Breakthrough

[nataddrho]

I made another big jump in my billiards game. I started to approach each shot by thinking about how the line will bend using top and speed, rather than thinking about tangent lines. It seems to be a more natural way to find solutions since balls will always end up rolling (as opposed to sliding). This is a bit of a dynamic feel that needs table time to learn and I can’t explain any systems, but I jumped way up in accuracy, especially with 1c. Something to think about for other aspiring players, if this helps. I am about a 0.7 average now.

If this is obvious, it was never explained to me, I needed to discover it for myself.

 

[Bert van Manen]

Good for you!

 

[Texas3cushion]

It's not obvious but playing natural ball path is definitely something taught in the carom world.

Mostly because if you're always forcing angles you never have a neutral reference. In other words, your reference isn't as accurate as it could be.

 

[mr3cushion]

A player should never fight against the 'Natural Angle' into the OB to just score a point!

When playing 'Position' in 3C there will be times to 'Alter the angle into the OB and maybe into the 1st cushion to control the CB's effect/speed' and the finishing position of the OB for the next shot to continue a run/series.

BTW, the most 'Natural/Pure' hit/contact on the OB is a 'Half Ball' hit.

Here is an example of, 'Half Ball Position Shots' from my book/DVD, "The Concise Book of Position Play".

Playing Half-Ball Position Shots​

Now to some common game positions that can utilize half-ball hits to yield good position for your next shot. Diagram 2 is a fairly simple short-angle shot off the inside of the first ball. But it's the combination of 11 O’clock English and a half-ball hit with the resultant speed that brings the first ball to the position shown.

 

[Black-Balled]

This half ball thing...I regret to inform you pool players...is crucial and highly effective.

I feel like I've approached shots as a result of contact point and doing so effectively means there are infinite possibilities for a contact point of a given shot.

There doesn't have to be though. There are so many shots where scoring contact is 0, 1,2, or 3 tips of English and they all use the half ball hit.

 

[mr3cushion]

This half ball thing...I regret to inform you pool players...is crucial and highly effective.

I feel like I've approached shots as a result of contact point and doing so effectively means there are infinite possibilities for a contact point of a given shot.

There doesn't have to be though. There are so many shots where scoring contact is 0, 1,2, or 3 tips of English and they all use the half ball hit.

That's why I created this 'Common Sense' Aiming System for Half Ball hits with or without effect (English).

 

[Black-Balled]

That's why I created this 'Common Sense' Aiming System for Half Ball hits with or without effect (English).

View attachment 808884

I'm sure I didn't get my point across perfectly- I barely understand those silly balls.

It has been a hard lesson for me to learn to get down on a shot and not be concerned with the same thing I am on a pool table.

Being able to implement that half ball stuff is powerful.

 

[nataddrho]

I suppose what I was originally trying to say was, though I understand half ball hits very well, thinking about how the cue ball bends its path with different amounts of top and speed, seems to help me a lot, compared to thinking about straight lines to the rail, as shown in the diagrams above.

In other words, even shots with natural angles bend a tiny bit. I think it is helpful to be conscious of.

 

[mr3cushion]

I suppose what I was originally trying to say was, though I understand half ball hits very well, thinking about how the cue ball bends its path with different amounts of top and speed, seems to help me a lot, compared to thinking about straight lines to the rail, as shown in the diagrams above.

In other words, even shots with natural angles bend a tiny bit. I think it is helpful to be conscious of.

Purposely trying to 'Bend/Create' angles that are not there or necessary will only make the game more difficult down the road!

Playing a shot, 'Short angle' shot that requires a 'half ball' hit and only applying 'Make speed' and applying 'Horizontal line English (3 or 9 O'clock English, the CB WILL NOT BEND!

Especially of the 'Outside of the OB'!

 

[nataddrho]

Purposely trying to 'Bend/Create' angles that are not there or necessary will only make the game more difficult down the road!

Playing a shot, 'Short angle' shot that requires a 'half ball' hit and only applying 'Make speed' and applying 'Horizontal line English (3 or 9 O'clock English, the CB WILL NOT BEND!

Especially of the 'Outside of the OB'!

I don’t know why you are using so many exclamation points. Anything hit with stun (which requires a tiny bit below the equator due to the friction of the cloth and distance to the ball) will leave on the tangent line. All other options will bend forward or backwards even if it is small. You absolutely must know what I am talking about because you used to be a high level player. I am not talking about creating bends. I am talking about being aware that they exist.

 

[mr3cushion]

I don’t know why you are using so many exclamation points. Anything hit with stun (which requires a tiny bit below the equator due to the friction of the cloth and distance to the ball) will leave on the tangent line. All other options will bend forward or backwards even if it is small. You absolutely must know what I am talking about because you used to be a high level player. I am not talking about creating bends. I am talking about being aware that they exist.

I'll start using BOLD text instead!

Do You Not understand what, 3 or 9 O'clock English is!

How is it applied?

This is Your Very first paragraph! "I made another big jump in my billiards game. I started to approach each shot by thinking about how the line will bend using top and speed, rather than thinking about tangent lines."

So, You made a 'Big jump' just by 'thinking about the CB bending with Follow & Speed'!

I would love to learn that 'Telepathy' to improve!

I'm just about 80 in age, You made a 'Jump' to 0.700.

I would still play You or Anyone else that averages 0.700!

For the CASH!

BTW, you must have received a PM from a Broke Down NL low level player!

 

[nataddrho]

I'll start using BOLD text instead!

Do You Not understand what, 3 or 9 O'clock English is!

How is it applied?

This is Your Very first paragraph! "I made another big jump in my billiards game. I started to approach each shot by thinking about how the line will bend using top and speed, rather than thinking about tangent lines."

So, You made a 'Big jump' just by 'thinking about the CB bending with Follow & Speed'!

I would love to learn that 'Telepathy' to improve!

I'm just about 80 in age, You made a 'Jump' to 0.700.

I would still play You or Anyone else that averages 0.700!

For the CASH!

BTW, you must have received a PM from a Broke Down NL low level player!

OK... I was showing my enthusiasm for learning.

I purchased your material last year. It has many good examples of position play, and I plan on practicing it a bit more.

That is where it will end with you. I had a few more questions that I was thinking of discussing with you, but your online personality is combative and obtuse. You are completely full of yourself and may or may not realize how you come off. I do not think I am the only one who feels that your presence diminishes the camaraderie that sets this game apart.

Please look inward and try to find peace before it is too late. God bless.

 

[mr3cushion]

OK... I was showing my enthusiasm for learning.

I purchased your material last year. It has many good examples of position play, and I plan on practicing it a bit more.

That is where it will end with you. I had a few more questions that I was thinking of discussing with you, but your online personality is combative and obtuse. You are completely full of yourself and may or may not realize how you come off. I do not think I am the only one who feels that your presence diminishes the camaraderie that sets this game apart.

Please look inward and try to find peace before it is too late. God bless.

I've always dealt in facts not bs.

 

[nataddrho]

Here’s a good example of what I mean. This was a soft shot. Thinking about how the ball bends after contact rather than thinking about straight tangent lines as usually discussed seems to help me be more accurate.