Keeping the elbow straight?

[Ramon]

The disadvantage of using the rest with your normal cue action is that you need an extension for almost every rest shot, my rest play is pretty terrible though, so I might just try it.

same here !

[OmaMiesta]

Akani Songsermsawad (pro from Thailand) has a normal cue action when using the rest.

Yea I actually noticed that recently, very unique.

[jonny66]

I hate the rest now, I was quite good with it for a wee while, but I just can't get any confidence with it. The cue never looks like it's going straight as I feather, it seems to twist if I use any hand or a loose grip. I played one half decent rest shot tonight, and I cued it like I was throwing a dart.

[Shockerz]

The disadvantage of using the rest with your normal cue action is that you need an extension for almost every rest shot, my rest play is pretty terrible though, so I might just try it.

You're right, you will need an extension for virtually every shot but you get used to it.

Lots of people in the league have aeen me do it and pot and said they had a go and didn't get on with it; when I ask how long they tried it for they say a few shots. If you try it, committ to a month or you won't get the feeling of, you wouldn't expect to try a new stance or grip for 5 shots and say it doesn't work.

Plat with your own cue extension if possible as they will be solid on the rest rather than some old, bendy half butt and just roll them in rather than bang them!

[vmax4steve]

I hate the rest now, I was quite good with it for a wee while, but I just can't get any confidence with it. The cue never looks like it's going straight as I feather, it seems to twist if I use any hand or a loose grip. I played one half decent rest shot tonight, and I cued it like I was throwing a dart.

Eye on the object ball on the strike is even more important when using the rest as you're upright and taking in the peripheral view of the table rather than rifle sighting with chin on the cue.

Practise your rest action at home when on the sofa: put your feet out in front of you on a coffe table or pouffe, socks not shoes, put your big toes together to form a V, put your cue in the V, sight down the cue and practise your action, try different grips until you find one that can deliver the cue straight and stick to it when on the snooker table.
Eye on the object ball on the strike combined with your new straight action grip will make you a better rest player.

As a tall bloke who hardly needs the rest I was terrible with it as well until I did this.

Oh and one more thing, the rest action also needs a positive slow backswing and a definite follow through.

[jonny66]

Thanks Steve, I'll give that a bash sometime.

[ace man]

Well, unlike many I like the rest. I'm no Murphy, but my rest game is unusually good for a club player of my standard. Rarely miss with it, almost always reliable. Not sure why. Perhaps I got the grip just right for me by sheer luck.

[DeanH]

I also like using the rest and have good results with it.
I feel that people who don't like or don't get good results with it usually, something I have seen, hold the rest and cue so it is too close to their body and don't change their butt-hand position enough to accommodate freedom of movement.

[Ronnington]

Well, unlike many I like the rest. I'm no Murphy, but my rest game is unusually good for a club player of my standard. Rarely miss with it, almost always reliable. Not sure why. Perhaps I got the grip just right for me by sheer luck.

Same here for me I think this stems from playing on full-size tables at 11 years old being all of 5ft 1in at the time, and using the rest at every available opportunity. I think (like most things with this frustrating game) it's in the head - if you enjoy using the rest, you will be proficient with it