This matches my understanding
Does the degree of difficulty really change ?
- Thread starter alphadog
- Start date
So…
Running applies to rail only
Outside applies to ball only
- even though they’re the same surface-to-surface rubbing dynamic?
pj
chgo
Yes. You can have:
outside and running
outside and reverse
inside and running
inside and reverse
And, as I mentioned, for a particular shot, inside might be either running or reverse depending on whether you use follow or draw (or stun).
Exactly how I recall things, running english only applies to how contact with a rail affects the cue ball's path.
Dealing with the OP's question, he needs to do a little reprogramming on his brain. Outside english is harder for him because he has decided it is. He can as easily decide it is easier, just some mental gymnastics involved. Outside english is more honest in this case, the object ball will be mostly affected by hit angle without the affects of spin or throw changing the angle of the object ball's path.
With outside spin I would ignore the effects of spin and focus on the hit angle. With inside spin on this shot I would compensate for spin when striking the cue ball.
I had the idea that inside english was harder to pocket balls with a few years after I started playing pool. I deliberately round filed that idea and a few more I held that were holding my game back. Once I quit dodging "difficult" shots as generic groups I found that they didn't exist or the degree of difficulty wasn't that greatly increased. My skill level in a tournament opponent's mind greatly increased when I casually backcut a ball early in our match. The keys to back cutting balls are simply to find your spot on the object ball and hit it. If it is a significant backcut I always take a quick walk to get a closer look before shooting the shot.
A little derailment but hopefully some helpful advice. Throw out the idea of hard and easy categories of shots. This is something lurking between your ears more than fact. Once you consider it fact, it is fact until you uproot it though. As many a great instructor has said, much of pool is played between the ears. Whatever you accept tends to become your truth.
Hu
I have spent years trying to improve that particular type of shot with what I call outside. I often hit them too thin which really drives me nuts.
And depending on the angle of approach to the rail.
I like using the same terminology to describe the “rubbing dynamic” and just specify which is being hit: for instance, “outside/running on the ball” and “inside/braking on the rail”.
pj
chgo
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You may be unique in the use of "braking".
And then there are the shots where running turns into reverse and vice versa, like some Z shots and reversing the corner.
I picked it up from other players - maybe right here... I'm OK with "reverse" too (although "braking" seems more to the point).
Sounds like situations where an "action specific" naming method (like the one I like) would work best.
pj
chgo
When your this close ''up''.
It took me yrs to figure this out, it's a great question.
I never scratch in either side.
Further away, completely different shot.
bm
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Have you ever worked on that type of shot in practice?
Nope
In one it is CB and cloth
in the other it is CB and OB
They are "only the same" if you think the surface of rubber backed cloth is equal to the surface of hard phenolic.
The kind of effect is the same: the CB's speed increases/decreases the same way for the same reasons. I think recognizing that similarity helps to understand/predict the effects, and reflecting it in the names makes it more evident.
pj
chgo
Oh yes . I work with the L drill and also just putting 2 balls per rail. One is 4 " off the rail the other can be 1/4" or 6"s.
I have gotten way better at the shot but like a stated earlier hitting them too thin drives me crazy. I tend to shoot them into the rail and as I adjust i start missing on the thin side.
I believe the main problem is a inconsistent hit on the cueball. Aiming to hit thin adjusting for swerve then unwantingly hitting center ball . I want the new digiball.
BHE will always get you in the park. As far as unnatural angles with side, I shoot 'em like micro masse. They become template like. Reach into the toolbox for a slightly bent line instead of the usual straight one.
You might try video recording yourself. Maybe right along the line of the stick. Front and back.
What is a "unnatural angle" ?
I bank this 1 ball across to my pocket so I know a little about "micro masse".
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Afraid I would suffer from motion sickness watching that.
That is a great suggestion. I have a habit of throwing balls in and I know that stroke isn't going to look straight. I was playing a ring game of 10 ball with 3 other guys on a shimmed up gc4 and I was winning. A good player was on a adjacent table watching. He sat down and watched for about 30 minutes before going and turning his table in. He came back as we finished and said show me what you are doing as I am watching and your aim looks way off but you are pocketing balls well.
No. If you play soft with draw, it may "correct" in the wrong direction for either inside or outside.
More than the natural angle. In the example, the CB will angle up table by a few degrees. If you hit low, the back spin pulls the ball off the cushion perpendicular plus a few degrees. If you slow draw it, the carom will start to point up table. As long as the CB has taken the forced direction before it contacts the cushion, the CB will rebound along that angle. With the addition of side, you have those template micro masses I mentioned.