The Overlooked Backstroke

All players naturally tend to think “forward,” that is to say, we look towards the object ball, forward down the shot line, at the cue ball in front, and strive to stroke through to the finish – all at the expense of what’s happening, or rather should happen, during the backstroke.

Two things are important here: Speed and Alignment. First, the speed of the backstroke has absolutely nothing to do with the speed of the hit stroke. The sole goal of the backstroke is to get the cue in the proper position from which an accurate forward stroke can begin. Second, a pool stroke is not a fast-draw competition. Yanking the cue backwards in preparation to shoot is a virtual guarantee of a missed shot, missed position, unintended side-spin, miscue, or a host of other bad things, principally because we risk losing alignment with the shot line – the line on which the cue stick must remain.

Therefore, it is quite easy to see that a deliberate, accurately aligned backstroke is the foundation upon which an accurate forward stroke is built. This can only be accomplished by making sure that we pull the cue backwards in alignment with the shot line, adding a slight pause at the back of the backstroke, and smoothly accelerating to the finish. The pause is important as it allows the triceps to fully release before the bicep contracts. Otherwise, the brief moment at which both muscles are “fighting” each other may jar the cue offline.

Practice your backstroke. With your bridge-hand on the rail, align the cue parallel with the rail and directly over the seam between the rail top and cloth covering the cushion. Using the seam as a guide and starting with a ten-inch bridge length, slowly bring the cue back while keeping the center of the tip aligned with the seam until the tip reaches your bridge hand. “Slowly” means a full three seconds. Pause a beat, and repeat slowly (three seconds) stroking forward to your finish. Ten strokes is a set. Stand, relax, then drop again into the stance and repeat the practice routine as above for two more sets. Once you’re satisfied with your backstroke- forward stroke alignment, try a set with your eyes closed. This will help you “feel” the proper movement, avoid “steering” the cue as it’s moving and build confidence.

One more note on the speed of the backstroke. Some years ago, one of my students had a classic jerk-back backstroke and couldn’t understand why he was missing so many shots. I told him to imagine that the cue was hollow, full of water, had no end cap, and that jerking the cue to a stop at the back of the backstroke would force the water out of the back of the cue. A couple of months later he wrote me to say that that image had done wonders for his stroke. And then asked, “Now, what am I supposed to do with all this water in my basement.”

By: Mark Powell, PBIA Master Instructor.