The "Opening Grip"

[LastTwo]

Hi, on my backstroke I like to open up my last 3 fingers to keep the cue more level. Is there anyone else who uses this type of grip? If so, can you describe exactly how your finger positions are from the backstroke, execution, and follow through? Thanks

 

[Pin]

I can't describe it exactly, but mine is a bit like that.

I'd suggest you just do what feels comfortable. Which sounds like what you're doing now.

 

[buddha162]

That's pretty much my stroke, except I don't "open" my last three fingers in any dramatic fashion. I mainly use my thumb and index finger on the backswing and most of the foreswing, and on the actual stroke the hand closes around the cue upon impact. Even then, only my palm contacts the cue, not all of my fingers. The cue sort of "hits" my palm with a correct follow-through.

I've found that sometimes I pinch the cue with my thumb/index finger tighter than I would like, but the stroke itself remains straight and true. Compare our stroke to that of most Taiwanese players, who loosely wrap their entire hand (all 4 fingers!) around the cue, and twist their wrist slightly outwards in order to maintain a straight stroke.

Roger

 

[fast larry]

Hi, on my backstroke I like to open up my last 3 fingers to keep the cue more level. Is there anyone else who uses this type of grip? If so, can you describe exactly how your finger positions are from the backstroke, execution, and follow through? Thanks

Thats a regrip, and any regrip, loosen and tighten again during a swing in Golf is a cardinal sin, there are exceptions, ie;Trevino.
It is against sound teaching which is to maintain the same light pressure back and through a swing. That is what I was taught in Golf and I think that same general principle should apply to the pool swing as well. To avoid that wing out of the little finger, I have my main contact fingers to be the index finger, #1 and the little finger #4, the long bird finger does little and finger #3 floats just off the cue, this takes out the twist in the stroke and keeps me in total contact with the cue during the stroke.

 

[LAMas]

How level your cue is on the backstroke is of little value if you can't achieve a level hit and follow through by dropping your elbow or with a slip stroke.