How do you kick?

How do you kick? And what are your results?

  • Total voters
    169
Bob Jewett said:
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.
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I agree.

With a rail in place you (obviously) greatly enlarge the target, for many a 1 rail kick is easier to 'see' and the rail gives you alot of error. As the OB gets farther out in the field , the kick that closes the rail gap between the CB and OB would be more preferable. If I explained that correctly. ;)
 
Bob Jewett said:
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.
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Bob-me too.

A 3 rail kick practice setup: ob on spot, cb in mouth of either corner pocket at the same end. Attempt to kick cb 3 rails into ob to pocket it in the opposite corner pocket.(corner 5 system-ish).

Continue kicking 3 rails from where the cb lies, trying to nudge the ob into the corner pocket. Try to do it in least number of kicks. Note: gets tougher if 1st kick attempt moves ob toward original cb pocket, instead of toward the intended open pocket)

A helpful drill that gives good sense of the marriage of a well known system, adjusted for your own stroke, speed, and spin. It also shows the limits of where you can get on that last leg of the 3 rail path, while avoiding the side pockets.

Same but different:

OB on spot. CB frozen to rail adjacent to a diamond below the side pocket. Kick 3 rails, attempting to pocket ob in the corner connected to the starting point side rail. Continue kicking at the ob by returning the cb, frozen, adjacent to the same or different diamond below the side. (usually to the same diamond location for consistency).

In general-it's practicing a 'last option' escape-so it's of limited value.

But then, I like wacky shots.:eek:
 
3RAILKICK said:
In general-it's practicing a 'last option' escape-so it's of limited value.

But then, I like wacky shots.:eek:
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Wacky is good too. ;)

I do that all the time but I start with an OB 1 to 2 diamonds up and out from the corner, play the CB where it lies. Lots to learn there besides just kicking it 'in'.
 
By the way, I didn't think the poll was that confusing. One option said "I hit most kicks" and one said "I make most kicks" --- Because one option said "hit," that implies "make" means to pot into an intended pocket.

One rail, 3 rails, 20 rails --- I can't see anyone on earth being a favorite to kick over 50% of balls in.

To also clarify, sure--- I make kicks too and have a decent % for those I intend to make (balls near pockets, other scenarios that I happen to like, etc). But if someone placed the CB and OB at random places on the table (let's say the CB has to at least be off the rail so you can cue however you want), there's no way I'd take that bet without tremendous odds on the money or excessive tries for even money. So like I said, if someone feels they need neither-- I'm game to donate. You can rob me on video and we'll put it on Youtube and it'll prob get a million views.
 
I use the ghost table and equal in/out for 1 rail kicks. Multiple rail kicks I will jump, either with a jump cue or rail jump, otherwise it's poke and hope for me! I make the one rail kicks more often than not.
 
3RAILKICK said:
Bob-me too.

A 3 rail kick practice setup: ob on spot, cb in mouth of either corner pocket at the same end. Attempt to kick cb 3 rails into ob to pocket it in the opposite corner pocket.(corner 5 system-ish).

Continue kicking 3 rails from where the cb lies, trying to nudge the ob into the corner pocket. Try to do it in least number of kicks. Note: gets tougher if 1st kick attempt moves ob toward original cb pocket, instead of toward the intended open pocket)

A helpful drill that gives good sense of the marriage of a well known system, adjusted for your own stroke, speed, and spin. It also shows the limits of where you can get on that last leg of the 3 rail path, while avoiding the side pockets.

Same but different:

OB on spot. CB frozen to rail adjacent to a diamond below the side pocket. Kick 3 rails, attempting to pocket ob in the corner connected to the starting point side rail. Continue kicking at the ob by returning the cb, frozen, adjacent to the same or different diamond below the side. (usually to the same diamond location for consistency).

In general-it's practicing a 'last option' escape-so it's of limited value.

But then, I like wacky shots.:eek:
Click to expand...

I like your idea. I learned a similar shot a few weeks back. I loaded it on Youtube if you wanna see. It was recorded a couple of hours after I started practicing. I'm pretty consistent now. I'd also rather do a 3 rail kick just cause they are pretty :rolleyes: I also use ghost ball and equal distances. I made a combo kick shot that was so cool last week! :thumbup: For the OP I am a beginner.
Loren
 
JuicyGirl said:
I like your idea. I learned a similar shot a few weeks back. I loaded it on Youtube if you wanna see. It was recorded a couple of hours after I started practicing. I'm pretty consistent now. I'd also rather do a 3 rail kick just cause they are pretty :rolleyes: I also use ghost ball and equal distances. I made a combo kick shot that was so cool last week! :thumbup: For the OP I am a beginner.
Loren
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Thats a good start , nice job.

Now you need to move the CB to different spots along the foot rail and make the same shot. But pay attention to the aiming adjustments you need to make and try and understand why. You can make that shot pretty easily with the same stroke till you get about a foot or so from the OBs corner pocket.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
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.
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Agree,

kicking is very underestimated- it must be practiced a lot (really a lot, if you wanna get benefit from it!). I use to say to students, that once you are able to hit the ball almost about 60-70 % (free balls in the field) you re ok- then it must be your goal to be able to hit also the *correct* side- then you have a good chance/percentage to play maybe a re-safe to get another chance to get to the table. To make the ball, which is really in the field.....well-- to make 50 percent out of the field would be amazing.
 
The dot system with a needed feel for how the rails play. So I guess a hybrid system. That video on youtube with Alex Pagulayan showing us how he kicks is also damn useful :thumbup:
 
Thanks Ratta and Yup..That's what I was doing for the next few days after I recorded that.:thumbup:

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
 
dont shoot me i had a glass or two of wine:eek:
if you kick by feel and have to take time off it will take a while to get your "feel" back
if you kick by systems and take time off
if you remember the system you willl be kicking great in a much shorter time:smile:
when table/rails/wet/dry dont roll "true" you will have to use some feel to adjust
ie you will be on the street might have to find the house
kicking systems are the nuts...:thumbup:
:thumbup:
 
JuicyGirl said:
I like your idea. I learned a similar shot a few weeks back. I loaded it on Youtube if you wanna see. It was recorded a couple of hours after I started practicing. I'm pretty consistent now. I'd also rather do a 3 rail kick just cause they are pretty :rolleyes: I also use ghost ball and equal distances. I made a combo kick shot that was so cool last week! :thumbup: For the OP I am a beginner.
Loren
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Nice shooting!

If you don't mind a tip:

As you follow through on the shot stroke you lift your cue out of your bridge. This means you're gripping the cue too tightly and dropping your elbow.

Cut that out.

pj
chgo
 
I agree with Pat here. Hopefully in your lesson with Donny he also got you to fix that. It's a bad habit, and unnecessary to make the shot.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Patrick Johnson said:
Nice shooting!

If you don't mind a tip:

As you follow through on the shot stroke you lift your cue out of your bridge. This means you're gripping the cue too tightly and dropping your elbow.

Cut that out.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Nice shooting!

If you don't mind a tip:

As you follow through on the shot stroke you lift your cue out of your bridge. This means you're gripping the cue too tightly and dropping your elbow.

Cut that out.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

Thanks:thumbup:! I struggle with that mostly on that open bridge, shooting from inside the pocket, and being a girl I really have to pound the CB to get speed. As you can tell, I was holding on to that cue as if my life depended on it. That day I was using bottom right to make my ball, which slows down the CB some. It's easier/better when I'm using running English which I actually learned existed the next day....

A complete fear of tearing the cloth also sends me flying with the cue. But after writing this post, I realize the cloth will be fine! :cool:

Thanks again.
Loren
 
JuicyGirl said:
Thanks:thumbup:! I struggle with that mostly on that open bridge, shooting from inside the pocket, and being a girl I really have to pound the CB to get speed. As you can tell, I was holding on to that cue as if my life depended on it. That day I was using bottom right to make my ball, which slows down the CB some. It's easier/better when I'm using running English which I actually learned existed the next day....

A complete fear of tearing the cloth also sends me flying with the cue. But after writing this post, I realize the cloth will be fine! :cool:

Thanks again.
Loren
Click to expand...

Try using right with a little top(2 o'clock) and put a piece of chalk where you hit the 1st rail when you start making shots.
Keep hitting that spot untill you don't miss. That will help practice consistent hit on the cue ball.

Move up to the 1st diamond and do the same thing.
Then the second diamond, same thing.

You'll notice something interesting about the 3 pieces of chalk on that first rail.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
By the way, I didn't think the poll was that confusing. One option said "I hit most kicks" and one said "I make most kicks" --- Because one option said "hit," that implies "make" means to pot into an intended pocket.
Click to expand...

I agree but you are the kind of guy that reads everything, thinks about it and gives an answer and 1/2 the people on earth are not that way.
 
PGHteacher said:
I agree but you are the kind of guy that reads everything, thinks about it and gives an answer and 1/2 the people on earth are not that way.
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A lot of kicks are intended to result in safeties. That’s why I approached it as implying, "I make the kicks, I intend to make, most of the time.
 
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