Why Is This Such A Hard Shot?

D

DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member

I was breaking some racks tonight and had this layout. And, of course, I scratched in the side pocket. I even told myself outloud..."JUST DON'T SCRATCH!"

And last week I was watching a 1995 Accu-Stats Sands Regency Tournament from Reno between Efren Reyes and Johnny Archer. It was hill-hill and Archer had a similar type shot. Guess what? He scratched in the side as well. Almost always when I see this shot - or one similar - I think about the scratch in the side pocket.

Anyway to take the side pocket out of play here? You can't play for the corner because that has scratch written all over it and is blocked by the 6B. And the angle wasn't there to go with inside english.

r/DCP
 
Because we shoot it with some low left english. Use hair above center hit and more left. Cut is so thin that you don't need much speed.
Also, ball is so close to pocket that one can cheat pocket quite a lot. Hit it thick and scratch is big.
 
Inside, 2 rails around the other corner pocket and between the 5/7 to the upper long rail past that side pocket.

pj
chgo
 
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Set up the shot multiple times, try different variation of spin/speed. This will not only help you get more consistent with the execution, but more importantly realize which shot selection is the most consistent in terms of getting the position you want. This is a good example of a shot with a dozen ways of playing it, but some having less margin for error than others.
 
bbb said:
Practice more
Click to expand...
This. Low outside off the first diamond just loves the opposite side pocket. You just have to set up these shots and find the tip position that works for you and your stroke. After you get it down from one position, move the OB around a lil bit and see how you need to adjust to develop a feel for hitting that 2nd rail where you want to.

So why is this shot so hard? Because you haven't practiced it enough to consider it easy.
 
Where is tangent off the 1 ball with center cue ball?

How many diamonds is that off your intended line?

What english gets you on that intended line?

Get on the table & give a it a try & get back to me.
 
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Fore Rail said:
Where is tangent off the 1 ball with center cue ball?

How many diamonds is that off your intended line?

What english gets you on that intended line?

Get on the table & give a it a try & get back to me.
Click to expand...
i think technically you are asking
where does the rebound angle of the tangent line from the object ball to the first rail using center cue ball take you
then adjust from there
jmho
i like how you think......(y)
i think....;)
 
bbb said:
i think technically you are asking
where does the rebound angle of the tangent line from the object ball to the first rail using center cue ball take you
then adjust from there
jmho
i like how you think......(y)
i think....;)
Click to expand...
Yep, you have it right.
 
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When you practice the shot, do you mark it and shoot it different ways until you figure it out? Wouldn't that be the logical thing to do? You can ask people about it, but they aren't you. They don't apply English the exact same way as you do. Maybe you don't hit the ball as low as someone does who recommends low, and their definition of certain speeds may be slightly different than yours.

There's no shortcuts. You have to do your homework for yourself.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
FYI here,
Check out this video at the 1:52:40 mark and watch Archer play a very similar shot.

Click to expand...
you really have not changed much
you do not do the work on the table
you have been playing a long time
you should be alot better by now
and your question should be more advanced by now
jmho
icbw
 
DrCue'sProtege said:

I was breaking some racks tonight and had this layout. And, of course, I scratched in the side pocket. I even told myself outloud..."JUST DON'T SCRATCH!"

And last week I was watching a 1995 Accu-Stats Sands Regency Tournament from Reno between Efren Reyes and Johnny Archer. It was hill-hill and Archer had a similar type shot. Guess what? He scratched in the side as well. Almost always when I see this shot - or one similar - I think about the scratch in the side pocket.

Anyway to take the side pocket out of play here? You can't play for the corner because that has scratch written all over it and is blocked by the 6B. And the angle wasn't there to go with inside english.

r/DCP
Click to expand...

Pick your spot. Visually imagine exactly where you want the cb to strike the cushion. This gives your mind the best opportunity to make it happen, much better than simply telling yourself not to scratch. You also have to practice these types of shots in order to get a solid understanding of the speed and spin needed.

Thinking or worrying about a scratch is like the old mental stumbling block when playing golf and facing a water hazard. Instead of telling yourself, "Don't hit the water!", the trick is to ignore the water and just visualize the shot the way you want it to go. That water becomes a huge golf ball magnet if that's where your focus is directed. Same with scratching in pool.
 
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DrCue'sProtege said:

I was breaking some racks tonight and had this layout. And, of course, I scratched in the side pocket. I even told myself outloud..."JUST DON'T SCRATCH!"

And last week I was watching a 1995 Accu-Stats Sands Regency Tournament from Reno between Efren Reyes and Johnny Archer. It was hill-hill and Archer had a similar type shot. Guess what? He scratched in the side as well. Almost always when I see this shot - or one similar - I think about the scratch in the side pocket.

Anyway to take the side pocket out of play here? You can't play for the corner because that has scratch written all over it and is blocked by the 6B. And the angle wasn't there to go with inside english.

r/DCP
Click to expand...
Telling yourself aloud, "don't scratch," creates a mental image in your brain of the scratch, and your subconscious/visual mind/right brain can lead to scratching. Instead, tell yourself firmly but calmly, "cue ball to this position."
 
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