Why do pros rarely use the dart stroke for jump shots?

See the dart stroke section of my jumping video. It shows how finger motion (with or without arm twist) can cause problems for people.
OK I found time to view your jumping video. Good stuff. 👍
I didn't see anything on using a mechanical bridge. Perhaps I missed it. Jumping with a mechanical bridge expands my range. A simple skill that's worth developing. My first effort off the mechanical bridge was executed so well that my opponent went running for the rules. Pretty sure the pinpoint shape I attained on the 8 seemed uh ill eagle. 🤷‍♂️ This is the bridge head that drew the protst. Packs easily in a pouch and can slip on another cue or even just a shaft in an awkward spot. 1713637916779.png
 
I watched Brandon Jacoby giving lessons of the dart stroke at their booth to a couple of guys a couple weeks back, and not only did he make the dart stroke look effortless, but explained how to practice it and how and why to do what was needed with it.
To be honest, I have only tried to jump a ball a couple times in practice before watching that, but after watching him give a demonstration to a couple other people, and how easy he made it look, I got out my Jacoby jumper when I came home and gave it a try. From lack of a success before to a moderate success almost immediately was really satisfying. He gave such clear and easy to understand instructions, that even a hack like me can mostly do it.
Will you share this information?
 
Sidearm jump stroke is difficult for me. The only way I have somewhat been able to do it is by drastically closing my stance with my left foot ahead of my right foot (I am right handed). I don't think this is the correct way to go about it though as I have no accuracy and my body alignment is not good.
 
Sure, but keep in mind that I was just watching him show two other players and they were about as knowledgeable as I was, and that sadly was basically a total beginner at jumping. So keep in mind that what he showed and demonstrated, I'm sure was more geared at getting us up to a basic level of jumping quickly. After watching Dr Daves videos, there is a lot more to it, but the fact of the matter was that when getting home and trying what he showed, it was quite easy to jump a ball where I had struggled with it on my own before.
So, he just had a few basic principles to work on.
- One was when practicing and trying to first learn where to hit a ball for a basic jump, was to use a striped ball with the stripe horizontal to the table and hit at the top edge of the stripe.
- Second was to just change the angle of the cue and how hard to strike the ball, while still hitting about at the top edge of the stripe when adjusting for distance, more straight up for close and progressively lower for a longer jump.
- Third when I tried to jump a ball before this, I was darting the stick down and trying to jerk it back before hitting the table, and he showed that you basically darted through the ball without jerking it back.
- It was interesting to see how little power he actually used when driving through the ball and not trying to jerk the stick back
- There were other things such as how to hold the stick and how to get a solid bridge, but that was easier to watch than explain.

I'm sure those of you that are good at jumping are thinking there is a lot more to it than that, and after watching Dr Daves videos I can see that there is, all of which Brandon I'm sure knows, but to get newbies like us up and running with an achievable result almost immediately, his simple explanation did wonders.
 
Thank you.



Check out:


and the first section (“Bridge”) here:

The precision of the strike to the white is better when focused on same. Your video promotes looking at the white when you hit it (a jump) because a top level jump requires that precision.
You have given a good primer for jump shots. Through practice I hope to be able to control the height the length and cueball rotation at impact with the object ball. When well executed it can have the same effect as Mike Doolie's double kiss skills. You know,
Mike said:
make a nun take her clothes off. No no no, a whole convent.
😉
 
Thank you.



Check out:


and the first section (“Bridge”) here:

Good stuff! The encyclopedia of pool knowledge you have made available is incredible. Sure doesn't hurt for me to review, as I find things that make me think, "oh yeah I had forgotten that." Some things don't get used very often but are the best tool for rare occasions.
My jump tools.
20240421_061616.jpg

Another configuration with the mid section removed. I use it if I need a longer carry but the full cue might not give me the altitude necessary at that angle.
20240421_061537.jpg
Doubtful that I would be using the mechanical bridge in that situation. Just showing the variable that my back scratch handle provides. 🤷‍♂️
 
20240421_070114.jpg
the dart thrower/pen holder grip for overhand shots.
Ronnie Allen made one handed look incredibly easy. 🤷‍♂️ Practice Practice Practice
 
That's an ignorant remark. I didn't bother to read further.
There's a time and place for everything. Not many people have seen Efren jump. I have, It was perfect. Like A dart. 🤷‍♂️
I’ve seen Efren shoot a couple jump shots. Some of the poorest execution ever.
 
I just posted this as awhile back, Tennessee had asked for an explaination of what Brandon was showing.
I just came across this and thought I would post it.
 
I just posted this as awhile back, Tennessee had asked for an explaination of what Brandon was showing.
I just came across this and thought I would post it.
I thought he explained things well. One small correction is that the angle the cue ball comes off the table is not the same as the angle of the cue stick elevation because the slate does not bounce the ball very well. I think it is somewhere around half the angle of the stick.

In practice this doesn't make much difference to play because you have to learn how much elevation you need to clear particular shots. The important point is that more stick elevation gets you proportionally more ball elevation.
 
The dart stroke is not good for jumping, unless you're talking about a one handed dart stroke. That is sometimes the only option if you're left funny. In most other cases, a normal stroke is at least twice as good as a dart stroke, unless you are short or disabled. If you're short it may be the only option the same if you have problems with shoulders etc.

A normal stroke can generate more power and is more precise for an experienced player as long as he is flexible and tall enough to pull it off.
 
If you're short it may be the only option the same if you have problems with shoulders etc.
I can confirm, back/shoulder problems and dart is where it's at for me. I even bought a 3 piece jumper but my body just wont. I like to jump with a full playing cue when it makes sense so it's that or dart for me.
 
The dart stroke is not good for jumping, unless you're talking about a one handed dart stroke. That is sometimes the only option if you're left funny. In most other cases, a normal stroke is at least twice as good as a dart stroke, unless you are short or disabled. If you're short it may be the only option the same if you have problems with shoulders etc.

A normal stroke can generate more power and is more precise for an experienced player as long as he is flexible and tall enough to pull it off.
I partially agree. I think if someone practices the dart technique a lot, they can get very accurate with it. I have made multiple balls using the dart technique. When I teach the dart technique, I have had many people say they prefer that way over pendulum and they aren't shorter people.

So I thing it depends on the person.
 
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