froze to the rail suggestions?

Some ideas that I've seen suggested.
1. Practice them more.
2. Use a smaller diameter tip.
3. Shorter Backswing.
4. Watch the cue ball more than usual.
5. Avoid side english.
6. Elevate the cue.

I'm sure these could be discussed in more detail.
 
I don't mind these as much as I use to. My key is a very short stoke. Maybe 3/4 of an inch to an inch. Oh and of course you do need to elevate the cue just a little to make sure you get a good hit on the center of the cue ball. No english allowed on this shot.
 
In addition to the posts above. This may be one shot that allows for the "wrist flick".

Shorten your length from bridge to grip. Shorten your total stroke and use more of a "wrist flick". This will cause your tip to dip slightly a little quicker and helps you not mis cue over the top of the ball.

Also, this may be personal preferance, but I tend to like a little more squared off stance from off the rail.
 
Being in a wheelchair and playing one handed....I have a helluva time with this particular shot. What I try to do is just what everyone has suggested so far...mainly shorten my stroke *pun intended* and elevate my butt some...both my seat and my cue butt. If I really have to, I can turn my bridge on the side, place it far back on the rail, and really get it going...but I tend to do that on masse shots only...prefer the weight of my bridge to hold my cue down while I am stroking it on the rail. The main thing is to practice this shot...ALOT...and don't be afraid of it.

Shorty
 
I will add a couple of things. First, I find that I need to follow through well ... there's problems with getting clean contact if I don't. Second, this shot is one where a little practice goes a long way.

Regarding elevatine the cue, I do not nessesarily agree with this. When shooting a CB that is frozen to the rail with a level cue, you are simply putting about 1.5 tips of topping on the ball, something that is often done with a level cue when cueing is not impeded. Same shot can be taken with the CB on the rail. I see no need to elevate the cue, there is no way to cue lower on the CB if the ball is frozen. Am I missing something ? Comments ?

Dave
 
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I was told that jacking up will make it much harder b/c any unwanted english will produce a significant masse effect...so I keep the cue level right now.

I also found that stroking the ball good, as opposed to using a mini-stroke, works a little better for me. However, this is a pretty low percentage shot for me....so I gotta be doing something wrong


DaveK said:
I will add a couple of things. First, I find that I need to follow through well ... there's problems with getting clean contact if I don't. Second, this shot is one where a little practice goes a long way.

Regarding elevatine the cue, I do not nessesarily agree with this. When shooting a CB that is frozen to the rail with a level cue, you are simply putting about 1.5 tips of topping on the ball, something that is often done with a level cue when cueing is not impeded. Same shot can be taken with the CB on the rail. I see no need to elevate the cue, there is no way to cue lower on the CB if the ball is frozen. Am I missing something ? Comments ?

Dave
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Egg McDogit said:
I was told that jacking up will make it much harder b/c any unwanted english will produce a significant masse effect...so I keep the cue level right now.

I also found that stroking the ball good, as opposed to using a mini-stroke, works a little better for me. However, this is a pretty low percentage shot for me....so I gotta be doing something wrong
Click to expand...

jacking up only produces a masse effect if you're using sidespin. but, because of the situation, any mishit of the cue ball will be magnified when you jack up.

when people suggested elavating, i don't think they mean to jack way up, just a little elavation to make sure you get a good hit on the cue ball.

my suggestions are:

shorten the stroke, move the grip up.

also this is one of the THREE instances that I (and many other people) suggest looking at the cue ball LAST.

also, some people (such as jimmy reid) suggest that you don't pause before you shoot. just keep small stroking the ball and let it go.

it all comes down to PRACTICE and EXPERIMENTING.......just try everything you can think of, and use whichever combination brings your success percentage higher.

also, another suggestion.............don't leave yourself on the rail...... :p

VAP
 
vapoolplayer said:
it all comes down to PRACTICE and EXPERIMENTING.......just try everything you can think of, and use whichever combination brings your success percentage higher.

also, another suggestion.............don't leave yourself on the rail...... :p

VAP
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VAP, I was told that you breathe through your eyelids just before the tip contacts the cue ball. Oh, crap! Did I just give away your secret??? Sorry, man. :eek:
 
ScottR said:
VAP, I was told that you breathe through your eyelids just before the tip contacts the cue ball. Oh, crap! Did I just give away your secret??? Sorry, man. :eek:
Click to expand...

i have no secrets........they are all for sale....... :D

VAP
 
When i come across this shot, my main concern, is not the accuracy, as i am pretty sure of what i shoot at.
My MAIN concern, is that i don't slip off the top of the ball or to the side, when stroking. So, to prevent this, i don't change grip position, i just make sure that instead of a loose wristed stroke, with the fingers gently holding the cue (which is my norm) I actually TIGHTEN my grip so that all fingers are curled around the cue, and i am gently squeezing it so that there is no side movment possibility.
It now goes THROUGH the ball much easier, instead of it being loose and the shaft deflecting to the side or over the cue ball, and eliminates the possible miscue or weak shot as a result.

Try it out and see if it works for you.
 
SUPERSTAR said:
When i come across this shot, my main concern, is not the accuracy, as i am pretty sure of what i shoot at.
My MAIN concern, is that i don't slip off the top of the ball or to the side, when stroking. So, to prevent this, i don't change grip position, i just make sure that instead of a loose wristed stroke, with the fingers gently holding the cue (which is my norm) I actually TIGHTEN my grip so that all fingers are curled around the cue, and i am gently squeezing it so that there is no side movment possibility.
Click to expand...

I do this too, in addition with jacking up the cue JUST A LITTLE. An additional tip if you are still struggling is to actually aim the tip of the cue at the rail just in front of the cue ball. Let the tip just brush the rail just a bit, this helps give you a little feedback and lets you stroke with more confidence.
 
One last thing

One last comment - Once you feel comfortable cueing off the rail take careful note of how your aim needs to compensate for the large amount of topspin that is unavoidable with this shot. Practice until you find your aim point for these shots.
 
AuntyDan said:
One last comment - Once you feel comfortable cueing off the rail take careful note of how your aim needs to compensate for the large amount of topspin that is unavoidable with this shot. Practice until you find your aim point for these shots.
Click to expand...

You can get stop (and even draw) on this shot if you aim the elevated stick right through the cushion. The tip moves the cusion out of the way and then hits the cueball below the cushion height.

Also, a closed bridge helps keep the cue on line, regardless of where/how you hit the cueball.

Jeff Livingston
 
frozen to rail

just old man way ., but I always try to roll the shot, to shooting it , more controle!!! {STICK}
 
off the rail ...

If it is a cut shot, it is not a problem, but if it is
a straight in shot, I elevate my whole self to the
balls of my feet (I am 5'7"), actually lengthen my stroke,
stand straighter, use a closed bridge, make sure I have no english on
the cue except trying to use low, make sure my
hit stroke is just like my warmup strokes, and say
to myself, "smooth and straight, smooth and straight".

Works for me, and this is the biggest preshot routine
that I have.
 
whitewolf said:
One poster said not to use english. IMHO, you must be able to use english when needed, otherwise you are limiting yourself.
Click to expand...


i don't know of any pro or instructor that would tell you that you need to be able to use sidespin on this shot.

you don't really have enough of the ball to hit without a great chance of a miscue.

VAP
 
whitewolf said:
The english I use is very slight. I do it all the time and rarely miscue. The trick is learning how to chalk the cue :D :D :D :D Do you still grind the tip into the chalk like a true redneck? :D
Click to expand...

yep i do.......i bore the chalk out like i'm digging for gold.

thats worth at least the 7 ball............so what would you like to play for?

VAP
 
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