Long Rail Shots

SpiderWebComm

SpiderWebComm

HelpImBeingOppressed
Silver Member
I'm looking for advice for long rail shots. When I'm practicing (usually 14.1), I honestly feel like I SHOULD make everything I shoot at, no matter what the shot is... and many times I do. My positioning is getting better and better where I'm having longer and longer runs with easy shots. My daily average high-run is somewhere in the 30's - high run is 62 - breaking 40+ occasionally. Long rail shots end the run, typically.

I've been keeping track of my misses over the last month. Over 50% of my misses are from long-range rail shots (CB either touching or within 1").

Does anyone have any "swing thoughts" or advice for these shots???? I'm really frustrated--- any help would be appreciated.

Dave

Would love to hear from Lipsky, Harriman or Schmidt.
 
Last edited:
Dave - Not sure that the following is what you are looking for but I immediately jotted it down when I heard it because the message is so simple, but strong.


"Often the best way to avoid being on the rail is to bounce off of it."
​
Buddy Hall (from an Accustats commentary)​
 
If the question is how to shoot shots off the rail, keep in mind that you are greatly restricted as to how to shoot the shot. Most of the time, I think the best way to approach the shot is to shoot a pure center ball shot, with a bit of stroke, not much, just enough to impart a bit of speed to the cue ball, and to practice those shots up and down table, from short rail to short rail and back to see if you are imparting any unwanted english on the shot, for if you are, that will be a killer in these situations.

Then once you're shooting the shot up and down table satisfactorily, put an object ball one diamond away from the rail where the cue ball is and attempt to shoot the object ball straight down table and have it come back and hit the cue ball. It's tough. Then do that at 2 diamonds distance, then 3 and so on, until you are comfortable shooting those straight shots. Then do the same thing but with a slight angle to the shot, until you get comfortable with shooting them.

They sure aren't easy, but that's the way I practice them.

Hope this helps.

Flex

P.S. You may find that elevating the butt just a bit is helpful. To each his own. I do my best to keep the cue as level as possible.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
I'm looking for advice for long rail shots. When I'm practicing (usually 14.1), I honestly feel like I SHOULD make everything I shoot at, no matter what the shot is... and many times I do. My positioning is getting better and better where I'm having longer and longer runs with easy shots. My daily average high-run is somewhere in the 30's - high run is 62 - breaking 40+ occasionally. Long rail shots end the run, typically.

I've been keeping track of my misses over the last month. Over 50% of my misses are from long-range rail shots (CB either touching or within 1").

Does anyone have any "swing thoughts" or advice for these shots???? I'm really frustrated--- any help would be appreciated.

Dave

Would love to hear from Lipsky, Harriman or Schmidt.
Click to expand...


Dave

Do you mean that the balls are far apart with the OB on the rail or the cue ball is close to the rail with the OB far away???



I have a bit of trouble with shots like this ..
From A or B I have a much better chance of seeing the spot to hit it. From the CB position I tend to overcut the ball. The OB is about 1/8 -1/4 off the rail for this shot. If its frozen or close/farther then i can see the spot better.

CueTable Help

 
I've found shortening up on the grip can help with accuracy, especially if you're just cinching the ball.
 
frankncali said:
Dave

Do you mean that the balls are far apart with the OB on the rail or the cue ball is close to the rail with the OB far away???



I have a bit of trouble with shots like this ..
From A or B I have a much better chance of seeing the spot to hit it. From the CB position I tend to overcut the ball. The OB is about 1/8 -1/4 off the rail for this shot. If its frozen or close/farther then i can see the spot better.

CueTable Help

Click to expand...

CB is either frozen or close to frozen, with the OB far away.
 
cigardave said:
Dave - Not sure that the following is what you are looking for but I immediately jotted it down when I heard it because the message is so simple, but strong.


"Often the best way to avoid being on the rail is to bounce off of it."
​
Buddy Hall (from an Accustats commentary)​
Click to expand...

Bingo. That's the answer. I think when I end up on the rail... I wasn't 100% sure where the CB would stop to begin with.

That Buddy.... smart man, eh?
 
SpiderWebComm said:
Bingo. That's the answer. I think when I end up on the rail... I wasn't 100% sure where the CB would stop to begin with.

That Buddy.... smart man, eh?
Click to expand...
when i was younger i had problems getting on the side rail playing one pocket. i realized that the shot before i would think just cut this in and go across the table to the other rail. we have better speed control than we realize, after i began thinking go across the table and bounce off the rail i had much better luck.
 
You may want to choke up on your grip a little and use a shorter stroke too. And definitely stay on the vertical axis.
MULLY
hate those shots too
 
Off the rail

I've got a Nick Varner video.... he says the same as Buddy. Play shape coming off the rail.. not going into the rail. That way you're never stuck on the rail.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
CB is either frozen or close to frozen, with the OB far away.
Click to expand...

Relatively straight in or cuts...or both?

But IMHO actually frozen and not actually frozen are two different shots.

But Koehler discusses the use of inside or outside depending on the angle of the cut. I'll look it up and get back.

Also the relative difficulty of getting shape is a major factor so your question is a little difficult to answer.

But if the OB is not frozen, it's just a shot like any other although you might elect to err...if at all...on the thin side since death is driving the OB into the rail unintentionally.

I would avoid jacking up more than required by the rail or shape since you only increase the error potential due to sqwerve.

Finally, check out Joe Tucker's free youtubes. In one of them he gets into frozen rails shots.

Finally...no kidding...I think that most pros who isolate a particular shot that they miss will shot them hundreds of times and just see for themselves what the variables are that lead to making and missing.

Regards,
Jim
 
Hey Dave,

Try the 30 shot workout in the video section of my site I think it really help you. Also I know you believe you're striking the cb with center but you could unknowingly be putting a half tip of L or R so I would test that out right away with some dead straight shots off the cushion to see if your cb always goes to one side.

good luck I'm sure you'll overcome it!
JT
 
frankncali said:
Dave

Do you mean that the balls are far apart with the OB on the rail or the cue ball is close to the rail with the OB far away???



I have a bit of trouble with shots like this ..
From A or B I have a much better chance of seeing the spot to hit it. From the CB position I tend to overcut the ball. The OB is about 1/8 -1/4 off the rail for this shot. If its frozen or close/farther then i can see the spot better.

CueTable Help

Click to expand...


Try standing farther away from the table when lining up the shot. A lot of people have problems with shots like these because they are standing too close to the table and are out of line.
 
Dave, I said I'd get back with comments from Koehler in Science of Pocket Billiards but he devotes a whole 11 page chapter to rail shots that I can't possibly condense.

If you don't own that book and Upscale 9 Ball, you should.

Basically, for various reasons, he says going rail first is "optimal on all shots."

If memory serves and please forgive me if I am wrong, Joe Tucker suggests the same thing.

Regards,
Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top