cue action n stun shot

[Terry Davidson]

guy3103:

The only time I would even use R5 or L5 would be when I'm trying to swerve around an intervening ball to either hit a snooker or else pot a ball which is partially blocked by another ball.

I would never attempt a pot using that amount of side and even a safety shot where I have to swing the cueball around to get to the safe side of the baulk area I usually only need R3/L3 or so and I find it's the same with the break-off shot where I use H4/R3/P4 or some variation of that depending on the speed of the table and the reactions of the cushions as I try to get the cueball on the baulk cushion behind the green.

Most players will over-estimate the amount of side required on a shot and that will make the pots more difficult

Terry

[calvinlim]

thanks terry! finally i made it.. got the exact stun shot that i wanted but just that always had the feeling that my cue action is wrong which is not smooth n natural as i see other players stroke..

[Terry Davidson]

calvin:

Having a SMOOTH backswing and delivery is a good target to have. I would say comfort in the set-up is the first consideration in technique and then a smooth cue action, including feathering, backswing and delivery is the next most important thing to try and achieve

Terry

[tommygunner1309]

thanks terry! finally i made it.. got the exact stun shot that i wanted but just that always had the feeling that my cue action is wrong which is not smooth n natural as i see other players stroke..

Hi Calvin. I am pleased you have managed now to hit a correct stun shot and with your answer I think you have proved something which I have wanted to point out for a long time. If anybody in this forum needs advice or help with their shots they should take notice of what Terry says and practice it. Thats how I have learned to play different shots and also what I preach to the players I coach. Keep it simple and understandable, and Terry does that admirably.

I do not disagree with what Nrage says in his posts, but as a coach, it is not anything I would say to any student of mine. If I did, they would all be playing golf in the future and snooker halls would be empty. Nrage's diction is fine for a snooker manual, for people who want the technical details of the pythagorus theory of the physical quantum theoretical dynamics of an Aramith snooker ball, but it is not for the average to good player who just wants to know what is wrong with their cue action. When I develop a problem, I get on the practice table, go back to basics, and with the knowledge I have am able to sort the problem out. I am never going to sort the problem out by reading a book, talking to a pro, or learning the dynamics of a spin shot. It just comes down to practice - keep it simple - keep it plain - and observe the ground rules of a good snooker shot ie keep head and upper body still, and your eye on the object ball before, during and after the shot - and give each shot 100% concentration.

[tommygunner1309]

thanks terry! finally i made it.. got the exact stun shot that i wanted but just that always had the feeling that my cue action is wrong which is not smooth n natural as i see other players stroke..

Hi Calvin. I am pleased you have managed now to hit a correct stun shot and with your answer I think you have proved something which I have wanted to point out for a long time. If anybody in this forum needs advice or help with their shots they should take notice of what Terry says and practice it. Thats how I have learned to play different shots and also what I preach to the players I coach. Keep it simple and understandable, and Terry does that admirably.

I do not disagree with what Nrage says in his posts, but as a coach, it is not anything I would say to any student of mine. If I did, they would all be playing golf in the future and snooker halls would be empty. Nrage's diction is fine for a snooker manual, for people who want the technical details of the pythagorus theory of the physical quantum theoretical dynamics of an Aramith snooker ball, but it is not for the average to good player who just wants to know what is wrong with their cue action. When I develop a problem, I get on the practice table, go back to basics, and with the knowledge I have am able to sort the problem out. I am never going to sort the problem out by reading a book, talking to a pro, or learning the dynamics of a spin shot. It just comes down to practice - keep it simple - keep it plain - and observe the ground rules of a good snooker shot ie keep head and upper body still, and your eye on the object ball before, during and after the shot - and give each shot 100% concentration.

[calvinlim]

yeah knowing the stun shot does its not enough but now im having problem with my back swing n i dunno whether shall i lift up my back hand or just keep as parallel as possible? or shall i put my bridge higher as well?

[Terry Davidson]

calvin:

You should not lift the butt of the cue with the possible exception of a masse shot.

also, your bridge height should be equal to the centre of the cueball on centre-ball shots and remember this as a lot of players do it wrong...the height of the tip on the cueball shall ONLY be adjust by the height of the bridge hand and NOT by raising or lowering the butt.

To answer your question...you should NOT lift the back hand for ANY shot whatsoever with the exception of masse

Terry

[tommygunner1309]

Yes Calvin, keep the cue as parallel as possible. The bridge hand on normal shots should be flat on the table, the fingers pressing into the cloth. if you raise the butt of the cue on screw shots, the danger is that you will miscue and throw the cueball into the air. On screw shots, aim low, the secret being for a good reverse spin is the the cue should be travelling at its maximum speed as it strikes. That is to say, even if you are playing a medium speed shot, the cue should be travelling quickest as it hits the white. If you want top spin, raise the bridge hand, not the cue butt

[calvinlim]

ok totally understand and another question will be how far shall i put my bridge to d cue ball? most players seems like 6 inches d distance from d bridge to cue ball.

besides that how far shall i strike after d cue ball? i have seen some player just stop at 2 inch after d cue ball n some people stop at 6 inches after strike d cue ball?

i dunno y i can only follow through on top spin but when wanna screw back d cue ball i just can't play follow through on d bottom..

[damienlch]

... i dunno y i can only follow through on top spin but when wanna screw back d cue ball i just can't play follow through on d bottom..

Maybe it's the fear jumping the cue ball?

Instead of thinking about the distance to place the bridge or how far to push through the cue ball, I find it more useful to first think in terms of, how to get the reaction I want from the cue ball? Then adjust your technique. And after getting the right reaction, think... How to make it more consistent? Does it feel comfortable? Adjust as need be... After some time, things like bridging or follow through distance starts to fall into place as you develop your own technique and little tricks to help you to make the shot work.

Hope this makes sense to you...

[Terry Davidson]

calvin:

The normal length from the 'V' of the bridge to the face of the cueball (or tip of the cue) varies between 9-12inches (23-30cm) and depends on a few factors such as how bent the bridge arm is, the player's height and arm length too. For someone 6ft tall I would say somewhere around the 11-12inch mark and for a shorter player around 5ft6in then around 10inches or so.

Also, from your comment I see you haven't been reading very many coaching posts on here. A player should ALWAYS bring the grip hand through to the chest on EVERY shot, no matter what the power used. The amount of follow-through depends on the physique of the player and can be measured easily when the player is set up in the address position it will be the distance between the front of the grip hand and the chest (although this distance gets a little longer if the player drops his elbow on delivery).

In most players the distance from the front of the grip hand to the chest is around 5inches as long as the grip arm forearm is exactly vertical. Some players cheat a bit and have the forearm behind the vertical, which give them more follow-through however it does detract from accuracy).

Terry

[tommygunner1309]

Further to Terry's post, Calvin, I have recently changed my bridge forearm and distance from tip to bridge. My forearm is slightly straighter now than it was with only a slight bend at the elbow. The tip on the cue is now 9 inches from my V on my bridgehand. I have found I get better accuracy with this. My height is 5 9". The important thing is that my grip arm is pointing horizontally down my leg, the fist roughly pointing to the instep on my foot. On striking the cue ball my cue goes through almost exactly 6 inches. I measured it. However, as a coach, I have found that the textbook style does not suit everybody, and it is important that you find your own medium. The important thing is that you feel well balanced and comfortable. When taking your shot, be sure to follow these three simple rules. 1. Give each shot full concentration. 2. Keep your eyes on the object ball before, during and after the shot. 3. Make no head or upper body movement on your shot. Keep it all still. --- Example -----
I won a match tonight that I should have lost. With only Pink and Black on the table I needed a snooker to win. Extremely difficult situation to get a snooker - however - my opponent totally missed the pink in full view near the cushion, and I went on to pot both pink and black to win. (his foul costing him the 6 I needed). He broke two of the above rules. 1. Assuming the match was won, he lost concentration, and 2 for the same reason, he took his eye off the ball. Never assume a match is won, the flip side being, never assume a match is lost until you shake hands. Hope this helps - good luck with your game

[calvinlim]

Finally got everything smooth n steady on my stun shot n follow through after practising but just that my cue action is not smooth n natural.. Feels like forcing to do so on every shot..

How can i improve my cue action? I had a sweaty palm n sometimes its quite smooth when my hand in dry but not with sweat... How to over come all these?

Apart from it.. Consistency is not there too.. What should i do now?

[Terry Davidson]

The only way is to concentrate on SMOOTHNESS and practice like hell!

Terry

[hotpot]

Finally got everything smooth n steady on my stun shot n follow through after practising but just that my cue action is not smooth n natural.. Feels like forcing to do so on every shot..

How can i improve my cue action? I had a sweaty palm n sometimes its quite smooth when my hand in dry but not with sweat... How to over come all these?

Apart from it.. Consistency is not there too.. What should i do now?

Take a microfibre cloth with you damp a corner and wipe your cue then buff up with the dry part this will make your cue like silk and it should just glide through your hands .