Short rail first - how do you play

[nataddrho]

How do you like to play short rail first shots, i.e. short, long, short, coming in under the ball after the third rail. Jaspers is a master of this.

Do you like to keep the English close to straight top and modify your cut angle / ball fraction on the second ball?

Or do you like to keep your ball fraction consistent and modify your English more?

I am liking the second method, about 1/4 ball most time with modified English, but I am still experimenting.

 

[Bert van Manen]

Those are good questions, but I am afraid there is no formula or simple answer. An inch here or there can make the difference between a "comfortable" SLS (as you say, often 1/4 ball and no english or close to it) and a SLS that needs more work. In my experience, using a little more of the object ball and holding the cue ball with minimal reverse is (often) easier than trying for very thin hits from distance. But it certainly pays to find out which approach comes more natural to you.

 

[Moe Szyslak]

Or do you like to keep your ball fraction consistent and modify your English more?

Yes, pretty much. For me modifying the ball hit much is a disaster. Such touchy shots. I start with 1/2 and top and go from there. I love these shots, though, so satisfying to make one.

I found this "system" a couple of years ago and I found it works well. Gives a good baseline to start from.