Can someone explain to me the benefits of having your cue ball leave the table on a punch shot?
The idea i believe for the 'stun shot' - especially using a 'punch stroke' down into the table top (micro jumping > like on a break shot), is getting your cuing energy to the OB without having to introduce a lot of unnecessary spin top or bottom (or English Rt or Lt) in order to have CB glance 'cleaner' down the tangent line.
On softer 'punch stroke type micro jumping shots' this technique also might require less spin (or even English) to be applied to the CB to get the desired CB spin energy to the table surface after leaving the back of the OB as the glancing tangent angle is not as effected (if hit on the OB ball equator) than that of rolling spinning CB. This hopping effect (micro jumping if you will) of the CB toward the OB with any additional spin energy applied to the CB (off center hit) will transfer to the table surface down the tangent line (after CB to OB energy absorption as occurred) most efficiently. No spin on the CB (ie punch stroke airborne) will have a different CB effect but all spins and Englishes will be magnified...
If you want to see it first hand (and practice it), there's a real fun game called 'Jacked up 9B' (or 10B).... Its a 9B game were every shot must be shot with the butt of your Cue elevated 20-30 degrees where the punch type stroke at CCB must be used to even be competitive. Try it alone for the 1st 30 minutes or so (it's gunna be hard to 'stay in line' at first yes your gunna be using 2-3 rails for shape sometimes if play hard but you will will develop a stroke toward CCB with the 'punch shot effect'--- Micro jumping--- that will become real easy during normal play later).
Jacked up 9B is a real fun gamble game to... Jacked up shots and hopping stun shot are pretty routine in pool so knowing the rules of 'energy transfer' when applying 'airborne spin is pretty helpful. At the extreme look at spin effects (and accuracy) when different spins are applied to the regular jump shot. Punch stroke in effect 'floats the CB' (hops) across the table surface preventing ball/table frictions.... Its also less controlled but sometimes necessary to land the CB for the next shot.
R
Jacked up 9-B is a must know game. << Punch shot/stroke>> Danny Smith has a very accurate Jacked up game... Oh and so does the new 18yo Klenti that just won Appleton 8B Predator Championship and got 2nd in the US Open 9B behind Shaw...
here he is on FB'
https://www.facebook.com/usopen9bal...001958616380/1473562846026950/?type=3&theater
Very cool graphics here on some of the same..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=82&v=EZsMXXlSvfw