Two very basic issues

[Rain426]

Hey all,

I have found two issues with my play at the moment.

1. When striking the cue ball, particularly when playing a screw or power shot, I always very quickly tighten my grip, resulting in me stabbing at the cue rather than following through. When I am playing a shot with top, or at a slower pace, I rarely do it. When it happens, it usually results in me missing horribly, and moving on the shot. It's a mental thing I think, I subconsiously tell myself I will drop the cue if I don't hold it tight. If I really concentrate, I can keep my hand loose, but then I will often miss anyhow because I am trying so hard to keeping my grip right, I can't concentrate on the shot.

2. Sighting up a shot. I don't know if this is the right or wrong way of doing things or not. I stand behind the shot, look at the angle I think it should be taken at, taking in cue ball, object ball and pocket. I then get down on the shot, and concentrate my gaze on the object ball. The only time I flick my eyes away from the object ball is to check where I am striking the cue ball. Apparently I cue pretty straight most of the time.

I would love a practise that would help me train myself out of the grip issue, and advice regarding my sighting on a shot.

Thanks all.

Ian

[hotpot]

Forget about potting , breakbuilding , just concentrate on playing with a smooth relaxed grip especially on power shots .

Seems like youre putting too much emphasis on the shots as you probably feel like you need to hit the ball hard to achieve the power .

The power comes from the timing so just practice smooth relaxed ceuing without even thinking about how much effort is needed , i,m sure it will come .

[nrage]

As hotpot said, the best thing you can do for your game is to work on a smooth relaxed grip and cue action. To train yourself to do this you need to convince yourself you can get power without gripping hard.

As an exercise, instead of your normal grip, try holding the cue just between your thumb and forefinger tips. This makes it physically impossible to grip the cue too hard. Play a few shots like this, start with low power, and them move to adding more power and adding stun and screw. You'll find you can generate much more cue power than you would first think.

Next, move on to a more conventional grip, except make it so lose that your thumb and forefinger are just barely closed, and do not squeeze the cue at all. There will be gaps all around the cue, except where it lies on the finger pads. As above, play some shots start low, add power, add stun/screw. It's the same principal as before you will get a lot more cue power than you think like this.

With that in mind, take your normal grip (shape) but apply only enough 'grip' to get rid of all the gaps around the cue. It should be lose enough that you can 'easily' slide the cue in the 'grip' using your other hand. Play the shots again, concentrate on keeping it relaxed as you add power and try stun/screw.

I find playing long slow straight blues good for working on this.

[franksandellsnooker]

RAIN. YOU ARE SO LOCAL TO ME WHY DONT YOU POP ROUND FOR SOME ADVICE. Check out wwwfranksandellcuesport.co.uk and drop me an E.mail from the site with a contact number.

[Rain426]

Thanks all, I will keep trying to get it right. It's anoying when it happens, because it gets frustrating, which obviously makes it worse.

Frank, I will give you a call later in the month, money is a bit tight at the moment! Although I did just get a new cue which I am trying, all of a fiver from the charity shop. Prefer it to the one I was using though!

[franksandellsnooker]

Ian. I dont know if you got my a,phone message, but for a bit of advice there,s no way I would charge you. See you soon. All the best. F.

[Rain426]

I have changed my number recently, sorry Frank! I will give you a ring in the next few days for a chat!