Right Handed vs Left Handed

[JABSolstice]

I play on Tuesday nights in a league with 3 other guys. One of them, let's call him Bob, is left handed. When he makes a questionable play, myself and one other on the team will discuss it with him after his match. Sometimes we will call a timeout to go over a shot, as well.

Without fail, every single time we discuss things with him, he tells us that we can't understand or give him advice as the game is drastically different between right and left handed players as the cue ball doesn't react the same. At first, I thought he was joking. But, he really isn't. Last night, he was on the 8 with this shot:

He called a bank to the lower right corner by the 7. My teammate and I both called a timeout to see what his thought process was. Since he is left handed, the cut to the upper left seemed like the obvious shot to both of us, but alas, "that's not a good shot for a lefty!"

At this point I'm just content to let him go on believing what he wants as trying to talk about it gets us nowhere. He's an ok player at 470 Fargo with around 2200 games.

 

[Fore Rail]

I'm a lefty would be cutting that 8 ball every time.

 

[skor]

I'm a lefty would be cutting that 8 ball every time.

Same here

 

[7stud]

How good is he at banking? The 7-ball makes it a big pocket. And, if he hits the bank at pocket speed and misses, the 8-ball could be a pocket blocker.

 

[JABSolstice]

How good is he at banking? The 7-ball makes it a big pocket. And, if he hits the bank at pocket speed and misses, the 8-ball could be a pocket blocker.

In general, not great.

He missed it short by 3/4 of a diamond. On a 7 footer.

 

[dquarasr]

He's daft. Aside from ability to reach a particular shot, there is no difference in how a CB reacts between a righty and a lefty. The shot you diagrammed is actually easier to cut in because it's easier to reach for a lefty.

 

[straightline]

Com gap more'n' likely. Looks like the bar rule: If it's not straight in, the bank is better.

 

[The Old Jaybird]

I'm a lefty, when I started I had a heck of a time finding a left-handed cue that worked for me.

 

[SmoothStroke]

I would cut that in lefty or righty.
It’s not extreme and not a big stretch.
Just about a routine 14.1 break shot.
I wouldn’t think twice about it.
Back cuts can seem impossible to a 400 player until someone shows them it’s not that tough and they gain confidence.
Did he make the bank?

 

[Texas Carom Club]

im a lefty that shoots righty and id cut that 8 in the corner nearest to it everytime

but thats what you get playing in leagues
which im happy to not do ever again

 

[gregcantrall]

The mechanics of the stroke are the same. However different sides of the brain control each hand. The right hand is the analytical side and the left is the creative side.
So I can understand a Lefty getting creative with excuses.
Since I have trained and shoot equal with either hand, I have hands on experience. When shooting Right handed my approach is by the numbers. When Lefty holds the cue it's more uh....just feeling the shot.
I flash back to a conversation I had with my league team captain when I asked for coaching on the 8 ball. I wasn't sure if the cut shot could scratch and considering the bank. It was the case game for the league title. My coach couldn't be sure of the potential scratch with the cut. His question to me then was, "Can you Feel the bank?" I smiled and replied, " One way to find out!"
"Eight ball cross corner. " Was my call and pow splat we won the league trophy .
My experience is that Lefty feels em and the right hand measures em. Both methods work. As long as the execution is there.

 

[JABSolstice]

Did he make the bank?

No.

 

[book collector]

I'm not so sure the 7 makes it an easier shot. You have to aim to miss it, to have a chance of making it, I never want to do that if I can help it.

 

[MitchAlsup]

When observing and giving feedback to a person such as Bob and receiving push back in the form of "you don't
see it from the left hand side like I do"; I take the 2 balls (8 and Cue) and move them around the table such that
the angle of the CB to OB to pocket remains the same but the table "presents itself" differently. Most quickly figure
out that it is all in their head--and soon move forward.

 

[Lawnboy77]

I agree with all that cutting the 8 in the corner is a much better option. Your are probably not going to change his mind about shot selection though. Just flow with it and he will come around on his own.