Finding Your Favorite Angle - A New Perspective on Position

[CJ Wiley]

There's many ways to play the Game of Pocket Billiards and playing position is something that no two players will do exactly the same. It is commonly understood to try to play positon to give yourself the easiest shot on your next ball. This may be correct at times, and it does have it's disadvantages, especially if you're playing a player that makes you "come" with a great shot many times during the match. Sometimes it's better to "stay ready" for the tougher shots and to do this you may need to consider what's in this LINK.

 

[Tony_in_MD]

Good tip, that angle allows for a great number of ways to get on the next ball in a pattern. Anything flatter or more severe then that angle can be limiting to what postion options you have.

There's many ways to play the Game of Pocket Billiards and playing position is something that no two players will do exactly the same. It is commonly understood to try to play positon to give yourself the easiest shot on your next ball. This may be correct at times, and it does have it's disadvantages, especially if you're playing a player that makes you "come" with a great shot many times during the match. Sometimes it's better to "stay ready" for the tougher shots and to do this you may need to consider what's in this LINK.

 

[ENGLISH!]

There's many ways to play the Game of Pocket Billiards and playing position is something that no two players will do exactly the same. It is commonly understood to try to play positon to give yourself the easiest shot on your next ball. This may be correct at times, and it does have it's disadvantages, especially if you're playing a player that makes you "come" with a great shot many times during the match. Sometimes it's better to "stay ready" for the tougher shots and to do this you may need to consider what's in this LINK.

'You 'NEVER' want to be straight in.' You've taken that to the next level. Since I developed an astigmatism in my shooting eye I've found that in going for the easiest 'appropriate' shot I have more often gotten TOO easy & then have to shoot 'harder' (more difficultly) for the next 'easy' shot position. Your point is well taken? Do you have a mental key to remind yourself of this strategy?

Thanks for all of your insights.
Rick

 

[Tony_in_MD]

I never say never.....

I want to be straight in on a money ball for instance.

'You 'NEVER' want to be straight in.' You've taken that to the next level. Since I developed an astigmatism in my shooting eye I've found that in going for the easiest 'appropriate' shot I have more often gotten TOO easy & then have to shoot 'harder' (more difficultly) for the next 'easy' shot position. Your point is well taken? Do you have a mental key to remind yourself of this strategy?

Thanks for all of your insights.
Rick

 

[ENGLISH!]

I never say never.....

I want to be straight in on a money ball for instance.

Mr. Marcino,

With all due respect, I'd rather have a slight angle, especially for the money ball. It's easier to 'plan' just how to 'hit' the cue ball. See Mr. Wiley's posts on a slight inside 'hit' vs. a center 'hit'. I'm not saying that I do not have the stroke to make a long straight in shot but...I'd rather have a little angle. It's just easier.

Best Regards,
Rick

 

[Tony_in_MD]

How much is a 'Slight' angle?

I have read, and tried Mr Wileys slight inside hit. I think it is useful for shots with more cut angle than 'slight'

The purpose of keeping an angle on your shots is to help with position play only. I contend that when on the money ball, position play is not needed, so why leave yourself a cut angle, thus having to concern yourself with being mindful of where the cueball is going? To me, it is more efficient and easier to have a straight in on a money ball, so that all my focus is on making the ball and I don't have to be concerned about the cueball except to play a stop shot. There are times in the game when you have got to be able to hit center ball.

Look at CJ's video in is original post (last sequence at an ESPN event), what kind of shot did he leave himself for the winner? Was it a cut angle that he uses for position play or was it something closer to straight-in.

The purpose of my original post is to show that there are no absolutes in this game.

Wanting to here your description of slight, if it is what I think it is, then you are essentially straight in too.

Mr. Marcino,

With all due respect, I'd rather have a slight angle, especially for the money ball. It's easier to 'plan' just how to 'hit' the cue ball. See Mr. Wiley's posts on a slight inside 'hit' vs. a center 'hit'. I'm not saying that I do not have the stroke to make a long straight in shot but...I'd rather have a little angle. It's just easier.

Best Regards,
Rick

 

[ENGLISH!]

How much is a 'Slight' angle?

I have read, and tried Mr Wileys slight inside hit. I think it is useful for shots with more cut angle than 'slight'

The purpose of keeping an angle on your shots is to help with position play only. I contend that when on the money ball, position play is not needed, so why leave yourself a cut angle, thus having to concern yourself with being mindful of where the cueball is going? To me, it is more efficient and easier to have a straight in on a money ball, so that all my focus is on making the ball and I don't have to be concerned about the cueball except to play a stop shot. There are times in the game when you have got to be able to hit center ball.

Look at CJ's video in is original post (last sequence at an ESPN event), what kind of shot did he leave himself for the winner? Was it a cut angle that he uses for position play or was it something closer to straight-in.

The purpose of my original post is to show that there are no absolutes in this game.

Wanting to here your description of slight, if it is what I think it is, then you are essentially straight in too.

Tony,

I agree with you on wanting to shoot a stop shot with no worry of a scratch. I guess it depends where on the table the money ball is. If it is a corner shot where it brings a scratch in the side into play if not struck correctly, then maybe I would I rather have it straight in. If it is a simple, less than 1/2 table diagonal then again yes probably would prefer straight in but a little angle is fine.

If it is a shot with much cb to ob seperation with some distance from the pocket then I would prefer a little angle especially if the cb is near the rail. It gives me more options on how I want to play the shot. If a ball is blocking part of the pocket on a long shot I would rather have the little angle. I do not want to have to hit the exact center of the cb. I'm not saying that I can't because I can but I'm more comfortable knowing I can & will hit on one side.

As to your point about no position needed after the money ball I somewhat disagree. How many times have you seen someone shoot an easy money ball with no care to the cue ball & scratch from hitting just a little too hard. Also stuff happens & if I do miss I want to put the cb so as to leave my opponent has hard as possible. Naturally I'm not talking about a little simple stop shot here but I am always concerned where the cb is going to go on every shot.

No real science here. It is merely a personal preference & perhaps comfort level.
If you would rather have them all straight in then that's what is best for you.

Keep in mind, I shoot almost every shot with some form of combined english, so...hitting center cb is not my comfort zone, I don't do it that often.

Hope this helps, if that is what you wanted.
Rick

 

[CJ Wiley]

keep it CLOSE on your last ball

Mr. Marcino,

With all due respect, I'd rather have a slight angle, especially for the money ball. It's easier to 'plan' just how to 'hit' the cue ball. See Mr. Wiley's posts on a slight inside 'hit' vs. a center 'hit'. I'm not saying that I do not have the stroke to make a long straight in shot but...I'd rather have a little angle. It's just easier.

Best Regards,
Rick

I really don't like "straight in shots" unless I"m closer than 4' because I can't use the WHOLE pocket...I've got to aim at the center and I only have a half pocket "margin for error" compared to when I have an angle I have almost a complete pocket "margin for error".....when I'm playing shape on the money ball I'm trying to get close which is more important then the angle (to me)....long straight in's over 5' are nerve racking on tight equimpment, even for you best pros.....I've seen them missed more than a few times in my career, so keep it CLOSE on your last ball...imho

 

[ENGLISH!]

Well said. Very much better than my ranting. But...I was drinking beer while watching the Rider Cup.

 

[CJ Wiley]

I do play my zones to go at the next ball

'You 'NEVER' want to be straight in.' You've taken that to the next level. Since I developed an astigmatism in my shooting eye I've found that in going for the easiest 'appropriate' shot I have more often gotten TOO easy & then have to shoot 'harder' (more difficultly) for the next 'easy' shot position. Your point is well taken? Do you have a mental key to remind yourself of this strategy?

Thanks for all of your insights.
Rick

Not really a mental "key", but I do play my zones to go at the next ball on this angle line. It's best to play shape going off a rail and the more rails the better your margin is for creating a certain angle. I like to play a lot of two rail position when I have a chance because it's easier to go towards the next ball for position. One rail position a lot of times forces you to cross the line and can easily lead you to the dreaded straight in shot, where you are the MOST limited to where you can move the cue ball. Same thing if the cut is over half ball it starts to limit your mobility as well.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Thanks CJ.

I understand. No key now, more of a my angle state of mind. Let's not give our ages away, although I already have many times, but was there a mental key many moons ago when you were first developing this or...can you think of one now that might help one more consistantly adhere to this policy vs the more straight in line of thought. 'Don't get straight', but I do not like negative association. I hope you do not mind, but if you are available I will certainly try to utilize a Champions brain.

Thank in advance,

RJ

PS CJ....PJ....& now RJ I bet we all use the J stroke.

 

[CJ Wiley]

straight in on a ball you are limited to what you can do with the cue ball

Thanks CJ.

I understand. No key now, more of a my angle state of mind. Let's not give our ages away, although I already have many times, but was there a mental key many moons ago when you were first developing this or...can you think of one now that might help one more consistently adhere to this policy vs the more straight in line of thought. 'Don't get straight', but I do not like negative association. I hope you do not mind, but if you are available I will certainly try to utilize a Champions brain.

Thank in advance,

RJ

PS CJ....PJ....& now RJ I bet we all use the J stroke.

It's all about flexibility RJ...when you're close to straight in on a ball you are limited to what you can do with the cue ball....exactly straight in will only allow you to go forward, backward or stop (unless you can cheat the pocket of course). Sometimes this doesn't matter, other times it does.

I had a guy contact me on Face Book the day after I posted this "Find your favorite angle" and told me about beating a guy he had been having trouble with using this technique. What was funny is the guy couldn't figure out what he was doing differently because it's difficult to recognize if you don't know what to look for. Many of these techniques are like that, "we will only recognize what we're familiar with". 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[ENGLISH!]

It's all about flexibility RJ...when you're close to straight in on a ball you are limited to what you can do with the cue ball....exactly straight in will only allow you to go forward, backward or stop (unless you can cheat the pocket of course). Sometimes this doesn't matter, other times it does.

I had a guy contact me on Face Book the day after I posted this "Find your favorite angle" and told me about beating a guy he had been having trouble with using this technique. What was funny is the guy couldn't figure out what he was doing differently because it's difficult to recognize if you don't know what to look for. Many of these techniques are like that, "we will only recognize what we're familiar with". 'The Game is the Teacher'

Thanks CJ.

I am almost always cheating the pocket one way or the other & with english on the CB & I fully understand the need for the proper angle to get the proper angle for the shot after the next shot after the next shot. However I am more concerned with getting close, as you suggest, but on the 'right' side of straight than I am with a specific angle.

I am probably playing that way because of my astigmatism & am getting a more straight in angle than I should be. I want to & will attempt to find my best angle as you suggest. That is why I was specifically asking if you could think of a menal key that might work best to remind me to do so.

As you know it is difficult at times to take it from the range to the course & employ it in the heat of battle. We revert back to what is comfortable.

Have a good day,
RJ

 

[CJ Wiley]

use whatever angle you need to do that consistently.

Thanks CJ.

I am almost always cheating the pocket one way or the other & with english on the CB & I fully understand the need for the proper angle to get the proper angle for the shot after the next shot after the next shot. However I am more concerned with getting close, as you suggest, but on the 'right' side of straight than I am with a specific angle.

I am probably playing that way because of my astigmatism & am getting a more straight in angle than I should be. I want to & will attempt to find my best angle as you suggest. That is why I was specifically asking if you could think of a menal key that might work best to remind me to do so.

As you know it is difficult at times to take it from the range to the course & employ it in the heat of battle. We revert back to what is comfortable.

Have a good day,
RJ

That's fine...my point was you can just play to a familiar angle every time rather than trying to play the best angle to get to the next shot. Making it too easy, in other words is sometimes counter productive, especially at the highest levels. It's prudent to try to at least hit every shot the same speed....and use whatever angle you need to do that consistently.

 

[The Renfro]

I can almost guarantee you that the majority of easy run outs that I have blown up on in my life have been the result of taking it for granted and getting straight in on a ball and then having to force something.....

I try to always stay in angle but if I let m mind wander I can easily end up too straight....

I think that since the game is connect the dots in planning a pattern we end up with the shortest path when only considering the next ball and not focusing... That's when we end up with a straight line... IE straight in...

I tried for awhile to go from half ball hit to half ball hit and had good results... The dreaded skid is more likely on half ball hits but it kept me focused pretty well....

 

[CJ Wiley]

it's better to have an angle that you LOVE than a bunch of them you just like

I can almost guarantee you that the majority of easy run outs that I have blown up on in my life have been the result of taking it for granted and getting straight in on a ball and then having to force something.....

I try to always stay in angle but if I let m mind wander I can easily end up too straight....

I think that since the game is connect the dots in planning a pattern we end up with the shortest path when only considering the next ball and not focusing... That's when we end up with a straight line... IE straight in...

I tried for awhile to go from half ball hit to half ball hit and had good results... The dreaded skid is more likely on half ball hits but it kept me focused pretty well....

Yes, the closer you get to straight in the lower your options and if you DO get straight in you are VERY limited. I, too, have blown easy outs by getting straight in instead of just playing the half ball type angle. I've just learned it's better to have an angle that you LOVE than a bunch of them you just like and a few that you even "dislike". :wink: