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The GRIP

If ever an action was misnamed, this is it.
The Snooker Grip. How to GRIP the cue.

Truth is, you must NEVER grip the cue. You grip a hammer, and if you grip a cue the way you grip a hammer, you will fail miserable at this game, and will be constantly amazed at the power that experienced played get  on the cue ball, a talent that escapes you.

You HOLD the cue, gently cradling it with your index finger or second finger, closing the hold with your thumb.

​The classic analogy is to pretend that the cue is actually a small bird. You want to hold it tight enough that it does not fly away, but you don't want to hurt or kill it, even through the entire shot.

If done properly, you may find that, on power shots, the cue actually slides through your hand. This is OK so long as you don't drop it on the table and disturb a ball.

The other three finger? They go along for the ride. On power strokes where you draw back a long way, these three fingers will open up and form a wall that holds the cue on line. On delivery, they will roll back to gently cradle the cue as it meets the cue ball.

In all ball and stick games, physics tells us that the optimum weight for the stick is approx 3.5 times the weight of the ball. Heavier than this, the ball takes a "smack" and throws; lighter than this, and too much momentum stays with the stick and does not transfer to the ball.

So with the typical snooker ball weighing 141 gm, the optimum weight for a snooker cue is approx 17.5 oz. 

If you GRIP the cue tightly, you add some of the mass of your cueing arm to the cue, effectively increasing it's weight beyond the optimal.

So lighten up, people, and play well.


Here is an exercise from Nick Barrow, one of the worlds premier coaches, to convince you that you need only have the lightest touch on the cue:
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  • Home
  • Information
    • About the O.S.S.L. >
      • Our History
      • Membership Application
      • Wanted Poster
      • 2022-23 Start Up Letter
      • Tie Breaker Resolution
      • Foul and Miss Rule
      • Handicap Review and Change
      • How the OSSL Handicaps are calculated
      • Banquet Photos 2022
      • Banquet Photos 2019
      • Contact the Executive
      • Our Constitution
    • News >
      • Newsletters >
        • December 2022
        • August 2022
        • 2022 Final Recap
        • January 2022
    • Where we play >
      • Frederick Mall Billiards
      • M & J Billiards
      • Shooterville
  • Schedule & Results
    • Sept.-Dec. 2022 Event Schedule
    • Jan. - Apr. 2023 Event Schedule
    • YTD Points Standings
    • Current Handicaps
    • Winners to Date
    • Event Results >
      • Jan 28,28 & 31 '23
      • Jan 21,22 &24 '23
      • Jan 14,15 & 17 '23
      • Jan 3,7,8,&10 '23
      • dec 17, 1 8 ,20 &27, 2022
      • Dec. 10, 11 & 13, 2022
      • Dec. 3, 4 & 6, 2022
      • Major Results, Nov. 27, 2022
      • Nov. 26 & 29, 2022
      • Nov. 19, 20 & 22, 2022
      • Nov. 12, 13 & 15, 2022
      • Nov. 5, 6 & 8, 2022
      • Oct. 29, 30 & Nov. 1, 2022
      • Oct. 22, 23 & 25, 2022
      • Oct. 15, 16 & 18, 2022
      • Oct. 8, 9 & 11, 2022
      • Oct. 1 & 2, 2022
      • Sept. 24, 25, 2022
      • Sept. 17, 18, 2022
      • Sept. 10, 11, 2022
      • Sept. 3, 4, 2022
  • Coaching
    • Calling a MISS
    • Winning Psychology
    • Stay Down!
    • Fundamentals >
      • Practice
      • How to aim
      • The grip
      • Natural Roll
      • Stroke Straight
      • Roll the ball straight
      • Develop Touch
      • CUEING _ How NOT to have a reeaaally good cue action...
      • Cueing off the cushion
      • The Line Up
      • Practice
      • Long Line Practice
    • Top 3 mistakes of players at 20-30 break standard
    • How to escape snookers >
      • One cushion escape
      • Two cushion escape
      • So you missed anyway. What to do now?
    • "squeeze" plants
    • Cue Ball Control >
      • Intentional misscue
      • Where is the cue ball going?
      • Slow motion spin
      • Control cue ball off the spot
      • For the more mathematically inclined
    • Running 100 from the player perspective >
      • Running 100 with demographics
  • Other Links