Tensing Up

[CTYankee]

I have been working on staying loose during more powerful shots, but still occasionally fall into the old tensing up routine. Does anyone have any tricks they use to keep their arm muscles loose on those long draw shots, break shots, and stronger shots?

 

[Tom In Cincy]

I like to make sure my closed bridge is tight. Lots of friction between my cue and fingers warpping around the cue. This reminds me to focus and follow thru with a purpose, especially on long draw shots.
Hope this helps.

 

[cigardave]

Maintaining a firm and stable bridge with one hand while maintaining a light grip and loose wrist with our opposite hand is one of the toughest challenges in cue sports.... but does it ever pay rewards! :thumbup2:

The only trick that I can recommend is... before shooting shots of the type that you are asking about, remind yourself to keep your grip light and your wrist loose... especially on cue ball contact and follow through. And then monitor/evaluate what happened on the shot afterwards.

Did you tighten your grip?

Or... did your cue almost slip out of your hand on your follow through?

It should be the latter.

 

[androd]

I have been working on staying loose during more powerful shots, but still occasionally fall into the old tensing up routine. Does anyone have any tricks they use to keep their arm muscles loose on those long draw shots, break shots, and stronger shots?

take practice strokes while concentrating on loose grip,and only moving your arm. when i tighten up, i seem to raise up also, a bad combination. the above has worked for me. it takes some getting used to, and if you begin playing well you tend to forget this till, you tighten up again. good luck.
rodney

 

[Neil]

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[CTYankee]

Thanks for the responses... I will try all of the above.

 

[hilla_hilla]

I have the same problem. When I practice alone, I freewheel and fire balls in, when I play in a tournament, I tighten up. My ex told me to start tightening up when I practice and that would help me. It sounds goofy, but I think he was right!

 

[Neil]

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