Need some help. I am having a lot of trouble stopping the cue ball where I want it. I tend to play top english quite a bit. I notice many pros always aim low, then stroke the ball where they want to hit it. Would aiming low, and/ or hitting lower on the cue ball help with positioning? I always seem to be just a little short, or just a little long. Thanks
Topspin and position play
- Thread starter Mole Eye
- Start date
It is not so much about where you aim as where you actually hit the CB.
Draw requires hitting the CB below the equator with an accelerating stroke and good follow through.
So, the first thing to do is to find out where you are hitting the CB. So, take a cube of chalk and mark the CB with a circle just away from the mark already on the CB (the Saluc symbol). Place the symbol in a known position (up) so that the chalk circle is centered on the equator and then chalk the cue and make the stroke. The tip impression, the circle and the symbol will tell you where you actually hit the CB.
Draw requires hitting the CB below the equator with an accelerating stroke and good follow through.
So, the first thing to do is to find out where you are hitting the CB. So, take a cube of chalk and mark the CB with a circle just away from the mark already on the CB (the Saluc symbol). Place the symbol in a known position (up) so that the chalk circle is centered on the equator and then chalk the cue and make the stroke. The tip impression, the circle and the symbol will tell you where you actually hit the CB.
Follow is easier to control than draw. To get better at both you need to practice them. Try the Progressive Drills available free at SFBilliards.com.
pj
chgo
The aiming low thing seems to be most prevalent among Filipinos and other Asians, just as backhand English is. If memory serves it's about sighting - with the tip out of the way you can see the aim line better. I think it's one of those things that would be tough to adjust to if you haven't been doing it all your life. Raising the tip on the final stroke would be a hard thing to incorporate into your game, but if it's been your way of stroking for a long time it's natural.
To pick a nit: all that's technically required is hitting the ball below center (easier said than done for beginners).
Following through just helps to hit the CB accurately (which is important). I don't think "an accelerating stroke" is a concept with much practical meaning.
pj
chgo
Sounds like you are using too much english in general. Pay attention to the natural tangent line and your mechanics.
It's easy to get lazy hitting slightly left or right of center cue ball unintentionally. Sometimes I will aim low with the tip to remind me where vertical center ball is. Where the cue ball meets the table is vertical center, and then cue up to horizontal center or topspin center depending on what I want the CB to do.
For me, it's kind of an alignment aid and a "golf waggle" at the same time. I see many people do this. Not sure if it's purely a "waggle" or also an alignment benefit for them.
For me, it's kind of an alignment aid and a "golf waggle" at the same time. I see many people do this. Not sure if it's purely a "waggle" or also an alignment benefit for them.
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I think it's code for "don't make too quick a transition between backstroke and forestroke."
It usually means "accelerate through the ball", which is mistakenly thought to make tip/ball contact longer/more effective. It might also mean "don't try to slow or stop your stroke", but that isn't really different from simply following through.
pj
chgo
Agreed. I think there a lot of different terms for the same simple concept.
Mole - technically, if you hit dead center and firmly, the cue ball slides across the cloth, hits the other ball, and stops dead. But for practical purposes, planning on hitting exactly center isn't always ideal. it's easy to accidentally hit a little high or low, and if you use too little speed the cue ball stops sliding and just starts rolling forward. if you hit hard to prevent this, and you overcut or undercut a little, the cue ball might travel a bit sideways. A safer choice is to plan on using a below center hit (just a little) too make your cue ball stop at most distances. Then you don't need to hit as hard, and there's less chance of developing unwanted topspin. This isn't for all shots, just straightish ones where not rolling forward is more important than, say, accidentally drawing back an inch.
The aim low fighting trick is mostly a mental thing. If you have success with it, use it, but I think a player is best served by aiming where he plans to hit the cue ball.
The aim low fighting trick is mostly a mental thing. If you have success with it, use it, but I think a player is best served by aiming where he plans to hit the cue ball.
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By the way, "don't make too quick a transition" is good advice - I tell people not to "jerk" their stroke.
pj
chgo
It may be sighting for some but for others I believe it has to do with accurately determining center ball by placing the tip at the base of the CB.
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Patrick has it right, follow is easier to control than draw, and practice is the key to improvement. My theory on why it is easier to control is that you have fewer things to judge. With follow (except for force follow) you are dealing with a rolling cue ball and after impact is rolling generally in the same, or at least natural, direction as the shot. Draw requires both judging a change in direction, but also accurately assessing the spin of the CB. It will not only skid with reverse spin on its way to the OB, but will also skid for a time after impact before the draw takes hold.
FYI, many additional reasons why follow is easier to control than draw are summarized here:
Check them out.
Regards,
Dave