GLADIATORS-usa.com
TMHOME ABOUT CONTACT PLAYERS ROOMS EVENTS TRICKS PRODUCTS LEAGUES SERVICES SUPPORT PHYSICS LINKS
GLADIATORS-usa.com
TM
PRACTICE TRICK SHOTS (PTS):
* Single click on the set-up photo of a selected trick shot below to download and
play the shot's mpeg movie.
* If you need a movie player for your PC, click this Windows Media Player link to
download the latest "Free" mpeg movie player from Microsoft.
* These movies will load very slowly on a dial-up Internet connection.
* A description of the Practice Trick Shot (PTS) set-up and shot execution procedure follows
each of the following PTS illustrations. Have fun setting up your own Practice Trick Shots
and learning to successfully execute each one. Challenge yourself with PTSs and grow your ability
to make shots, while expanding your knowledge and appreciation of all shot making details.
* Challenge your friends to a game of "HORSE" - take turns setting up and
attempting to execute PTSs. Each player gets 3-tries to make a selected shot.
Failure to make the PTS in three tries, results in a letter in the word "HORSE".
The player who spells "HORSE" first looses the game.
**************************************************************************************************
* PTS-1 OBJECTIVE: Shoot the cue-ball 5-rails and pocket the object-ball sitting in front of the
corner pocket. This is one of the first FUN shots many Pool players learn. SET-UP: Place the
object-ball at the center-point between the tips of a foot-corner-pocket. Place the cue-ball
behind the head-string near the head-spot. EXECUTION: STRIKE the cue-ball with
center English. AIM the cue-centerline at about one-diamond on the side-rail from the
foot-corner-pocket opposite of the object-ball. STROKE the cue-ball with a medium
speed stroke. ADJUST your cue-ball-aim, depending upon the shot-results. If the cue-ball
shot-error is to the left of the object-ball target, ADJUST your cue-ball-aim to the left
by 1/5 of the shot-error. If the cue-ball shot-error is to the right of the object-ball-target,
ADJUST your cue-ball-aim to the right by 1/5 of the shot-error. "Left" and "right" for the
cue-ball are with respect to a "Little-Guy" who rides the cue-ball and facing in its direction
of motion. "Shot-Error" and cue-ball "Aim-Adjustment" are measured at right-angles to
the cue-ball's path. A 5-rail bank or kick-shot, simplifies into a 2-rail + a 3-rail bank shot.
For more of the details concerning making bank or kick shots, see
"THE BANKS ARE ALWAYS OPEN" TM product web page.
*************************************************************************************************
* PTS-2 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the object-ball in the left-foot-pocket. This is probably
my favorite PTS, and it is a very challenging shot. With a lot of practice, a good Pool
player should be able to make this shot on 1/5 attempts. SET-UP: Place the object-ball
against the foot-cushion and adjacent to the middle-diamond. Place the cue-ball on the
head-spot. EXECUTION: Be sure you are using a very good cue with a well
chalked cue tip. AIM the cue-centerline perfectly through the center's of both the
cue-ball and the object-ball. Raise up the cue-centerline to make the cue-centerline
parallel to the playing-surface of the table (level cue). Move the cue-centerline
sideways to the left (parallel to the previous cue-centerline position) until the cue-tip is
at the limit of the "Miss-Cue Circle"; in order to achieve maximum English or spin
about the cue-ball's vertical-spin-axis. STROKE the cue-ball with a medium speed
stroke and carefully observe the amount of the Squirt-Angle, or the angle between the
initial path of the cue-ball and the cue-centerline. If the cue-ball misses the object-ball
and lands on the cushion to the right of the object-ball, ADJUST to slow down the stroke-speed
and reduce the Squirt-Angle. If the cue-ball strikes the exposed face of the object-ball,
ADJUST to speed up the stroke-speed and increase the Squirt-Angle. When the cue-ball
lands on the cushion directly to the right of the object-ball then changes direction toward
the left-side-pocket; the cue-ball will cut the object-ball down the foot-cushion and into
the left-foot-pocket after the cue-ball strikes the foot-cushion. COMMENT: If a player
doesn't understand this PTS correctly, it can be a very frustrating experience the first time
the shot is attempted. I've seen highly skilled players HUSTLE a gamble with more
amateur players on this shot, betting that they could make the shot 1/10 and that the
amateur player could not make it 1/10 ("$10 says I can make this shot 1/10 and you can't.
If I don't make it 1/10, you WIN; If you make it 1/10, you WIN!").
*************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-3 OBJECTIVE: With all balls touching the cushions, pocket the 1st object-ball and
bring the cue-ball to the opposite end of the table for position on the 2nd object-ball. SET-UP:
Position the 1st object-ball against the end-rail cushion and adjacent to the first diamond from
the corner-pocket. Place the cue-ball against the end-rail cushion and 1-1/4 diamonds
from the 1st object-ball position. Place the 2nd object-ball adjacent to the middle-diamond
at the opposite end of the table. EXECUTION: Be sure you are using a very good cue
with a well chalked cue tip. STRIKE the cue-ball at the 4:00 O' Clock position and with the
cue-tip is at the limit of the "Miss-Cue-Circle"; in order to achieve maximum English or spin
about both the cue-ball's side-spin-axis and vertical-spin-axis. AIM the cue toward the 1st
object-ball with the cue-centerline forming about a 10° (degree) angle with the line of the
cushion. STROKE the cue-ball with maximum stroke-speed, squirting the cue-ball to
he left and pocketing the 1st object-ball into the corner-pocket. Draw-spin on the cue-ball
(spin about the cue-ball's side-axis) will act to pull the cue-ball back toward the side-cushion.
Right-English-spin on the cue-ball (clockwise spin about the cue-ball's vertical-axis) will act
to accelerate the cue-ball up the table when it impacts with the side-cushion. ADJUST the
"cue-centerline-angle with the cushion", as necessary to pocket the 1st object-ball and bring
the cue-ball to the side-cushion and up the table to the cushion at the other end of the table.
If this "cue-centerline angle with the cushion" is too small, the cue-ball will impact farther
away from the side-pocket as it pulls back from impact with the 1st object-ball, and the cue-ball
is less likely to reach position at the opposite end of the table. If this "cue-centerline angle with
the cushion" is too large, the 1st object-ball will not be pocketed into the corner pocket. The KEY
to this PTS is finding the correct "cue-centerline-angle with the cushion".
**************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-4 OBJECTIVE: Pocket both the object-ball and the cue-ball in the same corner-pocket
at the result of the same stroke. The object-ball is fired into the right-head pocket and the cue-ball
goes three cushions into the same right-head pocket. SET-UP: Place the object-ball one-diamond
away from the side-rail and one-diamond toward the foot-rail from the left-side pocket. Place
the cue-ball on the 50 Percent-Cut line, half way between the object-ball and the cushion, and
on the opposite side of the object-ball from the right-head pocket. EXECUTION: STRIKE
the cue-ball with low-left English. AIM the cue-centerline to pocket the object-ball in the
right-head pocket. STROKE the shot with a medium to fast stroke speed sufficient to carry
the cue-ball three-cushions around the table into the right-head pocket. ADJUST low and left
English and stroke speed, while controlling shot aim in order to achieve pocketing of both the
object-ball and the cue-ball in the same corner-pocket on the same stroke. The KEY to this PTS i
s consistent set-up of the balls, and control of cue-ball spin and speed.
****************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-5 OBJECTIVE: Pocket two object-balls on the same stroke by making the cue-ball
curve around the one-ball, which is between the object balls at the center of the end rail. SET-UP:
Place an object-ball between the tips of each of two pockets at one end of the table. Place
another object-ball between these first two object-balls at the center of the end rail. Place
the cue ball toward one side of the table and at the opposite end of the table. EXECUTION:
Be sure you are using a very good cue with a well chalked cue tip. STRIKE the cue-ball at
12 O' Clock and at the "Miss-Cue-Circle". AIM the cue-centerline to produce a 10 to 20
Percent-Cut angle on the object-ball at the corner-pocket on the same side of the table as the
cue-ball. STROKE the cue-ball with a medium to fast stroke speed. The STRIKE and
follow-thru should produce "top-spin" on the cue-ball that remains after the cue-ball
impacts with the object-ball. ADJUST the Percent-Cut angle of the shot so that the cue-ball
pockets the first object-ball, travels to the end rail, rebounds, and then curves toward the
end-rail to also pocket the second object-ball. The KEY to this PTS is to impart sufficient
cue-ball "top-spin-English", combined with the right shot Percent-Cut angle.
**************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-6 OBJECTIVE: Pocket all four object-balls on one shot attempt. The object-ball
nearest the side-pocket is to go into that pocket. The next object-ball to the right in the
set-up is to go into the far corner-pocket on the same side of the table. The next object-ball
to the right in the set-up is to bank one end rail cushion into the corner-pocket nearest to
the player. The object-ball furthest to the right in the set-up is to go into the side-pocket
at the opposite side of the table. SET-UP: Collect four object-balls touching together in a
straight-line using a cue as a straight-edge. Place the group of four-balls near a side-pocket
with the cue straight-edge aligned with the tips of the side-pockets and the straight-edge
forming a right-angle to the side-cushion. Place the cue-ball on the table at a point one-diamond
from the foot spot and toward the side rail where the object balls are located. EXECUTION:
STRIKE the cue-ball in the center. AIM the cue-centerline so that the cue-ball impacts with
the third-object-ball just slightly before the cue-ball impacts with the second object-ball in the
group of four object-balls. STROKE the cue-ball with a medium to fast stroke speed; no more
than necessary to obtain the desired actions of the object-balls. ADJUST the aim of the
cue-centerline slightly so that the cue-ball strikes more or less of the third-object-ball before
the cue-ball strikes the second-object-ball in order to effect the timing between between
the second and third object-balls; these two balls may tend to collide as the third-object-ball
banks away from the opposite end cushion. The KEY to this PTS is the cue-ball's initial contact
position with the third-object-ball and stroke-speed.
***************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-7 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the object-ball 1-rail into the right-foot-pocket. SET-UP:
Place the object-ball against the side-cushion and adjacent to the first diamond down from
the left-side pocket. Place the cue ball on the head-spot. EXECUTION: STRIKE the cue-ball
at the 1:00 O' Clock (top-right-English) about 1/2 cue-tip away from center. AIM the cue-centerline
so that the cue-ball cuts the object-ball to the left about a 10 Percent-Cut (un-eclipsed portion
of the object-ball). STROKE the cue ball with a medium stroke speed and force the cue-ball
to transfer spin to the object-ball (top-right-spin on the cue-ball will impart bottom-left-spin on
to the object-ball, "Gear Action" of friction between the balls). ADJUST to stroke speed as
necessary for the object-ball to take the desired path into the right-head pocket. Increasing
stroke speed should bring the object-ball toward the right of the pocket; decreasing the stroke
speed should bring the object-ball more toward the left of the pocket. The KEY to success on
this PTS is correct stroke speed.
****************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-8 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the object-ball into the side-pocket, while the tip of the
cushion at the pocket is blocking the path of the shot. SET-UP: Place an object-ball against
the cushion near a side-pocket opening, with about 3/16" of cushion blocking the path of the
object-ball straight into the pocket-opening. Place the cue-ball about 12" back from the
object-ball on a line straight into the side-pocket-opening. EXECUTION: STRIKE the
cue-ball with center-English. AIM the cue-centerline to shoot the cue-ball straight into the
object-ball. STROKE the shot with a very high stroke speed in order to bend over the i
ntervening tip of the cushion that is blocking the path of the object-ball into the pocket opening.
The KEY to success on this PTS is a high stroke speed that makes the force of the cushion
tip small compared to the forces involved in the ball impact.
************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-9 OBJECTIVE: Make the object-ball in the right-foot pocket and the cue-ball never
touches a cushion. SET-UP: Place an object-ball against the side-cushion and adjacent a
diamond from the left-foot pocket. Place the cue-ball against this same object ball on a line
that is perpendicular to the cushion. EXECUTION: STRIKE the cue-ball with top-left-English,
and outside of the "Miss-Cue-Circle". AIM the cue-centerline parallel to a line thru the
centers of the cue-ball and object-ball. Use an "open bridge" so that the cue can intentionally
miss-cue from the face of the cue-ball; getting the cue out of the rebound path of the
cue-ball and object-ball. STROKE the cue with a medium to fast stroke speed. ADJUST
the amount of left-English used to direct the object-ball into the right-foot pocket. It excessive
left-English is used, the object-ball will hit the end-cushion or go left of the right-foot-pocket.
If insufficient left-English is used, the object-ball will hit the side-cushion above the
right-foot pocket. The KEY to achieving success with this PTS is applying the correct amount
of left-English, and a stroke-speed sufficient to attain the desired rebound action of the cue-ball
and the object-ball. Top-spin-English on this shot acts to stop the cue-ball as it rebounds
from the stroke action.
**************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-10 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the object-ball into the left-foot pocket and draw the
cue-ball back across the mid-string line at the center of the table. SET-UP: Place the
object-ball against the side cushion and two diamonds away from the left-side-pocket.
Place the cue-ball against the side cushion and one diamond away from the left-side pocket.
EXECUTION: STRIKE the cue-ball at 6 O' Clock (Draw-English), while keeping the
cue's centerline as level as possible. STROKE the cue-speed slow to medium, smooth
with a follow thru (as slow as possible to minimize "jump" action); while being careful not
to "jump" the cue-ball from the playing surface of the table. AIM the cue-centerline in line
with centers of both the cue-ball and the object-ball (check for accurate alignment of the edges
of the side rail cushions beforehand). The KEY to this PTS is to keep the cue centerline
level and minimize stroke speed in order to avoid "jumping" the cue-ball from the
playing surface of the table.
**************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-11 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the object-ball into the left-foot pocket from the illustrated
set-up position (this is not a legal game shot) SET-UP: Place the object-ball against the foot
cushion. Place the cue-ball at an acute angle with the object-ball and the line of the
cushion. EXECUTION: STRIKE: Don't strike the cue-ball with the cue-tip; rather,
push the cue-tip into the cue-ball to create "gear action" due to friction between contacting
surfaces. Push the cue-tip with "low-right-English" within the "Miss-Cue-Circle"; being
careful not to deflect the cushion during the push stroke action. AIM the cue-centerline to
form an acute angle with the line of the cushion. STROKE the cue at a very slow speed,
just sufficient to travel the object-ball to the pocket. The KEY to this PTS is a soft-push and
minimization of deflection of the cushion.
**************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-12 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the object-ball in the right-head-pocket from the illustrated
set-up position of the balls (this is not a legal game shot). SET-UP: Place the cue-ball
against the cushion and adjacent to the middle diamond at the foot of the table. Place an
object-ball against this cue-ball and on a line up thru the centerline of the table playing
area. EXECUTION: STRIKE: Do not strike the cue-ball with the cue-tip; rather, push
the cue-ball into the object-ball with maximum "right-English" (within the "Miss-Cue-Circle")
allowing for maximum "gear action" due to friction between the balls. AIM the cue-centerline
straight up the middle line of the table. STROKE the cue with a slow speed, and a long
smooth stroke action to maximize spin transfer between the balls (chalking the contact
point between the balls will increase friction between the balls and make the shot less difficult).
The stroke is actually a two handed pushing of the balls with the cue-tip. The KEY to success
with this PTS is a very smooth, slow pushing action; keeping the balls in frictional contact.
**************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-13 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the object-ball into the left-foot pocket from the illustrated
ball set-up position. SET-UP: Place an object-ball against the side cushion and next to the
right-tip of the left-side pocket opening. Place the cue-ball on the foot-spot. EXECUTION:
STRIKE the cue-ball with center-English. AIM the cue-ball to impact with the left-tip of
the left-side pocket and rebound into the object ball to send it into the left-foot pocket.
STROKE the cue speed with medium-speed sufficient to pocket the object-ball. The KEY
to success on this PTS is the aim of the cue-ball into the tip of the side-pocket.
*************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-14 OBJECTIVE: Pocket the stripped object-ball in the corner-pocket by "Masse"
action around the interfering 8-ball. SET-UP: Place a stripped object-ball in the center of
the corner-pocket opening. Place an interfering 8-ball along the side rail somewhere near
the side-pocket. Place the cue-ball adjacent to the side-cushion near the opposite end of
the table. EXECUTION: STRIKE the cue-ball at 3:00 O' Clock (right-English), while
elevating the cue-centerline at about a 45 degree angle to the table surface. AIM the
cue-centerline to provide sufficient clearance for the path of the cue-ball to Masse around
the object-ball. STROKE the cue speed slow to medium, while striking thru the cue-ball to
impart spin about the cue-ball's forward-spin-axis. The KEY to success on this PTS is
practice necessary to develop "touch" for the "Masse" (curve) shot.
***************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-15 OBJECTIVE: This is a timing shot, and offers some surprising FUN to the un-initiated.
The one-ball or the object-ball is to go into the right-side pocket. SET-UP: Place the object-ball
against the cushion and adjacent to the first diamond from the right-side pocket. Place the
cue-ball against the cushion and adjacent to the object-ball, on the opposite side of the
object-ball from the right-side pocket. Be sure the object-ball and cue-ball are touching
each other and the cushion. EXECUTION: STRIKE the cue-ball with top-right-English
by elevating the cue slightly so that the cue-tip strikes the cue-ball within the
"Miss-Cue-Circle". AIM the cue-centerline for one-ball diameter to the left of the cushion
point at the left of the left-side pocket. STROKE the cue with a speed just sufficient to
move the object-ball over in front of the right-side pocket opening. ADJUST the "right-English
strike" of the cue-ball to direct the cue-ball toward the center of the right-side pocket opening.
Insufficient "right-English strike" directs the cue-ball toward the right side of the right-side
pocket opening. Excessive "right-English strike" directs the cue-ball toward the left side
of the right-side pocket opening. The KEY to this PTS is adjusting both stroke speed and
"right-English strike", while always putting the balls in the same places, so that the cue-ball
arrives at the side-pocket opening as the object-ball moves up in front of the pocket opening.
**************************************************************************************************************
* PTS-16 OBJECTIVE: Pocket three called object-balls on single cue stroke; two object-balls
into the left-foot pocket, and one object-ball into the right-foot pocket. SET-UP: Place an
object-ball adjacent to the left-side cushion at a point so that the ball is tangent to the
one-diamond line on the side toward the middle of the table. Place two additional object-balls
against the first object-ball so that a line drawn thru the centers of these two object-balls
points at the right-tip of the right-foot pocket cushion, and about 40% of the intervening
ball is un-eclipsed by the object-ball at the cushion, when looking over the balls toward the
right-side pocket. Place the cue-ball about in the middle of the table. EXECUTION:
STRIKE the cue-ball with top-right-English within the "Miss-Cue-Circle". AIM the
cue-ball to pocket the object-ball positioned against the cushion in the left-foot-pocket.
The cue-ball is to come off the side-cushion after playing the object-ball at the cushion,
and then strike the middle object-ball; which then caroms off the middle object-ball into
the left-foot-pocket with the object-ball furthest from the cushion being "Thrown"
into the right-foot-pocket. STROKE the cue speed medium to fast, with sufficient energy
to carry all three object-balls into their respective pockets. The KEY to success with this
PTS is careful set-up of the balls, and accurate execution of the object-ball at the cushion
into the left-foot-pocket.
***************************************************************************************************************