Firstly,
make sure the length of your bridge is always constant. To achieve
this, mark your cue with ink, (Figure 1) at the point where it
rests over the bridge at the address position - when the tip of
the cue is not quite in contact with the cue ball.
The
distance from the mark to the top of the cue will be about 12
inches on longer shots and between 9 and 10 inches when you are
around the balls.
In
Figure 2, the player is in the address position as shown. With
the cue ball moved slightly to one side, the player is addressing
the brown spot along the baulk line. In later images you will
see the follow through achieved upon shot completion and the white
ball carefully placed lets you evaluate the follow through.
In
Figure 3, the player has finished the last back swing and is ready
to go through with the cue.
As
Figure 4 shows, the tip of the cue should now be some four to
five inches (10-12.5 cm) away from the cue ball, as the mark on
the cue shows clearly.
The
player, in Figure 5, shows the finish of the stroke.
The cue has maintained a horizontal position throughout.
Figure
6, illustrates the completion of the follow through.
If
the back hand is five to six inches (12.5-15 cm) from the chest
when the waggles start, having finished the last back swing and
gone through with the shot a player can complete the shot and
get well through the cue ball before the back hand hits his chest.
Now,
if we are going to use this method instead of the much advocated
pendulum method, how can we ensure that the cue will not lift
at the back? The key to keeping the cue horizontal lies in the
grip.
Different players, of course, have different grips. John Parrott
feels the shot with the first finger, Steve Davis with two, and
some players use a three-finger grip.
But to keep the cue horizontal, as demonstrated in "The Grip",
you must 'ease the back fingers, as the cue goes forwards and
backwards.
Frank
Callan Suite - 282 Ribbleton Lane, Ribbleton, Preston, Lancashire,
England - PR1 5EB - tel.
+ 44 (0) 1772 702211 - info@fcsnooker.co.uk