WHAT JUMPING BEAN?

By Roy "Sensei" Yamane,
Master BCA Certified Instructor

When striking any shot with more energy than normal, such as a break shots, are you aware that the cue ball reacts like a jumping bean? Keeping the cue as level as possible is the optimum angle, but in most cases one would be scraping the knuckles on the felt or rails. In general, aiming the cue tip at the vertical center axis of the cue ball, the butt end of the cue will be elevated higher than the cue tip. This downward projection angle causes the cue ball to be forced into the cloth, which gives enough cushion for the cue ball to become airborne on the first bounce for a distance approximately two diamond or more, and repeats it self proportionately in less increments each time thereafter. The more force applied to a shot, the more elevation and distance the cue ball will remain in the air on the first bounce, and repeatedly regresses until finally gravity sets in and begins to have a natural roll. Along it’s travel, the cue ball does come in contact with a object ball(s! ) or rail which will slow its speed or stop its traveling motion.

On the break, One may view the incident using a high-resolution speed camcorder from the side view to record and see this inertia. Another way to register the jumping bean effects and see the remaining evidence of a compressed wear marks left remaining on the table felt where the cue ball skids before contacting the object balls. On old cloth, check how these marks are evident especially starting where the cue ball was placed by previous players, and see where the marks are recorded directly impact point on the head ball to the racked balls. Does it make sense why the players are breaking from a certain position more than others any other location? Of course, they are pocketing more balls from past plays on that particular pool table, so why not use the same starting positions. On tables that were just recovered would be a great time to check one’s distance to see the marks. There are many ways to check where the cue ball bounces. Take a roll of cash register receipt roll (! 3’ wide by approximately 36" long) and tape it to the pool table in the direct path of your break. Then, tape a roll type of carbon paper on top of the strip as wide as the paper. Break the balls normally and check to see where the carbon marks the strip.

To get the most energized break, one should understand the physical circumstances involved. First, the optimum conditions would be to contact the rack on the head ball ‘vertical center’ from the cue ball angle to the ‘vertical center’ of the head ball. Also, contacting the head ball, on the break shot, we discussed about the bounce, which can have advantages or disadvantage on how the cue ball contacts the rack. Assuming that we are contacting the head ball on vertical center, and not off to either sides.

There are different energy conditions that effects the optimum break at what point of the bounce makes contact on the head ball: (1) The optimum is when the cue ball bounces on the bottom of down swing at the time of contact with the head ball. This is when the cue ball makes contact on the table and the object ball at the same instant, the transfer of energy to the object balls would be maximized to the fullest. This also has the least chance of the cue ball fouling by jumping off the table (2) There would be a loss of energy if the cue ball is on the down swing but contacts the rack higher on the object ball. Since the cue ball is coming downward even if it is contacting the head ball higher, the cue ball has less of a chance to foul off the table than in condition (3). (3) There would be a slight loss of energy if the cue ball bounce is so close to the rack, and is on the rise prior to contact. This has the most possible chance of fouling with the cue ball flying off the! table than the other two conditions. It would depend on how high the contact is made on the head ball and at what speed. In (3), the cue ball also has greatest chance jumping the table and the lesser impact quality of the three situations. Remember the higher the contact of the cue ball, the lesser impact and higher chance of jumping the table. If the cue ball lands on the table at the same it contacts the head ball in the rack it transfers the most energy to the rack of balls. As the contact becomes higher, the transfer is kept within the cue ball. This is the result why the cue ball jumps in the air.

Another important factor that has a greater possible chance of fouling by jumping off the table is, if and when the cue ball contacts the object ball off vertical centerline on either side, and to what degree. This also transfers less energy to the object balls, and is kept in the cue ball as it varies more off vertical center. With the combination of both bounce contact elevation and the side variation, one will learn what is happening with the outcome.

There are differences of how, where to, what speed to break the balls by varying the speed, or varying the distance, become more accurate and contact the vertical center of the object ball, or changing the elevation of the cue will change the outcome of the breaking power. There are other finer points such as where to strike the cue ball, bridge distance and may other variables that can change the outcome of the break. KISS......."Keep It Simple Student" (and not Stupid") means don’t try and break the balls with the most force and power. This would give you less accuracy. To give you a better consistent break of quality, try for more controlled accuracy. A surprise might be in store for you by just experimenting with less effort. So....Break On JUMPING BEAN!!!

 

All copyrights are owned by Roy Yamane. No duplication is allowed without his permission.