espn 2 right now

I appreciate it.  But, before I execute the transaction.

That graphic seems a bit elementary.

to wit.  I guess, I already knew that, on some level, and attempt it.  (I mean, removing, variables such as velocity, spin, etc.)

Am I looking/trying to hard?  Or do I just teh sukk?

this is all for practicing, and learning about your game.   it's a game of technique, mechanics, muscle memory 


stance-  line a cue on a table. approach it, set your hips 45 open to the cue. bend as low as you can get, hopefully on the table basically.  pick up the cue (without changing its alignment) your shoulder line should be parallel to the cue.  feet a bit wider than shoulders.   if you get all this right.... the cue should be about 4-8 inches out from your pecs...  depending on your exact height/size/etc

bridge- forefinger and thumb for most shots.  others are easier, but will let you down .  it should be like your golf grip. just tight enough to feel. anything less, no control, anything more, too much friction

stroke- this MUST be with your elbow only.  try to get a video or a mirror. the cue should only travel the exact same line it was aiming originally. ANY lateral movement will ruin your shot.    practice, practice, practice this.


aiming- 1st test...  put a chalk against the  top rail center, corner sticking out!!!..  go to the bottom rail and set up the cue ball on the break dot.  just hit the chalk  on the corner repeatedly. ... assuming your mechanics (above) are good....when you get good at this, you are aiming pretty well if you have eye dominance alignment issue, this will tell you ...  you will slightly miss one side consistently even though you SEE your aim as being correct.  slight adjustments... must overcome the mind!!!

refining the stroke and the 'aim' .   now that you are hitting the corner of the chalk ok... set the cue ball on the dot again, and aim at the STRAIGHT ahead diamond in the rail.  if you hit the ball and it hits the diamond...  it should come back to your original break point exactly !  if it comes off the rail right or left...   you put sidespin on it.  without realizing it!    this means either your eye dominance / aim is bad,  or your stroke is slightly lateral...   this can be overcome... like a golf slice/hook... but you have to have it 'consistently' one way... then you can play too it.

finally, regarding general ideas... i show the cut shot aim diagram above... the principles are sound...

but the rails, table, and balls are not 'perfect'
hitting hard into the rail narrows the reflection angle, and conversely with soft

you do not have to hit the ball hard to get a lot of top or bottom spin.   just accelerate through it (like golf).  the tip of the cue should finish 1 foot ahead of the impact point (unless something is in the way) on most shots....  NOT AT THE IMPACT POINT!!!.  this can be practiced (at least on bottom spin) just by keeping the cue chalked up, and looking at chalk trails on the felt.     unless you are striking extreme angles (very close to 0, or 90)  you will not damage the felt this way, either

bottom spin (draw) shots in general. a nice 10-20 * stroke at the ball about 1/2" up  is more than enough if you accelerate through it.  you don't need steeper angles or lower contact  as an amateur/newb.

leave side spin alone for now.   you want the cue ball travelling dead straight  right now.


top spin on the cue NARROWS the cue deflection on cut shots
bottom spin on the cue WIDENS the cue deflection on cut shots











well, that's it for now, it's late, and my mind is rambling along...

sure thing.   i'm in the holiday mood.  no paypal needed actually.

save the $ for a cue (i'll point ya towards some good options,  if ya want)

 

Must be the star on the tree.

Me too.  We need to have a GolfHos billiards/golf tournament.