2nd rail aiming?

[eze123]

Past year or so I've been focusing more on 2nd rail aiming for 3 rail shots. Say, for example, a basic corner-5 type shot. I used to more or less sight along the ball and figure the track that way, which works ok for basic half ball. Very thick and especially very thin cuts it's so easy to go way off the line. I started finding it much easier to hit a spot on the opposite short rail, I know the basic return track from there with running, so I can pretty easily adjust it with follow/draw/speed. Same kind of thing with short angle shots. I know the 3rd rail point I need, I know the exact 2nd rail point I need to come off with a certain english/speed to get to 3, so I just need to focus on getting to that point with the right stuff. I find I'm so much freer at the table.
Also helps immensely with even basic position play. If you focus on the line from ball 1 to the rail, you can only really put ball 1 in one place. Focusing on the 2nd point's english and speed, you can put ball 1 wherever and just focus on the cueball adjustments. Also I find I can use reverse english alot more clearly if I forget about the first rail and focus on where it's going to hit the second rail and how much reverse will still be on it when it gets there.
I know I didn't invent it, just curious if other players use it, how, and so forth, what are the pitfalls? Has to be some, everything gets you in a rut one way or another. Probably a stage on the way, like using systems for basic shots, but interested in anybody's thoughts on it.

 

[3kushn]

EZE123 I use second rail aiming a lot. For me I have a better feel for the shot vs caroming to the first. Not sure if there's any pitfalls to this. Allan Gilbert mentions this technique in the short angle section of his book. After all, after the second rail the path is pretty much determined.

I have a couple of recommendations to fine tune this. For what its worth. Its free so... well you know what its worth.

1) Practice 1 rail billiards. My rule in this Practice Session is every shot must be 1 rail. No More than 1 rail. My thinking is if I can make a carom after 1 rail anywhere on the table, its the same as aiming/feeling to the second. The 1 rail rule forces me to concentrate on that task and forbids me falling into just making points any way possible. "Banging balls around learning nothing." A side bar here is, you'll learn new 3C shots many times when your 1 rail plan fails.

2) Get a copy of Little Joe's "Cue Ball Control" DVD. www.pooliq.net This lesson will show you a set of systems to calculate, exactly how to get to the desired point on the 2nd rail. Its pool orientated but don't let that turn you off. Its invaluable information.

3) Using a clock system with a 1/2 ball hit on most "basic" naturals and "basic" short angle shots you don't need to aim to the second rail. 2 diamonds English sends your CB to diamond 2, 1 diamond English to diamond 1, 3 diamonds English to 3rd diamond. Only requirement is to calibrate your English.

4)Joe's clock will show you how to get the second rail with other hits, particularly hits where you send the CB on a tangent perpendicular to a rail.

 

[TJDave]

Past year or so I've been focusing more on 2nd rail aiming for 3 rail shots. Say, for example, a basic corner-5 type shot. I used to more or less sight along the ball and figure the track that way, which works ok for basic half ball. Very thick and especially very thin cuts it's so easy to go way off the line.

Yeah, I used to to that and still do occasionally on short table shots. I think it's a natural progression to smoothly integrate the diamond system into one's game. I personally don't know of many players who rely on pure mathematical systems, at least not those who really enjoy the game. I found myself eventually moving to third rail aiming...and eventually just last rail in-out angles. my amount of ball hit is solely a determination of missing a kiss and I compensate with less, more or holdup english to stretch or shorten the shot. I guess I'm now more of a zone player.

 

[12squared]

When I used to play, I also used the 2nd rail aiming. I found it freed me up be creative in controlling the object ball and kept me in a good rhythm during a match. For some reason I could get to the 2nd rail fairly accurately without a lot of "aiming" most of the time.

I also learned it from Gilbert's book and playing w/Allen. If anyone can find a copy of "systematic billiards", you should get it. It shows wonderful deadball tracks and the 2nd rail system. These two things really helped me elevate my game before the elevator crashed . I didn't care to much for his version of the diamond system.

Dave

 

[eze123]

I also learned it from Gilbert's book and playing w/Allen. If anyone can find a copy of "systematic billiards", you should get it. It shows wonderful deadball tracks and the 2nd rail system. These two things really helped me elevate my game before the elevator crashed . I didn't care to much for his version of the diamond system.

Dave

Yeah, I had that book awhile back and got me thinking on the 2nd rail type system, found it pretty flawed, the angle you go in on changes everything, way too simple, then found a spanish book that was a little more specific on how you come in on the second rail, then at some point I got tired of trying to sub-divide every system on every shot, and just tried playing feel kind of based on the 2nd rail point, and was really happy with the results. So that's where I am now, I can play alot better just on feel better than I ever could counting diamonds, except for difficult shots, especially bank shots, there are times a system nails a point I couldn't get. Basic bread and butter shots I can shoot in seconds.

 

[12squared]

Yeah, I had that book awhile back and got me thinking on the 2nd rail type system, found it pretty flawed, the angle you go in on changes everything, way too simple, then found a spanish book that was a little more specific on how you come in on the second rail, then at some point I got tired of trying to sub-divide every system on every shot, and just tried playing feel kind of based on the 2nd rail point, and was really happy with the results. So that's where I am now, I can play alot better just on feel better than I ever could counting diamonds, except for difficult shots, especially bank shots, there are times a system nails a point I couldn't get. Basic bread and butter shots I can shoot in seconds.

Sounds like you found something that works for you, which is what we all strive for. 3-cushion is such a great game that to over-think each shot with complicated systems that takes you out of your rhythm and takes away the sheer beauty & flow of the game (& creativity) is a shame. But you need the systems to get you there and it takes a long time.

Dave

 

[eze123]

But you need the systems to get you there and it takes a long time.

Dave

Yeah, I think that's it. I was really big on systems and memorized at ton, still know them. At some point, except for the more rarely used ones, it's like learning a language, you sort of stop thinking about the rules, and it becomes natural.