Long backspin shots taking forward roll...

ChrisWoj

ChrisWoj

Just some one eyed guy.
Silver Member
I'm having a ton of trouble with long backspin shots. Say three-quarters of a barbox. I suffer from a hell of a lot of anxiety on dead straight in shots on the eight ball as a result, it cost me big time last night. Whenever I watch other people play this shot, I see them hit the ball with backspin and get the ball to stop on contact. Whenever I do it the ball seems to run out of backspin just before it gets there and upon contact it stops, catches forward, and rolls after the ball into the pocket.

I seem to have so many shots down, but this simple one is driving me batshit insane right now.
 
Backspin from a distance

Take a striped ball (stripe horizontal) and shoot it with draw, from the head of the table to the foot of the table. You will be able to see when the ball transitions from back spin to sliding to forward roll.

There are many keys to getting good draw but its mainly based off of your stroke. Keep a level stroke, loose grip and arm, and follow all the way through the cue ball. Most people that have problems with draw from a distance are trying to hard - they end up tensing up and punching through the cue ball instead of a smooth stroke.

Last night I was on a 9 foot table, 2nd to last shot of the match I was near the head of the table, 8 ball was 1 diamond from the corner pocket at the foot of the table, straight in but the only way to get shape was to draw the ball the full length of the table from a full table away. I actually over did it and drew the ball back too far. Most of the players watching said they couldn't get any draw from that distance, let alone draw the ball 1 1/2 table lengths from a full table away on a 9 footer.
 
It does not require a massive stroke to stop the ball from that distance, especially on a bar box, and even with the heavier cue ball. Most people having trouble with draw either aren't hitting where they need to (i.e. not low enough, or aiming low and raising up somehow) or are decelerating somehow, "poking", etc. and not getting the required speed.

Start at closer distances, aim 1 full tip below center (about half way between center and bottom of ball), pull back smoothly and just accelerate through to a natural finish. Really chalk up your tip, use a striped ball, and aim at or just above the bottom of the stripe. When done you should be able to see the chalk mark to see if you hit the proper spot.

From a closer distance, say 1 - 2 diamonds away, you should be able to get decent draw with a moderate stroke at that tip position. Once comfortable with that, move back another diamond, same position, same speed. As you move back you will get less and less draw after contact, but you need the initial spin on the ball to counteract the friction as it's sliding down table. Progressively move back until you are at the position you describe, and that easy, moderate draw stroke should turn into a nice controlled stop shot.

Scott
 
Anxiety = tension and can cause decel and pulling the cue off the intended path, relax your arm and grip accelerating through the ball, make sure you have one last look at the CB before switching to the OB to ensure you are striking low.
 
ChrisWoj said:
I'm having a ton of trouble with long backspin shots. Say three-quarters of a barbox. I suffer from a hell of a lot of anxiety on dead straight in shots on the eight ball as a result, it cost me big time last night. Whenever I watch other people play this shot, I see them hit the ball with backspin and get the ball to stop on contact. Whenever I do it the ball seems to run out of backspin just before it gets there and upon contact it stops, catches forward, and rolls after the ball into the pocket.

I seem to have so many shots down, but this simple one is driving me batshit insane right now.
Click to expand...

There are two factors involved: How low you are hitting the cb and how hard you are striking it. You need to hit it low enough to generate backspin and you need to hit it hard enough to get the cb to it's desired location just at the point the backspin wears off. You have about a 6 inch margin for error. After that, the cb will start to roll.

Look for the right combination of low and speed.
 
Like at the bright side, you have the stun, follow down cold


Why am I the Colonel? Because I always get the chicken
 
You should video yourself hitting my draw shots and let the instructors here give you some analysis. It may prove pretty helpful. Also, if you're playing on a barbox some boxes have cueballs that can weigh up to an entire ounce more than the object ball. These balls are quite difficult to draw.
 
While they are two inert objects (wooden cue & plastic ball), draw is considerably easier when you use the weight of the cue, timing, and a low tip position vs. tight grip and trying to drive the stick through the CB using force and arm & shoulder muscles.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
Shooting this shot too hard can cause adverse effects. Try it lower and slower/softer. Send me a line if you want more specific help.
 
Matt - More specific help would be awesome. I'll PM you. But so far I'm seeing marked improvement by hitting the ball with a lighter grip and a smoother shot "through" the ball as opposed to contacting it by hitting "into" the cue. I feel like if I stroke it so that I'm aiming lightly at a point below and just beyond the ball I seem to get the proper spin.

Another issue - apparently the tip on my Pechauer is quite old and worn - I had not realized it. A friend of mine that plays with a new leather tip recommended I get a new tip. He used my stick for leagues and said he was shocked by how difficult draw was with it.
 
Keep after it, Chris. I've struggled with the same issue before, asked these folks before, and I've tried to implement their advice. With moderate success.

It takes time and practice. You sound like you've already discovered the most difficult part for me, the light and loose grip. It really helps, doesn't it?

Good luck!
 
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