Cue Ball Control




Picture the Cue Ball as a Clock

 

Trying to perfect control of the cue ball? How about using the concept of telling time on a clock to help.  One approach to understanding the different angles and english a cue ball has with each hit is to picture the cue ball as a clock, hitting at the correct time. Achieving the highest level of follow, or topspin, can be done by hitting at 12:00, whereas the opposite, or draw can be done by hitting at 6:00.  The same goes for 3:00 and 9:00 to get extreme english to either the right or left, depending on where you want the cue ball to go.  Variations and combinations of english and follow or draw can be achieved from the times in between.

Give a try and see what happens. Practice hitting on each hour of the clock and take note of the results to determine what works best for you and gives you the most control of the cue ball with each hit. For other great training cue balls, visit www.billiardballsandmore.com.

Billiard Cue Ferrule

Curious about what the ferrule on a billiard cue stick is all about. The ferrule is the small section near the end of the pool stick between the tip and the pool shaft. The major purpose of the ferrule is to absorb the impact of a pool shot which will help protect the shaft from damage, including breaks and splinters. The ferrule measures between ½” to 1 ¼ “ and can be made from ivory, aegis, phenolic, plastic and metal.  Ferrules can be easy to replace by slipping on or screwing into the end of the shaft. They need to be replaced if they become cracked or loose. A defective ferrule will alter the accuracy of a shot. Check to ensure that the ferrule is smooth and slides through your fingers easily, without any catches.  

www.billiardballsandmore.com

Joss Billiard Cues

Looking for precision, perfection, high quality and beauty in a billiard cue? Joss Cues is one company that offers just that in each cue that is crafted by owner Dan Janes. With over seventy years of perfecting the billiard cue making process, Joss Cues are used by both professional and celebrities, including Mike Sigel, Eddie Taylor, Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.

Joss billiard cues are made using a hard, Triangle leather tip and a rubber bumper. The Triangle tip used is made from chrome tanned leather that retains chalk very well resulting in less miscues. Miscues are critical to the outcome of the game, so using a cue tip that provides for less miscues will help players win more games. Billiard tips tend to mushroom over time. Mushrooming occurs when the middle of the tip compresses, pushing the edge of the tip out over the ferrule. Triangle tips reduce the amount of mushrooming that occurs.

Other features of Joss Cues include a 3/4" capped ferrule, 5/16 x 14 joint, adjustable weight and Canadian Hard Rock Straight Grain Maple shaft. Joss Cues are also made in the USA and each cue includes a unique serial number on the joint. High precision machines and experienced hands come together to offer a great assortment of beautiful and fancy cues made with the highest standards in the game of billiards.

www.billiardballsandmore.com

CueSight Billiard Training Tool

Interested in taking your billiards game to the next level? The key to being a successful billiards player is to develop the skill of putting yourself in a position to pocket a ball or placing the cue ball in a way that reduces the chance that your opponent will pocket a ball. Perfecting your strike, cue spin and cue ball control takes practice but can lead to great success.

Applying a little "english" to the cue ball will allow it to spin in a way for the goal of perfect placement. Striking the cue ball slightly off center will place a certain spin on the ball depending how far off center it is hit. There are several different spins that can be placed on the cue ball, each creating the ball to move with a purpose. For anyone interested in taking on the challenge of becoming the one of the best billiards players, the CueSight Precision Training Ball combined with the CueSight laser cue might be just what you need to help improve your game. Each training tool can be used separately or combined for the best results. To check out both CueSight products visit www.billiardballsandmore.com.

The Precision CueSight Training Ball is a cue ball designed for teaching cue ball control and learning how to apply the proper "english" to the cue ball. Applying "english" to a cue ball means striking the ball with the cue stick off center, which will create the ball to spin and curve for more strategic play. This training ball is made with colors, training lines and circles to help analyze current stroke and make corrections as needed. This cue ball has two different sizes, a precision side and a spin side. The precision side allows a player to learn where to hit the ball exactly where intended. The spin side helps the player develop aiming and muscle memory for greater accuracy and efficiency.
The CueSight Laser Cue is a cue that can be used for both training purposes and regular play. The cue comes with two different shaft ends: a laser sighted end and a regular wood end. The laser end shines a crosshairs straight out of the center of the tip, directly in line with the cue. The crosshairs are portrayed on the cue ball, so as a player strikes, any inaccuracies in your stroke can be noticed and adjusted immediately.
Both of these tools work great together for almost immediate improvement as problems can be seen in real time and adjusted. The markings on the Precision CueSight Training Ball also always you to see how the ball spins as well as how far away from the center of the cue ball you can strike without having a miscue. If you have any questions concerning the Precision CueSight Training Ball or the CueSight Laser Cue, or interested in seeing other great training tools available visit www.billiardballsandmore.com. It is time to pick up your game!!

Billiard Techique - Draw

The billiard technique that I talked about previously was called "follow". Now I am going to touch on a different billiard technique called "draw".  Instead of wanting the cue ball to follow the object ball after contact, sometimes it is necessary for the cue ball to move away from the object ball after impact. It is all about positioning the cue ball for the next best shot.

In order to put a back spin on the cue ball, the tip of the cue stick needs to strike the cue ball just below center. Several factors come into play that can have an affect on the draw shot. The further the distance between the cue ball and the object ball, the longer the cue ball will need to maintain its back spin. The longer the distance between the two balls, the lower and harder the strike needs to be. if the backspin ends before hitting the object ball, the cue ball will start rolling in a forward spin and will result in a follow.

The force of the strike will also determine how far back the cue ball rolls after contact. Different types of billiard table felt or the condition of the felt will also affect how effectiveness of the draw. Practicing different scenarios is the best approach to determine your control in a draw shot. The Spotted Cue Ball is a great tool for perfecting the draw shot. The training cue ball will show variations in spin with different types of strikes placed on the cue ball.

Good luck!

www.billiardballsandmore.com

Billiard Ball Technique - Follow

Billiards is a game of strategy; for most players, the ultimate goal is pocketing an object ball without fouling. That in itself can be a difficult task. However, after time, a player gets more comfortable with the game and wants to become a better player; just like in any sport. There are several different techniques that a player can practice to help out. One technique that is common and a bit easier than others is called "follow".

When using "follow" the cue ball is struck above its center, causing the ball to to spin forward at a faster rate than it would spin if hit in its middle. This increased forward spin will cause the ball to continue to move forward after impact with the object ball, instead of stopping dead on contact. Several factors determine the outcome of a "follow" shot. The speed put on the cue ball, how high the cue ball is hit off its middle and how far the cue ball has to travel before it reaches the object ball. The angle a "follow" cue ball hits an object ball, determines the angle and distance the cue ball travels along its tangent line. If you are looking to place a cue ball in a position that is away from the object ball, you will need to hit the cue, applying "follow", at an angle, instead of directly dead on. 

The goal of the "follow" technique is to position the cue ball in a way that improves chances of next shot for yourself or puts the cue ball in a difficult position for opponent if no good shot is available.

Not that this needs to be told, but the best way to determine the impact "follow" has on your shot is to practice, practice, practice!!! Finding out how "follow" can help place either a cue ball or an object ball where desired will definitely improve your game!  Good luck.

www.billiardballsandmore.com

Love for Billiards

I find it interesting that the game of billiards in its earliest form originated back in the 15th century when individuals played outside on the ground. I think it would be fun to go back in time and give it a try!  It's amazing how far the game and equipment has come since then. Everyone can play...I love that!!  I am a very competitive person, but billiards is also a great way to hang out with friends, meet new people, and just have fun! My best friend and I were out one night and wanted to play pool. We ended up teaming up with a fun group of people who we later found out were members of Hells Angels. Good times, great people, and a satifying win!!  Anyone else have a great billiards story?

www.billiardballsandmore.com