So they don't leave it as hanger if they miss?
How do you "cinch" a ball?
- Thread starter Catalin
- Start date
In games where there is only one ball left to shoot, it makes some sense to shoot it with a firm stroke; playing the cue ball as well. That way you have the complete shot in your head and diminished likelihood of surprises.
Important to always take the free shot........that gives great ball separation if overcut.
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By pocket speed Im not talking about a slow roll, rather hard enough to easily make it to the hole but not slam the back of the pocket. I have seen players who like to fire them at about 3/4's break speed and rattle the ball on Diamond tables. I will take that easy shot on the 8 anytime, I certainly am not too good to win on my opponents hanger.
Gegonsauralanel
New member
this tactic worked for me sometimes even when you hit with half strength, that is, 2/4
They think they are sending a message. Wrong.
Exactly right. When you "cinch the shot", you sacrifice a little position to maximize your chance of pocketing the ball. Pros do it often when they face a very difficult shot, especially one in which the cue ball is against a rail.
A similar concept is to "cinch the angle", in which you play onto a slightly longer than optimal shot just to make sure that the correct angle is achieved.
Cinching the shot and cinching the angle are common techniques, even at pro level, and knowing when to use these methods to correctly manage risk at the table is one of the marks of a top player.
Gegonsauralanel
New member
It seems to me that in any case, a blow with such a technique is wrong!
You mean like shooting hard? Many shots do benefit from a firm stroke.
That's what I think as well. Cinching a shot is making damn sure you make the shot and not worried too much about a good leave or any leave. That means moving your bridge hand closer to the cue ball. Taking a smaller back swing to ensure there is no stroke error. And hitting it with a average to below average speed. No English. Close to center ball hit.
Not saying everyone should use it or ever used it. But, when nerves are getting the best of you and you are shooting the money ball, it's not a bad idea at that particular time
Admittedly, I'm only playing a few years now, and still find lots to learn. That said, a guy that I played with a year or so ago once told me that it would be wise to hit the 8-ball hard enough to make sure a miss wasn't going to leave it sitting right in front of the pocket. I hit many of those shots slower thinking that made the pocket play bigger, but would leave hangers if I missed. That same philosophy applies to 9 and 10 ball shots and especially combo shots in those games. I see teammates shoot combos, barely miss, and leave the money ball hanging for an easy follow-up by their opponent.
I do agree though, that there are some that feel hitting their last shot of the game at full break speed is what punctuates their victory. Usually these are not the higher skill level players though.
I do agree though, that there are some that feel hitting their last shot of the game at full break speed is what punctuates their victory. Usually these are not the higher skill level players though.
I think the main reason to avoid rolling shots is to avoid the the risk of the cueball veering out of spec. Obviously the object ball can veer off as well. Oddly there are cases when the object ball goes in cushion first where slow rolling the shot can actually cause the ball to hang. IOW hitting the cushion takes speed off the ball and subsequently hitting the open facing not only takes more speed off, the residual spin from grazing the rail can actually kill the rebound towards the lip causing the ball to remain in the pocket and that's not counting the object ball clinging or skidding into a steeper angle towards the cushion.
It's worthwhile to practice grazing the cushion on corner shots to get a feel for the speed zone the shot requires.