What is best?

[Jodacus]

When I shoot one particular shot without english I make it 9 out of 10 times from any distance. When I add outside english and the cue ball is more than two diamonds from the object ball I over cut it every time. Apparently my stroke is the problem. So here is the question. Is it better to practice at a distance where I miss 9 out of 10 or is it better to shorten the distance so I only miss 5 out of 10? Then move back as my potting improves?

Joe

 

[Bob Jewett]

When I shoot one particular shot without english I make it 9 out of 10 times from any distance. When I add outside english and the cue ball is more than two diamonds from the object ball I over cut it every time. Apparently my stroke is the problem. So here is the question. Is it better to practice at a distance where I miss 9 out of 10 or is it better to shorten the distance so I only miss 5 out of 10? Then move back as my potting improves?

Joe

I think it is better to use progressive practice which will put the distance automatically at 50%. If that's still frustrating, it is simple to modify PP so the percentage of makes is higher. See the fourth link on http://www.sfbilliards.com/miscellaneous.htm for how progressive practice works and some example drills.

When you are practicing, strive to hit the center of the pocket and note which side of the pocket the ball is going to on the shots that are not centered.

 

[BilliardsAbout]

What do you mean "any distance"? Any cue ball distance from the object ball? Object ball distance from the pocket? What kind of shot? A simple cut?

 

[Jodacus]

Any distance

The "any distance" was in reference to the ob to the cue ball. The ob ball is about two diamonds from the pocket.The shot itself is almost straight in. Ball centers line up with the pocket cushion corners. In other words I am hitting the ob almost full on while trying to spin the cue ball away from the pocket and to the other side of the table. Interestingly I can use bhe and make the shot a lot of the time, but bhe is the exception for me so I would much rather use a parallel english approach.
Thanks
Joe

 

[Neil]

The "any distance" was in reference to the ob to the cue ball. The ob ball is about two diamonds from the pocket.The shot itself is almost straight in. Ball centers line up with the pocket cushion corners. In other words I am hitting the ob almost full on while trying to spin the cue ball away from the pocket and to the other side of the table. Interestingly I can use bhe and make the shot a lot of the time, but bhe is the exception for me so I would much rather use a parallel english approach.
Thanks
Joe

If you can make the shot more using BHE, why is using BHE the exception for you? Use what works best for you. That said, when using parallel english, which for many is the worse way to shoot it, pay close attention to where the edge and the center of your tip are pointed. You will start to see a pattern, and will be able to adjust accordingly to the squirt and swerve by learning that pattern.

That said, what Bob J. said, is the best way to learn it. Progressive drills.

 

[RWOJO]

What kind of cue/shaft do you use?

Have you tried the shot from different speeds? Varying amounts of English?

If you could get a diagram of the shot you are repeating it would help too.

when you use English are you adjusting your aim and if so when? I know some people that adjust what part of the pocket they are aiming for, while others adjust based off from where they would normally hit the object ball (so after they've aimed).

 

[Scott Lee]

OB distance to the pocket is irrelevant if you are lined up accurately and you have a repeatable stroke that allows you to hit the OB exactly where you want to. Take two shots...one where the CB & OB are close together (< 2 diamonds apart), but several diamonds from the pocket. The second shot where the OB is < 2 diamonds from the pocket, but the CB is several diamonds away. Most players believe, mistakenly, that the 2nd shot is easier, because the OB is closer to the pocket. The reverse is true. The farther the two balls are apart, the more things that can go wrong (until the OB is sitting in the jaws of the pocket...which can present it's own set of problems). Close distance between CB and OB results in less mistakes between contact with the CB and contact with the OB. This is why, as Bob suggested, progressive drills provide much greater feedback, and improvement.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Object ball distance from the pocket?