Depends. Sometimes you need the CB going rail to rail for position or just staying away from the pockets. Others, you may want the OB moving at pocket speed without bending into the end rail.
Why do I naturally pocket balls better with outside spin?
- Thread starter Renderu
- Start date
All I can offer is that I am glad that I don't shoot good enough to have to worry about this stuff. I use a little outside if I cant hit the OB thin enough because of an obstruction, I use inside if I need it for position or if its a thin frozen rail shot, and center ball for a stop or stun shot (my favorite shots because I know exactly where cue ball is headed).
Rail first is a good way to get a feel for exactly where I am striking the cueball. Sometimes it's not where I thought it was.
My simple kick practice is rack 'em 3 ball, break then kick them in. A week of this after I had quit my day job allowed me to execute my greatest big boys tournament accomplishment.
It's good for the mind and body. Do it as a fitness program an hour a day for a week. Pay Attention to the form! Ready set go.
My simple kick practice is rack 'em 3 ball, break then kick them in. A week of this after I had quit my day job allowed me to execute my greatest big boys tournament accomplishment.
It's good for the mind and body. Do it as a fitness program an hour a day for a week. Pay Attention to the form! Ready set go.
Zerksies
Well-known member
It's one of the hardest and least use of spin. If you can master that you can pretty much use anything.
It takes practice, lot of it, to learn how to shoot a shot like this and hit the edge of the object ball. Yes, you do have to compensate for the throw on the cue ball before it reaches the object ball. Almost like you are putting a slight masse on the cue ball. But when you do learn how to hit this type of shot (like so many champion players) it will amaze you what shots you can cut in. This is more of a "feel" shot than one that can be diagrammed or explained with physics.
I can show you shots that look uncutable and they can be made if hit properly. Try placing the object ball one diamond out from the corner pocket along the end rail and one ball width off the rail. Now place the cue ball at the other end of the table in the same position. It will look impossible to cut in, but it can be. As my friend Steve Mizerak used to say, practice, practice, practice.
We call that “swerve”. “Throw” happens to the object ball.
You are putting a slight masse on it - because your stick’s butt is always a little elevated.
pj <- nits ain’t gonna pick themselves
chgo
“SIT Happens.” (CIT too.)
I like it when the really smart guys on here (like PJ) set me straight. That's what friends are for!
My take on this is that you are not compensating for CB-spin-induced-throw by moving point of OB-contact. Once you realize the previous sentence, you will be able to use inside english, outside english, and no english with aplomb--depending on how you want OB to move after contact. {Thanks CJ...}
I’ve been rethinking why shooting with a bit of english feels more natural to me. One theory I’ve heard is that it’s very hard to strike the exact center of the cue ball. But I see the counterargument too: if you’re aiming for a specific amount of english, you can also easily mis-hit that spot.
What I’d really like to know is this: suppose I’m aiming for dead center and I miss by some small amount (let’s call it delta_x). How much spin does that create (delta_s)? Then compare that to aiming with a little english and missing by the same delta_x — is the resulting change in spin bigger or smaller?
In other words: is center ball the most “sensitive” place on the cue ball, where a tiny miscue creates a relatively large effect? If so, it would make sense why some players feel more comfortable using a bit of english on most shots.
What I’d really like to know is this: suppose I’m aiming for dead center and I miss by some small amount (let’s call it delta_x). How much spin does that create (delta_s)? Then compare that to aiming with a little english and missing by the same delta_x — is the resulting change in spin bigger or smaller?
In other words: is center ball the most “sensitive” place on the cue ball, where a tiny miscue creates a relatively large effect? If so, it would make sense why some players feel more comfortable using a bit of english on most shots.
A little bit of errant spin probably won't cause a miss. I think one major concern with hitting around center ball is not crossing the center line and applying english opposite to your intentions.
You said a lot right there. Hitting good center ball shots is a true skill. Buddy probably hit the ball better than anyone else back then. His strike always made such a clean sound - center ball! Not many players could do that, or nearly as well.
if you can't hit the center which is easy to see and line up to. how the hell are you going to hit the exact spot on the side of the cue ball with english and not put too little or too much which will affect your shot more than a tiny bit off center.
a person needs to be able hit center of the cue ball.
the bottom of the cue ball always touches at its center. so simply go up from there.
out side english seems to make cut shots easier is because it does. it eliminates most of your throw which makes most shots seem under cutted which most players do anyway.
even the pros when they miss most times its undercutting. look at all your misses on all shots and you will see that. its natural to hit too full as you are aiming with a ball that looks bigger than the one you are trying to hit.
a person needs to be able hit center of the cue ball.
the bottom of the cue ball always touches at its center. so simply go up from there.
out side english seems to make cut shots easier is because it does. it eliminates most of your throw which makes most shots seem under cutted which most players do anyway.
even the pros when they miss most times its undercutting. look at all your misses on all shots and you will see that. its natural to hit too full as you are aiming with a ball that looks bigger than the one you are trying to hit.
Counter argument: Hitting to the right/left of center causes squirt and then swerve, both of which complicate aiming. How hard are you hitting the cue ball? How far away is the cue ball from the object ball? Those considerations affect how much squirt there will be, and whether swerve has enough time to complete before the cue ball hits the object ball. Figuring out the net deflection (squirt - swerve) is complicated.
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A small difference in contact point has small effects on spin and squirt - I think the difference in squirt probably hurts your shot more than the difference in spin does.
And I think the differences are pretty much the same whether you're cueing for center ball or off center.
pj
chgo
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