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Tips on Shooting long or Straight-in shots

12/8/2010 1:05:10 AM

Tips on Shooting long or Straight-in shots

Please share if you know any special techniques for shooting long or straight-in shots off the rail?

Also, is there a different type of bridge to use when shooting off the rail?

Tips on Shooting long or Straight-in shots

Replies & Comments
  1. sophie hartMitch Alsup on 12/8/2010 2:41:45 PM

    When the CB is on the rail, you have no access to low english, adn therefore cannot apply draw.

    Yet this is no reason to lift the butt end of the cue!

    I tend to use a pair of fingers on both sides of the shaft for lateral position and the top of the rail itself for vertical position control. Sometimes I will place the three non bridging fingers on the edge of the rail, and use a closed bridge (depends on the angle of departure with respect to the rail).

    Be sure to chalk the outside perimeter of the cue tip--this is where the tip will impact the cue ball. Being deliberate about delivering the tip through the CB helps prevent miscues.

    Keep the cue level, and stroke smoothly and deliberately through the moment of contact. Do not use more power/speed than necessary.

    DO NOT WORRY about this being a {strange, different, difficult, ...} shot. It is simply a shot like any other. Concentrate on the line the CB rolls towards the OB, and after contact, STAY DOWN and watch the CB roll down the line. If the CB does not roll down the line but still rolls straight, the shaft was not aligned properly--that is there was not a straight line between the butt end of the cue stick, the tip of the shaft and the OB waiting to be struck. If the CB arcs away from the chosen line, you hit the CB off of the vertical center and the sidespin caused the CB to swerve. Staying down is the key to figuring out this shot (and most others).

  2. sophie harttedmauro on 12/8/2010 9:08:02 PM

    Well stated Mitch, staying down on the shot is one of the most important things we can do for consistently pocketing balls. Especially when ball are on the rail. When I was learning to play, there was an old timer that would pop me on the head with the shaft end of a cue if I lifted up on a shot.

  3. sophie hartsophie hart on 12/8/2010 10:51:25 PM

    I have a few tips for making long shots.

    • Chalking the tip of the cue - ensure the cue tip is well-chalked.
    • Powdering the area between my thumb and index finger....I position my support hand in a walking man figure with the thumb sticking out ahead making a "V" from the top at the wrist. The middle finger ahead and index finger behind it. Rest of the fingers curled and supporting at the knuckles along with the palm. In this position I lay my hand palm down The cue stick goes through the "V" between thumb and index finger. I first bring the cue stick in fast then slow down without touching the cue ball. I do like this 3 times and then I pause then let it fly, either with a sharp jab (e.g. a full powered head-on), a side swinger, a hopper, or a push.

    And as with every type of shot, I hold the other end of the cue stick from the very end with my head and line of vision on match with my elbow and looking at the shot from nearly table level.

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Tips on Shooting long or Straight-in shots

  • Title: Tips on Shooting long or Straight-in shots
  • Author: (Sophie Hart)
  • Published: 12/8/2010 1:05:10 AM