line markers on the shaft

[sunny3909]

During the telecast of the Welsh Open,I noticed that Ronnie had a slight line mark on his shaft around 10 inches from the tip.Even Joe Perry had the same line mark around the same point of the shaft as Ronnie.I think it is a sort of technique adapted by Ronnie bcoz I had heard him talk about making a few changes in his technique and making his backswing more compact.Has anyone noticed the same?

[Martin76]

Haven't noticed that.

It's advocated in Terry Griffith's "Basic Skills"-video to use a line on the butt to help you to grip the cue at the same place for all your "regular" medium strength shots. That's probably what it is. If he's working on getting a more compact cue action, he probably uses the mark to get a consistent grip.

[sunny3909]

yes thats exactly what he said in the interview that he was working on a more compact cue action

[Sam147]

as far as i know, Ronnie O'Sullivan holds the butt of his cue with the flat part facing the ceiling all the time... his cue shaft has its grain in the form of arrow heads pointing forward (not all cues are like that but i've noticed most "if not all" JP cues have the same pattern), i've also read on the ROS forum that Ronnie mentioned that John Higgins' pattern is the opposite of what he "Ron" prefers... each to their own i guess.

on the personal level, i find the arrow heads pointing forward (towards the tip) a great aid while cueing (helps me cue straight)... would be interesting to hear what u guys think of this

[craigslater]

Yes im the same as same, the flat of my butt is facing the ceiling, i also use the arrows on my cue as an aid....

[Sam147]

Yes im the same as same, the flat of my butt is facing the ceiling, i also use the arrows on my cue as an aid....

i wonder why??!

[The Doctor]

the reason for a line on someones cue is for 2 reasons

1; being consistant in the length of your bridgehand.

2; working on the length of your backswing.

Ronnie is working at trying to control the length of his backswing. Stephen Hendry did the same thing a few years ago. It's simpe. The less movement in your arm, the less chance there is of the cue deviating off line. therefor, if you can play a shot comfortably with a 4" backswing, what is the point in playing it with a 6" backswing.

it gives you more control and more accuracy.

[craigslater]

Good posting thanks Doc

@ Sam147 dont know what you means about me using the arrows the same mate, i have always done that

But i know what you mean

[Sam147]

the reason for a line on someones cue is for 2 reasons

1; being consistant in the length of your bridgehand.

2; working on the length of your backswing.

Ronnie is working at trying to control the length of his backswing. Stephen Hendry did the same thing a few years ago. It's simpe. The less movement in your arm, the less chance there is of the cue deviating off line. therefor, if you can play a shot comfortably with a 4" backswing, what is the point in playing it with a 6" backswing.

it gives you more control and more accuracy.

question please, i notice that in most of his shots, Ronnie pulls back his cue so that the tip nearly goes back to the end of the bridge area... i've always thought it has to do with maximizing cue power & follow through??

@ Craig: i was just kidding mate (from one Ronnie fan to another)

[The Doctor]

yes this is true and is what he is trying to move away from.
he is trying to use his backswing as a power gauge.
example: if you are hitting a shot with 100% (controlled) power then the cue would come all the way back until the tip is at the bridge hand. if you want to hit a shot with 50% of that power then you simply use 50% length of backswing.
this technique encourages a more consistent cue speed and makes for better timing.

[Sam147]

thanks for clarifying that

but what did u mean by "is what he's trying to move away from"?

yes this is true and is what he is trying to move away from.

[The Doctor]

He istrying to move away from plulling the cue back so far for each shot

[Sam147]

right! that makes more sense, with the power gauge concept that is... i think he also moves his cueing hand back & forth along the butt as well (same concept from the looks of it) but not as much as other players do!

[Bendy]

In his coaching book Frank Callan recommends marking a mark on the shaft of the cue a certain distance (4-5 inches?) in front of where the cue sits on the bridge hand and to draw the cue back so that the mark comes back to the thumb on the bridge hand.

I suppose this is an effort to keep the length of the backswing consistant and to maintain the correct distance between the bridge hand and cueball.

This information doesn't appear on his website only in the book, I'll try and find my copy and confirm what it says...

Franks coaching site can be found at ;

http://www.fcsnooker.co.uk/coaching_...n/coaching.htm

It's not as complete as his book though...

Mark

[matt01]

I use a Ash cue and have never sighted down the line of the arrows. I am suprised that players do this. IMO Ronnie shouldn't tinker with "the Rolls Royce of cue-actions". But heck - what do I know...