Tips for finding the center point between 2 balls?

W

WillyCornbread

Break and One
Silver Member
HI all,

I'm actively working on becoming better at kicking. I generally use a numbering system like Tor Lowry's and 'feel' most of the time - but I prefer the simplicity of the methods that you find the center point between the cueball and object ball and parallel shift the angle that point to pocket (for 2 rail kicks) or invisible pocket for one rail kicks.

The trouble is I have a difficult time estimating this center point accurately.

Are there any tricks to finding this point - I was thinking maybe there is some clever math or way to use the geometry of the table / points to find this center point easier...
 
WillyCornbread said:
HI all,

I'm actively working on becoming better at kicking. I generally use a numbering system like Tor Lowry's and 'feel' most of the time - but I prefer the simplicity of the methods that you find the center point between the cueball and object ball and parallel shift the angle that point to pocket (for 2 rail kicks) or invisible pocket for one rail kicks.

The trouble is I have a difficult time estimating this center point accurately.

Are there any tricks to finding this point - I was thinking maybe there is some clever math or way to use the geometry of the table / points to find this center point easier...
Click to expand...
Well, if you can't eyeball it pretty closely, you could put your stick down on the table between the two balls with the joint at the estimated midpoint and then measure handspans from the joint to each ball. Adjust and measure again until the joint is right between them

But the midpoint-two-rail-kick system doesn't work very well for a lot of positions.
 
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Is exact center really important? Isnt within a single digit margin of error virtuall equal, given the potential effects/ variances involved?
 
Certainly exact center isn't necessary, I just meant close enough to be on the right kicking line.

Appreciate the responses, I figured it was a long shot but thought I'd ask just in case.
 
The exact center does not matter.
Side spin and forward roll alter the CB's path as the CB bounces off the rail.
 
you mean like this?

for paralleling over on the two railers off the longs or shorts?

green lines just showing the crosssection midpoint.

the red lines you can use your cue....if im using this method i just dart my eyes catacorner edges from ball to ball and see the midpoint....sorta like when a car wheel speeds up you cant see the blades then it catches gear and you see them rim again. ill mark that imaginary spot and repeat the dart back a few times and fine tune it.

its still speed and spin off the rail too depending, and it also lessens or greatens in those effects obviously the farther off the rails you are with the OB, and like bob said it doesn't work so well from certain positions.

i've always liked this method but i see imaginary lines and points very well....but i generally use it when i'm not ten miles away from the rail with the OB
 

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greyghost said:
you mean like this?
the red lines you can use your cue....if im using this method i just dart my eyes catacorner edges from ball to ball and see the midpoint....sorta like when a car wheel speeds up you cant see the blades then it catches gear and you see them rim again. ill mark that imaginary spot and repeat the dart back a few times and fine tune it.
Click to expand...

Thanks GreyGhost - interesting thoughts - I don't think I've ever tried finding the middle point by imagining the red lines like that from edge-to-edge and crossing. I've always just imagined a straight line.

I think this might help me, I'm going to give it a shot in some practice later today..

Thanks again for taking the time to respond :)
 
WillyCornbread said:
Thanks GreyGhost - interesting thoughts - I don't think I've ever tried finding the middle point by imagining the red lines like that from edge-to-edge and crossing. I've always just imagined a straight line.

I think this might help me, I'm going to give it a shot in some practice later today..

Thanks again for taking the time to respond :)
Click to expand...

your welcome.......when i'm close to a rail you can adjust where you put those lines for the OB farther or closer to hit front or back of the ball if say playing safein One hole.

meaning i just imagine the OB closer or further away, or more left or right and then do the red line thing in my mind.

enjoy....let me know how it goes buddy.

best wishes,
Keebie.
 
On shallow angle single rail kicks I often shoot the cue directly toward the spot on the rail where the target ball is, then use inside spin to get cue ball to return straight back to target ball.
 
Bob,

I have a hard time estimating correct distance when trying the mirror image method if it's what I think it is.

What I'm talking about is finding the point on the rail across from the object ball, then parallel shifting the angle that is created by that point connecting to the midpoint between the balls.

Thanks
 
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