I've been watching a lot of youtube videos, and I notice that on the game ball, most of the time the pros fire them in. I always thought you never shoot harder than necessary. Is it that they are just sure the ball is going in, or am I mistaken in thinking you need to shoot pocket speed?
Pocket speed or fire them in
- Thread starter Mole Eye
- Start date
The answer is... all the feel-good advice have their place. For me, there is a natural stroke speed that is my "go to" speed if everything relied on just pocketing a ball. Even at that, some shots require a different "go to speed" than others.
Pretty murky answer that could be replaced with "it all depends on the shot."
Freddie <~~~ some shots are supposed to make the bell ring
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I've learned that on case balls, or cinch shots, that my accuracy is better if I put a little speed on it. I think my stroke stays more true with speed than a pocket speed slow roll.
Perhaps that's why the pros do it?
Perhaps that's why the pros do it?
Pocket Speed or Fire them in
If your "stroke stays more true" on that shot, why not all shots (shots that don't require speed control for shape) ??? I'll acknowledge that on the final ball, you don't have to have speed/angle control to get shape on the next ball.
If your "stroke stays more true" on that shot, why not all shots (shots that don't require speed control for shape) ??? I'll acknowledge that on the final ball, you don't have to have speed/angle control to get shape on the next ball.
Depends on how you're feeling and it depends on the angle you have. Any sizable cut angle, you probably don't want to smack the ball in as you don't want your cue ball running everywhere and maybe scratch if you lose control.
other than that I'm pretty sure it's a comfort thing for most players. It is for myself.
For some I think it's just the period at the end of a sentence.
Not all pro's do this, but how can you argue with the ones who do?!? For me, I try to play the same speed required for that shot as if there was still another shot left on the table. (but I have been guilty of firing it in as well)
Not all pro's do this, but how can you argue with the ones who do?!? For me, I try to play the same speed required for that shot as if there was still another shot left on the table. (but I have been guilty of firing it in as well)
You shoot the case ball with a little pace so 1) if you miss the ob is not in the pocket. 2) You try and avoid skid and the possibility of the ob rolling off. Most of the pro's are shooting these shots with a speed they are comfortable with as others have pointed out.
TheThaiger
Banned
Against stiffs, dead weight. Against good players, bang it. It's amazing how often the cue arm tightens on game balls against good players.
"Pocket speed" really only makes when OB is close to a rail. You won't see any experienced players "firing in" a ball down the rail unless he absolutely has to for position.
As for OBs that aren't anywhere near a rail, then players simply shoot the shot that maximizes their chances of pocketing it, without scratching. Shooting softly opens the door to bad rolls and increased throw, which could decrease your overall percentage in making the shot. The harder you shoot the shot, the less likely you'll see bad rolls or skid. And for experienced players, "firing in" a shot doesn't come with any significant decrease in shot accuracy (as compared to beginners), and sometimes a little exclamation point at the end of a sentence is worth it.
shoot it however you are more confident...
However if you do slow roll it your chances are better of it hanging up near the pocket if you dog it. Hit it hard and dog it, who knows where it could end up
However if you do slow roll it your chances are better of it hanging up near the pocket if you dog it. Hit it hard and dog it, who knows where it could end up
shoot it however you are more confident...
However if you do slow roll it your chances are better of it hanging up near the pocket if you dog it. Hit it hard and dog it, who knows where it could end up
Plus... slow rolls leave a lot more room for skid, table rolls, etc..
TheThaiger
Banned
Watch SVB...he's the best at speed control of all I watched on stream over the weekend. His speed doesn't matter as far as making the shot goes...his speed varies to place whitey exactly where he wants it to end up. He's also very good at quickly reading the speed of each individual table. IMO, that's why it rare for SVB to get a "bad roll".
I like firing in the game ball HARD when I'm gambling against a guy I want to stick it to him. If you keep pounding the balls in the hole hard, the noise keeps getting to him, and you are sending him a message that you aren't scared or threatened by him in the least.
Of course, this only works if you make the ball. lol.
Of course, this only works if you make the ball. lol.
I think most people would rather let their stroke out. It's tough to slow roll a long shot - your arm gets twitchy and, as somebody said, you're subject to table roll, etc. When SVB played Mika in the TAR match, at one point he had a long, straight-in 9 and he hit it a million miles an hour and made it. He could have hit it at 1/20th of the speed and made it but chose not to. It also, not coincidentally, shows your opponent you have a middle finger.
What you seeing isn't really a hard hit on the ball--it's more of the shot being hit with authority. There is a difference. Get out on the table and stroke a few long straight in shots from corner to corner (not laying in the pocket balls) say have the cue ball off the bottom rail enough that you can bridge properly and have the object ball about midtable---shot about a dozen real soft and record how many you make--then shoot another dozen with just a moderate stroke ot hard not soft and see how many you make--bet the moderate stroke works better for ya.
I have a bad habit of slowing rolling the game ball in. I've caught at least 3 times lately where skid cost me the game. The cueball rolls up to the object ball.....there's an audible "bump".....and the 8-ball spins sideways into the cushion not even close to where it should go. The whole thing looks almost surreal.
From this day forward, I'm going to shoot the game ball with more authority (yet not slamming it in carelessly, mind you).....and let the balls fall where they may.
From this day forward, I'm going to shoot the game ball with more authority (yet not slamming it in carelessly, mind you).....and let the balls fall where they may.
Most times the pros seem to hit the game ball with some speed, this is a speed that simply is comfortable for them. I don't ever like to slow roll the game ball, especially if it is some distance from the pocket, because you risk it rolling off, skidding, or getting knocked off line by a chalk pebble. On shots along the rail you might take a little off to avoid a rattler.
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Fire it in. :thumbup:
it all depends on the shot sometimes i stroke and sometimes i have to poke to watch out for that double tap. And sometimes i fire em in for:thumbup: certain reasons but for good measure and sometimes i just like that sound the back of the pocket makes when you stroke em. But sometimes i drill em just to let my opp know that im about to starting catching a Gear.