Pocketing balls is an essential task in pocket billiards. It takes two things:
1. Knowing where to drive the cue ball.
2. Having the stroke to deliver the cue ball to that spot.
It can take years of practice to develop a nearly perfect stroke, but the knowledge of where to deliver the cue ball to make the object ball can be learned much more quickly.
In last month’s column, we learned that the edge of the cue ball is delivered along a parallel line to the center of the cue ball. This offset must be accounted for and on shots other than straight in, an adjustment must be made. The use of a ghost ball in front of the target ball helps the mind create a target for the cue ball.
In diagram A, the circle adjacent to the object ball is the imaginary ghost ball placed so that the line through the center of the object and ghost balls extends to the center of the target pocket. In a simple sense, this is where the cue ball must be delivered to pocket the ball regardless of where on the table the cue ball begins. Think of this as a frozen kiss shot and a force delivered to the ghost ball will drive the object ball into the pocket.
Diagram B shows how the shooter must make an adjustment for the edge of the cue ball taking a parallel path to the center of the cue ball. If on this shot, the player hits the cue ball dead center with no spin, notice how the line of aim of the cue extends past the object ball and in fact doesn’t even point at the target ball. This adjustment is related to the angle of the shot and the radius of the cue ball.
There are some adjustments that may have to be made to the placement of the ghost ball due to some technical nuances. These are advanced topics that will be discussed in future articles.
1. Squirt: The cue ball moves off of the tip in the opposite direction to left or right hand English.
2. Swerve: The cue ball curves in the same direction as the sidespin applied. This can also be called the masse’ effect.
3. Collision induced throw: The object ball clings to the cue ball for an instant and releases along a different line than the line between the centers at the moment of impact.
4. Spin induced throw: Due to cue ball sidespin, the object ball releases the collision slightly to the opposite side of the line between the centers at impact as the cue ball sidespin.
Learning to visualize the ghost ball and make the adjustment for the aiming line and the contact line takes time for the brain to assimilate. Most experienced players do not look at a vacant place in space adjacent to the object ball. They look at the object ball and their brain points the cue stick at the correct spot next to the object ball. With a good understanding of the ghost ball concept and lots of practice, you can be pocketing balls consistently in no time at all.
Mike is a full time tournament player and professional billiard instructor. When he is not on the road competing, he is available for private instruction or group clinics and events. He can be reached via www.billiardcoach.com or by phone at 612.802.0519. Billiard Coach, LLC is a member of the Billiard Congress of America. Mike is a certified PAT examiner, a Billiard Congress of America Certified Instructor, and an ACS Certified Coach/Instructor.
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