Why so many?

[RedEyeJedi]

I think another obstacle for midlevel players is... they read about the theory of tangent lines
and such, but they don't hit the cue ball consistently enough to make the the cueball path
match the diagram in a book. Like the accidentally allow it to pick up topspin, or draw a little,
or the ball picks up sidespin on the rails, etc. So they kind of lose faith in tangent lines
and stop thinking about the EXACT path of the cue ball. Later if you can show them how to make
a ball move exactly on that line, it becomes clear it's not just "on paper", it has practical use.

I couldn't agree with this more. Half the time when I coach I say "Just shoot a stop shot, it'll work out great" to weaker players on a cut shot, and when they actually shoot the stop shot correctly, go along the tangent line, and get shape, they'll invariably come up frowning and say "I guess I got shape, but I didn't make it stop." I'm thinking, what are they talking about, that was perfect! At that point I realize how little they understand about the tangent line-stop shot relationship.

These days, 9/10 times I help a beginning player, I try to explain the slide-stall-roll of the cue ball first. Amazing how many look at me like I'm talking voodoo science they've never heard before.

 

[justadub]

Spot on. But honestly, this is due to the fact that most low level players are still trying to pocket balls, they aren't worrying about where the CB goes.

Ah, but then the problem becomes one of worrying too much about position, and not paying enough attention to the shot at hand. Doesn't matter where you end up if you didnt make the ball.

<-------guilty

Trying to do too much to get position on the next ball, not allowing for throw, etc....trying to cheat the pocket. All of those things require additional skill and practice, and therein lies a difference between lower level players like myself, and more advanced players.

 

[Cdryden]

Another important variable, Chris, is that many players mistakenly believe that sidespin causes the CB to curve, which is not true. Only top and bottom cause the the CB to bend...either across the tangent, or away from it. I'm talking about normal cue elevations...not masse' or deliberate swerve shots. One of the simplest ways to teach someone about the tangent line, is to put an OB on the spot; put the CB about a foot away, at a slight angle towards the corner pocket (you can make it 30 degrees, but the physics works the same, whether the cut is easier or harder...so make it easier, I usually set up a 15 degree cut). Tell the shooter you want them to aim at centerball, and skid the CB into the OB. Before they shoot, ask them to point to the place on the rail (better yet, have them put a piece of chalk on the rail) where they believe the CB will go to. If they don't point to the side pocket, they don't understand tangent line physics. A sliding CB, shot into a ball on the spot, at any angle, will leave at 90 degrees...which is the side pocket. Then show them how top makes the CB bend towards the side rail, and draw makes it bend away from the side rail. This is something I do with every student, in every lesson. It takes less than 2 minutes, but it's proof positive whether someone understands how tangent line physics works...or not!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Good point Scott. It wasn't until I learned that, that I was able to start pocketing balls while maintaining accurate position play.