How To Avoid Cue Ball Fouls?
7/18/2009 5:58:05 AM
How To Avoid Cue Ball Fouls?
I am an amateur to average player and I seem to be quite accurate when targeting object balls.
However, I keep committing fouls by scratching on the cue ball by deflecting it into a pocket after an otherwise successful hit.
I know the basics (theoretically at least) about drawing, spinning, etc. but yet, I keep failing in this department.
Any help?
How To Avoid Cue Ball Fouls?
Replies & Comments
Mitch Alsup on 7/18/2009 3:01:08 PM
When you make a shot, leave yourself with an angle on the next shot so its not straight in. This, basically, aleviates the issue--and is the basis for sound run-out strategies. Give yourself a good position for the next shot, but don't let it get straight in.
When you have a straight shot, slow roll the cue-ball so that it does not roll forward after contact.
{Alternately, kill cue-ball speed with draw so that when contact is made, the cue-ball has lost all spin. This is technically known as as stop shot--but a key aspect is the reduction in speed of the cue-ball on the way towards the object-ball. A kill shot is technically when the cue-ball slows after (grazing) contact with an object-ball. A drag shot technically has the cue-ball lose speed on the way to the object ball but start rolling forward (just) before contact. A stop shot is where the cue-ball is neither rolling forward nor spinning backwards at teh moment of object ball contact on a straight in shot. Dead-ball roll is where as a stop shot, but the object-cue-ball interaction is at an angle. Here, the cue ball rolls perfectly down the tangent line and speed is controlled precisely by the power put into the cue ball.}
The easiest way to learn this stuff is to get a cue ball with 6 colored dots at 90 degree angles. Then you can see the spin and understand what is going on.
JC. on 10/1/2009 10:22:58 AM
I have had similar problems despite putting english on the cue ball, what i did for a while was aim to bank the object ball in slightly of a cushion so that it was no longer a straight shot, this is probably quite an amature fix however, so may not be the best way to improve your game.
The very first point you need to understand is: (as my dad used to say) "You only have to hit the ball hard enough for it to go in". If you apply this rule religiously, the CB will not follow the ball into the pocket. That is, hit the CB softly almost all the time.
Second, the only times you hit the CB any harder than necessary, is when you want the CB to do something after making contact wiht the OB. (or on a break).
Suggested practice: Set an OB 1 balls width from the back ledge in a corner pocket. Place CB in opposite corner pocket (8-10 feet away). Roll the CB across the table so delicately that the OB drops and the CB stops right there. The amount of speed this takes is identical to lagging a ball the exact length of the table from corner to opposite corner without it dropping. This takes a lot of touch and develops the kind of feel you are missing. When you get good at this, the only time you need draw, follow, or spin, is when you want to do something with the CB.
Advanced practice: set up shot as above. Now roll the CB so delicately that it makes contact with the OB but the OB does not move far enough to drop in the pocket. If you can do this reliably, you have control over the poer you are using in your stroke.
baron on 10/2/2009 3:13:17 AM
Thank you all
quickshot on 10/2/2009 8:04:50 AMI think you may be at a point where all the written info is well intentioned as it usually is. But, despite what you say and how you practice it, you will never really, really know if it is right unless you have a real live person watching your movements. By real I mean someone who is qualified to judge your game visually. Try to find a good player who can do that. Practicing the right thing is better than doing what you may think is the right thing.
buckshotshoey on 10/4/2009 5:46:37 PM
Set up a camcorder and tape your self playing from different angles. Front, rear, and side shots. While having a good player watching you might be best, you'll be amazed at what you can learn about yourself. It helped me improve.
- quickshot on 10/4/2009 7:17:57 PM
Cameras are at best ambigous to some degree. A person can take all the film he/she wants, but if they do not know what thay are looking at, and whether it is right or wrong, and even more so how to correct it, it is a total waste of time and money. I stand by my previous advice. Work with some one who knows what is happening in your pool world and he can correct it. If you are serious about your game work with a person who is serious about THE game.
Rayal on 1/4/2010 8:29:35 AM
A small tip is also that if your opponent fouls and you have ball in hand don't line up exactly with a dead shot straight in. By purposely off setting to one side decreases follow in and the CB will bounce off the rail and towards your next shot in most cases depending on how hard you hit it, angle, forward spin or what ever. You will notice that the player in this video never lines straight up even while he is giving very good tips.
How To Avoid Cue Ball Fouls?
- Title: How To Avoid Cue Ball Fouls?
- Author: baron
- Published: 7/18/2009 5:58:05 AM
