Is it possible to hit the cueball in the center with a rounded tip?
unknownpro
unknownpro
center ball
- Thread starter unknownpro
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When you hit a stop shot and the cueball stops dead without a trace of spin, I think you've hit center ball, so yes it's possible. Why wouldn't it be?
technically speaking, no. The center of the ball is in the core of the ball. It is possible to hit the surface of the cue ball in a direct line aiming toward the center of the ball. What we commonly refer to as center ball, is determined based on the direction the cue stick is lined up and moving when we make contact.
Steve
Steve
randyg said:
I think this is what evolves into some miss-leading posts. Some say, as I do, if hitting draw with no English that you are not hitting center in fact low or how low is being expressed. Some say low is not an "English", rather left and right are and I agree. This in itself is confusing to many because we really do not understand each other as a result.
I.E. back in the conversation with side spin transferring. I used the term left English and some thought that high left English counted as left. These two are different and the OB reacts differently and so does the CB.
If someone states to used left English, I assume middle left. Likewise if someone states to use middle ball, then centerball is assumed. Using the term "Vertical" is unnecessary though I understand you use it for clarity.
Maybe you can express what terms make the most sense.
to me:
Middle = Center
Left = middle left
Right= middle right
Top = vertical center top
low = vertical center low
Any variances are stated by combining above and then emphasizing the amount used.
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Thanks
(I agree with poolchr that it is impossible to hit the center of the CB because the center is protected by the outside layers.)
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ceebee said:
I like both. Gregg and CEEBEE's points combined make it clear.
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ceebee said:
The easiest, most basic form of this clock face is used throughout Ray Martin's "99 Critical shots" book.
We should, from here on out, blast anybody who tries to attempt to discuss any type if cue ball spin. Correct them immediately, and chastise them until they do it!
The problem arises in discussions where people are saying that "you will play better if you use center ball". Of course what they mean to say is "you will play better if you avoid using english (side spin)". But when they say center ball someone inevitably thinks they mean no side spin, draw of follow. Then they say "you've got to be kidding". And the misunderstanding continues.
This has been going around in here for a long time and the general consensus is that center ball is understood to mean 'no english' with no reference to draw or follow. So you can hit center ball anywhere on the vertical line of the center of the cue ball. So it seems we need to specify if we mean no vertical or horizontal deviation.
This has been going around in here for a long time and the general consensus is that center ball is understood to mean 'no english' with no reference to draw or follow. So you can hit center ball anywhere on the vertical line of the center of the cue ball. So it seems we need to specify if we mean no vertical or horizontal deviation.
Why would it be possible? I hit the side-spinning stop shot and see no throw or sideways cueball movement. But it's always there in some amount according to physics if you measure closely enough. So how can you know you are not getting any sidespin or throw on a center ball hit. Can you not always get closer to the center if you keep measuring? So who can say they hit the exact center unless they have a completely flat tip?cuetechasaurus said:
unknownpro
unknownpro said:
You can hit the center of the ball but you cannot hit the ball in the center.
That is Ginky's argument. He says he doesn't believe in centerball, because when we think we are contacting the cueball dead center, we really aren't if we get down to a microscopic level. So he advocates using a trace of sidespin almost every shot. And that means a TRACE. That way you at least know which effect you're going to get on both the cueball and object ball.unknownpro said:
BTW, this is second-hand info. Don't want people going around quoting me on this.
I'm not up on this stuff so I could be wrong, but I think the angular momentum of the cueball can only assume discrete states. If so, it should be theoretically possible to hit in such a way that it will have no spin for a very brief period of time after leaving the tip. But even in a vacuum I suspect it would pick up some spin through interaction with the vacuum shortly thereafter. And all this assumes you can come up with a consensus on what "leaving the tip" actually means.unknownpro said:
I think you need to consult with an ancient greek or modern physicist for a more definite answer. But I think Cuetechasaurus' answer was reasonable. How small a spin do you really need to achieve?
Jim