Playing position on straight in shots

[Dan White]

Well I think I finally have a handle on straight in shots - not pocketing them, but playing position when faced with a straight shot. I have to admit for years I would try to cheat the pocket and use inside english to bring the cue ball around the corner, but for the most part I would follow the cue ball straight in and scratch.

I finally spent a few minutes thinking about this problem and here's what was happening: I would plan to cheat the pocket partly by putting english on the cue ball and letting the squirt move the cue ball a little to the side. To be honest, I never knew exactly what I was doing, I just tried to do it by feel and see if I got a good result. The reason I kept scratching was when applying english I was pivoting the cue. This pivot caused the cue ball to go straight ahead instead of squirting sideways a little. So now the secret (for me) is to be sure and use PARALLEL english. I aim for a straight in follow shot, then move the whole cue left or right just a little bit, then shoot straight forward. I can do this from as far as half a table away, but it does get dicey at these distances. If I need the cue ball to go around the pocket from right to left, then I use left english, and vice versa with right english.

Why not just cheat the pocket and forget about the parallel english? Glad you asked! Using english and high speed puts a huge amount of spin on the cue ball, even if I'm only using a very small tip offset (left or right english with follow). By having this english, the cue ball whips around the corner pocket toward your target with more force than if you did it with just follow and cheating the pocket. (OK, I haven't done an exhaustive comparison on this, but it looks that way). I have two examples below, which amazingly came up in two consecutive racks. On the left, a left english parallel offset caused the cue ball to whip around the pocket and open up the problem cluster. On the right, I got straight in on my break shot. Again, left parallel english squirted the cue ball to the right, giving me just enough angle to come around the corner. I was able to hit the corner 5 ball with just enough speed to get a shot on it. I was able to make this and get the balls open enough to continue my run.

Anyway, it was fun to finally discover the right way to do this shot. If you have another/better way please chime in.

Thanks!

 

[DTL]

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[center pocket]

I have found playing that shot I have to put a smooth stroke on it. When hitting that shot usually you want to come two rails out of that corner with speed, like you said. Well there is a tendency to punch the cue ball instead of stroking it at high speed, even with above average amateurs.

I have done it enough to know how to do it the right way now.

Maybe I will make a short video showing this.

 

[3andstop]

I think Bob Jewett or Dr. Dave talked about the 90 degree, 30 degree tangent lines with center ball and follow.

A smooth follow stroke lets the CB go through the OB and off on a 30 degree line while a firmer hit with center ball sends the CB off on that 90 degree line.

On those break shots that are practically straight in, you can't afford a center ball hit if you want to follow the shot two rails with inside, and you can't afford a smooth follow sometimes cause it will follow the OB into the pocket.

For me, the inside follow stroke combined with what I call a firm "pop" stroke, allows the CB to take the follow while forcing it more abruptly toward the 90 degree deflection which is just enough to allow it to miss following the OB into the pocket and double the rails next to the pocket.

 

[Dan White]

Sounds like you were using BHE........which cancels out the squirt and makes the CB go straight down the shot line. There have been some recent discussions on this subject recently in the Main Forum. Glad you figured it out. ........anything to keep them runs going!

Yes, BHE is what I use for applying english. It's one of those subjects on AZ that usually ends up in a big argument for some reason. I find that I don't get the exact spin I'm looking for if I just pivot my back hand - it can be inconsistent. Since reading Mark Wilson's book, I'm now getting everything (feet, body, arm etc.) aligned as needed for BHE so that I don't have to redirect my shooting arm. Anyway, hard to 'splain but that's another subject anyway.

The key for me was not to apply english like I normally do. I had to start using parallel english, which for me is a little awkward.

Thanks, and congrats on the 150+ run! I plan on having a look when I can.