Thumb Straight Down

G

gordml

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ive heard from 2 well known instructors (one book , one youtube vid) that you should have your thumb pointing straight down in the grip.
Since humans have somewhat chimpanzee hands with the hands naturally turning inward, straight down causes a bit of a stretch.(about 30 degrees)
When I try this I can shoot straight but it takes some getting used to because I can feel the hand stretched.
Any one else have any experience with this ?
Who thinks its completely unnecessary?
Thx in advance.
Oh and one instructor was snooker , the other pool.
 
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Maybe your hand is different than mine - but when I assume a correct stance, with elbow bent and forearm, wrist, and hand hanging straight down perpendicular to the cue, totally limp and relaxed - my thumb points straight down. And that is what we are trying to achieve - a relaxed stance without any added muscle tension in the hand or wrist.
 
I never thought about it before...but my thumb is straight down, usually.
I hit a zillion balls on a golf course before I walked into a pool hall....
...so with a cue, my thumb and forefinger is the same as my golf grip...
...the back three fingers do the gripping.

So if you want to straighten your thumb, play golf. :smile:

But I'm not so sure it's a good thing to worry about...
..the hand does a lot of things during the stroke..interference is probably bad.
 
I point my thumb straight down

73DB07C3-8988-4501-A68E-6A013F80C217.jpeg
 
When down, the thumb can push against the side of whatever finger you use. This is better than grabbing the cue itself. That's because any tension will go against the finger, not around the cue.

That helps take away the stroking problem of accidentally gripping harder, for example, on a draw shot.



Jeff Livingston
 
The only thing that is always true is that nothing is always the case.

Supination and probation of the wrist change the cock


Angle; and therefore, the direction of ye olde thumb.
 
gordml said:
Ive heard from 2 well known instructors (one book , one youtube vid) that you should have your thumb pointing straight down in the grip.
Since humans have somewhat chimpanzee hands with the hands naturally turning inward, straight down causes a bit of a stretch.(about 30 degrees)
When I try this I can shoot straight but it takes some getting used to because I can feel the hand stretched.
Any one else have any experience with this ?
Who thinks its completely unnecessary?
Thx in advance.
Oh and one instructor was snooker , the other pool.
Click to expand...

Do what comes naturally and feels comfortable. Otherwise you'll wind up over thinking everything and get worse, not better. In all honesty, I don't think I have ever even thought about what my thumb is doing.
 
Black-Balled said:
The only thing that is always true is that nothing is always the case.

Supination and probation of the wrist change the cock


Angle; and therefore, the direction of ye olde thumb.
Click to expand...

By using the word supination, Ben Hogan would be proud of you!!!
 
chefjeff said:
When down, the thumb can push against the side of whatever finger you use. This is better than grabbing the cue itself. That's because any tension will go against the finger, not around the cue.

That helps take away the stroking problem of accidentally gripping harder, for example, on a draw shot.



Jeff Livingston
Click to expand...

I tried this.
It seems to work so far and make sense thanks.
The point for me is to do something consistent, with minimal tension.
Here the instructor uses the third finger. Also as a "trigger"
Its interesting.
https://youtu.be/HuaNdCU64R4
He says most snooker players do this.I never heard of it.
But I know for a fact that Barry Stark coaches top pros.
 
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gordml said:
I tried this.
It seems to work so far and make sense thanks.
The point for me is to do something consistent, with minimal tension.
Here the instructor uses the third finger. Also as a "trigger"
Its interesting.
https://youtu.be/HuaNdCU64R4
He says most snooker players do this.I never heard of it.
But I know for a fact that Barry Stark coaches top pros.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that good video. I'm going to try that 3rd finger touch he uses, as my shaking seems worse as I age. Maybe it'll help.


Jeff Livingston
 
gordml said:
Ive heard from 2 well known instructors (one book , one youtube vid) that you should have your thumb pointing straight down in the grip.
Since humans have somewhat chimpanzee hands with the hands naturally turning inward, straight down causes a bit of a stretch.(about 30 degrees)
When I try this I can shoot straight but it takes some getting used to because I can feel the hand stretched.
Any one else have any experience with this ?
Who thinks its completely unnecessary?
Thx in advance.
Oh and one instructor was snooker , the other pool.
Click to expand...

I too follow this suggestion in my grip. I've found it mentioned more than several times in my years of playing. (40 plus). I always try to keep the back of my hand straight too, sorta like a plane that is developed in my stroke.
 
I guess I am in the minority here. my thumb rather than straight down instead it's 45 degrees away from that point. helps me with the grip and sort of creates a slot for me to go straight regarding backhand and forward stroke.
 
I have no idea where my thumb is. Wherever it is - that's where it is. Up, down, sideways, I don't know.
 
Before I commit to any billiard stroke - I survey the table, and look at various lines and angles. The least of my concern is the position of a specific body part. Everyone has a process or method for aiming. This process is performed after the position, target, and intended CB path has been determined.
Everything after is automatic - the outcome will give you good feedback if you trust the process. Whether the thumb is wrapped or left hanging down; focus on a steady stroke through the shot. Just as in golf - hit the little ball before the BIG BALL!
 
gordml said:
Ive heard from 2 well known instructors (one book , one youtube vid) that you should have your thumb pointing straight down in the grip.
Since humans have somewhat chimpanzee hands with the hands naturally turning inward, straight down causes a bit of a stretch.(about 30 degrees)
When I try this I can shoot straight but it takes some getting used to because I can feel the hand stretched.
Any one else have any experience with this ?
Who thinks its completely unnecessary?
Thx in advance.
Oh and one instructor was snooker , the other pool.
Click to expand...
I do the same thing & have done so for several years. I also extend my fore finger as well. It's a Snooker thing...
 
gordml said:
Ive heard from 2 well known instructors (one book , one youtube vid) that you should have your thumb pointing straight down in the grip.
Since humans have somewhat chimpanzee hands with the hands naturally turning inward, straight down causes a bit of a stretch.(about 30 degrees)
When I try this I can shoot straight but it takes some getting used to because I can feel the hand stretched.
Any one else have any experience with this ?
Who thinks its completely unnecessary?
Thx in advance.
Oh and one instructor was snooker , the other pool.
Click to expand...
Search for Barry Stark and "the grip" on YouTube. I think there's 4. Pure Gold!
 
Oh and if you go to his videos on questions asked....and ask a question in the comments..... well he has responded to me.😁
 
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