Elbow Protruding to the right, missing straight pots.

[JayUK9779]

Hi everyone,

I have gone from a 50 break player to 20 if I am lucky.

All started from my friend pointing out my elbow protruded to the right and I look hunched on the shot.


I have spent months trying to fix my game and its completely in tatters. Nothing feels comfortable any more tried to go back to my old way and not potting a thing. I know its hard without a video but I will describe it as best as I can.

My feathering is no longer straight I need to really slow things down now to get it straight its a real struggle. I move my elbow around nothing happens.

I can only guess but think I am cue across the ball at point of contact. As no longer can make straight pots consistently.

I get really nervous at point of contact now as I am expecting a miss cue.

Also no longer get reaction out of of white ball when needed.

Also cant control how much reaction needed for small screws and stun shots.

Finally my grip feels tight try to loosen it and sometimes slips out my hand towards end of the stroke.

Been 3 months now practising solid and since my friend has pointed out my elbow potruded to the right and I look hunched my game has gone.

People are probably going to suggest get a coach in but would like some advice on how to deal with it by myself.

How to ensure my elbow is straight as I can physically see it haha.

James

[tedisbill]

You need to post a video really mate. It could be anything that is causing all of your problems and without being able to actually see you play, it's impossible to say.

[Terry Davidson]

First of all, get rid of your 'friend' or else quit listening to him. It sounds to me like you have taken a minor problem which should have no effect on how straight you deliver the cue and magnified it into a problem which is ruining you enjoyment of the game. It also sounds like you are decelerating through the cueball and tightening your grip too early.

So to solve these (you really need to post a video) try lengthening your backswing whilst keeping the grip very loose and do NOT tighten the gri pat all as you deliver the cue. ALWAYS drive your grip hand through to your chest on every shot even low power ones. Make sure you keep your head down and still until the completion of the shot which is when the balls stop moving by the way.

[JayUK9779]

Thanks Terry and Ted for the excellent advice real gentleman, I will try and get a video up later on. Will spend about 2-3 on long straight pots today and some long pots keeping my head still. As for the grip Terry how tight should you hold the cue with your forefinger and thumb? The other fingers for me just rest on cue but who knows how much my hand reacts at point of contact as I try to focus on the point of the object ball as much as I can. Sometimes I can tell almost instantly I have missed aswell which annoys me.

[Terry Davidson]

Thanks Terry and Ted for the excellent advice real gentleman, I will try and get a video up later on. Will spend about 2-3 on long straight pots today and some long pots keeping my head still. As for the grip Terry how tight should you hold the cue with your forefinger and thumb? The other fingers for me just rest on cue but who knows how much my hand reacts at point of contact as I try to focus on the point of the object ball as much as I can. Sometimes I can tell almost instantly I have missed aswell which annoys me.

The best description of grip pressure I've ever seen was by Steve Davis. First of all just lay your cue on the table and then pick it up with your grip hand in its normal position. You should be able to wave it around and this is the correct configuration of the grip (similar to holding a hammer) but of course this is a little too tight.

Davis said form your normal grip with your grip hand and then grab the cue on the shaft somewhere with your other hand and try and push the cue through the grip. There should be no resistance to pushing the butt back and forth inside the grip. That is the ideal pressure and this pressure should not increase until well after the strike when the back of the grip hand hits the chest and the only reason the grip has to tighten is to stop the cue from sliding through this loose grip and shooting across the table.

This is very hard to do correctly as the normal unconscious thing a player wants to do, especially on power shots, is to tighten the grip in order to get the required acceleration. As soon as the grip is tightened the butt of the cue will go off-line with most players.

[JayUK9779]

Thank you Terry,

Your not going to believe this but there was a tournament in my club tonight 32 players managed to reach the semi final, highest break of 57!!. Lost in the semi missing frame ball twice due to unreal tension. I basically picked the cue up as advised and kept my head still. Also pushed my left armpit down and raised my right elbow as high as it would go. My feathering felt straight and balls where going in! potting balls under pressure tonight for the first time in god knows how long!! Love the game again can be the most amazing game in the world been awhile since been in a final nearly got to another one tonight. over hit a few things tonight but cant complain.

Thanks so much terry for the advice lets hope its not a blip!

[Phil C]

Well played mate

[Byrom]

K hope you cured the ol chicken wingers - if not you could try this -

I believe this is a psychological issue a involuntary tweak of the arm that usually happened under pressure when tension has built up in your arm/shoulder/neck muscle/ usually when you need a bit of power I am guessing.

It is more likely to happen if you keep your cue on a level plain - I would try going up to down - slightly more up at the back and dropping as you push through. I want you to imagine sawing some wood if you come back and forward level with the saw as you get tired your arm/ elbow would come out to the right to help you saw through the wood.

If you dip into the wood starting higher at the back then level off as you go through the wood - you will drive through more positive = accelerate through the wood - and cut better/straighter yes?

Learning to be more relaxed with your cue arm is vital - less muscle more timing - power does not come from muscle its all timing and technique.

Hope that helps.

[JayUK9779]

Thanks guys some great advice again, just got back from my local club winner stays on got there 7pm just been beat around 10pm nearly 3 hours unbeaten high breaks and punishing mistakes cant believe how much my form has come back! Also thanks to Phil C for the nice comment. In my snooker career only had 2 round of applauses cant describe the feeling you get when you get a genuine one from spectators.

[tomlimcj]

Jay mate, are u the one whose gotten 6 runner up trophies in yer cabinet?
Terry's advice is sound...I'd listen to him. The only time you should listen to your friend is when he points out about that beer you ain't drinking...

[JayUK9779]

Haha I still dream of winning something in the game mate, chase the dream that's what I say. Terry is a legend following his advice for a long time on here way before I posted something also Neil Selmans videos on YouTube has helped my game significantly