What’s a good shot and what’s a great shot? Good shots involve the pot; great shots involve the pot and the position, if you settle for good shots you will never become a good player let alone a great one.
There are shots that come up where the requirement of getting ideal shape would make the shot itself a low % one and getting “good or ok” shape would make the shot a very high % one. There are shots where you sometimes have to “let the CB loose” (that should be a very uncomfortable thing). If this comes up a lot you are doing something wrong.
It is impossible to answer this question with a “blanket rule” like “always make the ball” or “it is positional considerations that come 1st always”. This is part of getting better at the game and each shot has to be evaluated on an individual basis.
The problem with “always make the ball” is the “getting a little out of line” with each shot and then this happens more and more and more and then you have a low % shot, you miss and then the table is better for your opponent.
The problem with “position comes 1st” is that “IDEAL” position can sometimes make the high % shot a low % shot it is not a 1 vs. 2; these are equally important. The reason there are so many “make the ball” people is what stands out in their memory. They remember the games they lost because they missed the ball far better than the games they won by just playing good/tight position, it’s very natural.
Players create an imaginary problem when they consider pocketing the ball and accomplishing position as two separate endeavors. The answer is rather simple. Plan the shot so that you can achieve both goals, and don't shoot until you have the plan solidly confirmed in your mind.
Yes, sometimes one or the other is more important, but you don't need to focus on just one, - they are both part of the same plan!
Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
This is 100% correct. So let me break down your post and take things 1 at a time.
As I've played more I've learned that on a cut shot a harder hit cuts less and a softer shot cuts more. This is more obvious on longer shots (object ball to pocket).
This is as you say later “not phrased well” and you’re right it isn’t and I always think it’s important to have it deep in your mind the “right way”. In order to access this info quickly you should form relationships of the general ways that the balls work. PJ knows the science of this game very very well and from what I have seen of his posts I can tell you that what he has said is 100% correct; however accessing that info as it is layed out and transferring it to your subconscious in the middle of a run would be challenging to say the least.
I would say (especially at 1st) you should think more conceptually with the idea of “relationships”. Now I am not going to get into the argument of the harder you hit the ball the more precision you lose yea well NO KIDDIN! I am just going to talk about how to solidify the effects of speed and what it does so that the conscious can get the message to the subconscious easily.
THE HARDER YOU HIT THE BALL THE MORE YOU STRAIGHTEN THE LINES OUT. That means all the lines CB coming off a rail, OB coming off a rail, the line of centers, how far the CB holds the tangent line after contact with the OB or when you shoot a throw or masse shot for that matter.
So organize it in your mind like this. No matter what the more force there is the more the line of centers will hold. No matter what the more force there is the more the longer the CB will travel along the tangent line. I am sure someone will mention deflection/squirt. And to those I say again “no kiddin”; what I am speaking of is the effects of ball interaction NOT tip/CB interaction.
This should help not just your potting and positional accuracy right away with any type of shot cuts, banks, follow, draw, cluster (especially in 14.1), throw etc.. etc..
Are you better off with a consistent shot speed and being comfortable with a consistent cut angle (easier to maker, but losing some control over shape) or adjusting for both speed and cut angle?
As I said, it’s situational you can’t give a “go to” answer to this question no matter what anyone tells you.
I'm not sure I've phased this question well, but when you're down on a critical shot do you focus on a consistent speed and angle or do you add some complexity with speed for better shape? What's more important? This is a trade-off that's been bugging me. Does this kind of stuff get in your mind when you're about to shoot? How do you more accomplished player handle this? Obviously, making the shot and getting good shape's ideal, but practically what do you really focus on to get the best result? BTW, I mostly play straight pool.
I have to stress this because all pool players have this problem regardless of skill level from beginner to pro. I put this well in my paper “Pools 10 most important points” here is the front and back of point #10
A pool shot has two parts: analysis and execution. DO NOT DO BOTH AT ONCE!!! Analyze IN A STANDING POSITION so that you have a birds eye view of the table. In the analysis stage, you observe the layout of the table and make a plan (be as precise as possible). The execution stage starts when you bend over the table and take that first warm up stroke. THE ANALYSIS STAGE IS OVER! If you catch yourself analyzing when you're executing stand up and start over.
10. This is an advanced mistake right up to the professional level. Do you best to separate the 2 stages; also remember in your analysis phase be as specific as possible (look at #5)
As you say “This is a trade-off that's been bugging me” and that’s how you should be thinking about it “what’s the risk/reward factor and how does that affect my shot decision” also as Ewa Laurance says “try not to think of the shot as being easy or hard; try to think of them on a percentage basis” this will reduce carelessness on “easy” shots and anxiety on “hard” shots.
![CropperCapture[22].jpg](https://forums.azbilliards.com/data/attachments/176/176403-dc5bf773ef9b56cc143d56da0c389dda.jpg?hash=3Fv3c--bVs "CropperCapture[22].jpg")
