Two ways to shoot a shot

I like to the move ball around, so I'd also have opted for the shot shown on page 3 (not page 2).

I prefer to avoid running the cue ball through traffic, so this seemed like a fairly obvious choice for me.

As you mentioned, shape on the 7 is also guaranteed from here (or close to it),
 
I will be tempted to try option 2 cuz I like moving the ball around too but I'll probably go for option 1. I don't have the stroke to get it off the second cushion enough (yet) lol.
 
Option 2 gives you a larger area to get a shot ... option 1 has a very small window before your angle gets too extreem and you would have trouble getting on the next ball... imo
 
I chose the page 3 option in my mind before I even looked at it, I like the shot because you can come up way short or way long and still have a good shot for shape on the 7 after pocketing the 6.

I guess its personal preference.
 
I am pretty sure most right handed players will have a hard time reaching for the shot and due to the strange position the draw shot would be much harder then it looks.
I am sure you can end up in funny positions either way if your speed or angles are a little off. I feel like the first option is the easiest to play especially if you are using a bridge.
 
Please forgive this post's irrelevance to your topic, but I originally read the title as "Two Days to Shoot a Shot" and my first thought was, "Yeah, I know what it's like to play a guy like that".:wink:
 
Neil said:
Many times you want to move the cb as little as possible, but some times it is to your advantage to move it more. Learn to recognize the difference.
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Great post, great insight. I often find myself going 4 rails instead of 2, because the landing zone is much bigger, and you have greater accuracy on the shot with a little firmer speed.
 
It looks like the shot calls for a bridge to me as well, but I think I remember that Neil plays on a 7' and a bridge may not be necessary.

These CueTables are such as great forum tool, but I'm always deceived by the angles. Essentially I was thinking of the same ending position using draw w/ perhaps left, but it looked to me like I could just come off the top rail behind the 9, then across to get shape and end up in about the same spot, but without going all the way down table then back up.

I guess I'm never looking at the balls from a bird's eye view when playing so I'm not used to judging the angles looking straight down.

The first option is not the best one for several reasons. In the first play speed is critical whereas in Neil's solution it is not at all. Once you hit the head rail you are coming towards the 6 and have so much room to slow down. Secondly, in the first play you are playing directly across the line of position rather than along the line as in the second option. Lastly, in the first option potting the 6 up table is a more difficult shot and the natural roll of the CB is taking you away from the next shot on the 7. With the second option the natural roll of the CB takes you down towards the 7 at the foot rail.

BTW, my page 2 was the same as p1. P3 had Neil's solution.
 
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Neil said:
Below is a shot I had the other day. There are several ways to play it to get shape on the 6. Most B players I feel would take the 1st option. The drawback to the first option is that your speed has to be right on, and your angle has to be right on. You also have a small space to get into to get optimal position on the 6 in the upper corner, and still be able to draw back to get on the 7.

Some might try to get between the 6 and the side pocket. Again, a tough position zone to get into, and a possible scratch in the side.

I elected the option on page 2. I used left draw, and a good stroke. When the cb hits the end rail, it spins over for optimal position on the 6. Going this way, my speed isn't very critical at all. I have a much bigger target zone to get into. And, now I can just follow the 6 for great shape on the 7.

Option 2 looks like it is more of a showboat shot. But in this case I don't believe it is. It is a much higher percentage of getting proper position. Which is what really seperates the B players from the A players. Finding the easiest route for position, thereby getting fewer errors. In this case, going around the table is so easy that it actually hard to screw it up. Many times you want to move the cb as little as possible, but some times it is to your advantage to move it more. Learn to recognize the difference.

CueTable Help

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that's not how i shoot that shot at all. i try to draw behind the 6 and hit the 9 (ending my run).
 
I am pretty sure I would try option 1.

Shape is a little tighter, but it's not that difficult. I prefer to move the cue around as little as possible. I think the key is commiting to the shot.

Drifting the cue ball over to the other side of the table is something I have practiced and practiced and practiced because it is somethig that is involved in almost every 9-ball run.
 
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