Who invented the billiards jump shot?
- Thread starter Dozer
- Start date
Invented vs. Discovered....
The watch was invented, America was discovered. I would imagine that accidentally scooping the tip under the ball, which is illegal now, was discovered early on..... when I was a kid, I theorized that I could cut in a shot more than 90 degrees if I scoop-jumped the cueball over the object ball to its far side to an unseen contact point, and I got good at it. Then discovered it's illegal. But this is a great question regarding LEGAL jump shots hitting down on the ball. Probably discovered by people doing masse' shots. How does my post help you? Because I do know ONE thing about this. I own a killer old sign, hand painted on thin metal with scrolled corners and hung from an old copper chain, that says:
"NO MASSE'
~or~
LOFTING"
.... the sign is at least as old as 1900 going by the saloon-style letter font. So I looked in a lot of old periodicals and found something in an old Billiards Magazine about lofting then something later on in the same magazine about jumping balls. Just different terminology. This change in terms happened between 1915 and 1931 because that's the dating of my Billiards Magazine collection. Lofting, I like that! If you know how to put cell phone photos on here, I can text you a photo of my sign for all to enjoy and you can post it on here for me.
The watch was invented, America was discovered. I would imagine that accidentally scooping the tip under the ball, which is illegal now, was discovered early on..... when I was a kid, I theorized that I could cut in a shot more than 90 degrees if I scoop-jumped the cueball over the object ball to its far side to an unseen contact point, and I got good at it. Then discovered it's illegal. But this is a great question regarding LEGAL jump shots hitting down on the ball. Probably discovered by people doing masse' shots. How does my post help you? Because I do know ONE thing about this. I own a killer old sign, hand painted on thin metal with scrolled corners and hung from an old copper chain, that says:
"NO MASSE'
~or~
LOFTING"
.... the sign is at least as old as 1900 going by the saloon-style letter font. So I looked in a lot of old periodicals and found something in an old Billiards Magazine about lofting then something later on in the same magazine about jumping balls. Just different terminology. This change in terms happened between 1915 and 1931 because that's the dating of my Billiards Magazine collection. Lofting, I like that! If you know how to put cell phone photos on here, I can text you a photo of my sign for all to enjoy and you can post it on here for me.
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Cue games have been played for so long, that proof of who "invented" the "jump shot" may never be found...but we do know that "jump" shots have been around for a long long time. (and people have understood the concept of 'english' for just as long)
In 1831 Mingaud wrote, in reference to a particular shot:
" Strike [the cue ball] high in the centre with moderate strength.... & quickly withdraw your hand, to make [the cue ball] hop over the other balls. "
In 1831 Mingaud wrote, in reference to a particular shot:
" Strike [the cue ball] high in the centre with moderate strength.... & quickly withdraw your hand, to make [the cue ball] hop over the other balls. "
please read my post...
I discussed the likely possibility that whoever invented the masse' also probably discovered the legal, downward striking jump shot- both involve striking downward on the cueball. So it is nice to see this in print- very few of us will ever be able to peruse this book. Thanks for posting.
You're certainly welcome.
We have a copy in the reading room for all to enjoy.
Click here to download the PDF file.
We have a copy in the reading room for all to enjoy.
Click here to download the PDF file.
zook
Registered
Very interesting reading, thank you sir !
shooteredg
Registered
earl strickland!
Although the jump shot may have existed earlier, the shot's entry into mainstream competitive pool, I have been told, happened almost by chance.
Marcus Collier, who may have been the greatest bumper pool player ever, when playing in a pool event in the 1960's, was seen using his bumper pool cue, which is much shorter than a typical cue, to execute a jump shot.
The legend goes that this was the first time that pool players took note of the fact that it was not difficult to perform a jump shot with a shorter cue, and that this had much to do with the subsequent invention of the jumpstick, which brought the jump shot into frequent use.
Marcus Collier, who may have been the greatest bumper pool player ever, when playing in a pool event in the 1960's, was seen using his bumper pool cue, which is much shorter than a typical cue, to execute a jump shot.
The legend goes that this was the first time that pool players took note of the fact that it was not difficult to perform a jump shot with a shorter cue, and that this had much to do with the subsequent invention of the jumpstick, which brought the jump shot into frequent use.
this question could bring a million answers, for sure.
Jump shots
Here is what I heard many years ago:
Billy graves from san Diego 'showed' earl Strickland a jump shot and earl perfected it to a much higher level.
This was not short jump cue - this was a full length cue stroke shot.
Can I swear this is true - no way. But I know that in early 80's or so
There was no-one jumping with full cue.
Billy graves died a few years back- I had first met him at the la expo of 1991.
I actually do believe Billy showed earl some things - but there is only one earl Strickland!
Mark griffin
Here is what I heard many years ago:
Billy graves from san Diego 'showed' earl Strickland a jump shot and earl perfected it to a much higher level.
This was not short jump cue - this was a full length cue stroke shot.
Can I swear this is true - no way. But I know that in early 80's or so
There was no-one jumping with full cue.
Billy graves died a few years back- I had first met him at the la expo of 1991.
I actually do believe Billy showed earl some things - but there is only one earl Strickland!
Mark griffin
Jump Shot
A pool room owner here in Columbus was jump drawing the cue ball with his full size cue in the late 60s.
He was probably a high B player at the time but he had a great stroke.
Mingaud could do almost anything in 1827 that players do today.
The only limitation he had was the equipment was not as active.
A pool room owner here in Columbus was jump drawing the cue ball with his full size cue in the late 60s.
He was probably a high B player at the time but he had a great stroke.
Mingaud could do almost anything in 1827 that players do today.
The only limitation he had was the equipment was not as active.
Nice cue rack..........I remember it well:smile:
Yeah, my fave cue rack....
I know where an identical one of these cue racks is at and it's double width to hold 24 cues. But they'll never sell. Bummer.
I know where an identical one of these cue racks is at and it's double width to hold 24 cues. But they'll never sell. Bummer.
hennyjohnson
Registered
Your post really means to me. Thanks for sharing such a great informative post.
jump shot
As far as to the orgin of the jump shot I leave to those more knowedgeable than I on Billiard history. But this I do know, John Shuput (Omaha John) retired from pool in the mid '80's and jumped with a full sized cue. I saw him jump whitey the full length of a 9' table into a rack with a ball, leaving whitey in the rack, displacing the object ball towards the intended pocket. I don't recall ever seeing John with a jump cue.
As far as to the orgin of the jump shot I leave to those more knowedgeable than I on Billiard history. But this I do know, John Shuput (Omaha John) retired from pool in the mid '80's and jumped with a full sized cue. I saw him jump whitey the full length of a 9' table into a rack with a ball, leaving whitey in the rack, displacing the object ball towards the intended pocket. I don't recall ever seeing John with a jump cue.
I wonder at what point the rules were amended to outlaw scooping. I saw a trickshot video with Walter Lindrum where he scooped the ball when jumping it. I was so disapointed in him lol.
Was it "Jumpin' Sammy Jones" that invented the jump cue as we know it today? 
Was it "Jumpin' Sammy Jones" that invented the jump cue as we know it today?
I had always heard it was Pat Fleming who created the short cue jump shot.