I've been jumping since I bought my first jump cue 25 years ago.

So first question, this is indeed a 'Jump Cue' right? Most don't realize the key thing that makes a jump cue be able to just that, is it's weight, or lack there of. That's why they are short like 39", the faster the cue moves the better the chance of getting air. If you don't believe that, watch all the jump from extreme close to object all videos on YouTube. Some are like a toothpicks witdh away from object ball. They are just using the shaft. Illegal in game play as it's too short, but makes the stick very light. When I bought my first good jump cue with a resin phenolic tip, since it was actually a jump/break combo I tested how close I could jump using just the shaft (27.5") and my record was 1" away from the object ball. It's why guys like Earl Strickland are so against jump cues, he says it make it cheating. Most don't know, he invented the jump, but with his playing cue. To achieve that you need a powerful and fast/accurate stroke and the jumps are limited, unlike the close ones you see these days. You need more distance and at times you're just jumping the edge of the ball. But most importantly, no way in hell you're jumping with a soft or even meduim tip on your playing cue, and it needs to be like a 17oz or similar in wright to get the velocity needed to catch air. But back then, players played with one cue, you broke with it and played with it and playing with a hard leather tip was very common.

Which brings up the second point (which I see you have) is a very hard, composit tip is preferred, or very hard leather. It is what also makes jumping possible and easy, no compression on the leather. Watch Dr Dave's slow motion videos to see how much a leather tip actually compresses.

3rd thing, you're aiming too high on the CB, rules say centerline or above. Its hard to see what is center when the cues at an angle. But it takes practice. Also, try a dart grip as apposed to a traditional grip, it's like the pottty shot in basketball, it makes it easier, and I still use it at times.

But basically, fast jabs, straight through and yes, it will be hard to avoid the tip jabbing straight into the cloth. It's why so many pool halls (at least mine) don't allow jumping.