Here's a specialty shot that comes up with enough frrequency that you might be interested in it.
I didn't "invent" the shot exactly but I did name and describe it and Pool & Billiards Magazine ran it a couple of years ago. Maybe some of you remember it.
First, the main premise is that stiking the CB at an unintended spot is one of the major reasons for missing shots due to the operation of all sorts of demons including squirt, swerve, spin induced throw etc.
If you don't believe that then this shot may not be of much interest to you.
The situation arises when the CB is frozen to a rail, or very nearly so and as a result, you have a very limited portion of the top of the CB to strike.
In fact, depending on the height of the top of the cushions you are playing on, you may not have the ability to execute a nearly level stroke without striking the CB so high that you are in the "miscue danger zone." (the top of the stripe on wide stripe balls).
Let me digress on that point for just a moment. There are those who believe that striking the CB above the stripe virtually guarantees a miscue or that such a shot would be somehow "contrived" but as you will see, such notions are not at all true.
OK, so there you are with the CB frozen on the rail and have either a tough cut or a long shot 4-5 diamonds or more...on the OB. You would be rightfully reluctant to jack up so as to insure that the center of the cue tip strikes the CB so as to reduce the chances of miscueing. You worry about that because you know that a downward stroke will encourage the CB to curve if you contact the CB at all off center.
So, what to do?
Well, the answer is to study the stroke of the great Julie Kelly. As those who have seen her play know, she has a significantly shortened backstroke...to say the least. Practically no backstroke might be a better way to describe it. Hopkins' stroke is similar i.e. WAY shorter than "normal" but not as short as Julie's.
I have not discussed Julie's stroke with her or why she adopted it so the following rationale is my own.
In any event, here is how the shot works. You get down over the shot as you always do and position the cue tip about a half inch behind the DEAD CENTER of the CB (the vertical center...not the horizontal center which is hidden below the rail.)
Then take DEAD AIM as you normally would BUT DO NOT STROKE THE CUE...just aim for all you are worth.
When ready, you execute a SMOOTH, gentle forward stroke and follow through. What you do NOT do, is "punch it" forward. Be SMOOOOOTH.
That's the shot. Here is the logic.
1. As noted above, mis-hitting the CB leads to all sorts of reasons for missing. So first and foremost, you want to avoid tip contact anywhere except the exact vertical center. Stroking through from such a short distance and from a stationary position virtually guarantees precise CB contact. Score 1 point in favor of this shot.
2. Even a PERFECT back stroke cannot improve on the above reality but a less than perfect back stroke can worsen your chances. Score another point in favor of this shot.
3. Given the recommended tactic of aiming with a stationary cue positioned very close to the CB your aim should be as accurate as it could possibly be in any event. Score no point for this feature because you could aim just as accurately given your normal stroking procedure but again, you can't aim any BETTER by any other procedure.
4. Struck as high on the CB as is required in this shot, the CB begins to roll immediately...no skid or back spin...so you will get the truest CB roll possible. (see The Science of Pocket Billiards, Koehler at page 65) Score no points for this benefit because you have no choice other than to hit the CB up high but it's just good to know.
5. Cueing errors induced by off-center CB hits are totally eliminated. Score 5 points in favor of this shot.
So, there you have the Kelly Shot. It provides several significant benefits and zero offsetting negatives.
ISSUES
Because you must, of necessity, contact the CB quite high up, the shot MUST be struck with a slow pace. But with a properly chalked cue and especially with a dime radius tip that allows the CENTER of the tip to be pointed slightly higher up on the ball, no miscue will occur with a pace sufficient to send the OB the full length of the table. (for more information on the benefits of a dime radius tip, see Science at page 60. In addition, consult the Predator website for further information on the benefits of the dime shape that exist but don't relate to this shot. And IMPORTANTLY if you have ever read that the dime radius will be flattened out of existence and/or is anything other than trivial to maintain...write that author off as a charlatan and quack!) (-:
Given the required slow pace, you will not get much post-impact roll on the CB so if you MUST have more roll for shape, then the Kelly shot may not be appropriate....well, maybe appropriate but less superior to the alternatives then on a slow pace shot.
Finally, it takes a little time, as does any new venture, to get used to refusing to execute a back stroke and to SMOOOOOOTHLY execute the forward stroke. If you stab at it it won't work.
Try it and let me know of any issues you find.
Regards,
Jim
I didn't "invent" the shot exactly but I did name and describe it and Pool & Billiards Magazine ran it a couple of years ago. Maybe some of you remember it.
First, the main premise is that stiking the CB at an unintended spot is one of the major reasons for missing shots due to the operation of all sorts of demons including squirt, swerve, spin induced throw etc.
If you don't believe that then this shot may not be of much interest to you.
The situation arises when the CB is frozen to a rail, or very nearly so and as a result, you have a very limited portion of the top of the CB to strike.
In fact, depending on the height of the top of the cushions you are playing on, you may not have the ability to execute a nearly level stroke without striking the CB so high that you are in the "miscue danger zone." (the top of the stripe on wide stripe balls).
Let me digress on that point for just a moment. There are those who believe that striking the CB above the stripe virtually guarantees a miscue or that such a shot would be somehow "contrived" but as you will see, such notions are not at all true.
OK, so there you are with the CB frozen on the rail and have either a tough cut or a long shot 4-5 diamonds or more...on the OB. You would be rightfully reluctant to jack up so as to insure that the center of the cue tip strikes the CB so as to reduce the chances of miscueing. You worry about that because you know that a downward stroke will encourage the CB to curve if you contact the CB at all off center.
So, what to do?
Well, the answer is to study the stroke of the great Julie Kelly. As those who have seen her play know, she has a significantly shortened backstroke...to say the least. Practically no backstroke might be a better way to describe it. Hopkins' stroke is similar i.e. WAY shorter than "normal" but not as short as Julie's.
I have not discussed Julie's stroke with her or why she adopted it so the following rationale is my own.
In any event, here is how the shot works. You get down over the shot as you always do and position the cue tip about a half inch behind the DEAD CENTER of the CB (the vertical center...not the horizontal center which is hidden below the rail.)
Then take DEAD AIM as you normally would BUT DO NOT STROKE THE CUE...just aim for all you are worth.
When ready, you execute a SMOOTH, gentle forward stroke and follow through. What you do NOT do, is "punch it" forward. Be SMOOOOOTH.
That's the shot. Here is the logic.
1. As noted above, mis-hitting the CB leads to all sorts of reasons for missing. So first and foremost, you want to avoid tip contact anywhere except the exact vertical center. Stroking through from such a short distance and from a stationary position virtually guarantees precise CB contact. Score 1 point in favor of this shot.
2. Even a PERFECT back stroke cannot improve on the above reality but a less than perfect back stroke can worsen your chances. Score another point in favor of this shot.
3. Given the recommended tactic of aiming with a stationary cue positioned very close to the CB your aim should be as accurate as it could possibly be in any event. Score no point for this feature because you could aim just as accurately given your normal stroking procedure but again, you can't aim any BETTER by any other procedure.
4. Struck as high on the CB as is required in this shot, the CB begins to roll immediately...no skid or back spin...so you will get the truest CB roll possible. (see The Science of Pocket Billiards, Koehler at page 65) Score no points for this benefit because you have no choice other than to hit the CB up high but it's just good to know.
5. Cueing errors induced by off-center CB hits are totally eliminated. Score 5 points in favor of this shot.
So, there you have the Kelly Shot. It provides several significant benefits and zero offsetting negatives.
ISSUES
Because you must, of necessity, contact the CB quite high up, the shot MUST be struck with a slow pace. But with a properly chalked cue and especially with a dime radius tip that allows the CENTER of the tip to be pointed slightly higher up on the ball, no miscue will occur with a pace sufficient to send the OB the full length of the table. (for more information on the benefits of a dime radius tip, see Science at page 60. In addition, consult the Predator website for further information on the benefits of the dime shape that exist but don't relate to this shot. And IMPORTANTLY if you have ever read that the dime radius will be flattened out of existence and/or is anything other than trivial to maintain...write that author off as a charlatan and quack!) (-:
Given the required slow pace, you will not get much post-impact roll on the CB so if you MUST have more roll for shape, then the Kelly shot may not be appropriate....well, maybe appropriate but less superior to the alternatives then on a slow pace shot.
Finally, it takes a little time, as does any new venture, to get used to refusing to execute a back stroke and to SMOOOOOOTHLY execute the forward stroke. If you stab at it it won't work.
Try it and let me know of any issues you find.
Regards,
Jim