Jump shots: dart method vs. traditional method?

Question

Just something that I've noticed and I'm curious if you've noticed this as well. At the amateur level, I see the dart method of jumping balls used much more frequently than at the pro level. I almost never see the pros use the dart method. I'm sure it happens. I've watched many, many matches online and on TV and it seems they nearly always use the elevated standard stroke method for jumping. Has anyone else noticed this? Is there some advantage to one method or the other? Personally, I like both. It all depends on the distance from the cue ball and the interfering ball(s).

Answer 1

Well, I could guess several reasons why most amateurs use the dart stroke. I don't recall where I first learned to jump properly, but I do remember I was taught (either through a clinic type thing or video) to use a dart stroke. So somebody, somewhere was teaching it as a primary method 15 or so years ago.



Secondly, it is a lot easier IMO to get the ball in the air with a dart stroke. Aiming is certainly easier with a standard style stroke, but aiming doesn't matter if you can't get the ball airborne. There seems to be more technique involved with a normal stroke in your stance and stroke, whereas you can just step up and snap at the ball with a dart stroke and it works most of the time, but maybe that's just me.



Thirdly, (and this is just a complete guess) I know I (and probably many other people) saw those short jump cues and took my cue apart and learned to jump properly with the shaft. The dart stroke is really the only option when you're using just the shaft.

Answer 2

It's definitely the case, although I think Nick van den Berg tried a dart style jump during the Mosconi Cup this year when the interfering ball was close. The distance between the cue ball and interfering balls is certainly key. You need more elevation to get the cue ball up quicker if the interfering ball is close, and it can be difficult to get that elevation with a pendulum stroke. The location of the cue ball is also an issue.



I think using the pendulum stroke is more natural for players in the sense that it's more like a normal shot. It's not really that different from having to bridge over an obstructing ball to get to the cue ball or elevating off the rail to get draw on the cue ball. You can stand back from the shot, get your aim line, step into the shot, and elevate, so it minimizes changes in your pre-shot routine. Your stroke mechanics are also the same, so if you've grooved those in, you're more likely to shoot straight with this method instead of having to learn a new style. Summing it up, it's probably easier to be more accurate using the pendulum stroke and the pros are more concerned with hitting the correct half of the object ball and not just getting a good hit.

Answer 3

Never been a jumper, and probably why I am an amateur. In growing up during the 50-60's, in my area, you were not allowed to jump. so I never really learned how...personally, I think of it like a "cheat", you should have to kick at the object ball....but this is sort of me being old school with 3 pointers, in basketball....where is the talent in sitting out there and chunking balls! You should have to work in for a closer shots and only 2 points!....thus my thinking on "jump shots"! Where is the talent in that? Anyone can stand there "dart it or traditional" it! Getting out of a snooker, with a 2 or 3 rail kick to make a legal contact, and even hit it on the right side to leave it hard back to your opponent.....now that is talent!.......my answer by the way, do not see the dart method a lot, most guys I know shoot the traditional way.....but just to be difficult, the "traditiional way" should be a kick and not a "cheat" jump!

Answer 4

I'm not sure what you mean by the "dart method". It sounds like you mean when you stroke the ball low like a draw shot but go even lower and skip the ball off the felt.



If that's the case, then the reason the pros don't use that method is because it is an illegal shot. The reason is that the cue tip remains in contact with the ball longer than a strike which is another form of a double hit. There are various rules which describe this. For example:



10.0 Jump Shots-Jump shots are legal as long as the cue ball is not struck under the center line that is parallel to the surface of the table. http://www.internationalpooltour.com/Rules/



FOULS-The cue ball is jumped entirely or partially over an obstructing ball with an illegal jump shot that scoops under the cue ball. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-ball#Standardized_Rules_of_Play



6.8 Push Shot - It is a foul to prolong tip-to-cue-ball contact beyond that seen in normal shots. http://www.wpa-pool.com/web/index.asp?id=121&pagetype=rules#6.8



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Edit: Thanks for the clarification. As a matter of fact, I've used that shot without realizing that's what it was called. My opinion now is that the dart method is more suited when you need more height (or more immediately) on the jump like when the obstruction is closer.



I guess in the end, it just turns out that most jump shots are only partial or longer distance where the cue stick doesn't need to be elevated as much and thus a traditional stroke would be favored since potting the ball can also be an objective so aim is more important. The dart method is probably best for simply getting out of a jam and avoiding a foul (thus perhaps comes up less frequently) when you need a high enough cue elevation where the traditional shot becomes difficult to pull off (i.e physically awkward).

Answer 5

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