TWO-RAIL KICK SHOT Aiming System Made Simple

[jbart65]

One caveat: Running English was a big mystery to me for a long time.

Oh, sure, easy to define and illustrate on a diagram of a cue ball. But as we all know, using the same exact spot on the cue ball to apply running English might not always get you to the intended target (different cloth, different age of cloth, different tables, etc.)

Sometimes you will be closer to the center, sometimes closer to high ball, sometimes further or closer to the edge.

When I use 30-50-70 system, for instance, I need to use running English in which the contact point is closer to the center and closer to the edge if I am trying to hit 5(50) or 6(60) on the long rail.

But if I am going to 8(80) or 9(90), I am using a high ball with just a half tip or so of running English.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Did you notice almost all of you aim adjustments were 1-balls width ??

 

[kling&allen]

The system can get you close without adjustments sometimes; but if you want to be effective over a wide range of shots, the adjustments are required.

For what it’s worth, your plus fraction banking system (eg, 2.2 when banking to the opposite 1 diamond with speed) has made me an excellent banker for someone of my generally low skill level.

 

[boogieman]

I’m sure the “adjustments” will scare many people away from the “system.”

It sounds scary but once you get the base system, which is dead easy, most players can figure out how to adjust when practicing the system in a few minutes. It's nice that you showed the adjustments but for the folks who's eyes glazed over, it's really not that tough, just shoot a few using the baseline system then mess around a bit. Dead easy to get onto.

My buddy showed me this system about a year ago but didn't show any adjustments. Just messing around for a few minutes it was obvious what speed and spin did. I'd imagine most serious players would play with it anyway to figure out more options for shape. One nice part of this system is that it is actually really easy to extend the lines and have an idea where the CB would go, say if you had to play for a 3 rail hit. Instead of the OB as a target, you can pick a line and use that as the target. It really is a useful system and you can eyeball stuff to a very precise degree with little practice. I know I said this before, but imagining lines like this and parallel shifts are my favorite type of systems. Even when learning math/diamond based stuff I try to translate that into lines as soon as I can to be more proficient. Everyone's different, I like sort of imagining/feeling what the CB will do, it helps me connect more than saying 3-2=1.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Dr. Dave again made some very simple to understand. Then all you need do is to practice.

 

[dr_dave]

High praise from Tinman on learning anew from Dr Dave's video.

Agreed. Thanks again, Tinman!

To me, that's the biggest advantage of systems. It allows use to develop a feel that is based on science.

Agreed. An understanding of basic principles can help "intuition" and "feel" come faster.

 

[dr_dave]

Did you notice almost all of you aim adjustments were 1-balls width ??

When a small adjustment is required (like when the midpoint line is just a little off from the diagonal), it is less than that; and when a large adjustment is required (like when the angle into the 1st or 2nd rail is very steep, or if the OB is very close to or very far from the rail, or both), it is much more than that.

 

[dr_dave]

For what it’s worth, your plus fraction banking system (eg, 2.2 when banking to the opposite 1 diamond with speed) has made me an excellent banker for someone of my generally low skill level.

I'm glad to hear it. I love the twice-plus-tenths banking system. It also improved my sliding banks.