long straight-in near pocket

I'll just add that in order to shoot this stop shot effectively, you must hit whitey about 3/4 of a tip or so below center ball (due to the length of the shot and the amount of cloth friction that whitey will encounter along its route to the object ball tending to undo the backspin) and remember to stoke firmly through whitey... in other words... don't forget to finish your stroke... and whitey will stop effectively... just on your side of the object ball.
 
BigRigTom said:
Everyone keeps recommending a stop shot! That is fine if you can execute it at will with confidence and if you stop the cue ball you don't have to worry about a possible scratch by following or getting a weird bounce off the rail into a side pocket!

A good long controlled stop shot is dependent on a straight dependable stroke. It is also important to hit the center of the 8 ball on a long straight in stop shot attempt.....that is tougher than it sound!

I deduce from the question that you are not comfortable with a long straight in stop shot....most people are not so that doesn't make you different.

I stick with my original recommendation....medium firm stroke and cheat the pocket slightly, be sure to aim at a specific point so that the cue ball contacts the 8 ball VERY slightly off center and you CAN NOT follow it in....try if if you don't believe me, set the shot up and try to follow the 8 into the pocket on purpose. If you can do that consistently then you should be able to execute the stop shot you are looking for, if not cheat the pocket and do that with confidence that you will NOT follow the 8 into the pocket.

I'll usually do off center shot on this. I don't like slamming(for lack of term) the cue ball as personal preference. I like it soft and smooth.
 
This shot actually just came up recently when I was playing 9-ball. The 8-ball (coincidentally) was deep in the pocket and the 9-ball was near the side pocket of the same side. I, of course, was on the opposite side near the corner pocket, completely straight in! I asked, how do I avoid not scratching and get position??

Others gave their opinion. Then Ginky piped in and said, "Hit it very low and alittle left." I told him my drawing skills at such a distance were limited and he said it'll be fine. Sure enough, I made sure to hit very low on the cue with just a little left and the cue ball almost danced alittle around the pocket, but had no shot of going in!!!

Oh, and I got perfect position on the 9ball. :)
 
GG11 said:
This shot actually just came up recently when I was playing 9-ball. The 8-ball (coincidentally) was deep in the pocket and the 9-ball was near the side pocket of the same side. I, of course, was on the opposite side near the corner pocket, completely straight in! I asked, how do I avoid not scratching and get position??

Others gave their opinion. Then Ginky piped in and said, "Hit it very low and alittle left." I told him my drawing skills at such a distance were limited and he said it'll be fine. Sure enough, I made sure to hit very low on the cue with just a little left and the cue ball almost danced alittle around the pocket, but had no shot of going in!!!

Oh, and I got perfect position on the 9ball. :)

perfect position on the 9ball . . . hmm, How about this? Think of the shot that will actually give you that perfect position on purpose.

I think people should play the "money" ball as if they as still trying to get a position. This is a safer approach in any condition than just stopping the cue ball.
 
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