As a senior instructor I find it never too early to make a student aware of the advantages and effects of using english (spinning the cue ball). This area of learning is an absolute necessity in order to advance as a player. Yet, even the most basic beginners lessons in this area are avoided by some teachers because the student isn't "Advanced" enough.

The teachers harp on center ball when in truth I believe you are doomed to mediocrity by using it on more than 10% of your shots. It just makes common sense that since the precise positioning of the cue ball is a major part of billiards that your cue ball path must constantly be adjusted. Of course, everything can be carried too far. But if a situation presents itself where you are forced to use english, you must be aware of the cause and effect.

Now back to center ball - I consider center ball down right dangerous because it is akin to a pitchers knuckle ball (even though it appears to roll over end). It is not a full or true rolling ball and has a tendency to apply additional friction on the object ball thereby altering its desired path. A perfect example is the advanced center ball stun shot, whereas the object ball is contorted violently out of its normal path by the effects of friction. Advanced players have used it for years knowing full well it's somewhat unpredictable nature - then they write a book condoning center ball as a steady diet. The buyer now instead of being helped is in big trouble.

Now the question remains - how should I approach the game? First, I admit that when I played my best, about an eon ago, that I used the "close to center ball" theory with amazing results. However the secret word is "close". I wouldn't even consider a center ball hit unless it was a short stop-shot or a stun shot. But, I played every day developing a super light release that made it almost impossible to push a stroke or tighten up.

As far as striking the cue-ball was concerned, if I wanted a zero side spin (no english) I just hit the cue ball center but fairly high (or low). And, because your hitting area gets "smaller" at both poles it was easier to find vertical center. I immediately noticed an improvement in my ability to pocket balls plus it "softened" the hit by not striking mass weight dead center. Naturally at slower speeds I just adjusted that speed for cue-ball placement. At an advanced level - at higher speeds, adjustments can be made on how high (or low) to strike the cue-ball which in turn determines the distance of follow or draw. This naturally can also be accomplished with maximum follow or draw with varying speed control.

Just recently a touring pro finally "admitted" that the pros use some degree of english on almost every shot.

Why would they do this? Wouldn't they have to make adjustments in their aiming? Yes, english does effect the cue-ball path, but they use it mainly to counter act the natural throw (friction) put on the object ball in order to effect a truer rolling object ball. So, their main concern is the path of the object ball-knowing from experience exactly how to adjust the cue-balls path to that ball.

Observe higher rated players spin cut after cut into the hole. They rarely even consider using center ball unless a specific situation demands it's use. Almost to a man, they prefer to use english "away" from the cut (on balls cut to the right they use left english and vice versa). This english doesn't really cut the ball more - it just throws it less - which amounts to the same thing. The end result is that it makes the shot easier when it would logically seem to increase the difficulty rating.

The best cut artists in the country spin the skin off the cue-ball with deadly accuracy.

To close - Yes, you must learn center ball shots. But I regard them as a whole as specialty shots. In the general course of the game center ball is a fallacy.

More coming soon!

Next Time: Create maximum follow by hitting below center?

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