Good System for Backcutting Balls?

[Get_A_Grip]

I use a Hal Houle system. I'm sure the Aiming Forum has plenty to say.



Next.

Since I have no trouble aiming all other shots, I was thinking maybe there was a trick to aiming backcuts. I think aiming with the left or right edge of the shaft is something that might be what I was looking for, if that ends up working.

I'm not looking for a general aiming system, but just something for that one type of shot.


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[Bobkitty]

Since I have no trouble aiming all other shots, I was thinking maybe there was a trick to aiming backcuts. I think aiming with the left or right edge of the shaft is something that might be what I was looking for, if that ends up working.

I'm not looking for a general aiming system, but just something for that one type of shot.


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I think everyone agreed there are no shortcuts to learn how to make back cuts consistently. Start with parallel balls and then gradually work the CB into back cuts about 1 ball width at a time. Do the work until you own it.

 

[dardusm]

Yeah, I plan to practice backcutting balls a lot more. The thing is, I've been missing extreme backcuts as well as backcuts that aren't that extreme. Right now it's the only shot I'm having trouble with. Mainly because I just can't see how to aim them right.




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I think the extra practice will pay off. One other thing that might cause an issue with you seeing this shot is collision induced throw depending on the distance of the shot. If you tend to undercut the shot, then that might be the reason. With practice, you will automatically make the adjustment for this throw.

 

[Cornerman]

Since I have no trouble aiming all other shots, I was thinking maybe there was a trick to aiming backcuts. I think aiming with the left or right edge of the shaft is something that might be what I was looking for, if that ends up working.

I'm not looking for a general aiming system, but just something for that one type of shot.


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I'll turn it around. I latched onto specific Houle system because they made back cuts simpler. Back cuts are optical delusions, and they're confusing because (gasp) you're aiming the ghost ball in space instead of using the object ball as a reference. Not surprisingly, systems use the objevt ball as a reference (centers and edges), and therefore back cuts are treated with the same type of approach and PSR,regardless of the hype or the bashing.

If you want to explore more, PM me. Discussing it on AZ never works out.

 

[pdcue]

Since I have no trouble aiming all other shots, I was thinking maybe there was a trick to aiming backcuts. I think aiming with the left or right edge of the shaft is something that might be what I was looking for, if that ends up working.

I'm not looking for a general aiming system, but just something for that one type of shot.


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IMHO - it is ALL in your mind.

Same advise as all other shots - STOP THINKING ABOUT THE SHOT.

If you contact the OB at the proper "spot", it will go in.

I often play with friends who can beat me like a rented mule. They just shake their collective heads in amazement at the way I pocket back cuts.

Practice, practice, practice... then, practice

Dale

 

[Mkindsv]

I use Low outside english with a medium stroke for most of these...you cannot hit them hard...but I basically line up Center of Cue ball to outside edge of object ball then from that position add low outside and apply an even medium stroke...

Edit to add: Anyway, the less severe the back cut the smaller amount of outside english you will need...I can get most of them to go in if they are not too severe...wish I had the capability to draw this out for ya, but it really helped me, basically it is using a retard's version of CTE and adding the outside to account for throw (in my mind that is how I see it anyway) good luck and happy shooting!

 

[Mirza]

CTE PRO ONE - good for every shot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrwvspyUXGc

 

[bbb]

i 2nd give poolology a try
it will help you find the aim point
http://www.pocketingballs.com/

 

[336Robin]

From your comments

Does anyone have a good aiming system for backcutting balls?

I've noticed lately that I've been missing an usually high number of backcut balls, even when the backcut isn't that severe.

My general aiming "system" is essentially to look at the bottom of the object ball for closer shots, and to look at the back of object ball for longer shots.

But for backcutting balls, I guess that I can't find a good way to aim to be able to consistently pocket the ball.

Any good systems or ideas for this? Maybe using a specific type of english helps?

From your comments sounds like you're under hitting the shot. Think of the shot with the idea in mind of how thick is this ball? and try to see the balls width and have sense of how much of the ball you can't see from the front side where you stand. When you realize you're undercutting the shot because of this, you'll find your answer.

In simple terms a back cut you have to hit a tad thinner than the equal angle in equal angle out shot line. Use Center Ball first before Outside Spin.

 

[one stroke]

I've been using the side of the ferrule for many years. I find it an excellent method.

You can use this method with any English, and no further adjustments or compensation is needed. I like to think of this as an alignment method rather than an aiming method.

Anyway, try this on shots where the CB and OB are close, say a foot or less, and very thin hits. If you always hit the shot too thick, try shooting it firmly with inside English.

While the CB spin, regardless of inside or outside on paper thin cuts have practically no effect on throwing the OB one way or the other, that firm hit with inside English will squirt the CB away from the OB, and that will result in hitting the OB thinner. It's something to experiment with.

That's what I do also ,

1

 

[philly]

I know this is going to come off as flippant but it is not meant to be:

The "system" is a good PSR and a repeatable stroke.

Without those, no system in the world will help. But if you have those to begin with, you won't need a system in the first place.

Lou Figueroa

This is the best aiming system I have ever found and it is simple. Hit the point on the object ball that is furthest away from the pocket. Simple. Not complex.

 

[JC]

The half ball hit.

Learn it.

Recognize it.

Practice it.

Embrace it.

JC

 

[lfigueroa]

This is the best aiming system I have ever found and it is simple. Hit the point on the object ball that is furthest away from the pocket. Simple. Not complex.

If you have a consistent PSR and can reliably execute your stroke, then you can "see" the path the OB will take on any given shot and "see" the path the CB will take after contact with the OB. if you don't have those then I suppose using an aiming system will help you see the POC but it will be of little help actually making the ball and getting position.

Lou Figueroa

 

[fastone371]

I use Low outside english with a medium stroke for most of these...you cannot hit them hard...but I basically line up Center of Cue ball to outside edge of object ball then from that position add low outside and apply an even medium stroke...

Edit to add: Anyway, the less severe the back cut the smaller amount of outside english you will need...I can get most of them to go in if they are not too severe...wish I had the capability to draw this out for ya, but it really helped me, basically it is using a retard's version of CTE and adding the outside to account for throw (in my mind that is how I see it anyway) good luck and happy shooting!

This is pretty much what I do too. When lining up like this isnt this basically a half ball hit? I will incrementally thin or thicken depending on severity of the cut.

 

[Get_A_Grip]

I use Low outside english with a medium stroke for most of these...you cannot hit them hard...but I basically line up Center of Cue ball to outside edge of object ball then from that position add low outside and apply an even medium stroke...

Edit to add: Anyway, the less severe the back cut the smaller amount of outside english you will need...I can get most of them to go in if they are not too severe...wish I had the capability to draw this out for ya, but it really helped me, basically it is using a retard's version of CTE and adding the outside to account for throw (in my mind that is how I see it anyway) good luck and happy shooting!

This is another interesting approach, using the AMOUNT of outside english depending on how much each shot needs to be cut in order to ball.

 

[Get_A_Grip]

Using Edge of Shaft Helped

After practicing backcutting shots for about an hour this morning, so far, using the edge of the shaft (left when cutting to the left and right when cutting to the right) with a center ball really did help.

I just read Philly's comment "This is the best aiming system I have ever found and it is simple. Hit the point on the object ball that is furthest away from the pocket." -- I will try visualizing this in addition later today.

What also helped on these shots, was to walk over behind the ball and to point my stick on the cloth from the OB to the pocket to establish an accurate contact point. Then keeping my eye on that spot when walking back to the CB.

 

[Bob Jewett]

One thing that helps me is something that I think TX suggested above but I use my cue stick to form the imaginary rail:



Under some rules it is a foul to let go of your cue stick while doing this.

But mostly I think you need to just practice the shot.

 

[tashworth19191]

I bought and tried CTE Pro One and never did figure it out. I watched every video on I could find on the subject of aiming and here is what works for me.

I use ghost ball on most shots, but if I start missing I use the poolology method. I have also found Dr. Dave's HAPs series very informative also, but like I said the CTE Pro One tapes did not help me at all.

 

[Get_A_Grip]

One thing that helps me is something that I think TX suggested above but I use my cue stick to form the imaginary rail:

View attachment 461726

Under some rules it is a foul to let go of your cue stick while doing this.

But mostly I think you need to just practice the shot.

Ahhhh, now I now what TX meant by imagining a rail "behind" the OB. Thanks for the image.

 

[Dan White]

The half ball hit.

Learn it.

Recognize it.

Practice it.

Embrace it.

JC

If you can divide a number in half, then Poolology is for you. Several people have mentioned that finding a half ball hit will give you a good reference point, and that you just have to learn what path the ob takes when you hit a half ball hit. If you can recognize that, you can adjust from there on back cuts. I think the thing many people here don't realize is that if you can divide a number in half, then Poolology TELLS YOU whether the shot can be pocketed with a half ball hit or not. You can use Poolology like a half ball hit detector. You'll know quickly whether it is half ball, or maybe a little thinner or thicker.

It's simple and gives you a head start on learning the cuts intuitively, and I don't see anything else out there that can give you an objective reference like that.