Combos

I'm surprised the transfered english hasn't been mentioned...

This is certainly crucial to understand for frozen or nearly frozen combos. take a look at my post here if you want to know more about frozen combos.

But transfered english also comes into play for a combo where the balls are a ball apart or so. You have to think about which way you are cutting the first ball (which applies english to that first ball) and compensate the cut a little to make up for it.

Its really a lot like the compensations you need to make for transfered english when cutting a bank shot - minor but crucial!

Jon
 

CueTable Help



Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
-The cueball will impart right english on the "2ball"
-It acts like the 2ball has inside english when cutting the 1 ball, so it'll undercut the 1ball if you use the ghostball ideal aim.
-one solution is to use a tiny bit of outside english on the cueball to counteract the imparted english
-another solution is to slightly overcut the 2 ball
 
uwate said:
One tip I have seen and tried myself is when you shoot a combo, try standing up a bit more erect than normal. A good shooter told me that once and I found it works somewhat as it allows you to sight the line needed for the combo easier.
Click to expand...

This is definitely a good tip, and one that I also use for normal shots when the object ball is very close to the cue ball. A higher vantage point makes it much easier to see the angel.

I have found that no matter how carefully I aim for combos, that I almost always overcut. Now I always force myself to aim with less angle and I'm starting to make these shots more.

Tom
 
I am usually average at combos and play to avoid them. Sometimes I get into a zone, though, and I can see them as easily as any other shot. I mean I could pick out the part of the pocket I'd want to hit and do it effortlessly. That zone is a very rare mental occurrence, though. I can't tell you how to do it, but I will say that it wasn't the usual deliberate, studied approach. I think all the great combo shooters I've seen are like that. They don't take their time and study something. They are just locked in and see it happening.

One thing I have noticed is that, when lining up combos, people tend to pick the spot on the 1st OB and line the center of the QB up with it. That's a mistake when it's not straight on. If you're cutting a ball, the middle of the CB is not where the OB is going to be contacted. Doing this often leads to poor confidence because it doesn't look right and over-doing the adjustment leading to a an over-cut and poor stroke.
 
This method works as well as any for me also. I Address the 1st ball as if it were the cue ball & look thru the shot to a spot on the rail. This gives me an aiming point I can relate to and makes it easier for me to visualize the shot.

I still avoid combos if at all possible.
 
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