Tips For Improving Your Shuffleboard Game
Table Shuffleboard is a great way to unwind, have fun, and enjoy a little healthy competition. As you learn to play Table Shuffleboard, you’ll find that one of the keys to success is developing a variety of different shuffleboard shots. As you embark on a journey to become the top Table Shuffleboard player in your household, recreational team, or professional league, make sure to practice different shooting techniques to figure out what works best for you.
There are many different types of shots in Table Shuffleboard, including the Jersey shot, rail shot, span shot, freehand shot, and finger shot — just to name a few. Today, we’ll be focusing on the span shot. If you’re interested in learning more, John McDermott, founder and president of The Shuffleboard Federation and Table Shuffleboard Hall of Fame inductee, would be happy to share his personal knowledge regarding this unique play.
What is a Span Shot in Table Shuffleboard?
Let’s start with the basics. What is a span shot?
A span shot is a guided freehand shot. You use the rail as a guide to help you gain more control over the shot by resting your hand on the rail as you prepare and release your Table Shuffleboard puck. These pictures and video can help you gain a better understanding of the span shot if you’re a visual learner.
Players with bigger hands may have a bigger advantage of guiding their weights to the middle with the span shot because they have more reach. That’s not to say those with small hands should refrain from ever utilizing the span shot. Instead, it’s good (for everybody) to experiment using a different amount of fingers to guide you on the rail.
For example, using all four fingers (index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers) will give you a tighter shot and keep the puck closer to the edge as it flies down the board. If you want a wider shot, lift one finger off the rail. You get one inch for every finger not resting on the rail, meaning using only your pinky as a guide will give you a four to five-inch span. Do keep in mind that using only the pinky finger can make your shot less stable.
When to Use a Span Shot in Table Shuffleboard
The board plays a big factor in determining what type of shot will serve you best during a game. If the Shuffleboard Table has a lot of break or curve, the span shot is a safe bet. Otherwise, you might want to stick to the Jersey shot.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you need to have quality products to improve your skills and increase your winning chances. At The Shuffleboard Federation, we sell quality Shuffleboard Tables and accessories such as Table Shuffleboard Sand / Powder to ensure you enjoy the game. Browse our website today to view even more available products!
