Why do some pool players hold their grip so far back (to the end of the cue)?

J

justinb386

Banned
Have you ever noticed that some players, and even pro champion level players, have their grip on the cue almost to the very end of the cue (much past the wrap section of the cue, almost to the very butt end of the cue) while playing?

Is it just different for every player, about where they are most comfortable gripping the cue (while they are shooting), or do you think they were trained to hold the cue that far back, past the wrap section?

I do not think I have ever held cue cue that far back, while shooting, and I am just wondering if maybe I should be?

Are there any advantages of holding the cue that far back?

The only one that I can think of is that you can get a longer bridge (the distance from your hand to the cue ball), the further back you grip the pool cue.

I never really thought about it, and just gripped the cue at the point that I felt most comfortable with gripping it (which has always been a good distance from the very end of the butt cap, I think).

I just wonder why so many very strong players grip their cue so far back (below the wrap area of the cue)?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.
 
justinb386 said:
Have you ever noticed that some players, and even pro champion level players, have their grip on the cue almost to the very end of the cue (much past the wrap section of the cue, almost to the very butt end of the cue) while playing?

Is it just different for every player, about where they are most comfortable gripping the cue (while they are shooting), or do you think they were trained to hold the cue that far back, past the wrap section?

I do not think I have ever held cue cue that far back, while shooting, and I am just wondering if maybe I should be?

Are there any advantages of holding the cue that far back?

The only one that I can think of is that you can get a longer bridge (the distance from your hand to the cue ball), the further back you grip the pool cue.

I never really thought about it, and just gripped the cue at the point that I felt most comfortable with gripping it (which has always been a good distance from the very end of the butt cap, I think).

I just wonder why so many very strong players grip their cue so far back (below the wrap area of the cue)?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.
Click to expand...

That's how the special English ( spin ) is applied. It's been talked about on here a few times a few years ago but it's all pretty hush hush.
 
Hold the cuestick where your forearm hangs straight down, when your tip is touching the CB...no matter how long your bridge is. This is so you can accelerate the cuestick through the CB at the bottom of the swingpath.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Scott Lee
 
Grip Hand Position

justinb386 said:
Have you ever noticed that some players, and even pro champion level players, have their grip on the cue almost to the very end of the cue (much past the wrap section of the cue, almost to the very butt end of the cue) while playing?

Is it just different for every player, about where they are most comfortable gripping the cue (while they are shooting), or do you think they were trained to hold the cue that far back, past the wrap section?

I do not think I have ever held cue cue that far back, while shooting, and I am just wondering if maybe I should be?

Are there any advantages of holding the cue that far back?

The only one that I can think of is that you can get a longer bridge (the distance from your hand to the cue ball), the further back you grip the pool cue.

I never really thought about it, and just gripped the cue at the point that I felt most comfortable with gripping it (which has always been a good distance from the very end of the butt cap, I think).

I just wonder why so many very strong players grip their cue so far back (below the wrap area of the cue)?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.
Click to expand...

The grip hand position on the cue butt will change depending on the shot, how low a stance is, how tall or short a person is, etc.
 
Poolchump...How short or tall someone is, will likely change natural grip position. However, grip position does not change for most shots, and stance height has nothing to do with where to grip the cue. It will change if the shooter changes bridge length, but most of us use the same bridge length (when there are no obstacles in the way) for most shots.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

PoolChump said:
The grip hand position on the cue butt will change depending on the shot, how low a stance is, how tall or short a person is, etc.
Click to expand...
 
Grip Hand Position

Scott Lee said:
Poolchump...How short or tall someone is, will likely change natural grip position. However, grip position does not change for most shots, and stance height has nothing to do with where to grip the cue. It will change if the shooter changes bridge length, but most of us use the same bridge length (when there are no obstacles in the way) for most shots.

Because you said this, I will now have to relearn everything. I feel so dumb and ignorant now. :(
Click to expand...
 
justinb386 said:
Have you ever noticed that some players, and even pro champion level players, have their grip on the cue almost to the very end of the cue (much past the wrap section of the cue, almost to the very butt end of the cue) while playing?

Is it just different for every player, about where they are most comfortable gripping the cue (while they are shooting), or do you think they were trained to hold the cue that far back, past the wrap section?

I do not think I have ever held cue cue that far back, while shooting, and I am just wondering if maybe I should be?

Are there any advantages of holding the cue that far back?

The only one that I can think of is that you can get a longer bridge (the distance from your hand to the cue ball), the further back you grip the pool cue.

I never really thought about it, and just gripped the cue at the point that I felt most comfortable with gripping it (which has always been a good distance from the very end of the butt cap, I think).

I just wonder why so many very strong players grip their cue so far back (below the wrap area of the cue)?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.
Click to expand...
Look at their feet. If their feet are close together, they're probably good dancers.

Good dancers typically keep their feet close and their arms spread.

If you see someone gripping the cue at the very back it's one of three things;
A - the cue is too short.
B - their arms are too long.
C - they're good dancers !!!

(These are all opinions from my experiences, however, may vary a little in different altitudes, time zones). No matter where you are, If you see somebody holding the very back of the cue,check out their feet !!!
 
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As someone who has always tended to Jab at the ball instead of following through I was told by a pro that it would help with my follow through.
 
The main reason for holding the cue at the back of the butt is players of today
have been told that a long bridge of 14-20 inch is the way to aim the shot down
the shaft. When you have that much cue out, your hand will tend to go way
back on the butt, so, to be consistent, they just leave the hand on the end and
adjust the length of the bridge. Shane tried to explain his 'shaft' aiming system
on TAR.
I don't know who came up with this, but I see a lot of young players doing it.
I watched Buddy Hall and most top players in the 70's play with a 6-8 inch bridge.
Buddy played the best position of anyone thats played 9 ball, then or now!
Todays players seem to be more long position shot makers, so maybe the long bridge works for them.
Thats what I've seen,
Doesn't work for me, that I know..lol
 
No decent players hold the cue at the back. In fact for whatever reason many good players hold the cue at just less than 90 degrees (forearm/upper arm). I have no idea why -it would seem counter productive but more than 50% of good players do it.
 
Nostroke said:
No decent players hold the cue at the back. In fact for whatever reason many good players hold the cue at just less than 90 degrees (forearm/upper arm). I have no idea why -it would seem counter productive but more than 50% of good players do it.
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Just of the top of my head, Thorsten Hohmann does.
 
Nostroke said:
No decent players hold the cue at the back. In fact for whatever reason many good players hold the cue at just less than 90 degrees (forearm/upper arm). I have no idea why -it would seem counter productive but more than 50% of good players do it.
Click to expand...

for pool id say the same



in balkline however, certain types of gather shots, that require EXTREMELY EXTREME english holding the cue at the very end, while stroking through pretty fast is the only way the shots are possible, if not mis cue every time, i learned this in a 700plus page pdf from french balkline champ xavier grettilat

balkline is such a wonderful game, im making it my personal mission to bring it back to the us!
 
When you know how to use your Ape Index and Body Gait you will find the sweet spot for your delivery, it helps the natural to be natural.

Everything should work together, the length of legs, arms, torso, foot distance, leg locks, how you bend over the shot, etc.
The entire approach and feel for every shot, smooth and comfortable movements, like a ballerina.

Imagine a Monkey swinging through the jungle with his elbows tucked into his ribcage, he will become Tiger Food

Can you play like a wrapped up mummy, SURE, and some do.
Who would want to?
Even Short Bridge and Short Strikers can use their Body Correctly.

So many people are wrapped up in this arm position and head position etc, when a few simple adjustments and movements will put you in the sweet spot every time, which includes your arm positions.
The one time it's a little off your brain knows it instantly and you reset.
When your body is use to being jammed even slightly, many times you do not reset.

When your Index and Gait is not correctly proportioned your brain is use to that and it feels right to you, it's like trying to walk with shackles on, yet it feels right, go figure.

Learning how to do this is like a 1 hour lesson and you will never forget the feel, opposed to hours and hours of looking in mirrors worrying about the degree of your arm position and where your hands are placed.
It all starts when you leave the chair.

You will find your natural easily; when you have that the dance is easier.
It's so simple even a Monkey can do it.
 
On the visual side, holding the cue at the butt sleeve/cap area allows for aiming that more easily matches what is seen at ball address.
As one's vision scrunches in toward or beyond the cue's joint, distortions occur. The cue ball has a larger appearance when up close with shorter bridge distances and aiming is little more challenging. I prefer 32 up to 36 inches in back of the cue ball. That places my vision well behind the joint of my cue.

Stan Shuffett
ADIOS, SO LONG LIKE A HOT DOG, SEE YA ROUND LIKE A DONUT!
 
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Only an observation, but we play a lot of team One Pocket here, and one of our guys holds his cue just as you describe. Almost to the bumper.
He tends to get into trouble when he shoots the little soft banks, and crossing banks, because (and Scott, or Stan, can help me out here) he creates too much leverage with his cue by having his hand so far back on the handle. This seems to overpower those little easy-does-it shots, often seen in OP. :)
 
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I like stans view. I also think it may have something to do with todays low deflection shafts. They are lighter which changes the balance point to the rear of the cue. I honestly have no idea, just spitballing.
 
justinb386 said:
Have you ever noticed that some players, and even pro champion level players, have their grip on the cue almost to the very end of the cue (much past the wrap section of the cue, almost to the very butt end of the cue) while playing?

Is it just different for every player, about where they are most comfortable gripping the cue (while they are shooting), or do you think they were trained to hold the cue that far back, past the wrap section?

I do not think I have ever held cue cue that far back, while shooting, and I am just wondering if maybe I should be?

Are there any advantages of holding the cue that far back?

The only one that I can think of is that you can get a longer bridge (the distance from your hand to the cue ball), the further back you grip the pool cue.

I never really thought about it, and just gripped the cue at the point that I felt most comfortable with gripping it (which has always been a good distance from the very end of the butt cap, I think).

I just wonder why so many very strong players grip their cue so far back (below the wrap area of the cue)?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.
Click to expand...



Could be where their 90 degrees forms?

randyg
 
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