Grip!

[Particle Physics]

I have just seen this video on Youtube. It's a bit different from other snooker coaching videos therein. At first go, I thought, this grip is really tight and the cue is rising, compared to a much more open grip that I've been using with the little finger tip just touching the cue butt (pre-feathers). Andrew here wraps the little finger around the cue using the 1st and 2nd joints. What he does do, is feather a lot, really opening up the back three fingers?

And he begins with an index finger and thumb 'ring' hold. This feels different when one does it. At first, I thought, why should it make a difference, it's going to result in the same hold whether you place the V on the cue butt centre and then wrap the index finger round the cue and the inside thumb against the cue. But it doesn't, it feels different and I think the thumb and index finger must be in a different position?

I'm just a beginner, is this good technique do you think gents?

[Particle Physics]

WOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=oiSZbeZgDrc

[Particle Physics]

Fantastic explanation-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcIaD...endscreen&NR=1

[Terry Davidson]

Nothing on the grip in those 2 youtube links. I haven't bothered to check out the site but this is going down to the very basics.

Please post the link you are referring to on the grip

Terry

[Particle Physics]

Nothing on the grip in those 2 youtube links. I haven't bothered to check out the site but this is going down to the very basics.

Please post the link you are referring to on the grip

Terry

Sorry Terry, here we go:

http://snookersuccess.com/the-snooker-grip-video-lesson

[Terry Davidson]

One point here on this video. He misleads the student right at the start when he shows his 'ring' grip because he doesn't have the cue there and he shows the tip of the forefinger touching the tip of the thumb. THIS IS NOT CORRECT! When he actually gets a cue into the grip you can't really see it but the thumb just touches the forefinger somewhere around the first joint (depending on the diameter of the butt, which is usually 29-30mm).

The 'hold' (I think the word 'grip' denotes too much pressure) on the cue is actually done with the upper part of the inside of the thumb and forefinger, with the remaining 3 fingers loosely wrapped around the butt and just touching it but not exerting any pressure. In a short backswing the configuration of the grip doesn't change much and the butt shouldn't rise although the back 3 fingers will loosen on the butt just a tad.

Where it gets complicated (as on this video) is for a power shot where the backswing will be much longer and the back three fingers must release (but remain in contact with the butt) and then return to the butt at the address position configuration and this should happen slightly before the address position. He gets this point correct when he says DO NOT TIGHTEN THE GRIP THROUGHOUT THE DELIVERY and try and keep the pressure the same until the very end of the delivery when you have to tighten the grip (usually back 3 fingers or back 2 fingers) a lot in order to keep the cue from flying across the table.

Where most players go wrong is they tighten the grip BEFORE the strike of the cueball and this causes the cue to decelerate (as mentioned on this video) but what isn't mentioned on this video is when most players tighten that grip they also turn the wrist joint inwards a bit which will take the butt off line a touch and therefore the tip off the line of aim a bit. The reason for this is unconcious and it's to give the back 2 fingers more purchase on the butt to grip the cue tighter and stop it and it is especially obvious during a power shot. AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS.

A POINT ASIDE

With some of my students (and I'm using this grip now too) I hold the end of the butt of the cue with just my first two fingers and have the back two fingers right off the end of the cue and curled up into my palm. (It means I have to straighten my bridge forearm until it's almost straight out). I had a real problem with tightening my grip prematurely and taking the butt off line and this non-textbook grip has fixed my problem. When I have to choke up on the cue, as when playing off the cushion or with the balls close together I now only grip with my first two fingers and keep the back two fingers right off the cue (Mark Allen has a grip similar to this).

All I can say is it has worked for me and there is an added bonus in that for some reason my backswing has become a little longer and straighter, the cue is better able to stay on the same plane and I'm also developing an unconcious rear pause, which I always wanted but have never had. This is working for me in practice and I will see how it works in tournaments as I have the Canadians starting at the end of this week.

Terry

[DandyA]

PP, thanks for posting those links to Andrew Green's website and videos ... I hadn't heard of him but I enjoyed watching those videos, well made short and concise summaries of good cueing basics ...

here's hoping he does some more equally concise videos on more advanced topics

anyone know anything more about him or used him as a coach?

[Particle Physics]

He's a very good communicator, enthusiastic and gets the points across well. And with the music, I just want to get my cue out! He's miles away from me, but if I was in his area I'd be tempted to try a few lessons.