Spin Calibration Tip

Patrick Johnson

Patrick Johnson

Fish of the Day
Silver Member
To hit the CB precisely on the points that produce fourths of maximum side spin, aim your cue's centerline at the corresponding thirds of maximum.

AIM = HIT
1/3 = 1/4
2/3 = 1/2
3/3 = 3/4
4/3 = 4/4

This works because a typical tip's radius is 1/3 the radius of a cue ball, so the tip's center is always 1 1/3 x the contact point distance from center CB.

This might be mistaken for boring sciencey stuff, so I made a picture to look at:
- the green hash marks are thirds of maximum side spin (where the stick's centerline is aimed)
- the red "x"s are fourths of maximum side spin (where the tip actually contacts the CB)

pj
chgo

View attachment 52772
 

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Patrick Johnson said:
I was swapping pics trying to reduce the size. Is it still not displaying?

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

It’s fine now, PJ
I’ve always called the 4th pic the miscue zone...need a great tip to go there.


Subscribed...will be showing this at the pool hall
 
Tip 2

The same thing works (approximately) for hitting thirds of maximum side spin - aim your cue's centerline just inside the corresponding halves of maximum.

AIM = HIT
1/2 = 1/3
2/2 = 2/3
3/2 = 3/3

pj
chgo
 
Last edited:
Patrick Johnson said:
To hit the CB precisely on the points that produce fourths of maximum side spin, aim your cue's centerline at the corresponding thirds of maximum.

AIM = HIT
1/3 = 1/4
2/3 = 1/2
3/3 = 3/4
4/3 = 4/4

This works because a typical tip's radius is 1/3 the radius of a cue ball, so the tip's center is always 1 1/3 x the contact point distance from center CB.

This might be mistaken for boring sciencey stuff, so I made a picture to look at:
- the green hash marks are thirds of maximum side spin (where the stick's centerline is aimed)
- the red "x"s are fourths of maximum side spin (where the tip actually contacts the CB)

pj
chgo

View attachment 52772
Click to expand...
PJ,

Yet another excellent illustration and description. I'm glad you've been released from your "AZB jail sentence."

FYI, I've added a quote of your post on the "tips of" and percentage english resource page (which also includes other excellent related illustrations you've shared in the past).

Good work,
Dave
 
Interesting. I think I only pay attention to the exact tip contact on the CB when extreme spin is being applied. Other than that I use the tip's edge and center to produce zero spin or 1/4 tip measurements of spin, not giving any thought to the actual contact point where the tip strikes the CB.
 
You can go even farther than that. You just have to have a good stroke.

Two best examples, Babe Cranfield, and Jimmy Moore.

All the best,
WW
 
BC21 said:
Interesting. I think I only pay attention to the exact tip contact on the CB when extreme spin is being applied. Other than that I use the tip's edge and center to produce zero spin or 1/4 tip measurements of spin, not giving any thought to the actual contact point where the tip strikes the CB.
Click to expand...
If you're really consistent at it, any way of "measuring" tip placement is effective. I think the more precise and realistic our "mental models" the more effective we can become with them.

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
If you're really consistent at it, any way of "measuring" tip placement is effective. I think the more precise and realistic our "mental models" the more effective we can become with them.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
I agree. Precise visual/mental images that utilizize the cue tip as a gage can help a player develop CB striking precision.
 
I'd agree with others that based on your diagram, the 4/3 offset (4/4 spin) is not only pushing the limits of likely miscuing, but also is going to apply so much deflection/squirt to the CB, detrimentally affecting your aiming accuracy, that I would think it would only be used in situations where the CB was fairly close to the OB, and the OB was quite close to the pocket.
 
ChrisinNC said:
I'd agree with others that based on your diagram, the 4/3 offset (4/4 spin) is not only pushing the limits of likely miscuing, but also is going to apply so much deflection/squirt to the CB, detrimentally affecting your aiming accuracy, that I would think it would only be used in situations where the CB was fairly close to the OB, and the OB was quite close to the pocket.
Click to expand...
Yep - that's why it's called maximum sidespin. Knowing where it is makes it easier to come closer without overstepping.

pj
chgo
 
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