do predator shafts bank waaaaaay different??

DJordan816

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I recently switched to a predator shaft about six weeks ago. I've always played with traditional shafts but decided to give LD shafts a try. I must say I'm pocketing balls more consistently however my banking is terrible now. Seems almost all my banks are coming up short now and all the "trick" banks with a lot of spin are almost impossible? Is it the shaft or just me? I also have a players hxt LD shaft and don't have this problem with it however the predator shaft deflects significantly less.
 
I recently switched to a predator shaft about six weeks ago. I've always played with traditional shafts but decided to give LD shafts a try. I must say I'm pocketing balls more consistently however my banking is terrible now. Seems almost all my banks are coming up short now and all the "trick" banks with a lot of spin are almost impossible? Is it the shaft or just me? I also have a players hxt LD shaft and don't have this problem with it however the predator shaft deflects significantly less.

Not the shaft, its you. Youre used to allowing for a certain amount of squirt when aiming your banks, and the predator doesnt squirt the cueball as much.
Some banking systems being sold are based on squirt as the main component, and while yes you CAN play that way, you just found out what happens if you switch cues while counting on that type of alignment/aim.

Stick with it, the shots are still there, youll have to relearn how to aim them. Thats why I was so resistant to ld shafts for the longest time, but once I said F it, and decided to relearn my alignments, I much prefer predator shafts.
 
It is not the cue it's you

I got a suggestion for you. Next time you are at a pool table hit 100 banks shots of a similar angle in a row. Next time hit another 100 from a different angle. Then hit another 100 from a different angle. After that you may never miss another bank again.
 
Like chuck said, there will be an adjustment period. Some shots that used to be difficult will be easier with lower deflection, the shots that you were good at due to adjusting for high deflection will now need to be Re learned. It took me a couple weeks of regular play to adjust myself. Practice time was key. You know what shots you are missing that you normally wouldn't. Take a few hours and set them up over and over. When you see what side you are missing on, adjust accordingly and repeat until it becomes second nature again.

From how you describe the trouble it sounds like you add side spin to bank shots even if you don't realize it. If you are hitting dead center on the cueball it should be the same predator or no predator.

Hope that makes sense.
 
I switched to a 314-3 from a schon shaft and having same problem. How do you a just long table ( one pocket) type shots? I usually bank with outside English and pocket speed. I found this out yesterday gambling by using 2 cues. 314-3 for playing and went to old shaft for banks and didn't miss.
 
Over cut it and use a little inside to hold it up, makes the pocket play bigger too.
As far as aiming the banks with a LD shaft, the best advice I have is to go back to your geometric banking point with no english, then add a little outside and play with the speed and spin until it starts feeling natural again.
For people who use 'tips of english' type systems whether its inside or outside, a LD shaft will throw you for a loop until you concede and go back to basics a little bit.
 
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