Bottom English Throw on Cut Shots
2/18/2009 12:03:02 PM
Bottom English Throw on Cut Shots
Over years of playing I have started to realize that when I am aiming a cut shot I must adjust my aim for the throw caused by using bottom and top english. Bottom english causes the object ball to cut sharper. Top english causes the ball to cut less. This is not an artifact of my stroke as it happens on both left and right cut shots.
The local pool experts, however, tell me this is nonsense; that top & bottom english do NOT impart throw on the object ball as I am describing.
I would like to hear some opinions on this matter, has anyone else experienced this or know of machine-tests that have tested this?
Bottom English Throw on Cut Shots
Replies & Comments
quickshot on 2/18/2009 2:47:47 PMI won't say yes or no. And I won't say it is all nonsense. Every one has their own peculiarities whether it is playing pool or walking down the street. So I will venture an opinion. If that what happens when you shoot pool, maybe it is a small thing you picked up over the years that is applicable to your stroke, stance, and mental ways of shooting. If it works for you and you are happy with the outcome then ignore the others.
It almost sounds similiar to the Hal Houlte theory. But, I could be wrong.
Fenwick on 2/18/2009 6:12:26 PM
I like quickshot do not have a definitive answer. Speaking for myself I do not notice draw causing throw on a straight in shot. Therefore why would it cause throw on a cut shot? Are you sure you're not adding a pinch of side spin? Just asking. I have to adjust for certain amount of throw on every cut shot. A break shot playing straight pool is a prime example in my case. It's a shot where I need to hit harder then normal so therefore I almost always over cut to compensate for throw. It sounds to me you have adjusted you're aim to pocket balls so what the local pool experts think doesn't really matter. I would ask if these experts are people you respect for their pool knowledge, teaching and playing abilities? If so then take it as sound advice.
Welcome to the forum.
singleton on 2/18/2009 7:15:48 PM
Thanks for your input,
As I said in the original post, I do not think it is an artifact of my stance or stroke, as the same thing happens on left and right cut shots. I would have to agree that the trajectory of the object ball is not effected by top or bottom english on straight shots, but cut-shots are what I am asking about.
It is a matter of whether my brain has been conditioned observe this sort of behavior from the object ball, or whether the object ball in fact exhibits this behavior during cut shots with top/bottom english.
The local experts I have mentioned are known to be very experienced billiard players, this is why I am questioning my own understanding of these shots.
So far I have been surveying players who's opinion I respect and their answers have been 50/50 on the issue.
The ultimate proof would be the results of mechanical billiards shots, but I have not been able to find any experiments that examine these particular shots.
Whats your opinion?
I'll take it to the table tomorrow and ask a few of the experts where I play. There is someone well known who does use a robot to test theories on things like what you're asking. I may try and contact him and see what he has to say. I won't get a answer from him over night but I will tell you what I find out tomorrow at the table. Draw or follow causing throw and having to compensate for it on cut shots. The outcome of what I see should not be the last word on this subject.
- quickshot on 2/18/2009 9:13:10 PM
Do yourself a favor. Never mind what the so called experts think and say. If you get to into this you will start trying different things based on what you are being told and your game will go so far south it will get sunburned by the equator. Keep your game and listen to your own instincts. That is what you are playing with now. DO NOT CHANGE IT.
We cannot play anyone else game no more than they can play our game. Stay in your own mind.
Bottom English Throw on Cut Shots
- Title: Bottom English Throw on Cut Shots
- Author: singleton
- Published: 2/18/2009 12:03:02 PM
