Practicing my weak side cut angles

Gregg

Gregg

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member

CueTable Help



On the two similar cut shots, for me, B is child's play, from A I tend to over cut the object ball, hitting the side rail. Even after I get the aim line, contact point, etc.

I realize that for a lot of players, this is the case where they have a weak side, so to speak.

I have been focusing on shot A for a few hours, really fousing on the basics, and I don't want to "compensate" this angle, I want to "see" the angle correctly, if that makes sense.

Any ideas or helpful hints while I work on this? Time and effort is of no concern, I'll put the time in on my practice table, but what to do to correct this or even what kind of mistakes I may be making, however basic, would be helpful.
 
Gregg said:
I realize that for a lot of players, this is the case where they have a weak side, so to speak.

I have been focusing on shot A for a few hours, really fousing on the basics, and I don't want to "compensate" this angle, I want to "see" the angle correctly, if that makes sense.

Any ideas or helpful hints while I work on this? .
Click to expand...

One word: Centergistics.

See any of your SPF family of BCA Instructors.

Fred
 
Do you happen to stroke left-handed?

I'm a right-handed player, and from my personal experience, I always tend to overcut shot B much more than shot A. Though I do tend to overcut both these shots if I miss, I overcut shot B at a greater frequency.

My theory is that for slight to moderate back-cuts, players tend to overcut these back-cut shots. This is because you're looking slightly away from the intended pocket, and because of this your subconscious tends to make the cut angle appear larger than it actually is. Even if you visualize the correct contact point on the OB, you'll tend to shoot the CB less full than you should. For these back-cuts, I feel that imagining the true placement of the "ghost ball" is difficult.

As for shot B, your line of vision will be even more skewed away from the intended pocket if you're a right handed player. That's why I'm asking if you shoot left-handed, since you said you tend to overcut shot A instead. I don't know, just guessing.

For these shots, I now try to focus on the contact point of the CB more than the contact point of the OB.
 
jsp said:
Do you happen to stroke left-handed?

I'm a right-handed player, and from my personal experience, I always tend to overcut shot B much more than shot A. Though I do tend to overcut both these shots if I miss, I overcut shot B at a greater frequency.

My theory is that for slight to moderate back-cuts, players tend to overcut these back-cut shots. This is because you're looking slightly away from the intended pocket, and because of this your subconscious tends to make the cut angle appear larger than it actually is. Even if you visualize the correct contact point on the OB, you'll tend to shoot the CB less full than you should. For these back-cuts, I feel that imagining the true placement of the "ghost ball" is difficult.

As for shot B, your line of vision will be even more skewed away from the intended pocket if you're a right handed player. That's why I'm asking if you shoot left-handed, since you said you tend to overcut shot A instead. I don't know, just guessing.

For these shots, I now try to focus on the contact point of the CB more than the contact point of the OB.
Click to expand...

Yes, very perceptive, I'm a left handed shooter.

I guess I have to be aware of the contact points.

Again, I'm willing to shoot these shots until "I can see them". Very good points, and very likely what is occurring to me.
 
Gregg said:

CueTable Help



On the two similar cut shots, for me, B is child's play, from A I tend to over cut the object ball, hitting the side rail. Even after I get the aim line, contact point, etc.

I realize that for a lot of players, this is the case where they have a weak side, so to speak.

I have been focusing on shot A for a few hours, really fousing on the basics, and I don't want to "compensate" this angle, I want to "see" the angle correctly, if that makes sense.

Any ideas or helpful hints while I work on this? Time and effort is of no concern, I'll put the time in on my practice table, but what to do to correct this or even what kind of mistakes I may be making, however basic, would be helpful.
Click to expand...

I think these are missed because they just don't look right. People try to compensate for it and then miss. Go through your PSR get down on it and if it looks wrong just pull the trigger and see what happens. You just need to re-teach your subconcious. After you practice it a lot, it won't look wrong anymore.

Tracy
 
Cornerman said:
One word: Centergistics.

See any of your SPF family of BCA Instructors.

Fred
Click to expand...

TAP, TAP, TAP, Fred

Bob

PS, you going to Louisville in Aug-Sept?
 
Cornerman said:
One word: Centergistics.

See any of your SPF family of BCA Instructors.

Fred
Click to expand...

C-man,
Help, I can't find "centergistics" in my dictionary. I have a little more trouble cutting balls to my left than I do cutting balls to my right (drill scores significantly different). Perhaps when you get a little time you could give us a little taste of "centergistics."
 
Williebetmore said:
C-man,
Help, I can't find "centergistics" in my dictionary. I have a little more trouble cutting balls to my left than I do cutting balls to my right (drill scores significantly different). Perhaps when you get a little time you could give us a little taste of "centergistics."
Click to expand...

WillieBreak50 - have you? :p
 
TheOne said:
WillieBreak50 - have you? :p
Click to expand...

TheVerySmallNumberIndeed,
On the way to work today I broke 50 (miles per hour). Fifty balls in straight pool is another thing altogether - though at this point I am starting to think that I can definitely make 50 soon (on easy equipment) - and am willing to bet you a pint I can do it before the end of the year. Fifty on tough equipment may still be a bit beyond me.

P.S. - the 2 tables I play on regularly are significantly tougher than the tables used at the World tournament in which you participated - no excuse, just a clarification (oh, alright...it was an excuse...but I need to prop up my fragile ego somehow).
 
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Williebetmore said:
TheVerySmallNumberIndeed,
On the way to work today I broke 50 (miles per hour). Fifty balls in straight pool is another thing altogether - though at this point I am starting to think that I can definitely make 50 soon (on easy equipment) - and am willing to bet you a pint I can do it before the end of the year. Fifty on tough equipment may still be a bit beyond me.

P.S. - the 2 tables I play on regularly are significantly tougher than the tables used at the World tournament in which you participated - no excuse, just a clarification (oh, alright...it was an excuse...but I need to prop up my fragile ego somehow).
Click to expand...

ok a pint bet, I have to break 200 and you have to break 75 (why aim small!) before the last day of the year.

Deal?
 
TheOne said:
ok a pint bet, I have to break 200 and you have to break 75 (why aim small!) before the last day of the year.

Deal?
Click to expand...

A Pint???? That'll be too much pressure for the both of you. You'll be as nervous as long tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs:eek: ...:p
 
Colin Colenso said:
A Pint???? That'll be too much pressure for the both of you. You'll be as nervous as long tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs:eek: ...:p
Click to expand...

Calculator-man,
I think you may be slightly confused. We are NOT talking about wagering a pint of gasoline - that would be FAR too expensive, and I doubt either of us could stand the intense pressure of playing for such an unreasonable sum; I'm not made out of money after all.

A pint of spirits however is certainly within reach of the meager budget my wife allows for recreational purposes.

I guess I will accept the challenge, ONLY because my main instructor claims that the best way to run 50 is to have 75 as your goal. Having seen CR's very entertaining video (where he nearly runs 100) I can say he is a slight favorite in the matchup if he can find some easy equipment and the time for a serious assault. I do have a friend with an unshimmed GCIV - if I haven't run 75 by December, I might have to make him get brand new cloth, then spend a few days on his table for a serious attempt.

I've got about 5 - 6 weeks left on my "homework" from Mark Wilson; I should be ready to start some serious attempts by September. Practice up Craig.
 
Not bad for you Calcul8Er, or should I say Mr 500 (-1) :D

OK WillieBreak75, if nothing else it makes your AZ Name sound better ;)

I don't have access to any table that I could run this number on though but like you said if either of us can get a week or two on a good quick table with reasonable pockets then def got a chance.

Good Luck
 
Williebetmore said:
C-man,
Help, I can't find "centergistics" in my dictionary. I have a little more trouble cutting balls to my left than I do cutting balls to my right (drill scores significantly different). Perhaps when you get a little time you could give us a little taste of "centergistics."
Click to expand...

It's my limited experience that people who have a preferred 'side' usually can't hit the ball straight. They learn to compensate cutting in one direction, but this only doubles the error cutting the other way. A classic reason would be consistently hitting the cue ball off centre to one particular side. Maybe this is what Fred is alluding to.

Boro Nut
 
Boro Nut said:
It's my limited experience that people who have a preferred 'side' usually can't hit the ball straight. They learn to compensate cutting in one direction, but this only doubles the error cutting the other way. A classic reason would be consistently hitting the cue ball off centre to one particular side. Maybe this is what Fred is alluding to.

Boro Nut
Click to expand...

B-man,
I hope there is more to it than that. I'm hitting the ball straight (though it's taken me more than a year of intense practice to get there) - one of my daily drills is hitting the cue ball lengthwise from the foot spot at 2- rail and 4-rail speed (looking for any aiming problems or unintended English problems). I am hitting the center of the cue ball and hitting it straight over 98% of the time (49/50 this week so far). I think there may be more to it.

The shot I have "trouble" with = place cue ball on the foot spot, place a ball just past the side pocket, frozen to the rail, then shoot it into the far corner pocket. I do 5 cutting to my right, and 5 cutting to my left. Oddly enough I have shot 14/15 cutting the ball to my right; and 3/15 cutting to my left (not missing by much though) so far this week. It's a fairly tough shot with very little room for error.
 
I love rail shots as i love to practice the Ladder Drill, Nothing but rail shots. But the one you mentioned can hurt me and have troulbe on them also but i don't know which cut i can make and have least trouble making though. I will have to test it out tonight.
 
Optical Illusion

I think when I miss this cut I am aiming at the back of the pocket instead of the opening on the rails...If you line the shot up to the back of the pocket you will see the rail actually comes into play. MHO

Mike
 
Williebetmore said:
B-man,
I hope there is more to it than that. I'm hitting the ball straight (though it's taken me more than a year of intense practice to get there) - one of my daily drills is hitting the cue ball lengthwise from the foot spot at 2- rail and 4-rail speed (looking for any aiming problems or unintended English problems). I am hitting the center of the cue ball and hitting it straight over 98% of the time (49/50 this week so far). I think there may be more to it..
Click to expand...

I was wondering about this today. When people do the up & down shot to see if their stroke is straight, do they hit it at lag speed or at firmer speed?

Fred
 
Cornerman said:
I was wondering about this today. When people do the up & down shot to see if their stroke is straight, do they hit it at lag speed or at firmer speed?

Fred
Click to expand...

I try to stop the CB at the same spot it started. So, I guess lag speed :P

-s
 
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