User:SMcCandlish/Incubator/Jump shot deets for the 'Cue sports techniques' article

Summarize this:

Just like any other type of cue, not all jump cues are alike. RAVEN Custom Cues builds two distinctly different jump cues. One jump cue is not better than the other one. They are just intended for different types and styles of jumping. There are 3 basic styles of legally jumping the cue ball. It is illegal to scoop the cue ball from underneath. It is not my intention here to explain the three methods in detail nor is it my intention to provide enough information to try to teach a person how to accomplish the different shots. I intend only to identify the styles to assist people in determining which jump cue is the right jump cue choice for their style of jumping. As with almost all examples these are in general terms not absolutes. Players tend to utilize one of these methods more than the others although some players may use all 3.

STYLE 1

Style 1 is to simply elevate the butt of the cue from about a 25-degree to about a 45-degree angle and stroke through the cue ball very much like a normal shot. The cue ball is struck slightly above or below it’s center. This is a conventional jump shot like some people perform with a full cue. It is much easier with the correct jump cue. This style is easy to learn, requires little practice and is effective for most jump shots. It can be used when the ball, or balls, to be jumped are from a ball and a half distance to several feet from the cue ball. Depending on the tip used and the skill level of the player, draw, follow and sidespin can be applied to the cue ball in addition to making it jump. The longest jumps can be executed with this style.

STYLE 2

Style 2 is to elevate the butt of the cue more drastically. Sometimes even to the range of 70 to 80 degrees. It almost always requires the player to move his or her body to the side to execute the shot but the cue is typically still held by a grip like one normally uses to hold a cue. Generally the player will stroke through the cue ball very much like a normal shot but sometimes they ‘pop’ the cue ball with an abbreviated stroke. The cue ball is struck slightly above to well below its center. This is not a conventional jump shot like some people perform with a full cue. It is much easier and sometimes only possible to execute with the correct jump cue. This style is not easy to learn, it requires considerable practice and when performed by an accomplished player is effective for almost any possible jump shot. It can be used when the ball, or balls, to be jumped are from half the distance of a single ball to several feet from the cue ball. Depending on the tip used and the skill level of the player, considerable draw, follow and sidespin can be applied to the cue ball in addition to making it jump.

STYLE 3

Style 3 is to use the jump cue almost like throwing a dart. The cue is grasp with the thumb and forefinger. Depending on the shot to be executed and the preference of the player the stroke used may vary from a full follow through to a jab. The most radical shots performed in this manner are only possible with the correct jump cue. Nothing about this style is conventional. With correct instruction this style is not exceptionally difficult to learn for basic shots. It is however very difficult to master. For the full range of shots this method is capable of performing it requires regular practice. When performed by a very accomplished player or trick shot artist seemingly impossible jump shot can be executed. It can be used when the ball, or balls, to be jumped are less than half the distance of a single ball to several feet from the cue ball. Depending on the tip used and the skill level of the player, extreme draw, follow and sidespin can be applied to the cue ball in addition to making it jump. The closest jumps can be executed with this style.