Curiosity has me asking ...

[Cornerman]

If they have to shoot harder to make the QB get around four or five rails or put english/spin on it that raises the percentage of a miss or poor position. Good players want to only use running or natural english and stop shots.

I used to think this. But, after spending so much time around the players at Derby City Classic, I know this isn't true. I think 9-ball might make it seem like that, but with the other games, you'll see the top players using every type of english at all speeds.

Fred

 

[Cornerman]

Is it only me or are there others who don't concern themselves with things such as deflection?

You're not alone. But, then again, until we had the internet, there wasn't a lot of cross-talk about deflection. First person I heard about deflection who really stressed the importance of understanding it was Grady Matthews. So, I think all pros actually do think about it or at least acknowledge it.

BTW, if you don't concern yourself with deflection, what do you concern yourself with? Silly things like throw and swerve?

Fred

 

[3andstop]

I don't think I even heard of delfection before I came on AZ or they started selling shafts to cut down on it.

The main reason you see a pro get all p/o when he gets a little out of position is not that he can't make the shot. It's because he has to put something on the QB to make the ball and get back in position for the rest of the run. If they have to shoot harder to make the QB get around four or five rails or put english/spin on it that raises the percentage of a miss or poor position. Good players want to only use running or natural english and stop shots.

I used an open brige all but the last few years of quiting. My shaft was thick and very stiff. I felt if I kept a good tip on it that was good enough. I've had nights over the years where I hardly ever missed a shot or got out of position and other night when I couldn't run five balls. Where did the defleciton go on my good night? After you get up the ladder to a B or B+ player it's mostly mental from there on. Johnnyt

That's pretty much the way I've always looked at it too Johnny.

Not to mention, I thought the longer pro taper on whippy shafts by definition deflected less, since the shaft themselves are what bends and absorbs, so I always wrote the whole thing off in the past as figuring I was covered anyway with these old shafts if in fact it did matter.

Either way, I'm used to what I've played with for many yrs, and it is reassuring that I've not been completely alone and/or mistaken in my lack of interest to these specialized shafts.

 

[Cornerman]

That's pretty much the way I've always looked at it too Johnny.

Not to mention, I thought the longer pro taper on whippy shafts by definition deflected less, since the shaft themselves are what bends and absorbs, so I always wrote the whole thing off in the past as figuring I was covered anyway with these old shafts if in fact it did matter.

By most tests, pro taper and shaft whippiness don't really factor in when talking about cue ball deflection (squirt).

Either way, I'm used to what I've played with for many yrs, and it is reassuring that I've not been completely alone and/or mistaken in my lack of interest to these specialized shafts.

I thought your post was about cue ball deflection, not about specializd shafts. Plenty of us don't use the specialized shafts, but still concern ourselves with cue ball deflection. A lot of us call it "squirt" as to not confuse it with "shaft deflection."


Fred

 

[MinoInADixeCup]

I can't say that I ever think about it when I'm shooting. I figure my brain knows how to deal with deflection after the thousands of balls I've made over the years.

If I'm putting a lot of spin on the cue ball then when I get down on the shot, it's either going to feel right or it's going to feel wrong. If it feels wrong but looks right, I assume that's my unconscious mind screaming "YOU HAVEN'T COMPENSATED FOR DEFELCTION, STOP!!!!!" Or something to that effect.

 

[worriedbeef]

In reference to the term "deflection" I assumed it is referring to the CB deflecting, but as I mentioned, I never looked into it to know for sure if it is CB or CShaft. If I was ever told in the past, I'm embarrassed to say I've forgotten.

the terminology is also quite confusing sometimes if you're not completely clear about what it all means.

low deflection shafts technically speaking are incorrectly named. they should be called high deflection shafts or low squirt shafts.

simply because the shaft is bending, (deflecting), away from the cue ball upon impact, rather than the shaft staying stiff and bunting the cue ball off line.

however the phrase 'low defletion' has stuck and it's what used. 'low squirt', or even, 'high deflection', isn't as catchy i suppose.

 

[mullyman]

It's the Indian not the Arrow. There is not such thing as a magic shaft or cue, that pull it of the box and its going to make you shot 3 balls better.

Amen.
MULLY

 

[3andstop]

the terminology is also quite confusing sometimes if you're not completely clear about what it all means.

low deflection shafts technically speaking are incorrectly named. they should be called high deflection shafts or low squirt shafts.

simply because the shaft is bending, (deflecting), away from the cue ball upon impact, rather than the shaft staying stiff and bunting the cue ball off line.

however the phrase 'low defletion' has stuck and it's what used. 'low squirt', or even, 'high deflection', isn't as catchy i suppose.

Now that makes sense! Thanks, at least I can understand a bit more of what I'm reading without scratching my head and thinking, what the terms refer to.

 

[pooltchr]

the terminology is also quite confusing sometimes if you're not completely clear about what it all means.

low deflection shafts technically speaking are incorrectly named. they should be called high deflection shafts or low squirt shafts.

simply because the shaft is bending, (deflecting), away from the cue ball upon impact, rather than the shaft staying stiff and bunting the cue ball off line.

however the phrase 'low defletion' has stuck and it's what used. 'low squirt', or even, 'high deflection', isn't as catchy i suppose.

This post should be required reading for everyone who ever gets into a discussion about deflection. Good Job!!!
Steve