RAIL CUT SHOTS - Everything You Need to Know … All Secrets Revealed

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that covers everything you need to know about how to aim and control rail cuts effectively. Many game-situation examples are included, and everything is shown in super slow motion to help you understand the required aim and action for each type of shot. Check it out:

Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Scratch Detection
1:49 - Aiming
3:32 - Gearing Outside Spin
6:10 - Steep Angles
9:50 - CB Control
11:46 - Game Situation Examples
15:38 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

 

[RandyinHawaii]

Another great video you have done. Lots of very valuable information.
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Thanks.

 

[dr_dave]

Another great video you have done. Lots of very valuable information.

Thank you. This one took a lot longer than I thought it would. It worked on it about 40 hours; although, I enjoyed most of it.

Thanks.

You’re welcome. I aim to swerve.

 

[skor]

Nice!
The problem with rail first shots is that if you don't know exactly where to hit the rail, it is a miss. So it's fine on your home table but different tables at the pool hall will react differently and you might miss. Ball first with spin will be the best option and should be the first option to consider and use rail first only when there is no other option to get position.

I use this situation bellow as a warm up routine to get my stroke and aim inline.
At first I shot with top left to run the CB 3 rails for position on the 9, then I draw it with right spin to the top rail pass the side pocket and back towards the left rail. after that I switch sides.

 

[dr_dave]

Another great video you have done. Lots of very valuable information.

Thank you. This one took a lot longer than I thought it would. It took about 40 hours of work (even though I enjoyed most of it).

Thanks.

You’re welcome. I aim to swerve.

 

[dr_dave]

Nice!

Thanks.

The problem with rail first shots is that if you don't know exactly where to hit the rail, it is a miss. So it's fine on your home table but different tables at the pool hall will react differently and you might miss. Ball first with spin will be the best option and should be the first option to consider and use rail first only when there is no other option to get position.

Good point. The action of rail-first shots depends on how the cushions play.

I use this situation bellow as a warm up routine to get my stroke and aim inline.
At first I shot with top left to run the CB 3 rails for position on the 9, then I draw it with right spin to the top rail pass the side pocket and back towards the left rail. after that I switch sides.

View attachment 855923

It is also probably a good idea to test out a range of rail cut shots on any unfamiliar table.

 

[Not Dead Ted]

So what is the cut angle threshold where you would choose rail first/inside, versus gearing outside with the usual cut angle aim?

"Steep angle" is pretty vague. Is there a theoretical basis for a cutoff angle where one approach is superior, or, is it just a matter of what you feel comfortable with?

 

[dr_dave]

So what is the cut angle threshold where you would choose rail first/inside

For me, the threshold is about 50-60 degrees.

versus gearing outside with the usual cut angle aim?

I don't attempt to use gearing outside spin unless it is required for CB control. For angles less steep than 50 degrees, I use no sidespin (unless CB control requires it) and just aim to hit the cushion first by a hair.

"Steep angle" is pretty vague. Is there a theoretical basis for a cutoff angle where one approach is superior

... not that I know of.

or, is it just a matter of what you feel comfortable with?

Bingo.

 

[bbb]

Another winner video dr dave

 

[dr_dave]

Another winner video dr dave

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.

 

[sjm]

Nice work here, Dave. You offer a lucid explanation of how to play one of the game's most important shots.

 

[jbart65]

Niels Feijin has the best continuous drill imo on how to practice these shots. I do this drill several times a week. He mostly uses gearing English or running English, depending on where he wants the CB to end up.

 

[dr_dave]

Nice work here, Dave. You offer a lucid explanation of how to play one of the game's most important shots.

Thanks, Stu. I enjoyed working on this video, and it gave me lots of good and important practice.

 

[dr_dave]

Neils Feijin has the best continuous drill imo on how to practice these shots. I do this drill several times a week. He mostly uses gearing English or running English, depending on where he wants the CB to end up.

Agreed. That is a great drill, and Niels does a good job showing the most common and important rail-cut-shot position-play patterns. This video is included on my rail CB control resource page.

 

[Mensabum]

FYI, I just posted a new video that covers everything you need to know about how to aim and control rail cuts effectively. Many game-situation examples are included, and everything is shown in super slow motion to help you understand the required aim and action for each type of shot. Check it out:

Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Scratch Detection
1:49 - Aiming
3:32 - Gearing Outside Spin
6:10 - Steep Angles
9:50 - CB Control
11:46 - Game Situation Examples
15:38 - More Info

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

Another winner by the Dr.

 

[dr_dave]

Another winner by the Dr.

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.

 

[jnwilliams]

This is great info. I've been struggling with this.....It seems my side pockets become 12" wide when I am doing this 4 ball on the rail drill. If only I got points for scratching in the side.