Physics-Minded..How does the CB know?

[dr_dave]

That's exactly how the scoop shot works as explained by Dr. Dave. You slide your stick along the cloth to hit the bottom of the ball and the cue ball jumps not because of a miscue but because the table is the mass on the other side. It's a totally unnatural shot, but try it to see if you can jump without a miscue. Make sure the edge of your tip is chalked well.

For those who want to see an example of this, see the first shot in:

HSV B.2 - Illegal "scoop" jump shots

And for more info, see the illegal "scoop" jump shot resource page.

Enjoy,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Jaden, you should really read more carefully. Shaft deflection "happens" both during and after contact with the ball, but the ball is "pushing" the shaft only during contact (of course).

Bingo!

For those interested, the super-slow-motion videos and illustrations available via the links on the following pages might be helpful to people having trouble visualizing some of this stuff:

cue vibration resource page

what causes squirt

Enjoy,
Dave