Seeing the contact point on the object ball.
- Thread starter jimstone
- Start date
Just in case you need to know, here is a link to Ron Shepherd’s “ Amateur Physics for the Amateur Pool Player”
www.sfbilliards.com/Misc/Shepard_apapp.pdf
www.sfbilliards.com/Misc/Shepard_apapp.pdf
Pool is ALL about (fairly simple) physics - not knowing that just means it takes you longer to learn to use it effectively.
pj
chgo
pj
chgo
Without physics you'd look pretty dumb playin' pool.
Did you have to??
I had a class in college called 'Spherical collision and rotation' got me hooked. Used billiard balls frequently in demos.I agree completely that you don't have to have an understanding of the science of physics or be able to explain exactly what is going on with the motions of balls on the table in pool to play at a top level. I am pretty sure that Strickland, Archer et al did not take physics in school. But the balls, cloth, cushions and forces involved don't care whether you understand the science of physics, you are using applied physics to manipulate the behavior of the balls whether you realize it or not, and that is what I meant. But IME the more you know about what is going on with the physics involved before you step up to the table for the first time, the quicker the learning goes. Otherwise you are going to need to hit more balls to figure it out.
It was no accident that my first physics instructor used billiard balls to demonstrate Newton's laws, tangent line, etc. I was only playing occasionally in a friends basement at that time and not very good at it. When it came to learning to play while in college, I very quickly improved because I applied what I had learned in physics class
You need to take up that argument with Dr. Dave...
Here's just one example...
Bank and Kick Physics Effects - Dr. Dave Pool Info
Answers to frequently-asked questions about bank and kick shot physics effects.drdavepoolinfo.com
Had a class called 'Spherical collision and rotation' that used billiard balls frequently in demos. Got me hooked.I agree completely that you don't have to have an understanding of the science of physics or be able to explain exactly what is going on with the motions of balls on the table in pool to play at a top level. I am pretty sure that Strickland, Archer et al did not take physics in school. But the balls, cloth, cushions and forces involved don't care whether you understand the science of physics, you are using applied physics to manipulate the behavior of the balls whether you realize it or not, and that is what I meant. But IME the more you know about what is going on with the physics involved before you step up to the table for the first time, the quicker the learning goes. Otherwise you are going to need to hit more balls to figure it out.
It was no accident that my first physics instructor used billiard balls to demonstrate Newton's laws, tangent line, etc. I was only playing occasionally in a friends basement at that time and not very good at it. When it came to learning to play while in college, I very quickly improved because I applied what I had learned in physics class
You need to take up that argument with Dr. Dave...
Here's just one example...
Bank and Kick Physics Effects - Dr. Dave Pool Info
Answers to frequently-asked questions about bank and kick shot physics effects.
Definitely, since pool wouldn’t exist. I manage to look pretty dumb anyway.
pj
chgo
My question is once you are confident of OB contact point, do you shoot the CB with center ball aiming the cue tip directly at the contact point or aim the edge/contact point on the CB at the contact point? Elementary or intuitive I'm sure to good players.
Belief is everything.
Can't be having them sudden stops.Did you have to??
Generally, you should connect the two contact points. In some cases, you can aim directly (CB center) to the contact point (assuming farthest spot from pocket, opposite side on target ball), but not always. The contact-point-to-contact-point is the geometrically desired, "center-pocket" aim, but there is also 'throw' to contend with. However, if you have a fairly consistent, baseline result in your shots, then you can learn to compensate for speed/spin differences.
The point-to-point aiming is to offset for the curvature of the balls, which is not considered when aiming center-CB to OB-contact point. The offset is compensated for in other aiming systems, such as using the "side of the cue (ferrule)" type of alignment, which moves the centerline of the cuestick over for the necessary offset. For Ghostball, the offset is achieved by aiming at where the centerline of the ghostball touches the cloth. For fractional aiming, there isn't really a calculation for offset, as the specific cut-angles are "burnt in" by practice, and more/less cut angle is determined by experience.
I learned to offset by aiming (CB) centerball (to *assumed aimpoint to make the ball*), seeing that I missed, and then began to move my aimpoint to compensate *to the pocket*. I have other ways to determine cut angles now, but that was how I began to focus on *making the cue ball hit the "outside" of the target/object ball*.
If you do it right, you will have the stick line. Period. This will be the default of the shot. Backhand english will suffice on the majority of shots to the degree you may have to go looking for instances of fronthand and other applications of english.
Important to note is BHE should be pivot only. You just have to trust that you are no longer aiming.
The execution part; at some point you just have to get in the car and develop a feel for parking and unparking and generally staying oriented and centered in traffic. Lotta ands...
Cue ball center towards the contact point hits the object ball twice as full as needed. I hope this is obvious to all.