Low Billiard Stance?
2/29/2008 12:07:45 AM
Low Billiard Stance?
This is regarding stance: I've seen professional pool players on television bending over so low while taking a shot, that their chin touches the cue. Is this a way of aiming?
Low Billiard Stance?
Replies & Comments
billiardsforum on 2/29/2008 12:15:15 AMGo ahead and read the 5 part series on Billiard stance. It should give you a good solid understanding of the techniques around stance.
The low stance is probably more about aiming than it is about shot form.
treehumper on 3/4/2008 5:19:47 PMI love a low stance. I grew up playing snooker so I naturally shoot with my chin almost resting on the cue. Watch Allison Fisher, her chin slightly touches the cue. For me, it provides better aiming and keeps my cue level.
guest on 3/19/2008 7:30:41 PM
The low stance is just about preference. Generally it gives more accuracy, as all snooker players use it, since you are able to line up your shot with less error. Many pool players who grew up playing snooker also tend to rub thier chin on the cue. But, for billiards, accuracy is not nearly as important as it is in snooker, so using this stance does not necessarily make you any better. Its just all about preference.
Fenwick on 4/14/2008 11:12:55 AM
treehumper; "For me, it provides better aiming and keeps my cue level." Two very good points. Drop below the table and observe the tip of your Cue raise up. Like wise notice if you assume your low stance and raise up it changes the angle of your elbow and shortens your stroke unless you move your hand back on your Cue but that will also change your form and stroke but you knew that. It's more a kind I hope FYI directed at others here.
Guest 32; "But, for billiards, accuracy is not nearly as important as it is in snooker, so using this stance does not necessarily make you any better. Its just all about preference." While that may be true in your minds eye standing more upright does make me less accurate and a lesser player. Try playing 2 or 3 inches lower for a time. See if your shot making improves and get back to us.
- billiardsforum on 4/14/2008 11:18:54 AM
This may be a stupid question, but why would a lower stance make you a more accurate snooker player? Is it because you get better aiming? If this is the case, why wouldn't the same apply in billiards? Thanks!
Low Billiard Stance. My fault for not explaining or making it clear I was referring to being low for the purpose of a proper aim. If you look at treehumper's photo you can see how low he is as am I. "Why wouldn't the same apply in billiards?" That is the point I was trying to make; it does IMHO.
quickshot on 4/14/2008 11:15:24 PMI have definitely found that the low stance is a preferred one for me. When I first started playing again I was using a higher stance and had problems with accuracy and ball striking. Little by little I started lowering my stance to a comfortable position with my chin about 2 inches above the stick. It made all the difference in the world and a big change in the win lost column. Aside from what I've read about stance, watching the women pros play has convinced me that lower is the right approach.
- billiardsforum on 4/15/2008 5:44:24 AM
As a tall guy, I find my shots become more awkward (stroke, execution, follow-through) the lower I get. Definitely something I need to work on!
JJFSTAR on 5/1/2008 1:57:32 PM
Snooker players are the lowest stance some pool players are slightly more upright and billiard players are almost always a little more erect than pool players. The reason being is that in order to see the shot in snooker you have to be down there because the balls are tiny and you have to put them in a tiny hole. The billiard player has to see the carom off one ball to go around 3 rails to hit another and if they were down there couldn’t “see” the shot.
There are exceptions though most of them great snooker players who went to billiards. The above is just general and of course doesn’t always hold true.
Lastly there are stupid questions this doesn’t happen to be one of them but stupid questions should be asked anyway because they are much easier to handle than stupid mistakes just my take on things.
- treehumper on 5/3/2008 1:18:39 AM
try firing a rifle accurately from the hip. There's a reason for sighting down the barrel!
Billiards, ie, 9 ball, 8 ball etc..., are more forgiving because of the design of the pockets and cushions. But for accuracy it's much better to shoot low. One thing that must be established first is the dominant eye. Knowing which eye should align with the cue will improve your accuracy immensely. Using the gun analogy again, custom made shotguns are made with a camber to match the dominant eye therefore you can find left and right-handed guns which are really about the eye.
- quickshot on 5/3/2008 9:45:38 PM
There is no such thing as a stupid question. The person who ask a question is asking because he/she lacks the knowledge of a certain subject. They also appreciate the person answering the question because he/she is sharing their knowledge with them. Better to ask twice than get lost once.
I think it's time for a beer. Or maybe two.
Low stance works better for me. If my game is going south chances are I'm raising up and my dominant eye is now looking from a different perspective.
Low Billiard Stance?
- Title: Low Billiard Stance?
- Author: guest
- Published: 2/29/2008 12:07:45 AM
