Practicing Cut Shots Down The Rail

[Redneck Jim]

I've noticed that on some instructional dvds and in some books, that on practice shots down the rail, it is suggested to place the object ball away from the rail something like the width of a cube of chalk. What is the reasoning for this?

I'm guessing that it gives a bit more margin for error, making it a bit easier to make the object ball.

It seems to me that placing the object ball touching the rail would make the shot harder, since it would require hitting the object ball more precisely.

The reason I'm asking is that I seem to have as much success shooting a ball frozen to the rail as I do when it is off the rail a bit, and wonder why.
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[Bob Jewett]

I've noticed that on some instructional dvds and in some books, that on practice shots down the rail, it is suggested to place the object ball away from the rail something like the width of a cube of chalk. What is the reasoning for this? ...

I suggest that so the student has some chance to know whether he hit the ball too full or too thin. If the object ball is frozen to the cushion, the student has a much harder time telling how he missed.

Also, for a ball on the cushion you usually have to hit the cushion first if you want to send the ball straight up the rail and that complicates things.

I think practice drills with only frozen balls are probably a waste of time, although they are easy to set up.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I think frozen shots are slightly easier. Firstly, the object ball will hug the rail slightly, and secondly because you have a greater margin of error- you can afford to clip the rail first and still make the pot.

Not exactly. You generally must hit the rail first to run the ball exactly up the rail.

The rail hugging generally only applies to worn cloth where there is a significant rail groove.

 

[FranCrimi]

I've noticed that on some instructional dvds and in some books, that on practice shots down the rail, it is suggested to place the object ball away from the rail something like the width of a cube of chalk. What is the reasoning for this?

I'm guessing that it gives a bit more margin for error, making it a bit easier to make the object ball.

It seems to me that placing the object ball touching the rail would make the shot harder, since it would require hitting the object ball more precisely.

The reason I'm asking is that I seem to have as much success shooting a ball frozen to the rail as I do when it is off the rail a bit, and wonder why.
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Even though I agree with what Bob wrote, I think that if you really want to know why someone wrote or said something, then you should go straight to them and ask. Contact the author.

 

[jtompilot]

Not exactly. You generally must hit the rail first to run the ball exactly up the rail.

The rail hugging generally only applies to worn cloth where there is a significant rail groove.

I think you can hit the ball first. Bob, I practice a shot from the head spot and OB frozen to the cushion, three diamonds from the corner. Using three tips of English pocketing the OB, the CB comes of the side rail, hits close to the middle foot Diamond and goes 3 of 4 rails back into the kitchen.

Doesn't the CB have to contact the OB first? Rail first the CB goes to the opposite side rail?

 

[Bob Jewett]

I think you can hit the ball first. Bob, I practice a shot from the head spot and OB frozen to the cushion, three diamonds from the corner. Using three tips of English pocketing the OB, the CB comes of the side rail, hits close to the middle foot Diamond and goes 3 of 4 rails back into the kitchen.

Doesn't the CB have to contact the OB first? Rail first the CB goes to the opposite side rail?

If you hit the ball first it will surely leave the cushion with inside english. The trick is that the cue ball can touch the cushion both first and last.