My stance... keep of change?

[Tom Read]

That title's meant to read 'keep OR change'...

I've read through old topics but am still a bit stuck regards what to do. My dad says that my stance is all cacked - I stand wrong and my elbow is not at all in line, he says it's out sideways a bit. This has all stemmed from when I was younger. When I was small I couldn't reach the table so almost had to hold the cue like a dart, gradually lowering my arm as I got taller.

Now I can knock in 30 and 40 breaks some days, then others I'm all over the shot. I can see when I'm feathering that my cue is wobbling all over the place which puts me off. As mentioned though, take today for example, I can play really well - I was potting all sorts of shots today.

My dad's stance is superb, so still, firm base, straight cueing, everything. He puts me in the position and it is completely uncomfortable. I try to keep with it but find myself reverting to my old stance.

I think this is what is causing my inconsistency as my cueing is not at all straight. How I've made 50+ breaks with my cueing I will never know! I guess it was just luck that it was straight that day!

What do you suggest I do? Stick with what works or try to fight through the uncomfortable feeling?

[Quackers]

I'm not a coach so can only offer my own version of advice.
With regard to the stance I would think it impossible to comment unless I saw it.
With regard to your cue "wobbling all over the place" maybe you could try to conciously tuck your elbow in until you feel the cue shaft against your rib cage and keep it there throughout the whole shot. In fact at the end of the shot your thumb may hit your chest. Just an idea.

[Terry Davidson]

Your stance should be first of all COMFORTABLE and secondly STABLE.

If you dad's looks good to you but is uncomfortable, then go to a table and get into you dad's stance (even with the discomfort) and then get down into the shot normall and close your eyes.

Now move the feet (one at a time) both forwards and backwards until you find a comfortable spot for both and then open your eyes and look at the feet.

As a general guide...the arch of your right foot (for right-handers, reverse for lefties) should be right under your grip hand when in the address position, with the toes of the foot pointed out slightly for comfort. The left foot should be at least 1ft between the heels out to the side and parallel with the right foot or anywhere up to about 8in in front of it. Whatever is comfortable for you.

Ensure the grip forearm hangs straight down when in the address position (that means when the tip is up at the cueball)

Terry