Tiny Tip 4

This is the fourth installment of a 20 part series of tiny tips to help improve your fortunes in pinball. I hope you find it useful, and share with friends if inspired!

STANCE

The way you stand in relation to a pinball machine can influence both your ability to see the the ball on the playfield and your ability to nudge the pinball machine effectively. Being deliberate about stance is as critical to success in pinball as it is in other sports like baseball or golf. Let’s break this down and look at it.

Silhouette of Lyman F. Sheats Jr. (1966–2022) Lyman was an American pinball champion, prominent game designer, and beloved member of the pinball community known for his unique stance.

STANCES ARE DYNAMIC

It’s important to point out that stances are dynamic and change over the course of a game. The stance that works well when queueing up a ball launch will vary from stances well suited for viewing the upper playfield or for an aggressive slap save. There is no singular perfect stance, but there is likely to be a stance that works best for you in every different situation.

PHYSIOLOGY

Most pinball machines conform to a standard shape and size. The same is not true for
pinball players. Sights, sounds, and sensations will feel different from one person to the next, and what makes your body style unique also influences the way that you uniquely experience the game of pinball and interact with the machine.

No two bodies are exactly alike

Height and body build factor importantly into the development of an effective stance. and know that the stance that works well for you will vary from the one that works well for your neighbor. As you explore variations, consider 3 important factors:

Comfort
Visibility of the playfield
Leverage required to successfully nudge the machine

PHYSICAL COMFORT

Physical discomfort will distract you from focus on the playfield. This can be a common biproduct of age and from playing in long or intense matches. Start off with a comfortable stance that affords good visibility of the playfield, and make adjustments during the game to stay fresh and avoid straining.

UPRIGHT STANCE

An upright stance is where most people begin. This tends to be comfortable
and offers a good overall view of the playfield..

Upright Stance

HUNCHED STANCE

A hunched stance provides a closer view of the playfield and more control
over sideways nudges. This can be a benefit for highly technical shots. This
can also be a disadvantage in situations where multiple balls are in play
since a narrow focus can lead you to miss broad visual cues that inform your
understanding of ball spin and speed.

Hunched Stance

LEANING STANCE

The leaning stance allows a slightly closer view of the playfield while positioning a player to effectively apply forward force. Note: This can be a disadvantage if your weight is too far forward and a sideways nudge is necessary for better ball control.

Leaning Stance

EXTREME LEANING STANCE

Players may find that they have to adopt uncomfortable positions in order
to establish a clear view of the ball. This is especially true for taller and shorter players.

You’ll find a flow that works best for your game, but know that staying nimble and allowing time to experiment will help you dial in your posture and provide the flexibility you need for advancing your skills.

Extreme Leaning Stance

HAPPY STANCE

Having fun will always drive your skills faster and farther, so don’t forget to set aside a little time to refine your happy dance stance.

The most important stance of all

Stay tuned for more tips to help you improve your game, and for deeper dives check out my forthcoming project published with Schiffer Books: Pinball: A Quest For Mastery, hitting book stores June 28, 2026.

Stay curious, practice with intention, and keep it fun: your fortunes in pinball (and in life) are sure to improve.

BONUS CONTENT !!

In the spirit of keeping it fun and practicing skills, try your luck at PINBALL BINGO! Unplug for the rules of the game, and focus on the micro-quests of completing the tasks in each one of the squares.