is there a "best" way to shoot this shot?

evergruven · Dec 31, 2019

and others like it, I spose
let me give you all some background
I recently figured out that instead of hitting further out on the cue ball
and really spinning it into position
I could achieve more or less the same effect by hitting closer to center cue
but harder
there are exceptions, of course
but in general this seems like a "safer," more reliable way to play
I feel like maybe better players play this way, but I'm not sure
thoughts?

this shot came up tonight
(edit: I set this up after I already hit the shot..I think the angle's not big enough..imagine the cue ball obscures the stripe more)
I couldn't get a good look at the whole table with my camera
but imagine I'm trying to get to another ball uptable, centered, about a diamond up from the short rail
the cue ball you see is sitting at an amenable angle on the stripe, to get to that ball
now I could easily get uptable both by rolling the cue ball with outside english
and
by hitting the cue ball closer to center, but harder
my question is
how would you hit it?
and for the sake of conversation, say you're equally comfortable shooting either way
is one way "better" than the other? and if so, why?

goettlicher · Dec 31, 2019

"Where" is position?

randyg

FranCrimi · Dec 31, 2019

Well, aside from personal preference, you should also consider the following:

1.) Pocketing speed: At what speed the pocket will no longer accept the shot. For example, the pocket gets smaller for shots closer to the rail.

2.) The distance between the cb and ob. It will require more speed over distance to keep the cb sliding or at least slide for a bit to get the desired effect of hitting near the center.

As for how I would shoot the shot, I would have to be standing over it at the table and to see my position options to decide which way I'd go. I use both ways you described.

Bob Jewett · Dec 31, 2019

evergruven said:
... this shot came up tonight
(edit: I set this up after I already hit the shot..I think the angle's not big enough..imagine the cue ball obscures the stripe more)
...

If you want an accurate answer, it is better to ask an accurate question. It is very hard to tell what you are trying to do from that picture. Here is a nice diagramming tool:

https://pad.chalkysticks.com/

or just take pictures that show the entire shot somehow.

Patrick Johnson · Dec 31, 2019

Hitting harder with less/no spin:
- increases the CB's carom angle (sorry, Fran) off the OB
- increases the CB's contact-induced spin

- reduces aiming errors caused by squirt/swerve
- increases stroke errors caused by speed
- makes it harder to control the amount of spin.

Hitting softer with some/more spin:
- doesn't change the "rolling CB" carom angle
- increases spin "manually"

- increases aiming errors caused by squirt/swerve
- reduces stroke errors caused by speed
- makes it easier to control the amount of spin

Which tradeoff do you like better?

pj
chgo

evergruven · Jan 1, 2020

Bob Jewett said:
If you want an accurate answer, it is better to ask an accurate question. It is very hard to tell what you are trying to do from that picture. Here is a nice diagramming tool:

https://pad.chalkysticks.com/

or just take pictures that show the entire shot somehow.

thanks bob..that's a neat tool
I tried to duplicate the shot from memory
but I just couldn't get it right
it was a very specific layout that had me thinking one way or the other
usually the "right" way for me appears more clearly
that's why this particular layout inspired me to post
but forget I said anything about a specific shot
I don't want to get hung up on that
I'm more interested in "conceptually"
and thanks pat for making a meal out of bones
not sure I agree with all of it
but I'm thinking carefully about your points
thanks again for the replies

is there a "best" way to shoot this shot?

evergruven

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