field goal drill - how much do I suck?

[PKM]

In the drill where you set up two object balls on the end rail, with a certain amount of space between them at least as large as another ball, and try to hit the rail between them from the other end of the table. I was just wondering what a reasonable expectation for the amount of space needed to do this successfully. (Not you semi-pro guys who never miss a shot, but say for a C player and up.) For me, it was harder than I thought. It's a wonder I can ever sink a shot that's more than a few feet away.

 

[Bob Jewett]

In the drill where you set up two object balls on the end rail, with a certain amount of space between them at least as large as another ball, and try to hit the rail between them from the other end of the table. I was just wondering what a reasonable expectation for the amount of space needed to do this successfully. (Not you semi-pro guys who never miss a shot, but say for a C player and up.) For me, it was harder than I thought. It's a wonder I can ever sink a shot that's more than a few feet away.

When I first tried this, I needed a lot -- maybe half a ball. That's because I was not seeing the shot correctly. Strangely (or frighteningly) enough, I didn't have that much trouble pocketing balls. All it takes is practice.

 

[Williebetmore]

In the drill where you set up two object balls on the end rail, with a certain amount of space between them at least as large as another ball, and try to hit the rail between them from the other end of the table. I was just wondering what a reasonable expectation for the amount of space needed to do this successfully. (Not you semi-pro guys who never miss a shot, but say for a C player and up.) For me, it was harder than I thought. It's a wonder I can ever sink a shot that's more than a few feet away.

PK,
A quarter inch on either side of the imaginary ball in the middle is generous. An eighth of an inch on either side is tough, but a pro will still fit it in there very regularly.

 

[tjlmbklr]

In the drill where you set up two object balls on the end rail, with a certain amount of space between them at least as large as another ball, and try to hit the rail between them from the other end of the table. I was just wondering what a reasonable expectation for the amount of space needed to do this successfully. (Not you semi-pro guys who never miss a shot, but say for a C player and up.) For me, it was harder than I thought. It's a wonder I can ever sink a shot that's more than a few feet away.

Walk B4 you run, Place a piece of chalk on the end rail as a aim point, then first practice hitting the cue ball to come back to the tip of your cue. When you can do this 18 out of 20 times, then shoot between 2 balls and start with maybe an inch (25mm) on each side then work you way in closer.