What are they looking at?

ratnip

ratnip

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have noticed that the pros look at their stroking hand right before they address the cue ball before breaking. What are they looking at/for? :confused: I notice that Earl does it all the time.

I was thinking-placement of their hand, but where would the reference be on the stick?
I was also thingking-actual hand position (wrist locked, thumb, fingers, knuckles...etc)?

Thanks ahead of time for the answer!
 
He's making sure he's got his elbow pads on.:thumbup:

Seriously, I suppose they may be making sure they're gripping the cue at the right place before they get down on a shot. Just a guess.

I had a pro living with me for a while and he never mentioned anything about looking down at the cue before you address the shot. I dunno.
 
I'm not a pro by any means, but I've found it helpful to check my back hand position on the cue before breaking, too. If I'm too far back on the cue, I find my arrival on the cue ball feels like it occurs before I reach maximum cue speed. Throws the timing of the stroke off, and ruins power. If I'm too far forward, I can reach maximum cue speed before arriving at the cue ball & the power feels as if it's already been spent. Timing is critical, and your hand position must work in concert with your body position & follow thru to maximize effectiveness.
My humble opinion based on feel & study.
 
routine

Well i have been around a lot of pool players and golfers as well. and my assement of it is a routine!! as a golfer tryes to get in rythem apool player tryes to get in stroke!! watch most golfers they get behind shot and visiolize the shot before they stroke it , as most pool players do before the get in shooting position!! just old man outlook on it!!!!:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
I think they are checking out position of that hand but I am not sure. It would make sense to find a spot and stick with it repeatedly.

Something I noticed last night watching SvB that I had never noticed. he has sort of a slip stroke. His back hand slides back as he is lining up and taking practice strokes. or at least he is in the video I was watching.

I also have seen JA checking his backhand quite often whether breaking or not.
 
frankncali said:
I also have seen JA checking his backhand quite often whether breaking or not.
Click to expand...

I'm frankly flattered Frank. :D
JoeyA
 
mdavis228 I'm not a pro by any means, but I've found it helpful to check my back hand position on the cue before breaking, too. If I'm too far back on the cue, I find my arrival on the cue ball feels like it occurs before I reach maximum cue speed. Throws the timing of the stroke off, and ruins power. If I'm too far forward, I can reach maximum cue speed before arriving at the cue ball & the power feels as if it's already been spent. Timing is critical, and your hand position must work in concert with your body position & follow thru to maximize effectiveness.
My humble opinion based on feel & study.
Click to expand...

Thanks, this does make sense if you are always breaking from the same position and stance. Do you mark the "sweet spot" with tape or a mark of some sort? I'll give it a try in tonight.

stick8
Well i have been around a lot of pool players and golfers as well. and my assement of it is a routine!! as a golfer tryes to get in rythem apool player tryes to get in stroke!! watch most golfers they get behind shot and visiolize the shot before they stroke it , as most pool players do before the get in shooting position!! just old man outlook on it!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the assesment not so sure I can follow visualizing with looking at their hand, but I think I follow what your message is focusing on.

Thanks again all for the interest!

ratnip
 
I'm probably wrong, but most of the time Earl looked like he was checking his shaft wasn't loose instead of seeing where his hand is on the butt of the cue.

He shoots so damn fast when he's in stroke its hard to be sure of anything though.
 
Watch where their eyes go as they make that little head turn. They're actually checking that there's no-one sneaking up behind them with the intention of pickpocketing their wallets while they're distracted by making the stroke :smile:
 
But...

memikey
Watch where their eyes go as they make that little head turn. They're actually checking that there's no-one sneaking up behind them with the intention of pickpocketing their wallets while they're distracted by making the stroke
Click to expand...

But...poolplayers are always BROKE! But thanks for the thoughtful insight as I did not think of this one :rolleyes:
 
Dr.DreckDonkey said:
to make sure they are still holding their stick
Click to expand...
Or to see if someone is sneaking up from behind to grab their 'stick'. I think that will be open for discussion on another forum.:rolleyes:
 
ratnip said:
I have noticed that the pros look at their stroking hand right before they address the cue ball before breaking. What are they looking at/for? :confused: I notice that Earl does it all the time.

I was thinking-placement of their hand, but where would the reference be on the stick?
I was also thingking-actual hand position (wrist locked, thumb, fingers, knuckles...etc)?

Thanks ahead of time for the answer!
Click to expand...

The BCA Instructors now teach that your rear forearm needs to be perpendicular to the floor, in other words straight up and down when the cue tip is very close to the cue ball. This applies to your normal "set" position. Usually, a player knows just where this places his hand on his cue. For example, for me it is exactly at the rear of my wrap, but entirely on the wrap. This was a big change for an old timer who was told in Mosconi's little book to place your rear hand 3-5 inches behind the balance point of the cue. Mosconi was about 5'6" and I'm 6'. Your shoulder width and other factors determine this but the point is that in the set position your forearm should be straight up and down. Most pros now use a coach or have taken some instruction and place their hand accordingly. They may move their hand back on the break or for long draw shots, but they know where their back hand should be and they check it, sometimes compulsively...Tom
 
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