Shots From Master Play - Off Ball Near Side

By Glenn Bond

The second shot in the new Master Play series allows a continued run out that would otherwise be almost unrunnable. I am excited to bring this shot to those of you who do not already know it because of the frequency with which it presents itself and because of the weakness of most of the alternative options. Remember from last month's introductory article of this series, Shots from Master Play is not about difficult to execute shots or ones which almost never present themselves, but rather frequently presented problems and simple solutions to those problems.

I am in a match with the best player in the world (Efren Reyes). The game is nineball and I have just pocketed the eight ball and scratched, affording him ball-in-hand on the nine ball. Most of us are familiar with conceding the game at this point, and not making our opponent shoot the ball-in-hand shot on the 'money ball'. Now, it is always a good idea to make your opponent shoot every required shot and never concede anything. In fact, these days in major tournament play, conceding any shot is penalized. However, as a matter of practicality, frequently pool players will not make their opponent shoot a ball-in-hand, or easy shot on the final ball. BUT, there is one position for the final ball that all players will make their opponent shoot. Even with ball-in-hand. Even when their opponent is a good player. Even when their opponent is Efren. Efren himself could miss this shot with ball-in-hand.

That is the position diagrammed in this month's Shot from Master Play. The position is so treacherous, even with ball-in-hand, that the best way to deal with this shot during a run-out is to not deal with it at all. The best way to deal with this shot is to change it before you get to it. The position is this: a ball frozen to the cushion, very near the side pocket, but outside the jaws of the side pocket.

NOTE
This shot also has multiple applications for the game of eight ball. For example, you might make your choice of solids or stripes based upon a striped ball being in this position (choose solids!)

If a ball ends up here (ball marked "X" in the diagram), after the break shot, let's say, you have three main choices:
Shoot the shot when you get to it.
Technically, it could be shot in pocket "2" with position "C", but besides the shot being no easy matter, the scratch in the side (pocket "1") with anything other than perfectly straight in shape at "C" is formidable.
You could shoot into pocket "3" with position at "D", but the point on the far jaw of pocket "1" can get in the way of the shot.
With position at "E", a cross-side shot becomes an option, also a twice-across or even three-times-across is available and sometimes necessary.
Getting to position "F" makes for a safety to "G".
Also from position "F", on some equipment, a "force through the pocket point" shot is a choice into pocket "1".
From the area around "C", a safety is available involving the point of pocket "1". Attend one of my safety seminars to pick up this little gem!
NOTE: rolling up to touch this ball is NOT an option. Due to the ball being frozen to the rail, this shot would result in the shooter not getting a rail, and thus giving a ball-in-hand to the opponent.

Other than these six shot selections, none of which I think are high-percentage, your best choice is to move the ball marked "X" with the cueball. In other words, before you get to this shot, shoot a ball and have the cueball come up and bump this ball from its' frozen position near the side pocket. Usually this is your best selection and you should use it if available.

3. Your third choice with a ball frozen in the diagrammed position, should you wisely choose not to shoot it as it lays, or if you cannot pocket another ball and rearrange it with the cueball is this: PLAY A KISS SHOT OFF THIS BALL INTO THE SIDE POCKET! Besides being easy to execute with any balls in the shaded area of the table, this shot is basically risk-free and actually widens the available side pocket at certain angles! This shot is so powerful that I think it is necessary to even play shape to position "B" when you have a ball at "A" to make this shot happen (with a ball at "A", you would normally pocket it in the lower left hand pocket in the diagram). When you add in the possibility of playing an early safe to obtain ball-in-hand and thus perfect shape for this kiss-shot, this qualifies the 'Off Ball Near Side' shot for this months' Shot from Master Play.

Don’t be afraid of this pro shot- it’s easy to do!

All copyrights are owned by Glenn Bond. No duplication is allowed without his permission.