What kicking system would you use for this shot?

[Pool Hand Luke]

I would have kicked towards the end rail closest the camera. No system exactly.

I know that the line from the side to the middle of the end rail leads approximately to the other side. If you parallel shift that line over the cue ball you can see you're likely to kick just past the upper side. Not by enough to hit the four ball though. So I'd estimate where that kick would take me. Then, whatever the gap is between where I want my cue ball to hit the 4 ball and where the 'just past the side kick' line passes the 4 ball, I split the difference and add that to where I aim on the end rail. So in this image I can see I'd be about 10" from the four, so I'd aim in about 5" to try to get a good hit.

I think this kick looks routine. I wouldn't aim at the hole or try to cinch a hit. I could go through the gap or scratch off the back of the 4 ball very easy. I'd like to hit it thin and make it of course but I wouldn't risk aiming thin as I'm likely to miss. My best hope would be to come off the second rail, catch it 1/2-3/4 full, and have the four ball bank up table while the cue ball stays near the foot rail, hopefully in back of the 5 or 6. I'd play it with that speed in mind.

Thoughts?

View attachment 618150

Looking at the line from corner to corner much like your side to side line it looks to me like the four ball is in front of the natural kick from the center diamond on the far end rail. Parallel shift would make the aiming point a little left of the first diamond (7) which looks pretty close to your suggestion. Not sure if I would use running or center, maybe just a touch of left. I will try this next practice time and see how close I get.

Edit: Okay, tried this yesterday with my line of aiming. First attempt with center high came up short of direct hit but the rebound from the bottom rail hit the 4 to the cushion and left an open shot. Tried again with running and missed long, ball in hand. Tried third time with one tip of left and hit with 2 rails sending the 4 to the bottom rail. 8 foot table if that makes any difference.

 

[Bigkat]

FIRST OF ALL, I believe the "hit" was easier had he gone to the bottom rail and kicked back up the table. I mean he could have hit it directly and made it and even if he hit the side rail it would have resulted in a good hit..IMO

 

[Black-Balled]

I would have kicked towards the end rail closest the camera. No system exactly.

I know that the line from the side to the middle of the end rail leads approximately to the other side. If you parallel shift that line over the cue ball you can see you're likely to kick just past the upper side. Not by enough to hit the four ball though. So I'd estimate where that kick would take me. Then, whatever the gap is between where I want my cue ball to hit the 4 ball and where the 'just past the side kick' line passes the 4 ball, I split the difference and add that to where I aim on the end rail. So in this image I can see I'd be about 10" from the four, so I'd aim in about 5" to try to get a good hit.

I think this kick looks routine. I wouldn't aim at the hole or try to cinch a hit. I could go through the gap or scratch off the back of the 4 ball very easy. I'd like to hit it thin and make it of course but I wouldn't risk aiming thin as I'm likely to miss. My best hope would be to come off the second rail, catch it 1/2-3/4 full, and have the four ball bank up table while the cue ball stays near the foot rail, hopefully in back of the 5 or 6. I'd play it with that speed in mind.

Thoughts?

View attachment 618150

I agree with that approach direction.