If you want to be invincible at pool or just want to impress your girlfriend on a date with your skills, then first you need to know how to properly hold a cue. If the grip is not adequate, you risk hitting the marble and causing it to go in the wrong direction of your target or even fly it off the table. For these reasons it is important to know the basic techniques before becoming proficient as a professional.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: The Basics
Step 1. Hold the splint with your dominant hand at the height of your pelvis
Place your hand in a point near the rear end, where you feel that the cue is balanced. In this area, there is usually some adhesive tape. The hand should be about 10-13 cm from the rear end and form a 90 ° angle with the splint itself.
- Most beginners keep a too tight grip. The hand should be relaxed without losing control of the cue.
- The body should be aligned with the dot. This way you can aim the shot correctly.
- Grab the splint with your thumb and forefinger; you can also add the middle finger, if you prefer to give a little more power to the shot.
Step 2. Bend over the table
Once you've grabbed the cue with your dominant hand and decided how to hit, you can lower yourself onto the table so that you can stare straight at the cue ball. You will not be able to deliver a good blow if you are stiff and upright.
Keep your legs relaxed, slightly bent and a few inches apart
Step 3. With the other hand, form the bridge
The non-dominant hand must be placed on the table 15-20 cm from the cue ball. The closer it is to the cue ball, the more accurate the shot will be. When your hand is on the table, put it in the shape of a "jumper", or cradle, so it will allow you to balance the cue and hit the cue ball. Although there are several techniques for forming the jumper with your hand and some prove to be better than others in certain situations, it is best to start with the most common one: the open jumper.
- To form the open jumper, place your hand on the table with all fingers wide apart.
- Slide the splint between the knuckles of the index and middle fingers, or between the "V" that forms between the thumb and forefinger.
- The splint is supported by the "V" that forms between the thumb and forefinger.
- You can change the height of the cue by raising or lowering the arch that forms the hand resting on the table.
- This position allows you to slide the cue while aiming for the ball.
Step 4. Maintain a steady grip as you "stare" at the ball that will be hit
Lean forward and mentally place the cue where you want to hit the cue ball. The techniques for hitting the cue ball in particular points (and thus obtaining specific hits) can be perfected later. In theory, your goal is to hit the cue ball in the center, also called the "right spot" of the marble, so that it goes exactly where you want it.
Make sure you can see a straight line between the cue ball and the ball you are aiming for
Step 5. Grab the cue at the point of balance and deliver the strike
Slide the cue forward without losing your aim. If you have any doubts, then gently move the cue back and forth on the bridge, until you feel that the tool is well balanced and flows evenly before delivering the blow, instead of trying it directly. Remember that you need to hit the ball hard and not just tap it. Finish the shot by continuing slightly in the movement even after the impact with the cue ball.
- Keep your body on the table until you have completed the stroke.
- Grab the splint with a loose, relaxed grip. Don't shake hands as you strike. If your fingers are wrapped around the cue, it may wobble and change the direction of the shot from where you are aiming.
- The hand that grabs it must be positioned so that the fingers are on the outside and the thumb on the inside, to ensure some support. This gives you great control of the tool. To hold the splint at the other end, use your thumb, index and middle finger.
Part 2 of 2: Different Jumpers
Step 1. Test the ring jumper
This is an advanced technique used for more decisive shots. It goes without saying that thanks to it you can look like a professional, but you have to put it into practice correctly. Here's what you need to do:
- Place your front hand on the table forming a fist.
- Widen the little finger, ring finger and middle finger, but leave the index finger closed under the thumb.
- Lift your index finger and slide your thumb under it.
- Place your index finger over your thumb to create a ring.
- Insert the splint into the ring while the thumb rests on the tip of the index finger.
Step 2. Use the edge bridge when the marble is 10-15cm from the edge of the table
This technique is very useful when you don't have enough space to make the classic jumper because the ball is too close to the edge of the table. Here's how to proceed:
- Place your hand on the rail.
- Lift the index finger above the thumb and place it on the other side of the splint, so that the thumb is on one side and the index finger on the other.
- Use the edge of the table for maximum stability and deliver the blow.
Step 3. In case the marble is 2, 5-5 cm from the edge, you can change the position of the hand
When the marble is so close to the edge of the table that it is not even possible to make a traditional bank bridge, then you have to change the support to be able to hit. In this case you must:
- Place the palm of your hand on the edge of the rail.
- Place the index finger on the surface of the side using it as a guide to slide the cue.
- Put the tip of the thumb on the other side of the splint to stabilize it.
- At this point you should find yourself with your thumb and index finger in a traditional position with the splint between them.
- Unleash the blow using the bank to maintain stability.
Step 4. Use a jumper raised over the marble
This technique comes in handy when the marble is practically blocked by another. This is all you need to do to hit it:
- Place the tip of your index finger on the table so that it is almost perfectly perpendicular to it.
- Rest your little finger in the same way, while folding the middle and ring fingers under it, so as to form a kind of tripod.
- Lift your thumb up to form a "V" raised in the air with your index finger.
- Slide the cue between your thumb and forefinger and hit the marble.
Step 5. Use a mechanical jumper
This is a perfect tool for shots where the marble is too far out of your reach; it is much more useful and effective than trying to lie down on the table and miss the shot because you are out of balance. Do not be discouraged by the nicknames that have been given to this tool as a "crutch" or "grandmother's stick", there is absolutely nothing shameful in relying on a mechanical bridge! Here's how it's used:
- Place the jumper on the table, behind the cue ball.
- Place the cue in the groove that gives you the best shot.
- Grab the back end of the splint with your thumb, middle and index finger.
- Lower your head to the firing line, aim and strike.
Advice
- Be careful of the people around you when you bring the cue back to hit the marble to avoid accidents.
- Keep the cue parallel to the table when using the jumper technique to get a very accurate shot. If you lift it even a little, you can change the direction of the blow.
- Keep the splint clean by wiping it with a cotton cloth. Do this every time you finish playing. There are many cleaning methods, including the use of a burnisher or a specific product, which allows accurate and thorough work.
- Make sure your splint is the right weight for your build. You should feel it light, well balanced in your hand, and you shouldn't feel it as overly heavy.
