Advanced Pocket Billiards by |
Don Rose has been an advanced BCA Instructor since the first 12 instructors were chosen. He has been Midwest 3 Cushion Champion as well as Arizona State 14.1 Champion. The writer of numerous instructional articles, Don has been teaching billiards for 29 years and playing the game for over 50 years. Always willing to help anyone who asks, Don is available for group or private lessons. He will answer any instructional questions, anyone might have. E-mail him at donrose@azbilliards.com His archive of columns is available here. |
At times we're faced with a situation that demands more than normal penetration thru the object ball (minimum cue ball deflection off the object ball). The novices naturally tend to aim higher on the cue ball than normal - sometimes the pros reach below center.
Why would this penetration occur? Without a sensitive high speed camera, I can only give an opinion, but I guarantee it works.
First, I must warn you that only slow to less than moderate speeds can be used. If faster speeds are used, naturally, the cue ball will draw (or stop). Second, the stroke should be triple smooth - I prefer to use a "light arm" to achieve this stroke. This of course will vary with your style of stroke. Third, I rarely use it on straight in shots, although it resembles a soft draw (skid shot). Fourth, I reserve this shot almost exclusively to be used with left or right english. Fifth, I increase or decrease my normal backswing (and aiming point) to meld into various distance requirements.
Thus, striking the cue ball as high as possible is not always the best mode of action.
Now, I liken this stroke to the action of a "full rolling" bowling ball. This ball "breaks" (curves) inward just before hitting the "pocket" (one and three pins for right handers) and complements the penetration in order to "take out" the five-pin and eight-pin. Thus, a manufactured angle plus a full rolling ball (not spinning like a top or rolling end over end - but a combination of both) amasses more energy into the pins.
This is my "general perception" of the physics of a bowling balls action - don't quote me on this.
Anyhow, I believe the below center cue ball hit causes a like action and this is why it too has maximum penetration, plus max spin.
Further, the wrist should not be allowed to strike the cue ball (back to smooth) in the release area (contact zone) unless you are using a mini-stroke version of the stroke just explained.
Are all strokes the same? Not hardly! Should you use the follow stroke I described all the time? Not on your life! Should you always avoid "snapping" your release? No!
Heck of a game, isn't it?
Next Time: Hitting "thru the ball" is not always your best bet (or pooh-pooh on follow thru).