do you hold the cue. Due you hold it above the cue ball and then let it drop during the stroke? Is it possible to shoot with bottom successfully? or whatever else you may want to add?

Thanks in advance, WW
Click to expand...

ww,
You should try looking up Jerry Slivka, he is living in your neck of the woods. He plays the best one handed pool I have ever seen. I watched him spot a guy 12-5 (balls) in one pocket and destroy him. He doesn't even need to rest the stick on the rail to pull off some amazing shots.

Trizzat
 
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