Hit 'em High or Hit 'em Low or Somewhere in the Middle...

[Kickin' Chicken]

Hello fellow AzB'ers;

Over the years I have observed a large number of players and I find it interesting to see where their "typical" striking point is, specifically, where the cue tip meets the cue ball most often.

Fully realizing that we apply side spin, draw, or follow as required for many shots, there does still seem to be a preference for the vast majority of shooters that they will, for instance, choose to strike the cue ball below center or above center on most shots.

I will share my conclusion on this a little later in this thread but I'm very interested to see how you typically strike the cue ball on the vast majority of your shots and why. I also welcome your comments on what you have observed in other players regarding this question, whether or not you have seen a "typical" pattern or preference.

Looking forward to your responses.

Best,
Brian kc

 

[Apocalypse2017]

First!!!

I like hittin the CB low, stop shots and draw shots are my favorite.

 

[peteypooldude]

I like to play center ball , but the patterns do not always allow it . If the balls are open and I have ball in hand , I always start out trying to run out
with center , But usually end up using whatever it takes to get out , even if it is a jump cue lol

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

I think the intent of your poll is to ask "do you have tendencies and preferences?"

And I say to you, I tend to hit 'em below the belt (with outside), perhaps more than others.


KK9 <-- a swervin sob with good ole maple that doesn't even know where center ball is

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

possibly another poll with an overlapping choice but I'm still hoping for at least 20 - 25 votes for academic purposes.

I'll explain if we get there.

Best,
Brian kc

 

[Drawman623]

They don't call me drawman for nothing.

 

[mdavis228]

I use what's required for what I want to do. But I think most players would say that, once they're in line, varying degrees minimally below center is where the wheel house lies.
Lots of people associate the term below center only with draw, when it's most useful as an "effect" on the tangent line rather than trying to actually "back up" the ball.

 

[MitchAlsup]

I had to vote for the whereever option.

I find the average changes based on the cloth and whether the CB is heavier than the OBs. Fast cloth will find me using stop shots more often. Slow cloth will find me using follow more often--and I'm not exactly sure why. MudBalls are almost always struck above the equator as its nearly the only way to more the CB around.

 

[ShootingArts]

Hello fellow AzB'ers;

Fully realizing that we apply side spin, draw, or follow as required for many shots, there does still seem to be a preference for the vast majority of shooters that they will, for instance, choose to strike the cue ball below center or above center on most shots.

Best,
Brian kc

Brian,

I think you boogered your poll when you gave the last choice, obviously we use the spin a particular shot requires. However, if the shot gives me options I will shoot with a little follow most of the time. One of the things you learn playing on bad tables or ones with bugs falling all over them, rolling balls stay on course better than skidding ones when they encounter something unexpected. Of course there is the old school thought, "draw for show, follow for dough" too. No question if I need to draw 3/4 length of the table or follow one or two rails I'll follow almost always unless the path is substantially riskier.

Hu

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Thanks to everyone who voted.

I agree with Hu, who said that I boogered up the poll by offering option 4. I realized just after posting the poll that including this would muddy the waters.

A while back I was watching a match on youtube with commentators Buddy Hall & Danny Diliberto (I'm 99% positive it was them). Unfortunately, I cannot recall who was playing the match but Buddy started noticing how many low left shots were being played. It became really comical just how many low lefts were being shot. Some of you may recall this particular match and how funny it was that this became the primary focus of their commentary for a little while.

Personally, over all the years that I've been around pool, I have observed many capable players and have taken note of their differences and similarities in style. Overwhelmingly, I see players striking the cue ball below center the majority of the time. See for yourselves next time you are at the pool hall, or better yet, at a pro event. Yes, of course, almost all players will use follow when they need it but I think, generally speaking, most players have a comfort zone moving whitey using low. And often, you can accomplish what you need to more than one way.

Hu brought up a great point regarding overcoming bad equipment and/or conditions by using follow for a truer roll. And that terrific saying "draw for show, follow for dough".

Please, if anyone knows the match I referred to with Buddy and Danny commentating, let me know which one it was. I'd love to go back and have another listen.

I voted option 1, that I typically hit low, though I certainly could have clicked on 4, as well.

I have a friend, Joe, who I played with last night. He is an extremely good player and almost exclusively, he not only strikes whitey high, but it's exaggerated so much that he's just below the point of miscueing. His ball control and accuracy are remarkable. He seems to be the exception to what I have come to see as the norm.

Please tell me if you disagree that the vast majority of the time, most accomplished players will strike the cue ball low. And that this is not just because it's what is needed for that shot and to shape up, but moreso, I think that this reflects how players feel the most comfortable in their shotmaking and getting shape. Oftentimes, there is more than one option to make a shot and get good position. I see most taking the low road. :thumbup:

Best,
Brian kc