Rotation of the cue?

[hegeland]

I was watching the coaching video "Snooker - Basic Skills" (btw, best instruction video ever made) once again today and one thing got me wondering.

It has a very detailed section of the grip and everything that has to do with it - except one thing: the rotation of the cue.

I noticed in the video very clearly that they rotate the cue while moving it back and forth. I have never done this and I didn't know anyone did until today.

Could someone please explain what is is and why you do this?

[MrRottweiler]

I rotate the cue on my fingertips during the backswing. In experiments doing this I get far better contacts such as screwing back from a long blue. I think it helps keep the cue level during backswing instead of the butt raising slightly.

[RaNeN]

I do it but only for the cue to look like its straight.
It may not look straight because of the grains.
Most of the pros have cues with grains running straight.
I hope I am understandable?

[Snooker Rocks!]

Peter Ebdon does this quite a lot, and I would think it is to with generating more spin. Looking at some of the shots he plays I wouldn't be surprised.

[hegeland]

Peter Ebdon does this quite a lot, and I would think it is to with generating more spin. Looking at some of the shots he plays I wouldn't be surprised.

But how is it possible to generate more spin by rotating the cue (tip)?

[Snooker Rocks!]

Thinking about it logically if a tip is rotating, at the point of impact, more friction is applied to the object ball and more of the tip is in contact with the object ball.

I'm just speculating though - it would be best to ask an expert!

[Stunrunthru]

I don't think anyone rotates the cue as such. The cue is generally held with a loose grip and when moving the cue arm back and forth it may look as though the cue is rotating but it is not.

The essence of straight cueing is exactly that - cueing in a straight line. I don't believe anyone rotates the cue on their backswing. Not even Ebdon. It just looks as though he is.

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'He generates as much back spin as anyone in the game' - Willie Thorne on 2002 World Champ Peter Ebdon.

[Stunrunthru]

Thinking about it logically if a tip is rotating, at the point of impact, more friction is applied to the object ball and more of the tip is in contact with the object ball.

I'm just speculating though - it would be best to ask an expert!

If the tip was rotating at the point of contact with the white then you would miscue pretty much.

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'He needs to get a good white here' -Willie Thorne on the importance of getting the cueball tight against the baulk cushion during safety exchanges.

[Snooker Rocks!]

Ok Stunrunthru, thanks for the clarification

[dannyd0g]

They aren't rotating the cue whilst actually striking the ball ! Its just part of the line up routine for some players.

We dont see much of Jimmy White any more. But he always used to rotate the cue on his shot line up backswings. I think the only reason he did it was because he liked looking at a certain pattern of grain on his cue whilst lining up the shot.

I honestly dont think there's any significance to it atall. Its just a habit, like tapping your middle finger when lining up, it isnt going to help you play the shot any better.

[Watford]

Yeah Jimmy White was the first thing I thought when I saw this!
My Dad does it too, like has been said it's just a small habit thing for some players nothing to do with special techinque!

[Welshsteve]

I do this sometimes to get EXTRA side on the ball. I would never do it for a normal plain ball shot.

[hegeland]

Hmm, OK thank you for your answers. I won't have to change my cueing technique just to get rotation then, if its of no real use (?).