just thought i'd share some thoughts on kicking,for what it's worth.
to me kicking is more sensible than jumping. true it depends on the lie of the shot,yes, but all in all, it's much wiser to kick,than jump. it's a better chance of doing something positive with the object ball, be it playing a safe,or making it,with jumping,there is a lot of danger that goes with being a "hero" with that in mind,let's jump,exuse me let's go to kicking. now, there are players out there, especially from japan,that use different types of mathmatical diamond systems,the problem with that,is ,you have to rely on diamonds and humidity,and cloth,etc.etc. this leaves you with a lot of guess work,which usually cancels out the math you just calculated,so i suggest,kicking by feel and sight,rather than a "system"
a method i like to use, is the "right" and "wrong" method i made up. it goes like this~ look to see where the object ball is you need to hit, then look at the first cushion you intend to hit,go too deep,and know it's wrong,then go too shallow and know it's wrong, then divide the difference,and fine tune it, and there is your kicking answer.
another thing i discovered regarding kicking is this, 95% of the time, it's easier to use more cushions than just one. sometimes it's true one cushion is easier, but for the most part, it's much, much easier to use two three or even four or more cushions to make the hit,or pot.
finally, where you calculate the hit on the first cushion and where it comes off on the last cushion is the most important thing,meaning, almost FORGET! about the second cushion for it's almost meaningless!
if you really want to learn first hand about kicking,and what is possible,check out world class 3-cushion billiard players,you will be enlightened,and amazed.
hope this helps,Bernie Friend IPT player.
to me kicking is more sensible than jumping. true it depends on the lie of the shot,yes, but all in all, it's much wiser to kick,than jump. it's a better chance of doing something positive with the object ball, be it playing a safe,or making it,with jumping,there is a lot of danger that goes with being a "hero" with that in mind,let's jump,exuse me let's go to kicking. now, there are players out there, especially from japan,that use different types of mathmatical diamond systems,the problem with that,is ,you have to rely on diamonds and humidity,and cloth,etc.etc. this leaves you with a lot of guess work,which usually cancels out the math you just calculated,so i suggest,kicking by feel and sight,rather than a "system"
a method i like to use, is the "right" and "wrong" method i made up. it goes like this~ look to see where the object ball is you need to hit, then look at the first cushion you intend to hit,go too deep,and know it's wrong,then go too shallow and know it's wrong, then divide the difference,and fine tune it, and there is your kicking answer.
another thing i discovered regarding kicking is this, 95% of the time, it's easier to use more cushions than just one. sometimes it's true one cushion is easier, but for the most part, it's much, much easier to use two three or even four or more cushions to make the hit,or pot.
finally, where you calculate the hit on the first cushion and where it comes off on the last cushion is the most important thing,meaning, almost FORGET! about the second cushion for it's almost meaningless!
if you really want to learn first hand about kicking,and what is possible,check out world class 3-cushion billiard players,you will be enlightened,and amazed.
hope this helps,Bernie Friend IPT player.
!
I understand you have a baby at home now though. Some guy from Wenatchee, Ryan? He keeps looking for the big guns to lose his money to, when he can lose it to someone at my level. He has lost to Raul, Atwell, James Davee, and was looking for Eddie Mataya, but won't play Mike. 
