Could somebody please explain the significance of the cue's balance point and how to use it effectively? I think it's a subject that's often overlooked, but worth discussing. Thank you in advance.
Using the Cue's Balance Point
- Thread starter PhilosopherKing
- Start date
The only significance is that it will determine how a cue feels in your hands. Some players prefer a little more rear weighted cue while others like more weight a little further forward. It is like so many things about a cue such as different types of joints or different shaft sizes and tapers. It's all very subjective, and will be different for different individuals.
Steve
Steve
Thanks, Steve. For me, understanding how to use the weight of the cue and letting it do the work can mean the difference between a smooth, effortless stroke and a choppy, violent stroke.
PhilsopherKing...Since most pool cues are in the 18-20oz range, making it a 3-1 weight of the cue/weight of the CB ratio, it doesn't matter at all where the balance point is. The key is knowing how to figure out your shooting template (which has nothing to do with what kind of cue, or the balance point), and then understanding how to use your arm's range of motion (with a pendulum swing) to teach yourself how to use your own sense of timing, to let the weight of the cue, and timing, create the speed of your stroke. It's all about the movement of the cuestick, not about strength or muscle.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
@Scott
i can t remember how many ppl i talked to about temps/speed/feeling etc........and i bet you aren t able to count your discussions you talked about this to your students, too...*bg*.
But this posting from you are the best written words to this theme i ever read^^(and heard)
Scott wrote:
..then understanding how to use your arm's range of motion (with a pendulum swing) to teach yourself how to use your own sense of timing, to let the weight of the cue, and timing, create the speed of your stroke. It's all about the movement of the cuestick, not about strength or muscle.
Scott Lee
*paste and copy mode on*
this sentence will go into my *instructor-treasure*.
i can t remember how many ppl i talked to about temps/speed/feeling etc........and i bet you aren t able to count your discussions you talked about this to your students, too...*bg*.
But this posting from you are the best written words to this theme i ever read^^(and heard)
Scott wrote:
..then understanding how to use your arm's range of motion (with a pendulum swing) to teach yourself how to use your own sense of timing, to let the weight of the cue, and timing, create the speed of your stroke. It's all about the movement of the cuestick, not about strength or muscle.
Scott Lee
*paste and copy mode on*
this sentence will go into my *instructor-treasure*.
knowing your balance point can come into play occasionally..
if you are jacked up... and you are choking up on the cue ..
you should never let your most extreme forward grip position pass the balance point... bad things happen
try it... find your balance point and jack way up gripping first an inch behind the balance point.. then try again gripping 1 inch forward of the balance point..
you will instantly see what I mean
if you are jacked up... and you are choking up on the cue ..
you should never let your most extreme forward grip position pass the balance point... bad things happen
try it... find your balance point and jack way up gripping first an inch behind the balance point.. then try again gripping 1 inch forward of the balance point..
you will instantly see what I mean
that must be the reason why jump cues are so short.
... gripping behind the balance point allows much more accurate delivery of the tip
Thank you, Mr. Lee. If you would like, could you please explain what the "shooting template" is? Thanks again.
Thanks. In your opinion, should the back hand be moved closer to or further away from the balance point depending on the length of the shot or the distance the cue ball will have to travel for position?
you should have a standard grip position that you use when ever it's possible to have a level cue at impact...
the only time you should choke up on the cue is when you are forced to elevate. or when your follow through is limited like when the CB and OB are very close together..
how much you choke up is proportional to how high you have to elevate.
Thanks. Would you agree, though, that the back hand should always correspondingly move forward to or backward from the balance point as you shorten or lengthen your bridge?
...I know this is pretty basic stuff, but I think there's value in putting some thought into it every now and again.
when jacking up.. your grip and stroke should "shrink" equally..
you shorten your bridge and shorten your stroke...
you have less margin for error when you are jacked up...
so make smaller errors..
smaller movements make smaller errors..
you trade off some CB control.. so don't ask as much from your CB when jacked up..
get the ball in the hole... and the CB in the open.. and dig out your position with the next shot..
you shorten your bridge and shorten your stroke...
you have less margin for error when you are jacked up...
so make smaller errors..
smaller movements make smaller errors..
you trade off some CB control.. so don't ask as much from your CB when jacked up..
get the ball in the hole... and the CB in the open.. and dig out your position with the next shot..
P.King.
It is important to remember that the 90 degree rule is not 90 degrees to the floor, it is 90 degrees to the cue. Understanding this, your grip doesn't necessarily change so much with cue elevation, but more with changes in your bridge length. If your personal template includes an 8 inch bridge, but the shot you are on requires a 5 inch bridge, you will need to choke up 3 inches on the cue. Or if you need a 10 inch bridge, move your grip back two inches. You don't let the cue stick determine how you set up to shoot. You set up to shoot, and adjust the cue accordingly.
Same stroke every time whenever possible.
Steve
It is important to remember that the 90 degree rule is not 90 degrees to the floor, it is 90 degrees to the cue. Understanding this, your grip doesn't necessarily change so much with cue elevation, but more with changes in your bridge length. If your personal template includes an 8 inch bridge, but the shot you are on requires a 5 inch bridge, you will need to choke up 3 inches on the cue. Or if you need a 10 inch bridge, move your grip back two inches. You don't let the cue stick determine how you set up to shoot. You set up to shoot, and adjust the cue accordingly.
Same stroke every time whenever possible.
Steve
Thanks. Would it be correct to say that for each individual there is an ideal distance between the bridge hand and the grip hand that remains constant for nearly all shots, no matter how long or short the bridge?
Absolutely. When we work with students, one of the things we do is determine the student's personal template. This is the standard ideal bridge distance and follow-through distance (we prefer the term finish distance) which will determine the distance between grip and bridge hands. We don't really measure that particular distance, because if your grip is at 90 degrees and your bridge is set, it will happen by default.
Steve
Steve
PhilosopherKing...All the information on determining your shooting template is contained on Vol 1 of Play Better Pool. Essentially your template takes into account your natural bridge length (distance from bridge hand to CB), your natural grip position on the cuestick (forearm should be 90 degrees to the cuestick at contact with CB), your natural stance (balanced, comfortable, with free movement of the cue), and your natural finish position (where your tip finishes, when you finish your pendulum swing to your chest). We use our template for 90+% of our play, and when we do adjust, it is almost always within a couple of inches of the natural...as pooltcher pointed out. You also use your template to help determine what your natural timing sequence in your preshot routine is.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Thanks. Where can I purchase your DVD via money order?
PhilosopherKing...Email me at poolology@aol.com. Put "pool video" in the subject box. I'll send you my address. Please include your name and the address you want the dvd sent to.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com