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. |
Occasionally our cue ball position is nearer to the object ball than we would prefer. Lets say the shot at hand requires a strong follow to the rail combined with english to increase cue ball speed and direction along the white line. Total traveling distance about 7 1/2 to 8 feet.
The problem is the cue ball is only 3-4 inches from the object ball as shown. We now need a power release. The obvious problem is that we may double hit (foul) the cue ball.
So, if we use a full arm swing that we would normally use and come straight thru plus hit thru the cue ball, we have a good chance of double hitting the cue ball. What then is the normal reaction for the amateur? Well they "poke" stroke and stop the arm abruptly to avoid a foul. The end result of these strokes is a major power loss and of course, they end up well short of their desired position.
Now, at the moment, I can think of several strokes and about five ways to pull this shot off, but I believe with practice the following method is the most reliable. First, we must abandon the "normal" full arm swing. Your arm will move but 6 inches or less. The power factor then would be a complete wrist release. The wrist must be tension free however, to gain full speed. So hitting "thru the ball" now becomes incorrect.
We must now hit "at the ball". - This requires a major change in your timing, in that the release must start much earlier than normal. And because your arm movement is purposely restricted, it "loses the desire" to fully participate in the swing.
I personally even use my chest as a barrier to prevent overswinging. I use wrist snap that sharply runs in my chest (which is positioned accordingly). Caution! This is a specialty stroke generally used because of a limited area in which to swing. I do not recommend it as a steady diet.
Naturally you must strike the cue ball as high as possible to obtain the needed distance - and don't lay off the english.
In the super deluxe version of this stroke, a full arm & wrist swing (release) is used to obtain 8 to possibly 16 feet. - In this attempt, you must aim center ball & sharply hook your stick left or right depending on your intended direction. This hook (crossover) will apply extreme spin to the cue ball & because the stick is not traveling straight thru, should avoid a double hit. Hint: Your shaft should point about 35 to 40 degrees to the intended crossover on it's completion. Yes, it's a really "poor" stroke as generally accepted but it works.
If you have a problem with this stroke, (or any other) and can make it to Clicks at 40th St and Thomas in Phoenix, Arizona, see me every wednesday evening from 7pm to 9pm - No charge during this time period.