When do you keep your elbow at about 90 degrees?

teedotaj

teedotaj

teedot oohhhhhh
Silver Member
Question for you guys, and maybe instructors from all backgrounds (Both pendulum believers and elbow droppers). I'm using SPF terms as there's no other way to describe the positions.

I read it somewhere here that an elbow perpendicular to your arm is an ideal position to be in. My question is, When does this perpendicular position actually occur? Is it:

A) Perpendicular during the Set position? (When the Tip is placed right in front of the ball before the final backswing)

B) Perpendicular during the Pause position? (Final backswing)

C) Perpendicular during the finish position?

I don't think C is a good choice as you can't have a good follow through that way. But I think A and B can go either way.

Which way generally works better for you guys?
 
In the context of SPF, I think it refers to 90 degrees angle at forearm and cue, not at the elbow. For the pendulum swing, the cue travels in an arc going from position A to position B, then through positon A, and finish at C. The pendulum swing at position A will deliver the cue in a straight and level line through the cueball. To ensure you're level at the set position (position A) forearm should be pointing straight down, and cue held at right 90 degree right angle.

The elbow is a hinge joint, so the cue can only travels back and forth in its travel path. Dropping the elbow engages the shoulder (a socket joint), which introduces side to side motion to your swing. From my recollection dropping the elbow after cue ball contact is not a stroke issue.
 
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I'd like to have my forearm point directly down to the floor at the point when the tip hits the cue ball. (I think that also translates to the 'set' position)

Sadly, either my arms are a bit too long or my cue is a bit too short. Or something else. It's on my list of things to analyse in excruciating detail.

-tim
 
I guess...

I guess that's the proper way of saying it. When do you guys have your forearm hanging straight down?

A) Set
B) Pause
C) During Finish

Again sorry for borrowing SPF terms

Myself, I think I do it during the finish. My forearm is forward during the set position. I should probably try and adjust it so that it's hanging down during the set position like you guys.
 
teedotaj said:
I guess that's the proper way of saying it. When do you guys have your forearm hanging straight down?

A) Set
B) Pause
C) During Finish

Again sorry for borrowing SPF terms

Myself, I think I do it during the finish. My forearm is forward during the set position. I should probably try and adjust it so that it's hanging down during the set position like you guys.
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I speak your language. Assuming a level cuestick, in the set position, the cuetip is 1/4" from the cueball. The forearm and cue should form a 90 degree angle. The knuckles in your hand should be pointing straight down. This will allow you to consistently deliver the cuetip to the point on the cueball you are aiming at.
 
teedotaj said:
I guess that's the proper way of saying it. When do you guys have your forearm hanging straight down?

A) Set
B) Pause
C) During Finish

Again sorry for borrowing SPF terms

Myself, I think I do it during the finish. My forearm is forward during the set position. I should probably try and adjust it so that it's hanging down during the set position like you guys.
Click to expand...

"A) Set" is the only correct answer, at least if you ask an instructor.

Of course, there have been great players who do it differently (Mosconi's arm was WAY forward of perpendicular at setup), so as with everything in pool, there's not just one way to do it. But the way that produces the most consistency for most people is having your forearm hanging straight up and down at the set position.

-Andrew
 
Andrew, quite true about Willie but the fact his arm was forward of vertical is a little misleading since Willie used a slip stroke. So during the actual through stoke his arm was closer to vertical than when viewed at the "set" position.
 
teedotaj said:
Question for you guys, and maybe instructors from all backgrounds (Both pendulum believers and elbow droppers). I'm using SPF terms as there's no other way to describe the positions.

I read it somewhere here that an elbow perpendicular to your arm is an ideal position to be in. My question is, When does this perpendicular position actually occur? Is it:

A) Perpendicular during the Set position? (When the Tip is placed right in front of the ball before the final backswing)

B) Perpendicular during the Pause position? (Final backswing)

C) Perpendicular during the finish position?

I don't think C is a good choice as you can't have a good follow through that way. But I think A and B can go either way.

Which way generally works better for you guys?
Click to expand...


Straight from the SPF School.

All posters hit it right on the head, good students of the game.

It's not your elbow, rather it's your cradle hand. Most elbows are NOT at 90degrees.

Too insure an accurate hit on the cue ball:

1. Tip close to cue ball and not moving is the SET position.
2. Hand directly below elbow.
3. Knuckles level with the cue stick.

Keep up the good work....SPF=randyg
 
Curse you Randy! You have done it to me again!!(grin)

randyg said:
Straight from the SPF School.

All posters hit it right on the head, good students of the game.

It's not your elbow, rather it's your cradle hand. Most elbows are NOT at 90degrees.

Too insure an accurate hit on the cue ball:

1. Tip close to cue ball and not moving is the SET position.
2. Hand directly below elbow.
3. Knuckles level with the cue stick.

Keep up the good work....SPF=randyg
Click to expand...


Randy,

Please give a little more detail concerning number 3, knuckles level with the cue stick. Any way I try to figure out what you mean there, my knuckles ain't. One set is above the stick, one below, and they don't stay parallel to the stick.

Are you saying they should be parallel with the cue when you strike the cue ball?

Hu
 
ShootingArts said:
Randy,

Please give a little more detail concerning number 3, knuckles level with the cue stick. Any way I try to figure out what you mean there, my knuckles ain't. One set is above the stick, one below, and they don't stay parallel to the stick.

Are you saying they should be parallel with the cue when you strike the cue ball?

Hu
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Hu my friend. YES! As much as possible. At our age getting close is important. They are only parallel in the SET position and in the STRIKE position. All other times the cue is pivoting in your hand....SPF=randyg
 
Very Funny!!

randyg said:
Hu my friend. YES! As much as possible. At our age getting close is important. They are only parallel in the SET position and in the STRIKE position. All other times the cue is pivoting in your hand....SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

For some reason that struck me as extremely funny. I'm still grinning! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Thanks for the clarification on the pool grip.


Hu
 
Perpendicular to the stick (probably about vertical) at the moment the stick hits the cue ball. This is the point in your stroke when your hand is traveling most parallel with the stick for the longest time, so it's the point where your tip is least likely to be moving up or down.

If you have carefully set up so that your tip is in the exact vertical position you want on the cue ball when you're in the "cue ball address" position (some call it the "set" position), then this gives you the best chance of hitting that spot.

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Perpendicular to the stick (probably about vertical) at the moment the stick hits the cue ball. This is the point in your stroke when your hand is traveling most parallel with the stick for the longest time, so it's the point where your tip is least likely to be moving up or down.

If you have carefully set up so that your tip is in the exact vertical position you want on the cue ball when you're in the "cue ball address" position (some call it the "set" position), then this gives you the best chance of hitting that spot.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...



So very well said by PJ........SPF=randyg
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Perpendicular to the stick (probably about vertical) at the moment the stick hits the cue ball. This is the point in your stroke when your hand is traveling most parallel with the stick for the longest time, so it's the point where your tip is least likely to be moving up or down.

If you have carefully set up so that your tip is in the exact vertical position you want on the cue ball when you're in the "cue ball address" position (some call it the "set" position), then this gives you the best chance of hitting that spot.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...


aaaah. it makes sense now as to the why this is a must. even slightly jacked up shots might cause mase. k will do this for sure now. or try to.

This blog entry by Samm Diepp inspired me to try to revamp my stroke.
http://www.pooltipjar.com/2007/11/i-changed-my-stroke-yesterday-again/

She put up pictures of how her stroke has evolved to its current form.
 
teedotaj said:
aaaah. it makes sense now as to the why this is a must. even slightly jacked up shots might cause mase. k will do this for sure now. or try to.

This blog entry by Samm Diepp inspired me to try to revamp my stroke.
http://www.pooltipjar.com/2007/11/i-changed-my-stroke-yesterday-again/

She put up pictures of how her stroke has evolved to its current form.
Click to expand...


Samm is a very good play but better yet she is a student of the game. Samm has studied with many of the best Instructors available....SPF=randyg
 
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