Avoiding Center Cue Ball

[dr_dave]

I find it surprising that any experienced player is not aware that you get more throw on a cut shot with a stunned CB compared to a naturally rolling CB. (EDIT...there was once a time where I thought the opposite was true, and it is documented somewhere in this forum, but I was no where near an "experienced" player then...nor do I really consider myself an "experienced" player now. )

Anyway, let me link you to one of Dr. Dave's most informative papers...

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/pool/technical_proofs/new/TP_A-28.pdf

Compare the graphs with PEr = 0% (sliding CB) with the graphs with PEr = 100% (fully rolling CB).

For people who don't like math and physics (i.e., probably most people in the world), my October '06 article might be more interesting and readable.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Angle Detective]

I played again today and tried just picking a side and shooting straight without the swoop. It works, but for me the best things seem to happen when I line up ever so slightly thick on most shots and swoop outwards to spin the object ball in.

I think it works for me for two reasons.

One, for most shots, the contact point can be what you line up to before the swoop. Then the swoop automatically sends the cueball away from the contact point, sort of "doubling the distance" from center object ball.

And two, on most shots, you're helping to get the object ball rolling properly towards the pocket. I'm beginning to notice that the way the object ball rolls (the spin it has on it) can be a major cause of balls rattling pockets. But if you help the ball roll pocketwards with outside english, you improve your chances of pocketing balls.

 

[Angle Detective]

About the first post, though, Hogan's theory is only valid because it's so easy to make a bad slice when attempting a straight shot in golf. Playing for a draw and working your swing to ensure the in-to-out clubhead release is a reliable way to avoid the slice. It's a more consistent approach than trying for a dead straight swing and suffering the ugly consequences if you come over the top a little or don't get the clubface closed.
-Andrew

Strictly golfingly speaking, I think it's more than just avoiding a slice. Hogan, probably the best ball striker in history, had the occasional wicked hook in his early pro career. He used to refer to it as a snake in his pocket. It's often the good players that get bad hooks. I'm pretty sure his idea about not hitting straight shots was about knowing which way the ball was going to bend.

Jack Nicklaus, a fader, used to feel as though he was playing up against a wall on the left side of the golf course. It simplified the game by knowing the bend of the ball. The only person I know of that used to hit dead straight was an anomaly by the name of Moe Norman. He had an unusual, but very effective, golf swing that extended way down the line through impact.

Whether it applies to pool or not, I don't know. I feel it does. I see the pros doing it all the time. Why? I feel why, but I don't know for sure.

By the way, one of the greatest putters in history was Ben Crenshaw. He practically hooked his putts. Not really, but he swung the putter from inside out. Bobby Locke was another great putter who did something similar.

 

[av84fun]

I was responding to bluepepper's idea. He doesn't seem to take automatic offense at small differences of opinion.

pj
chgo

No you weren't. Your post immediately followed mine and he never used the 1/16 tip analogy...I did.

And I learned to take offense at small differences of opinion from you.

Finally, if you would learn to quote including the name of the person you are quoting, you would avoid such misunderstandings as this.

Regards,
Jim

 

[av84fun]

I find it surprising that any experienced player is not aware that you get more throw on a cut shot with a stunned CB compared to a naturally rolling CB. (EDIT...there was once a time where I thought the opposite was true, and it is documented somewhere in this forum, but I was no where near an "experienced" player then...nor do I really consider myself an "experienced" player now. )

Anyway, let me link you to one of Dr. Dave's most informative papers...

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/pool/technical_proofs/new/TP_A-28.pdf

Compare the graphs with PEr = 0% (sliding CB) with the graphs with PEr = 100% (fully rolling CB).

Sorry to disappoint you in that I don't know everything there is to know about the game. (-:

I guess I don't play stun that often on shots of sufficient length such that the throw angle difference would cause a miss

Regards,
Jim

 

[SpiderWebComm]

If you're thinking about anything at all while you're playing, you're probably not playing well. I can count the number of times I've worried about throw when pocketing individual balls on one hand over the past month -- and I stun the CB a LOT.

I think people get too carried away with the why's and their mind's tick on these things when they play... which is why many can't play.

I used to have an active mind while playing and Joe Tucker gave me some of the best advice I ever received in pool.... just play.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I was responding to bluepepper's idea.

No you weren't. Your post immediately followed mine and he never used the 1/16 tip analogy...I did.

LOL. Neither did I; I said 1/16 inch. The fact is I still haven't read your post, Jim. I hardly read any of them. But believe whatever makes you feel better.

pj
chgo

 

[Angle Detective]

If you're thinking about anything at all while you're playing, you're probably not playing well. .

I'd agree with that Dave. I play best when I just let it happen. That said, I don't play as well as I want to be able to play, so there's a learning curve that I believe one has to go through where thinking is appropriate.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

I'd agree with that Dave. I play best when I just let it happen. That said, I don't play as well as I want to be able to play, so there's a learning curve that I believe one has to go through where thinking is appropriate.

How well do you play? Maybe you're focusing on the wrong stuff.

 

[av84fun]

If you're thinking about anything at all while you're playing, you're probably not playing well. I can count the number of times I've worried about throw when pocketing individual balls on one hand over the past month -- and I stun the CB a LOT.

I think people get too carried away with the why's and their mind's tick on these things when they play... which is why many can't play.

I used to have an active mind while playing and Joe Tucker gave me some of the best advice I ever received in pool.... just play.

Right. I tried shooting pool with a slide rule once and couldn't make a ball. Maybe I was stunning 'em too much. Ya think???

(-:

 

[Angle Detective]

How well do you play? Maybe you're focusing on the wrong stuff.

My straight pool high run is around 60. I think what I need right now is a consistent way of aiming that would give me the confidence that the ball I'm about to shoot is going in. I control my cueball pretty well. Since I only play straight pool, recognizing patterns is important, but I'm seeing them fine now. What I feel is keeping me from the 100 ball runs is the lack of a solid aiming routine. I miss easy shots too often because I'm relying on instinct and my instinct lets me down. I may have spread myself too thin with aiming techniques. I really should just stick to one and practice that one to death.