Grip Position From The Vertical

[damienlch]

Hi... I have a question... do you always position your forearm in a vertical line to the floor when getting down on the shot during the initial addressment for all kinds of shots?

Some people advocate holding the cue slightly further back from the vertical when playing power shots and vice versa when playing soft shots.

I am trying to get more follow through to generate the required spin on the cue ball for playing power shots like deep screw or follow. Holding the cue further back from the vertical does seem to offer more follow through but it throws my timing off; there is not much feel to the shot when I follow through as I am not sure when the tip will hit the cue ball.

Hope to hear some advice please.

[philthoms]

Power is all about timing and keeping still on the shot. I always gain more power by moving my grip hand an inch or so further down the butt towards the splices. Try this method, it does work and allows more follow through, but remember to keep still and go through the ball without hitting hard. Hope this helps.

[Terry Davidson]

damien:

In opposition to philthoms, I do not recommend anything other than having the forearm vertical for all shots with one exception and that is playing off the cushion where the grip should be ahead of the vertical by a couple of inches to ensure the grip hand goes through to the chest.

The reason is, and you have mentioned it. You line up and confirm your aim and where you're hitting the white in the address position with your arm vertical but you also develop a very good idea where the cueball is and (hopefully) have the tip less than 1/4" behind the cueball. When you start changing the length of cue between grip and and tip you lose that automatic alignment of the tip and also you aren't reaching the exact address position until after the stike.

If you held the cue behind the vertical for ALL shots exactly the same all the time then it wouldn't matter so much, but if you normally play with the forearm vertical then you are chancing the accuracty you've developed from that position and also as you say, you are changing you natural timing and rhythm.

Terry

[damienlch]

philthoms: in fact, i've seen this method being mentioned in a 1996 coaching video by Terry Griffiths (i may still have it somewhere) and tried it without much success due to timing issues. glad to hear that it works for you. maybe i'm holding it a bit too far back than necessary or more than i realise... it's tough to self-coach.

terry: much appreciate your very sound advice. it certainly cleared my doubts on the address position.

now, i know that there are often more than one way to skin a cat (what a dreadful expression btw) when it comes to technique. however, i'm bereft of any natural talent whatsoever and hence, need advice from you guys here to find out if a particular technique or advice is worthwhile to put in the hours.

thanks guys for taking the time to respond. again, much appreciated... keep 'em coming!!