The "V" grip, searching for a better explanation

8

8balllark

Registered
Greetings AZ'ers

I had recently purchased Mr.Lee Bretts The Secret Art of Pool. I've seen some discussion in regards to the V grip on here before but not much information with defined answers.

A very interesting read, and I think some folks have given it a bad rap on these boards, I've purchased and read a heck of a lot worse.

Not sure im sold on the Elbow Drop philosophy but then again im an amateur and not a great shot so I keep my opinions to myself lol.

However, the entire reason I purchased the book was because of the V grip, and although the explanation in the book I think gives an accurate depiction I still don’t know if I am accurately performing the move correctly. Some detailed pictures would have been most welcomed.

Now

I am not here to divulge any secrets or start posting the authors writings, folks need to make a living, but I will ask if someone who has a good understanding of the V grip fundamentals could please give me a detailed explanation on how to execute this it would be greatly appreciated.

For those who will suggest a DVD with further explanation of the V grip is available for purchase my response (and im not trying to be rude) is that I've already purchased a product that claimed to teach me said technique, I don't think im a complete idiot, but the explanation in the book is still lacking in concerns to my understanding. Maybe I am an idiot lol!

Thank you for any discussion, advice or suggestions on the topic.
 
You are not an idiot. I read the book, exchanged a few messages with Lee, looked at the pictures he posted and I am still not sure I totally understand it.

Thumb and index finger seem to be the focus, but I think something changes with those 2 fingers during and after the stroke.

Maybe it is better explained in his DVD.
 
V Grip

I am having the exact same problem. I have read and re-read the section in the book and just don't know if I am doing it right. I will order the video soon but I "heard" that it is still tough to decipher from the video. I would also greatly appreciate any feedback that could be provided on this topic. Thanks a bunch.

p.s. I think the book is great and would highly recommend it to all level of players.
 
I didnt understand the V grip after reading the book either. Then I bought the DVD and it answered my questions. I also got alot more out of reading the book after I watched the DVD. I recommend both the book and DVD.

I found the DVD entertaining and did not get bored watching it like some pool videos.
 
After coupling the dvd with the book I think Lee Brett has finally provided a very complete, and accurate method to advance in billiards. I have only spent several days with these, but I have already seen a major improvement in accuracy and stoke power. I believe that this game is to complex to learn solely through a book, the visual imprint needs to accompany the word.
The use of the v-grip, along with the stance and alignment, allows the elbow drop to work. As noted, just let the cue rest in your hand with the notch formed by the web of your hand to be above the center of the cue. This allows the side of the thumb and the index finger to support the cue cradled by the other fingers. The elbow drop and follow through is natural if you have a high elbow, NOT parallel with the table. This provides enough room for the stroke on a downward path to level off through the ball and come to rest naturally with a long follow through. Do not use the wrist and gently hold the cue. If you are to tight there is no release, and the stroke does not finish. Watch Lee align, grip, stance then stroke and follow through over and over until you can visualize it at the table, then try to feel it. Trust it and it will work!
I can say that this is the best information I have ever seen on how to pocket balls. I can not thank him enough.
Mike L
 
8balllark said:
Greetings AZ'ers

I had recently purchased Mr.Lee Bretts The Secret Art of Pool. I've seen some discussion in regards to the V grip on here before but not much information with defined answers.

A very interesting read, and I think some folks have given it a bad rap on these boards, I've purchased and read a heck of a lot worse.

Not sure im sold on the Elbow Drop philosophy but then again im an amateur and not a great shot so I keep my opinions to myself lol.

However, the entire reason I purchased the book was because of the V grip, and although the explanation in the book I think gives an accurate depiction I still don’t know if I am accurately performing the move correctly. Some detailed pictures would have been most welcomed.

Now

I am not here to divulge any secrets or start posting the authors writings, folks need to make a living, but I will ask if someone who has a good understanding of the V grip fundamentals could please give me a detailed explanation on how to execute this it would be greatly appreciated.

For those who will suggest a DVD with further explanation of the V grip is available for purchase my response (and im not trying to be rude) is that I've already purchased a product that claimed to teach me said technique, I don't think im a complete idiot, but the explanation in the book is still lacking in concerns to my understanding. Maybe I am an idiot lol!

Thank you for any discussion, advice or suggestions on the topic.
Click to expand...
I haven't read the book but I believe I know what you are talking about. I have used such a grip for maybe 30 years. I saw Miz using the grip and liked it. It worked right away for me and I never changed. For me what it did was stop me from twisting my wrist that I did once an a while. As you stroke you don't have to make a forced piston like motion with your arm, just let it swing and the cue stays straight and true.
 
Do the fundamentals of the V-Grip break down when coupled with a pool stance? I know Lee comes from Snooker, which is more controlled mechanics. Perhaps the V-Grip only coincides with structured Snooker fundamentals rather then more of a natural, individual pool stance. Please share your thoughts........I don't want to kill another thread :)
 
Thanks to all who replied -

So another question then is - Does the Elbow drop absolutely have to be used when implementing the V-grip? Or can one still use the V Grip with the pendulum elbow?

Thanks to Mljl & JMW for your responses, however like I mentioned above, and this is in no way a judgment on Mr.Bretts character or hard work he has put into this product, but prior to the book release the No.01 selling feature that was promoted on this site was the V Grip and that the book would teach someone this technique. That’s the sole reason I purchased the book.

Now in order for me to fully understand it the answer im receiving is to purchase the DVD?......i can't help but feel a little ripped off. As much as I enjoy the book I will not be purchasing the DVD on this principle alone.
 
8balllark said:
Thanks to all who replied -

So another question then is - Does the Elbow drop absolutely have to be used when implementing the V-grip? Or can one still use the V Grip with the pendulum elbow?

Thanks to Mljl & JMW for your responses, however like I mentioned above, and this is in no way a judgment on Mr.Bretts character or hard work he has put into this product, but prior to the book release the No.01 selling feature that was promoted on this site was the V Grip and that the book would teach someone this technique. That’s the sole reason I purchased the book.

Now in order for me to fully understand it the answer im receiving is to purchase the DVD?......i can't help but feel a little ripped off. As much as I enjoy the book I will not be purchasing the DVD on this principle alone.
Click to expand...

do you think the book was written ambiguously on purpose so that they knew they could make a dvd to better explain whats in the book????

i dont
and its not unusual for dvds to go into more detail than the book

if you will spend money for something else for your pool improvement speend it on the dvd
just my 2 cents
 
do you think the book was written ambiguously on purpose so that they knew they could make a dvd to better explain whats in the book????

i dont
and its not unusual for dvds to go into more detail than the book

if you will spend money for something else for your pool improvement speend it on the dvd
just my 2 cents
Click to expand...

I think its safe to suggest Mr.Brett had ambitions of both a book and DVD at time of conception, however regardless of his intentions, plans…….ect. That is a moot point.

Again The Book on AZ billiards was advertised as the V-grip technique being the feature skill that will be taught, that is what I paid my money for, and the book failed in this aspect, regardless of all the other great information and I do think the book is written well from a instructors point of view but again…..like a broken record……….the book fails to explain its primary selling feature!

Im not trying to harp, just answering the question, if at the time Mr.Brett for what ever the reason did not add pictures along with the instructions then hey no problem. A simple solution would have been to compile a short private U tube vid, have people provide proof of purchase of the book and then provide access to the FREE vid……as an example.

Personally I think promoting a second item to purchase to teach what the first item promoted to teach is shady…….just my meaningless humble opinion.

AGAIN………im not bad mouthing the book nor Mr.Brett instructions…….this stems form me wanting to learn what he is teaching, simply that.
 
8balllark said:
Thanks to all who replied -

So another question then is - Does the Elbow drop absolutely have to be used when implementing the V-grip? Or can one still use the V Grip with the pendulum elbow?
Click to expand...

i beleive you should be able to use a pendulum swing and still use the v grip
 
Between the thumb and index finger an inverse "V" is formed. 4 examples.
 

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I hear ya....

I "THINK" that if you go back and look at the video and especially the "finished" position of the stroking hand, you will get an idea of what the position of the fingers and thumb should be as well as the spacing between the index finger and the middle finger.

The "V" sometimes looks like a "U" instead of V....

In my opinion it is not so much as what the V looks like as what the hand is supposed to look like on the final finished stroke.

The elbow drop is hard for people like me who have been doing the pendulum swing for so long. I may drop my elbow but trying to drop it is futile. lol

I go back and watch different sections of Coach Lee's video over and over and each time that I see it, I "get it" a little more each time.
 
8balllark said:
Thanks to all who replied -

So another question then is - Does the Elbow drop absolutely have to be used when implementing the V-grip? NO Or can one still use the V Grip with the pendulum elbow? YES
Click to expand...
................
 
macguy said:
I haven't read the book but I believe I know what you are talking about. I have used such a grip for maybe 30 years. I saw Miz using the grip and liked it. It worked right away for me and I never changed. For me what it did was stop me from twisting my wrist that I did once an a while. As you stroke you don't have to make a forced piston like motion with your arm, just let it swing and the cue stays straight and true.
Click to expand...

sO DO YOU drop your elbow on most shots?
 
Ghosst said:
Between the thumb and index finger an inverse "V" is formed. 4 examples.
Click to expand...

The V shape between the thumb and index finger is formed no matter how you grip the cue. Is the key that the V appears directly on top of the cue ?
 
ronscuba said:
The V shape between the thumb and index finger is formed no matter how you grip the cue. Is the key that the V appears directly on top of the cue ?
Click to expand...

The "V" is directly in line with the shot, and with a loose enough grip there is space between the cue and the palm of the hand. If you grip too tightly there is no "V" at all.
 
The point of an upside down V on top of the cue. Not a U.
 

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