shooting the CB with english

[sh811]

hey guys. i've been playing pool seriously for over 6 months now, and i still have some trouble on shots using english to get better position control. im talking about medium range shots when using english to make the target ball travel to the other side of the table in the far corner pocket. for example, target ball is at center of table between teh two side pockets and the cue ball is about two feet behind it closer to one of the side pockets. it's going to be a slight cut shot, and i'd like to use right english to set up for the other balls on the table. now, to execute this shot to first get the target ball in, am i supposed to shoot it the direction of the corner pocket to pocket the ball (becasue most of the time, the ball isn't pocketed), or am i supposed to hit the target ball slightly left of the the normal path to the pocket? becasue most when i perfom this shot, it either cuts to the left a little bit and misses the pocket so i try to figure out where on the target ball i should hit it using english. because i know if you use right english on the cue and hit the target ball, the target ball will get the shot effect from the englished cueball. i tried searching on t e web for the answer, but it's coming up dry.


if it's sounding a little confusing, i drew a picture to explain my question. the line placement is slight, but hopefully you guys will understand what i mean.

http://x8f.xanga.com/1e3891fac643128122092/b19745711.jpg

[Ronis]

You have to make aiming correction when you shoot with english because of deflection and throw effects depending of amount of english, speed and distance.
If you are a beginner, make yourself a favor and buy P.Capelle's "Play your best pool" book. IMHO, in difference with his other books this one is well worth the money.

[ra[g]e]

When I aim using english, I use the method illustrated on the left in that link.

However, using english is not so simple as perfecting the aiming method. You need to be aware of two factors affecting the cue ball when using english, the first one would be deflection, and the second would be throw.

When you use left or right english, you would need to compensate for deflection of the cue ball... i.e. if you hit right english, the cue ball will veer off the intended path to the left, and you will need to compensate for it. Throw affects the shot lesser (and in an opposite manner), hence you normally just need to compensate for deflection. However, you need to be aware of it, as it can influence the object ball trajectory in certain situations.

[LWW]

If that's your only problem after 6 months you should be on the IPT tour in another 6.

LWW

[skor]

It's true what has been said here about deflection and throw but after 6 months of play, my best advice is don't put any side english and try to control the cue ball by hitting the cue ball only on the vertical axis and by hiiting it with different speed.
And do you're self a big favor, buy a Predator shaft and get some lessons from an instructor, forget the books, they are too boring....

[spartan]

Skor is right. Find an instructor. He (or she :wink: ) can help you improve alot faster.

[mechmat]

Most of the time you can get position with no english at all, but even when you actually need it a small amount will usually do the trick. If you're hitting the cue ball more than one tip to the right or left of center, you're probably making the shot harder than it needs to be most of the time.

Practice manipulating the path of the cue ball with as little english as possible. Start at 1/4 to 1/2 tip width off center and go from there. This will make adjustments for throw and deflection much easier.

[nathar]

e]When I aim using english, I use the method illustrated on the left in that link.

However, using english is not so simple as perfecting the aiming method. You need to be aware of two factors affecting the cue ball when using english, the first one would be deflection, and the second would be throw.

When you use left or right english, you would need to compensate for deflection of the cue ball... i.e. if you hit right english, the cue ball will veer off the intended path to the left, and you will need to compensate for it. Throw affects the shot lesser (and in an opposite manner), hence you normally just need to compensate for deflection. However, you need to be aware of it, as it can influence the object ball trajectory in certain situations.

Speed also needs to be accounted for. The softer you hit the shot when applying english to the cb you will get more of the "throw" effect. Where as if you stroke the ball harder you can eliminate most of said effect. Throw isn't necessarily a bad thing either. Mostly something to be aware of.

[jkregan]

And everyone seems to have forgotten swerve. If the cueball is by anything other than a level cue, the ball will tend to swerve just like a curve ball in baseball. If the cue is jacked up at all, any sidespin at all will result in swerve. Another word for it is masse.

Skor is right; learn to control the cue ball with center, draw and follow and speed control. Become a student of natural position. It will make you a better player and, when you start to use sidespins, you will use them sparingly.

Play Your Best Pool is an excellent book. Ray Martin's 99 Critical Shots is also very informative. Pleasures of Small Motions is a very good study of the true mental game of Pool.

Good luck.