Slight head movement when finishing striking the cue ball...

[SouthPaw]

I noticed in practice today my head was moving slightly up then down when striking through the cue ball, it didn't affect my potting but what would cause this movement?

Any ideas what to look out for to try to minimize any head movement..? I was thinking maybe i was forcing the cue in the chin too much hence as the shaft getting thicker was making me move up slightly...

[Terry Davidson]

More likely caused by getting your shoulder muscle into the shot which happens when the elbow starts to drop. As it's not affecting your potting it is probably happening after the strike and is not a bad thing as the cueball is already away however there is a tendency to have the elbow drop 'creep up' in the delivery and starts at the time of strike or just before. This should be avoided.

The other reason could be the butt of the cue is falling as you deliver the cue (again, usually the elbow drop) and you are unconsciously correcting that.

A good way to prevent this problem is to have the cue slightly tighter to the chest with just the smallest amount of sideways pressure from the grip along with upwards pressure, this will get the elbow up as far as it will go and also the channel with chest and chin (as long as you stay still) will keep the cue on a straight line both sideways and up/down.

Terry

[SouthPaw]

Slight head movement when finishing striking the cue ball...

Thanks for the reply Terry, I didn't even think about maybe I was hitting more from the shoulder instead of the elbow, I'll get my friend to check tomorrow night to see when exactly my elbow is dropping.

I've been changing a few things before the league starts and so far everything has went well bar this head movement.

[j6uk]

While your at it southpaw ask your m8 to follow you around when your practicing and have them hover a cue over your nut for 10mins, it really helps to behave on the shot
You may not have a clear picture in your mind about the pot and position of the white while your down so, this would lead to anxiety on the shot. Or/and on striking the cb you could be pushing off from your legs or bridge hand, this would make me think you've not settled and planted yourself into the shot properly initially. It could all be a bit of a rush, this too can happen if not focused, in a hurry and pumping the meter..
I think if the elbow is dropping a bit with control that is okay but, if there are other movements, that would be a concern. Can you put up a video so we can see what your saying?

[j6uk]

I guess its better not too waist time!!

Thanks for the reply Terry, I didn't even think about maybe I was hitting more from the shoulder instead of the elbow, I'll get my friend to check tomorrow night to see when exactly my elbow is dropping.

I've been changing a few things before the league starts and so far everything has went well bar this head movement.

[SouthPaw]

While your at it southpaw ask your m8 to follow you around when your practicing and have them hover a cue over your nut for 10mins, it really helps to behave on the shot
You may not have a clear picture in your mind about the pot and position of the white while your down so, this would lead to anxiety on the shot. Or/and on striking the cb you could be pushing off from your legs or bridge hand, this would make me think you've not settled and planted yourself into the shot properly initially. It could all be a bit of a rush, this too can happen if not focused, in a hurry and pumping the meter..
I think if the elbow is dropping a bit with control that is okay but, if there are other movements, that would be a concern. Can you put up a video so we can see what your saying?

I guess its better not too waist time!!

I like that idea with the cue lol but I'd prefer to be the one doing the hovering, and if i see any movement or he touches the cue I'll whack him . Well if he spots any movement i'll get him to video it, I'm pretty certain my stance is pretty solid I'd hazard a guess it's the elbow drop causing me to move my head...

[j6uk]

Interesting, please do tell me, why and how would your elbow dropping move your head?

I'd hazard a guess it's the elbow drop causing me to move my head...

[tommydale]

If the elbow drops enough it will push the top of the cue up into your chin moving your whole head up? Just a guess

[j6uk]

Lol. After how many drinks?

If the elbow drops enough it will push the top of the cue up into your chin moving your whole head up? Just a guess

[tommydale]

I'm guessing now's not the best time to say I'm teatotal?

[SouthPaw]

Slight head movement when finishing striking the cue ball...

Well as I thought I was told my elbow was dropping after the strike, I concentrated hard to stay still and hit from the elbow, I wasn't experiencing any head lifting at all, so I assume I must have been bringing my shoulder muscle into the shot the other day without noticing...

[j6uk]

Hmm, how does the shoulder muscle get into the shot?

Well as I thought I was told my elbow was dropping after the strike, I concentrated hard to stay still and hit from the elbow, I wasn't experiencing any head lifting at all, so I assume I must have been bringing my shoulder muscle into the shot the other day without noticing...

[SouthPaw]

Slight head movement when finishing striking the cue ball...

Easy by moving your upper arm and forearm...

[j6uk]

Sorry but don't see it! Don't see how dropping the elbow moves the head up wards or gets the shoulder involved.
Do you have a coach?
Have you ever had coaching?
Or just on tsf?

Easy by moving your upper arm and forearm...

[j6uk]

Stick a video on southpaw, so we know what your up to.. I definitely would if I was starting out and really wanted to improve.