How do you kick?

[CreeDo]

I use a system and when shots fall outside that system, I'm forced to use feel, often with bad results. Some of the best kickers I know use feel, but I notice they also tend to kick at one speed only (hard). My system is designed for low to medium speed but it's easily adjusted.

I have a somewhat weak 2 rail system, but 3 rails is surprisingly easy, when it applies.

 

[Black-Balled]

I have a few reference shots that provide a base to work from...

 

[Bob Jewett]

I use lots of systems but during the stroke you need to be playing by feel. This is a major point that Eddie Robin makes in his excellent discussion of various rail systems in Winning One Pocket. The system is a guide -- the shot is by feel.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

I see a lot of players selected "I make my kicks most of the time." (make = pocketing the OB)

Since I'm a sucker to lose money, if anyone wants to win a quick knot off of me, grab me at the next expo or trade show and let me setup random kicks where the OB isn't hanging in the pocket or kissed to a rail near a diamond.

If you make kicks most of the time, you'll be stone-cold favorite. Most of the time means more than 50% to me.

I see there are really good players who said that-- I just don't think anyone who posted in this thread is making more than 50% of their random kick shots. I'll pay to see if it they are. All tour pros invited too.

 

[poolguy4u]

I see a lot of players selected "I make my kicks most of the time." (make = pocketing the OB)

Since I'm a sucker to lose money, if anyone wants to win a quick knot off of me, grab me at the next expo or trade show and let me setup random kicks where the OB isn't hanging in the pocket or kissed to a rail near a diamond.

If you make kicks most of the time, you'll be stone-cold favorite. Most of the time means more than 50% to me.

I see there are really good players who said that-- I just don't think anyone who posted in this thread is making more than 50% of their random kick shots. I'll pay to see if it they are. All tour pros invited too.

I would think they meant----they were just hitting the ball to make a good hit.


For me...it's all just remembering how the cue ball goes around the table using different english and using different speed. You shoot enough times, you remember. I know...I already said this.:smile:

 

[Wileydog]

I see a lot of players selected "I make my kicks most of the time." (make = pocketing the OB)

Since I'm a sucker to lose money, if anyone wants to win a quick knot off of me, grab me at the next expo or trade show and let me setup random kicks where the OB isn't hanging in the pocket or kissed to a rail near a diamond.

If you make kicks most of the time, you'll be stone-cold favorite. Most of the time means more than 50% to me.

I see there are really good players who said that-- I just don't think anyone who posted in this thread is making more than 50% of their random kick shots. I'll pay to see if it they are. All tour pros invited too.

I selected Make a good hit most of the time and Make my kicks most of the time. The reason I selected both is, If my goal is to make a good hit, I usually make a good hit.
But, if my goal is to make the kick, I usually make it.
Keep in mind, if my goal is to make it, it's usually close to the pocket. I'm not going to attempt to pocket a 3 rail kick on a ball 2 feet from a pocket.

 

[PGHteacher]

I see a lot of players selected "I make my kicks most of the time." (make = pocketing the OB)

Since I'm a sucker to lose money, if anyone wants to win a quick knot off of me, grab me at the next expo or trade show and let me setup random kicks where the OB isn't hanging in the pocket or kissed to a rail near a diamond.

If you make kicks most of the time, you'll be stone-cold favorite. Most of the time means more than 50% to me.

I see there are really good players who said that-- I just don't think anyone who posted in this thread is making more than 50% of their random kick shots. I'll pay to see if it they are. All tour pros invited too.

I think most of the people that answerd "I make my kicks most of the time" really didn't understand the option, we had 1 person (at least) that answerd both "I make a good hit" AND "I make my kicks most of the time", so there is a lot of ambiguity there; at least in some peoples minds, I actually had to think for a minute and say "HUH?" "oh ok" to myself, but alas most people just don't do that. I have to give people the benefit of the doubt it's the only thing that keeps me sane.

 

[PGHteacher]

I selected Make a good hit most of the time and Make my kicks most of the time. The reason I selected both is, If my goal is to make a good hit, I usually make a good hit.
But, if my goal is to make the kick, I usually make it.
Keep in mind, if my goal is to make it, it's usually close to the pocket. I'm not going to attempt to pocket a 3 rail kick on a ball 2 feet from a pocket.

Yea as I said there is some ambiguity there, but if I want to continue my inning I AM going to try (attempt) a 3 rail kick on a ball that is 2ft from the pocket, done it before and will do it again; have made crazier shots than that, in fact I made one of the craziest calls in my time playing pool, it was a long time ago so I don't remember the exact details but it was a 2 rail, kick-bank off a couple of balls if memory serves. Well the guy shouts "FOUL!" and I say "NO! It wasn't" and he says in a real meek voice "Yea I know but it should be".

 

[RRfireblade]

I agree with spider....

I'll gave anyone odds on 3 rail kicking in a ball 2' min from the pocket, race to 10, I set up the shot.

Anyway.....

I guess I use a 'system'.... its called geometry.

Modified and/or corrected using spin but it all starts with the basics of reflected angles.

Nothing magical about it IMO.

 

[supergreenman]

I agree with spider....

I'll gave anyone odds on 3 rail kicking in a ball 2' min from the pocket, race to 10, I set up the shot.

Anyway.....

I guess I use a 'system'.... its called geometry.

Modified and/or corrected using spin but it all starts with the basics of reflected angles.

Nothing magical about it IMO.

I would take the bet on a 3 rail kick over a 1 rail kick just about any time. Especially on a table I know.

 

[RRfireblade]

I would take the bet on a 3 rail kick over a 1 rail kick just about any time. Especially on a table I know.

Look me up anytime your in town.

 

[Banks]

I see a lot of players selected "I make my kicks most of the time." (make = pocketing the OB)

Since I'm a sucker to lose money, if anyone wants to win a quick knot off of me, grab me at the next expo or trade show and let me setup random kicks where the OB isn't hanging in the pocket or kissed to a rail near a diamond.

If you make kicks most of the time, you'll be stone-cold favorite. Most of the time means more than 50% to me.

I see there are really good players who said that-- I just don't think anyone who posted in this thread is making more than 50% of their random kick shots. I'll pay to see if it they are. All tour pros invited too.

We've seen this a few times before, too. I suppose it's possible that people misinterpreted that answer, but oh well. I had already given myself over to the idea that many of the low-skilled players wouldn't be answering the poll and that the numbers would be a little, uhh, higher than they should be.

For anybody that's wondering, my poll was meant to include(as Dave says) all random kicks. Simply getting a hit should not count as making the kick shot. For the record, I hate 3-railers, unless it's the short or long way, but all the way around is iffy for me.

 

[Banks]

Look me up anytime your in town.

Maybe this thread will get moved to the Action forum!

 

[PGHteacher]

I would take the bet on a 3 rail kick over a 1 rail kick just about any time. Especially on a table I know.

Look me up anytime your in town.

What can you say but CHA-CHING!!!


:grin-devilish:ink::bow-down:
:rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:

You know RRfire that he is talking about ducked OB's and the CB on a spot (or that line or close to it), the CB center of table and OB ducked up or the OB hanging in the side and the CB 1st diamond on the head string, you know he isn't talking about random kicks, and supergreenman if you are you can come see me to.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I would take the bet on a 3 rail kick over a 1 rail kick just about any time. Especially on a table I know.

I think an example might help. Put a ball on spot. Put the cue ball at that end of the table. Kick the cue ball any way you want to pocket the ball off the spot but the cue ball has to hit the far end cushion.

I'd play that shot on three cushions because that's the way I've practiced it.

 

[sfleinen]

We've seen this a few times before, too. I suppose it's possible that people misinterpreted that answer, but oh well. I had already given myself over to the idea that many of the low-skilled players wouldn't be answering the poll and that the numbers would be a little, uhh, higher than they should be.

For anybody that's wondering, my poll was meant to include(as Dave says) all random kicks. Simply getting a hit should not count as making the kick shot. For the record, I hate 3-railers, unless it's the short or long way, but all the way around is iffy for me.

When I answered, I was thinking in terms of *my* game, which is one pocket these days. And yes, if you leave me in a position where I have to kick a ball backwards into my pocket (i.e. there's not a better bank shot available), and the kick gives me position on the next ball, you bet your bippee that I'm kickin', and I make a good percentage of them (not just make a "hit"), because the largest distance for the kick is half a short rail. At the very least, I leave a threat ball hanging in my pocket that you now have to concern yourself about. I'm actually known in the pool room I play in, and several players have had to completely alter their one pocket strategies just because of playing me. (What they think is a "safe leave" for another player, doesn't work against me.)

Now if we're talking just kicks "in general" -- especially those encountered in a rotation game which are much longer distance than in one pocket -- obviously my answer would be different. In that case, I make a good hit most of the time, unless you lock me up against a ball and I have a severe / long-distance kick.

But if I had to answer this question again, and think "off the cuff" -- i.e. my success at kicks in the game I play most often -- you bet it will be the same answer.

The problem with the question is that it's open for interpretation -- which is exactly the way I took it. I don't think about games that I don't play often.

-Sean

 

[Black-Balled]

What can you say but CHA-CHING!!!...supergreenman if you are you can come see me to.

Finish your sentence: .come see you to___ ...?? oint and laugh:

 

[Black-Balled]

I think an example might help. Put a ball on spot. Put the cue ball at that end of the table. Kick the cue ball any way you want to pocket the ball off the spot but the cue ball has to hit the far end cushion.

I'd play that shot on three cushions because that's the way I've practiced it.

Yes...same here, but...:embarrassed2:

Isn't it the way the shot is most often practiced because it is the correct angle to approach the OB, if you are tring to make it?

Chicken or egg, ya know?

 

[RRfireblade]

What can you say but CHA-CHING!!!


:grin-devilish:ink::bow-down:
:rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:

You know RRfire that he is talking about ducked OB's and the CB on a spot (or that line or close to it), the CB center of table and OB ducked up or the OB hanging in the side and the CB 1st diamond on the head string, you know he isn't talking about random kicks, and supergreenman if you are you can come see me to.

What he's talking about?

I know the bet I proposed....

I agree with spider....

I'll gave anyone odds on 3 rail kicking in a ball 2' min from the pocket, race to 10, I set up the shot.

I don't give bets on reading comprehension.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Yes...same here, but...:embarrassed2:

Isn't it the way the shot is most often practiced because it is the correct angle to approach the OB, if you are tring to make it?

Chicken or egg, ya know?

OK. To even things out, move the object ball half way towards the side cushion. I think I'd still use 3 rails. I think taking the ball all the way to the cushion favors the 1-rail shot because the system for it is easy to sight at that point.