Keeping back straight

[denja]

Am I correct in thinking you should keep the back as straight as possible when down on the shot (How Straight ?????)

[nrage]

This is one of those points which is highly debatable. Theoretically a straight back is a good thing, because it's likely to be something you can do consistently, and easy to spot when you're not. But, some people just aren't built that way and for them having a straight back may be uncomfortable, or even impossible. For example, if your hips are below the level of the side of the table, you will have to have some curve to get your upper body up and over the side of the table.

I would only worry about how straight your back is, if it's clearly way out of alignment and causing issues with getting the cue on the line of aim and keeping it there for the stroke. After all, those are the key points/issues.

[Terry Davidson]

The back should be held as straight as possible but you have to think about what that means a bit. In the first place the hips are not parallel to the bed of the table or at least they shouldn't be (using right-handed player as an example).

The left leg is bent so therefore the left hip should be slightly lower than the right hip. At the other end of the back are the shoulders and these should be as near to straight up as a player's physique can get them, in other words the left armpit and shoulder down to the table as far as possible and the right shoulder socket up as high and behind the head as comfortably possible.

However, the angle of the hips is a lot less than the angle of the shoulders so therefore the spine must be twisted somewhat. So if you bend the left leg and shift the hips to the left so the grip hand clears the right hip and then get the left shoulder socket down/right shoulder socket up then the twist in the spine should not be too severe.

Now remember, in those players who are a little older and less flexible there might have to be some compromise so they don't throw their back out by trying to twist the spine too much.

Terry

[denja]

The back should be held as straight as possible but you have to think about what that means a bit. In the first place the hips are not parallel to the bed of the table or at least they shouldn't be (using right-handed player as an example).

The left leg is bent so therefore the left hip should be slightly lower than the right hip. At the other end of the back are the shoulders and these should be as near to straight up as a player's physique can get them, in other words the left armpit and shoulder down to the table as far as possible and the right shoulder socket up as high and behind the head as comfortably possible.

However, the angle of the hips is a lot less than the angle of the shoulders so therefore the spine must be twisted somewhat. So if you bend the left leg and shift the hips to the left so the grip hand clears the right hip and then get the left shoulder socket down/right shoulder socket up then the twist in the spine should not be too severe.

Now remember, in those players who are a little older and less flexible there might have to be some compromise so they don't throw their back out by trying to twist the spine too much.

Terry

Thanks Terry... Who is a good example of a perfect back posture ?????

[nrage]

Thanks Terry... Who is a good example of a perfect back posture ?????

I've always thought Neil Robertson was pretty good.

[Terry Davidson]

I agree with Neil Robertson but also O'Sullivan, Higgins, Trump, Murphy, Maguire, Selby, Davis, Hendry and of course a host of other top players. I would think with his textbook style drilled into him by his father, Steve Davis in his prime would be the best example I can think of.

The idea is to keep the back as flat as possible (not bowed or bent) but that doesn't mean level with the bed of the table which is where a lot of players trying to achieve this go wrong. There should be a fair amount of action shots from head-on available for all the top pros and a player should check those out.

Terry