"Hit the pro side of the pocket" myth.

Patrick Johnson said:
What way is that?

pj <- skeptical but listening
chgo
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TOOutside

Or not. I watch players warming up for big matches and some bang everything center pocket or miss entirely but some diligently roll corner shots into the funnel. The only logic I can see for doing that besides you might need the side cushion for clearance is, when you have to pop the ball down the rails, the aim will be close to the side rail funnel. IOW the high speed shot is built upon the low speed shot. The higher speed shot splits the pocket as it should.

Not a given of course but it's close enough for competition.
 
straightline said:
TOOutside

Or not. I watch players warming up for big matches and some bang everything center pocket or miss entirely but some diligently roll corner shots into the funnel. The only logic I can see for doing that besides you might need the side cushion for clearance is, when you have to pop the ball down the rails, the aim will be close to the side rail funnel. IOW the high speed shot is built upon the low speed shot. The higher speed shot splits the pocket as it should.

Not a given of course but it's close enough for competition.
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What's "the funnel"?

pj <- not that I understood the rest of it...
chgo
 
I like to use the concept of hitting the “pro side” as well as “pro speed” so I actually pocket the ball.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
What way is that?

pj <- skeptical but listening
chgo
Click to expand...
I mean to say, they have learned to use the right combination of speed and spin to reduce/eliminate/counteract the impact of cut-induced throw. Especially in person the cleanness of the contact between the cue ball and object ball is striking compared to league players.
 
Black-Balled said:
Why?
I am talented enough to control all the balls that move, is there a valid reason I shouldn't utilize all my skills?
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Why does calling a safety a safety confine your skills? They go out of theirs and everyone elses way to curb the luck factor. Why allow two ways? One or the other I say.
 
It seems that everybody has a different idea of what "pro side" means.

Most believe it's a purposeful overcut, so if you miss the shot you'll leave your opponent tough. I find that funny. I mean, sure there are some shots where playing a 2-way is the best option, but that's not how most shots are performed.

Not sure who came up with the term "pro side", or what they meant by it, or even what most pros think it means. But Max Eberle explains it the same way I see it, that the "pro side" simply means shooting the ball into the most acceptable portion of the pocket, which is the only definition that makes sense to me.

Playing a 2-way shot or "case" shot (in case you miss) is certainly an option, but on the vast majority of shots, I doubt any pro player thinks, "I should overcut this ball in case I miss it".

 
Black-Balled said:
Why?
I am talented enough to control all the balls that move, is there a valid reason I shouldn't utilize all my skills?
Click to expand...
Why does calling a safety a safety confine your skills? They go out of theirs and everyone elses way to curb the luck factor. Why allow two ways? One or the other I say.
Patrick Johnson said:
What's "the funnel"?

pj <- not that I understood the rest of it...
chgo
Click to expand...
The funnel is what you get when you shoot at the corner down the rail. I don't mean on the rail; just down within 20 degrees to the pocket off the rail. What ever the actual limit angle is, the side rail forms a funnel that can more than double the actual available aperture. Anyway using the side rail in that manner can be used to estimate similar shots that require more speed. The reduced throw alone might be enough to insure a successful pocketing.
 
straightline said:
Why does calling a safety a safety confine your skills? They go out of theirs and everyone elses way to curb the luck factor. Why allow two ways? One or the other I say.
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I can shoot a shot that also plays position in a manner that leaves the next shooter safe, should I miss...

Under your either/ or ruleset, the above isn't permitted. That is restrictive to many players' abilities.

I don't take issue with calling the pocket but calling a safe is silly.

What did fast Eddie say? 'I'm shooting, weenus. When I miss it is your shot you ninny nannerson. Dammit.'
 
Black-Balled said:
I can shoot a shot that also plays position in a manner that leaves the next shooter safe, should I miss...

Under your either/ or ruleset, the above isn't permitted. That is restrictive to many players' abilities.

I don't take issue with calling the pocket but calling a safe is silly.

What did fast Eddie say? 'I'm shooting, weenus. When I miss it is your shot you ninny nannerson. Dammit.'
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Why reward sloppy pocketing? It softens the pocketing requirement - and to the degree that for instance nobody makes long cuts anymore. They won't take 'em or they deliberately miss 'em thin. This, on pool pockets. Not how I'd do it.
 
straightline said:
Why reward sloppy pocketing? It softens the pocketing requirement - and to the degree that for instance nobody makes long cuts anymore. They won't take 'em or they deliberately miss 'em thin. This, on pool pockets. Not how I'd do it.
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The ball goes in or it does not. We don't rate how pretty it is.

When I miss it is your shot.

Don't coming at me with that damn push-out either.

Lol
 
kanzzo said:
Two way shots is what makes the game beautiful. Almost every tougher ball in one pocket is played in a way, that it's safe for your opponent, when you miss. Same in 9-Ball. I can play all evening without leaving my opponent an easy shot. Two way shots are a huge part of winning 9-Ball.
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Eye of the beholder. Got people complaining about pool's lack of funding and waning popularity. Well the blackout dress code and no reason to shoot straight, no wonder.
Two or more way plays are for stealing. (something I'd be happy at - poolwise) Unfortunately, people will be attracted to true conquerors not operators. (whom they probably couldn't differentiate from dogs)
 
straightline said:
...

The funnel is what you get when you shoot at the corner down the rail. I don't mean on the rail; just down within 20 degrees to the pocket off the rail. What ever the actual limit angle is, the side rail forms a funnel that can more than double the actual available aperture. Anyway using the side rail in that manner can be used to estimate similar shots that require more speed. The reduced throw alone might be enough to insure a successful pocketing.
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That "funnel" effect applies pretty well on valley bar boxes, but not so much on Diamond tables with deep shelves, especially at 20° to the pocket.

That's where the whole "pro side of the pocket" comes into play. Playing to NOT have the ob drag its feet along the rail is playing the pro side.
 
straightline said:
Eye of the beholder. Got people complaining about pool's lack of funding and waning popularity. Well the blackout dress code and no reason to shoot straight, no wonder.
Two or more way plays are for stealing. (something I'd be happy at - poolwise) Unfortunately, people will be attracted to true conquerors not operators. (whom they probably couldn't differentiate from dogs)
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I dunno...making the game confusing to the masses doesn't sound like progress or a means to popularity to me.

Makes no sense for an incoming player to have the choice to not shoot without penalty.

That's where the balls stopped. Shoot.
 
BC21 said:
,,, Not sure who came up with the term "pro side", or what they meant by it, or even what most pros think it means. But Max Eberle explains it the same way I see it, that the "pro side" simply means shooting the ball into the most acceptable portion of the pocket, which is the only definition that makes sense to me.
...
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I don't think that's the way most players use the term. In my experience, it has never, ever meant the center of the pocket. In my experience it has always meant toward the side that will leave safe if missed, which is usually on the thin side. At carom, missing on the pro side is usually the side that takes more more spin or a special hit.

I think Max gets the center of the pocket wrong. There is a single spot in the pocket that is the center for (nearly) all shots. This has actually been measured. (On fast shots, the center of the pocket moves about a quarter inch away from the rails on the corner pockets.)
 
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