Pieces Of Eight - Tip Of The Week

Number: 66 Jim Tellier October 2012

TOPIC: Short Safeties

CATEGORY: Intermediate Skill Levels

INTRODUCTION:

You get stuck very close to the ball that you must use for a safety. If you can hit it VERY softly, you could end up with a great safety. But its hard to hit that cue ball sooo softly! How do you do it?

TECHNIQUE:

If you keep your cue leval, as you should for most shots, the whole problem becomes one of getting the speed of the cue stick to be just right. But thats not so easy! Thats because its going to be more like a slow jab, with no opportunity for follow through.

But what if you could have the luxury of being able to stroke the ball at least a little bit? It would seem more natural, and you would have more control over the shot. So: what can yo do that would allow that to happen?

Simple: jack up the cue, and hit down one the ball. You still need to hit softly! But --- you are aiming the cue into the table --- you can actually follow through until it hits the table if you want! You need to hit below the centerline of the cue ball --- the amount will depend on how far you need to move the ball and how softly you hit it --- you dont hit hard enough to cause the ball to really jump, youre just squeezing the edge of the ball between the tip of the cue and the table. It will give a little backspin to the ball, so plan accordingly you dont intend to draw the ball back.

PRACTICE:

Put object ball about off the rail. Place cue ball away, perpendicular to object ball. Practive hitting CB just enough to drive the OB to the rail, coming back and freezing to the CB.

Vary the distance away from the rail; keep distance between balls the same.

Then repeat, varying the distance between balls, keeping the OB to rail distance the same. Infinite possibilities!

Hint: its harder than it looks! Try at least a dozen times before giving up!!! J Trust me, it will come in handy somewhere down the road!

Shoot well, and keep your opponent in his chair!

Capn Carom

ARRRR!!!! J