The Grip....again

[pottr]

Terry, I was taught that the strength of the grip was determined by laying a cue on the table, and picking it up with the minimum amount of strength required... And no more?

Does that even make sense?

I just make sure the cue feels comfortable, but cant slip forward when I hit the ball. If you grip the cue too tightly, you can't generate as much cue power. That's the long and short of it really.

Like j6uk says... It's not a grip

[Terry Davidson]

pottr:

I think the problem with the 'laying on the table thing' was that most added 'like you grip a hammer' and this led to a lot of players having their grip too firm. Even your statement 'the minimum amount of strength' would be interpreted differently by different players.

I sort of like the definition Steve came out with (not sure where I saw it) where he says the 'hold' on the cue cannot be too firm and it should be such that you can EASILY push the butt through the grip hand with the other hand when you have the cue across the hips. This makes it clear to everyone just how loose the grip should be but I would agree it's still subject to some interpretation and players might end holding the cue too loose (if there is such a thing).

Terry

[pottr]

I think you've hit the nail on the head... It comes down to interpretation.

[j6uk]

..and let the hammer do the work

I think you've hit the nail on the head..

[pottr]

It was intentional

[SouthPaw]

There was one shot i watched from Jack K where a tighter grip would be a better option, i'll have to watch it again and report back, as my memory has took a turn for the worst...

[rimmer10]

Thanks everyone for your replies!
Terry; the- laying the cue on the table and gripping it with enough strength to pick it up- description is exactly what caused my misconception of the ideal grip.
J6uk; your explanation of the ideal grip especially the "eye of the hand making the ok sign" is brilliant.
Between the 2 of you, in a few short sentences you have perfectly explained to me the idea of the perfect "grip" and have lifted the curtain on years of confusion. Thanks guys!

[Sidd]

Rimmer:

Grip loose and relax and play until you are able to get some more time on the table. 2 hours a month isnt enough in any case for you to think about grip or anything else. Just enjoy the time you have. However, if you do happen to increase the rate at which you are playing or the hours per visit then you can experiment and think about having a better or proper grip. If you have to carry on with the same frequency then I would suggest you go down there and enjoy yourself and make those odd 20's in to odd 30's or 40's- how about that for a challenge

Nevertheless, if you do increase your time or days then the following is my humble and feeble submission:

1. The pick up cue from table for grip pressure is a big no no. There is no logic to it given that when you pick the cue off the bed of the table you pick it from the butt without any support and hence a lot of pressure is exerted on the grip hand thereby confusing the player as to the actual pressure because while down on shot you have the front shaft on your bridge right. So the bridge supports the cue and hence the grip hand does not receive as much pressure as it would while holding the cue from butt without any support. So forget about it.

2. The Steve Davis method that Terry explains for grip pressure is superb.

3. Nic Barrow uses an analogy which I consider really good too. Gripping the cue is just like holding a bird in the hand. You have to hold the bird in a way that you dont hurt her but also in a way that she does not fly away.

You should not consider how the old players used to grip, too loose because they were mostly billiards players and billiards required a much looser grip than snooker because snooker involves power shots and positioning and cue ball control in a different manner as compared to billiards.

For consistency, as Terry said, you have to have a similar grip for all shots. Do not ever worry about the closing of the hand when it hits the chest because trust me this is automatic and is done by the brain without us having to think about it. Just play the shot and the brain would command the grip hand to be closed on the chest to keep the cue in hand. If your cue slides after impact that is a good sign just make sure it does not literally slides and this sliding of the cue becomes more of a feeling rather than a physical happening.

[j6uk]

Bird in the hand is a good one that's as old as the hills. I first heard this from Tony Hitchins in 1985

3. Nic Barrow uses an analogy which I consider really good too. Gripping the cue is just like holding a bird in the hand. You have to hold the bird in a way that you dont hurt her but also in a way that she does not fly away.

.

[pottr]

So you wouldn't choke your chicken? Got it

[j6uk]

My forms so bad I couldn't even catch one

So you wouldn't choke your chicken? Got it

[mythman69]

My forms so bad I couldn't even catch one

My form was so bad I strangled one

[j6uk]

Easily done son

My form was so bad I strangled one

[Sidd]

If ya ask me in comparison to form:

mine experiences a chance to escape and fly and then suddenly a sensation of stranglehold - and vice versa- repeatedly I have got my bird confused !!!

[mythman69]

If ya ask me in comparison to form:

mine experiences a chance to escape and fly and then suddenly a sensation of stranglehold - and vice versa- repeatedly I have got my bird confused !!!

Confused? It has probably got PTSD the poor thing