Joe Swails backswing

[Rane]

There is something strange about Joe Swail´s backswing, but I have difficulties about seeing what is wrong on the screen. Doesn´t he hold his arm in a vertical position ?

[Robert602]

It's not just on his backswing. His elbow is right behind his back when he cues, one of the strangest actions and the least 'textbook' on the tour I reckon. As a result his cue always dives off to the left when he plays with any kind of pace. Presumably though, much like Alex Higgins, he manages to get a good contact with the white otherwise he wouldn't be as good as he is.

He also plays with a lot more of a flick of the wrist than most which seems to give him excellent cue power.

I've often wondered whether Joe would be a better or worse player had he adopted a more orthodox style when he was younger.

[dantuck_7]

Did you see the deep screw shot - quite amazing considering it was played at slow-medium pace!

[Cyril]

Joe's action certainly brings about some amazing results. The only other player I can compare him to is the Australian legend, Horace Lindrum. His elbow was tucked across his back also.

[missneworleans]

He played himself in small table and played with backswing. Then he went to school, but it was too late, he couldn't pot anything without this style. So now he's playing like that, and plays not bad, doesn't he?

[hegeland]

I'm quite sure he would have been even better off had he adopted a more regular stance in his early days. But I guess we'll never know for sure.

Just like Dave Harold, some shots just get that much more difficult because of having a non-suitable stance.