Striking Styles

Long Finger/Scissors Style

• Place the edge of your palm on the board to steady your hand.
• Place your middle finger on the board immediately behind the middle of the edge of the striker, touching the striker with your fingernail if possible.
• Overlap your index finger on your middle finger.
• Build up a pressure of the middle finger moving forward and the index finger holding it back.
• Release the index finger from holding back the middle finger.
• The middle finger will shoot forward flicking the striker.

Remember when your finger is bent and then straightened it moves in an arc. Allow for this by adjusting the position of your hand as the striker, for right-handed players, will tend to travel slightly to the right of your intended destination.

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Middle Finger &Thumb Style

This style is similar to the Long Finger style except that the middle finger is held back by the thumb rather than the index finger.

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Upright Long Finger Style

This style varies from the Long Finger style in that the edge of the palm of your hand is not resting on the board and your middle finger is perpendicular to the board. This is used when there are several pieces around your base line making it difficult to position your hand for the normal long finger style. This can be a difficult one to use, as there is nothing to steady your hand.

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Index Finger Style

• Steady your hand on the board with the base of your palm.
• Rest your thumb lengthways on the board.
• Curl your fingers and let the tips rest on the board as though you have a ball in the palm of your hand.
• Position your index finger on the board immediately behind the middle of the edge of the striker, touching the striker with your fingernail if possible.
• Bring downward pressure on the tip of your index finger.
• Build up a forward pressure and flick the index finger forward, which will propel the striker.

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Index Finger & Thumb Style

This style is similar to the Index Finger style except that instead of putting downward pressure on the index finger, the thumb is used to hold back the index finger before flicking.

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Middle Finger Style

This style is very similar to the Index Finger style except that the middle finger is used instead of the index finger.

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Thumbshot

This is used for backshots when allowed. The hand is positioned in a similar way to the Index Finger style except that either the index or middle finger holds back the thumb before it is flicked sideways/backwards.

Try all these styles and any modification you like and then pick one that is most comfortable and suitable for you.