7 Striking Styles in Carrom that Every Player Should Know

A timeless tabletop game, carrom has been a feature of many get-togethers and has always encouraged friendly competition. Despite its initial simplicity, the game demands strategy, accuracy, and, most importantly, knowledge of various striking techniques to be mastered. An effective strike can mean the difference between winning and losing. 

To improve your games, every player should be familiar with how to strike in carrom and seven powerful carrom styles, which we shall discuss in this post. 

How to Strike in Carrom?

The primary tool to play carrom is the striker, which is used to push the pieces, also called carrommen or coins, into the pockets. A smaller, heavier disc is used to strike the carrom guys to score points. You flick the striker with your fingers, usually from the board’s edge. How well you pocket the pieces depends on the accuracy of your hit. For best results, keeping the striker’s force, direction, and angle under control is critical. .

Now that we understand the basics of using the striker, let’s dive into how to strike in carrom using different styles that can elevate your carrom game.

Also read – History of carrom board game

7 Different Striking Styles in Carrom Board Game

In Carrom, there are numerous striking styles that help pocket the coin easily. Along with your angle of the striker, the style of flicking the striker slides in the desired direction and the calculated speed make the game more interesting. 

Let’s look at how to strike carrom striker using seven different styles to outplay the opponents the next time you play. 

1. Thumb and Middle Finger Striking Style

In carrom, this is one of the most often used and adaptable methods if you are looking for how to strike in carrom. Fusing the strength of the thumb with the dexterity of the middle finger enables players to make strong and controlled shots. To execute this technique, position your thumb to the side and your middle finger behind the striker. Using your thumb, push the striker forward, keeping control and direction with your middle finger. 

When you pocket coins from the other side of the board or make longer shots, the thumb and middle finger hitting technique works quite well. Intermediate and advanced players love it for its perfect blend of power and control. However, it’s crucial to practice this technique often since exerting too much force might send the striker flying off the board, while too little effort may lead the striker to fall short of its objective. 

When taking a break shot, this technique is frequently employed to spread out the carrom players and clear the board for further moves. 

2. Vertical Long Finger Striking Style

When striking with a vertical long finger, the middle finger is placed vertically above the striker, prepared to flick it forward with a swift, snapping motion. This technique is ideal when aiming at a nearby carrommen or other situation where players need to make precise, straight strokes over a small distance.

To know how to shoot carrom striker with this technique, put your middle finger on the striker and quickly move it forward by lowering it. The strike’s vertical orientation guarantees a direct and potent hit. It works well when you want to pocket carrommen who are directly in front of your striker. 

This method is preferred since it requires less force and is precise. Although it doesn’t have the same raw power as other techniques, it makes up for it with great accuracy—especially for players who value skill over strength. However, you must consider the carrom rules while applying this technique to avoid fouls.

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3. Index Finger Striking Style

The index finger striking style is frequently employed for softer, more controlled blows. This striking carrom trick is perfect for defensive games or situations where accuracy is more crucial than brute force. You can better control the striker’s direction and speed by flicking it with just your index finger, which makes it ideal for close-range shots.

To know how to shoot the striker under this technique, position your index finger behind the striker and briefly flick it forward. The benefit of this style is its simplicity, which lets players concentrate more on stroke placement and direction than on sheer force.  

Shots requiring you to pocket a carrommen near the striker or gently tap the striker into position without disturbing too many other pieces on the board are frequently played with this strategy. 

4. Scissors Striking Style

The scissors striking style is one of the more unusual and adaptable striking styles in carrom. This striking technique uses the thumb and middle finger to create a “scissor” motion that moves the striker forward. Positioned between the thumb and middle finger, the striker is flicked forward when the two fingers come together.

This hitting technique works well for angled or curved shots when you must hit a carrommen at a certain angle to pocket it or throw off your opponent’s plan. The “scissors” motion is a great method for intricate shots since it allows players to control the striker’s trajectory and force. 

In addition, the scissors approach is frequently employed when a player wants to pocket a carrommen that is placed close to the board’s edges or corners. Players can position themselves more freely and execute strokes challenging with conventional straight-finger tactics. 

5. Middle Finger Striking Style

Many players are eager to find out how to strike carrom striker using the middle finger. The middle finger-hitting approach is one of the simplest yet most efficient ways to deliver long-range shots. To launch the striker, the middle finger is flicked forward after the striker is positioned behind it. This method works well for striking coins that are farther out on the board since it offers both power and precision.

Place your middle finger directly behind the attacker to make this shot, snap quickly, and aim at the intended target. The middle finger offers the ideal mix of power and accuracy for expert players who need to pocket coins in the furthest corners.

Although this technique works well for long-range shots, accuracy needs to be ensured through repetition. Players can become proficient at hitting numerous carrommen or banking the striker off the board by honing their middle finger technique over time. 

6. Thumb with Index Finger Striking Style

If you want to know how to hit a carrom striker using your index finger then you must be familiar with this technique.  This powerful technique combines the index finger’s guiding control with the thumb’s strength. Put your thumb behind the striker and your index finger next to it to execute this method. Your index finger guides the direction of the shot as you use your thumb to propel the striker forward.

This method works particularly well for medium-range shots when control and force must be balanced. Players can pocket carrommen close to each other or require delicate positioning more accurately using both their thumb and index finger.

Players may quickly transition between strong blows and more controlled, accurate shots thanks to the thumb’s index fingerstyle. It’s a tactic preferred by players who wish to hone a more versatile striking technique that adjusts to different in-game situations. 

7. Thumbshot Striking Style

Do you want to know how to strike in carrom using your thumb? The thumbshot striking style in carrom is renowned for producing the strongest strike.With this move, the striker is positioned exactly behind the thumb, and a swift, powerful flick propels them forward. Players frequently employ this strategy when distributing coins throughout the board or during break shots.

Because of its tremendous potency, the thumbshot is perfect for scenarios where you must disrupt your opponent’s carrom troops or open up new possibilities for your next turn. However, due to its power, this technique can be hard to control and hard for new players to stay accurate.

However, skilled players may perfect the thumbshot to deliver force and accuracy, making it a lethal weapon when used properly. It’s a great choice for players who want to make daring, game-changing plays, particularly when the carrommen are still grouped together at the beginning of a game. 

Rules to Strike a Striker in Carrom

Let’s understand how to strike carrom striker in the game:

1. Position the Striker: According to the carrom striker rules, the striker must be placed on the baseline within the designated striking circle.
2. Use One Hand: You are allowed to strike the striker using one hand only. No part of the hand, other than the finger, should cross the baseline during the strike.
3. Valid Flick: Only fingers (usually thumb, middle, or index) can be used to flick the striker. You cannot push or drag it.
4. Strike Forward: The striker must be flicked in a forward direction; backward strikes are not permitted.
5. Stay Within Boundaries: The striker should not cross or touch the diagonal lines on the board when being flicked.
6. Striker Placement After Shot: After each turn, the striker must be placed back on the baseline for the next shot.
7. No Touching of Opponent’s Coins: Striking the opponent’s carrommen directly without intention is not allowed unless you pocket your own coin first.

Also check – Carrom Queen Rules

How To Place the Striker in Carrom

To avoid fouls and losing the game, it’s important to understand how to place the striker in carrom:

• Striking Circle: The striker must be placed within the striking circle, which is located on the baseline at either end of the carrom board.
• Baseline: The baseline is the rectangular area at the edge of the board where the striker is placed. The striker should not overlap or touch the baseline.
• Central Placement: Place the striker centrally within the striking circle. It can be aligned to the left or right edge of the circle but must stay within the boundary.
• Allowed Area: You are only allowed to place the striker within the small half-circle marked on the baseline for each player. The striker should not cross the central line that divides the board.
• First Strike: The player starting the game places the striker in their own striking circle on their side of the board. Subsequent turns follow the same placement rule.

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FAQs – How to Strike in Carrom