TO "THE ETHER" ONLY!!!! Re: How Do yah' Conquer 'Dem Combos!!!

[F8it]

TO "THE ETHER" & All Forum Members!!!! Re: How Do yah' Conquer 'Dem Combos!!!

Hi Keith!!!,

I've been an admirer and railbird fan back in your Hardtimes Bellflower days in the early 90's. These were great times with lots of action, drama and dabbin' it!!! You're truly one of most gifted, colorful, charismatic, loud mouthed player's I've ever seen!!! Lol!!! However, while you always showed your emotions, brashness and showmanship at the table, when it was your opponent's shot you were always respectful, and sat quietly in your seat. I've always admired that about your character. You sharked at the table but never in your seat!!! Lol!!! At least that's what I observed when I saw you in tournament play or action. You knew how to sweat it "right" when you had to. In my opinon, you're the complete package of a great player!!! I'm sure we'll hear more about those days in your upcoming book! I can't wait!!!

Anway... To get to the point of this thread: I'm a "newbie" to this forum and don't know if anyone has posed this question to you before, and if no one has they're ALL CRAZY!!! I've never seen anyone, I mean anyone, bar none, shoot combination shots like you do, and make them so consistently and effortlessly!!! Especially on 'dat money ball!!! You just walk up, one or two stroke at e'm and fire 'dem in 'dah hole like its a hanger!!! Like nuthin'!!! WHAP!!! THSUFFERIN' THSUCCOTASH!!! All talent and hours of practice aside there must be a method to your madness!!! Howdya' do it?!!!

The late great pool coach/instructor Hal Mix - in his book - said something along the lines of Steve Mizerak being a great combination shooter, but when he asked how he shot them, the Miz said something akin to: "Very Carefully". Pretty insensitive and obnoxious if you ask me!!! Not to mention unenlightening!!!

I'm well aware of the "contact point, to contact point aiming method", and the "through the object ball to a spot on the rail method". None yield consistent or satisfying results = Lack of confidence. With you - I'm sure - it's a matter of the "feels" you've referred to, but how did you practice these from the beginning and develop the "feels" for them? There must be a secret right?!!!

Well... perhaps not, but you gifted guys always have an uncanny insight and know things rail bangers like us don't!!!! I hope you can shed some detailed light on the technique(s), etc. you employ to execute these darn shots!!! I'm sure many of us will benefit from your information - if you are so inclined to divulge -and possibly eliminate this weakness from our games and psyches forever!!! "I" sure hope so!!!

It's been a honor, privilege and joy writing you Ether!!! Take care and keep 'dabbin it!!! Catch yah' later my man!!!

Respectfully,

F8it

 

[user69]

shoots thru his beak

heres how he does it

 

[breakup]

Nice screen name F8it

 

[Keith McCready]

Thanks for the nice compliments. HardTimes was the happening spot in the '90s. It sure was a lot of fun.

The way I shoot combinations is I look at the object ball first. I see where it has to be hit. I look at the cue-ball and visualize that line. And then, it goes with the technique of striking the cue-ball. When shooting these combinations, the cue-ball will seem like it will go right through the object ball, and that's when you know you hit it right.

Try to develop the different speeds of all the various combination shots when practicing. Sometimes when you hit the ball real hard, it will throw it off. So you have learn how to hit them softly at the start, and then develop a little bit more speed with each and every shot.

I hope this will help you a little bit.

 

[F8it]

Thanks Keith!!!!

Yeah those times were great and to tell you the truth the place has never been the same since your departure!!! :O( The main reason I think HardTimes was the best action room in the nation at that time was because of you!!! Your mere presence inspired everyone to do something!!! Lol!!

I really appreciate the fast response to my question!!! You have a heart of gold Keith!!! :O) I understand what you are saying for the most part but I'm having difficulty seeing how you deal with the ball " in between" the cue ball and the object ball you're trying to make. Do you kind of ignore it and just shoot through it along that visualized "line" you were talking about? It's kind of hard to shoot through the intervening ball when the angles are awkward or severe. Can you fill me in on how to deal with that? Combinations can be so complex and I've grow to be afraid of them knowing just how difficult they are!!! I hope you can address this confusion I'm having. It has nothing to do with your reply or descriptions. I'm just not exactly "seeing" what is so natural to you. That in itself can be difficult to explain. You're truly amazing and an all time great!!! I am so honored you took the time to get back to me!!! I wish you all the best and keep knockin' them out Ether!!!!

Sincerely and Respectfully!!!!!,

F8it!!!

P.S.

I got my forum name F8it (Fade it) from you by way of an old Billiards Digest feature article and interview with you. When asked how you deal with a tough situation, etc. you said "FADE IT!!!" I never forgot that quote and honor "you" by using it!!! Thanks again Keith!!!! Keep dabbin' it!!! :O)

Thanks for the nice compliments. HardTimes was the happening spot in the '90s. It sure was a lot of fun.

The way I shoot combinations is I look at the object ball first. I see where it has to be hit. I look at the cue-ball and visualize that line. And then, it goes with the technique of striking the cue-ball. When shooting these combinations, the cue-ball will seem like it will go right through the object ball, and that's when you know you hit it right.

Try to develop the different speeds of all the various combination shots when practicing. Sometimes when you hit the ball real hard, it will throw it off. So you have learn how to hit them softly at the start, and then develop a little bit more speed with each and every shot.

I hope this will help you a little bit.

 

[fxskater]

A word of insight. Have you ever watched lousy bar players shoot combinations? They have no fear of the because they don't know the difficulty of them. The fact that you know how hard they are, is what is holding you back. I have the same problem. I have worked out a way to be a little more consistent though. Don't overthink the shot. Walk up, look at the combo and shoot it, that is how i got a little more consistent. Don't forget to play the cueball safe if possible either.

 

[F8it]

I was one of those bar table guys you referred to, but be wary of those so called lousey "cracker box" players. Some of them can teach you a thing or two. As you know, the Great Buddy Hall built his reputation on the bar box - Rags - before making a name for himself on the Big Track - Rifleman. Although he was never lousey!!! Lol!!!

Anyway, you're right about overthinking combination shots. I know when I just line up the shot and shoot it I get far better results. I've gotton much better at them already using "Earthquake's" technique/advice. I have to pay kudos to your input as well.

What the heck... I'm revising this post and opening it up to anybody who wants to submit their own experiences, stories, knowledge, etc. on dealing with 'dem combos. The main reason I asked Keith first was how easily he executes them!!! I'd really like to know how Strickland shoots them too!!! He's another great combo killer!!!

 

[Celtic]

I used to aim my combos by sighting from the first to second object ball as required to make the shot and them aiming the cueball at that point on the first object ball, forgetting the rest of the shot and trusting that if I hit the right area on the first object ball it will make the shot. This system is terrible and gives the player zero chance to feel the shot and proves to be far to unaccurate. I have a new system by which I stroke combos much more like the second object ball is the target much like a pocket, I now look at the contact point on the second object ball and aim that shot much as one would when playing to pocket a normal non-combo shot. I am not thinking of the contact point on the first object ball on the shot, I am actually aiming at the second balls contact point, much as one would aim a object ball on a non-combo shot at a exact location on a pocket.

That is my advice to anyone wanting to improve their combo shooting, make the contact point on the second ball the aim point of the shot, not the first object balls contact point. If you aim at the contact point on the first object ball you are far too removed from the actual goal of the shot. Contact point on a normal non-combo shot may work for pocketing a ball but there is alot of margin of error in pocketing a normal shot, the accuracy required to make a combo with distance between the object balls and the second object ball to the pocket is extremely small and that first object ball must be sent to the proper contact point. Aim at the contact point on the second object ball on a combo shot.

Go beyond two ball combos with any distance and this system gets largely useless but those shots are getting into the realm that nothing works well. If you get really good at this system a 3 ball combo will be easy to hit the third ball, but getting it to go the direction of the pocket would take some luck as I dont think anyone could actually aim a shot at the contact point of the third object ball and they would end up using this system of aiming at the second object balls contact point required to hit the third ball in the proper spot and that removes the actual aiming the ball into the pocket and accuracty in such a situation can be minimal.

As you know the angle of a combo is one of the hardest things to overcome, straight in combos are not that bad, it is the blind pocket issues of a combo with angle that pose problems. With a straighter combo you can actually aim the second object ball into the pocket instead of aiming at the second object balls contact point. Most of my discussion is for combos where the angle is fairly large and the combo becomes a blind pocket shot from the second object ball to the pocket.

 

[fxskater]

Celtic,
Good input there, that is the method i use as well. I find that the aiming point on the object ball tends to be harder to spot if you think of it like that. As you say, it mentally removes you from the combination. I find myself more accurate if i use a 'Feels ' type aiming method on combo's using the second contact point my area of focus. I may use the other method if i feel that i can focus correctly while aiming at the real object balls contact point. I think it really depends on how far away the CB, OB, and Combo Ball are apart. If all three are in my vision then i do it with feels, if just the CB and OB are in my line of site and the ball i am trying to combo in is not, i may use the contact point on the OB as an aiming point.