Magic Line 3-Rail Kicking System

[Colin Colenso]

Magic Line 3-Rail Kicking System

I developed this system based on "The 'Opposite 3' System" by Bob Jewett, as detailed here: http://www.professorqball.com/displaystory.php?RecordID=15

I've extended his system of a magic point to a magic line of points, that delineates aim points for various degrees of running english from a touch of english the maximum running english.

I advise the user to stick to use either touch of english or maximum english, and only to use the others when a route to the other points is not available, as consistancy is difficult using 1 or 2 tips of english.

The magic line exists but can be slightly different for all tables. Here is a diagram of how it appears (the green line) on my table.

This is based on a mirror principle. It identifies a point through which you can aim that will send your CB to the mirror image position on the rail at the opposite side of the table. See Bob's article above for an explanation of how to determine the magic point on your table.

Then do the same thing using maximum english and you'll then have your magic line. All you need to remember is these two points.

How to Use It?

At first glance it may appear that this system is only useful when you happen to need to aim for a mirror point opposite your ball, but in fact it has quite a wide range of applicability as you can make relatively easy adjustments as shown below.

The blue arrows indicate the distance between the mirror position and your target position. Simply estimate this distance and adjust the magic line points accordingly as shown above.

The red line is the path for maximum english, the purple line is the path for a touch or running english.

This system, when combined with the 2 Rail Kick System provides a powerful arsenal for escaping snookers when you have to travel around the table.

A good practice drill to help memorize these systems and adapt to the adjustments is to play with just a cue ball and an object ball starting in a random position. Try to get the OB in a pocket by kicking it off 2 or 3 rails each time.

With practice and using this system, you'll rarely miss the OB and you should be able to get it into the pocket with an average of 6 or so tries.

 

[Solartje]

interesting colin. Just a quick first question. The lowest blue line, gets smaller if the cb is to the right of the mirror of the 8. And it gets longer if the cb is to the leftof the mirror of the 8 right. or are the lenght of both blue lines always the same? if the blue line lenght changes, do u have any rough idea on how it changes? like for example. 1 diamond difference from 8 and mirror of 8 = 10% decrease in blue line lenght?

first time i actually understand what u are saying.. I must admit, ive read about the diamond system, but i never ever used it. I just see the lines and angles, and i just cant get myself to remember the diamond system. This is alot easyer, and it seems pritty easy to learn.

what changes the magic line on each table? only the measures of the table? 6-7-8 or 9 ft? or are there other parameters that influence it?

on my picture. is there a system so that A and A' or B and B' would always be on the mirrored side? Is there a point C, so that if u remember this point, the line that goes true (the place where u hit the cussion + C) always tell u where u will hit the 3th rail if u see where this line intersects the 3th cussion?

just some questions, maybe u could invent or extend your thing so that u can find these xtra points IF they exist... or is it silly solly question of the week all over again?


edit: just thought of something... is there a system, maybe a variant of this wich would: If u take your picture, the place where the cb touches the first long rail, would be the same place (mirrored) where it would hit the 3th (long) rail on the same but exact oposite place? something in the line of: if u use 1tip of running englisch , the cb will hit the 3th rail at the exact same mirrored place as it will hit the first cussion? (usefull for 2rail kicks maybe? or safety's?)

 

[Colin Colenso]

interesting colin. Just a quick first question. The lowest blue line, gets smaller if the cb is to the right of the mirror of the 8. And it gets longer if the cb is to the leftof the mirror of the 8 right. or are the lenght of both blue lines always the same? if the blue line lenght changes, do u have any rough idea on how it changes? like for example. 1 diamond difference from 8 and mirror of 8 = 10% decrease in blue line lenght?

One thing that I didn't explain with the blue line adjustment, is that it would be larger for the red line than the purple line, as these two lines travel back to different points on the rail.

As the amount of adjustment gets larger, you may find that the adjustment blue line distance is less than the original blue line difference in position. You'll soon work this out and identify the trends once you practice it. I believe it provides a very powerful guide and accurate guide. Instead of just hitting balls, you'll actually be trying to pocket them if you learn the quirks of the system in detail and learn to quickly make the adjustments on new tables.

first time i actually understand what u are saying.. I must admit, ive read about the diamond system, but i never ever used it. I just see the lines and angles, and i just cant get myself to remember the diamond system. This is alot easyer, and it seems pritty easy to learn.

what changes the magic line on each table? only the measures of the table? 6-7-8 or 9 ft? or are there other parameters that influence it?

The line will change on various tables mainly due to the cloth on the rails and the rubbers. These could change with temperature and humidity too, so pay attention to that.

Also, you'll probably find differences on different size tables, though it is a good starting guide and two test shots from the extreme points could allow you to quickly estimate the magic line for any new table.

The line is not totally magic, not perfect, but it seems to work as a pretty accurate and simple guide. You'll need to learn the small variations that arise due to speed, different tables etc. But it will quickly give you a method that is much more accurate than guessing and you'll gradually learn to make slight adjustments to refine it.

 

[Solartje]

i agree the system is SO simple, i may actually use it.

The BHE, and other diamond systems are so complicated :s i just give up after readin 2 lines... (maybe ill try to understand and use it on a later day, but im still training basics, i dont want to get into TO complicated things just yet)

ps i edited my last post? does such points exist too? if not, can u invent them?

added this picture, to see if this is possible that using the line u invented, if u can find a point on the line (maybe center ball, or 1tip reverse running englisch, so u always touch the 1st and 3th rail at the exact same mirrored place...

mmm thought of it, maybe its just that center ball hit , always gives a perfect mirrored cusion hitting place , this exists for many years, and im just doing silly, and u invented this system, just in case center ball hit path isnt free, and u need to aply running englisch... in this case, forgive me its early and im not yet fully awake

 

[Colin Colenso]

edit: just thought of something... is there a system, maybe a variant of this wich would: If u take your picture, the place where the cb touches the first long rail, would be the same place (mirrored) where it would hit the 3th (long) rail on the same but exact oposite place? something in the line of: if u use 1tip of running englisch , the cb will hit the 3th rail at the exact same mirrored place as it will hit the first cussion? (usefull for 2rail kicks maybe? or safety's?)

Solly,
Yes, it's quite possible to create a system or an equation to predict the 3rd rail hit position. Some equations may only have a limited range of usefulness though.

Just thinking about your proposal above, I don't think it will work well for a wide range of shots.

There are no universal systems, but systems that have a domain or region where they remain relatively simple to remember and resonably accurate. Their domain can often be extended with some additional rules (add ons).

Regarding the center ball and 1-tip reverse, I experimented with it briefly but found it did not follow the magic line concept very well except for a smallish range of the domain. The line would extend for these, and possibly curve.

It might be worth your time and effort to practice center ball and reverse from some angles and see what adjustments are necessary. This is the kind of refining I was talking about.

A system provides a basic guide. Sometimes you find shots outside this range that you can make adjustments for with reverse, stun, higher speed or other variables.

 

[Solartje]

well i dont got a table to practise but i will try to practice your thing first.

The main reason why i would like to predict where it would hit the 3th cussion, is for me to find a easyer 2rail kick system, then the diamond system. I just forget it every time after 5minuts. (I have problems with short time memory) and calculating under stress (matches etc). Hope ull find time to update your blog. Ill be sure to put it into my favorits, as one day ill be wanting to understand it im sure.

thx calculator.

ps, maybe u can make your room soundproof for late night training.

 

[Colin Colenso]

well i dont got a table to practise but i will try to practice your thing first.

The main reason why i would like to predict where it would hit the 3th cussion, is for me to find a easyer 2rail kick system, then the diamond system. I just forget it every time after 5minuts. (I have problems with short time memory) and calculating under stress (matches etc). Hope ull find time to update your blog. Ill be sure to put it into my favorits, as one day ill be wanting to understand it im sure.

thx calculator.

ps, maybe u can make your room soundproof for late night training.

Solly,
It would be very good to know the 3rd cushion contact point for accuracy on mid table kicks. I think if you play this system a bit and pay attention to the 3rd rail contact, you could soon begin to predict it pretty well.

Just watch the paths and they'll stick in your mind. The use the 4th rail hit which is known as a guide. Should help a bit.

To the masses:
Had anyone tried this on their own table yet

I'd like to know where the magic line appears on some other tables.

Colin