A few questions

[linghuchong]

Hello all, I have been playing snooker on and off for a while, but have never really been playing it consistantly since a few months ago (once or twice a week).

Anyway, I have a few questions:

1) This happens alot. When I use power for a shot, the ball that I hit with the cue ball will generally still be accurate, but when the ball reaches the pocket, the ball will somehow jump up from the pocket and fail to go in. This does not seem to be a problem with the accuracy aswel, but more of a technical problem? I tried to wipe the ball, but it didnt seem to help.

2) When I use top spin, I often manage to totally miscue the cue ball. Are there any tips or advice for delivering shots with top spin?

3) I also face a problem with backspin, I can perform this shot with no problem while playing pool, but I can never get the backspin I am satisfied with with snooker. Say I am hitting a straight blue, I would like the ball to pull backwards after it hits the blue, but it often pulls back a tiny amount after hitting the blue to either the left of right. How deep down are you suppose to hit the cue ball to perform a proper backspin?

Thanks in advance

[snookerdad]

Are you anywhere near Chandler's Ford, South Hampshire?

Tim Dunkley

[linghuchong]

No, no where near there.

[snookerdad]

Perhaps a move south would suit you!

Tim

[Robert602]

Haven't got time for a long reply just at the moment but it looks like all of the problems you describe could be down to cueing down on the white (as is fairly common in pool) rather than having the cue roughly parallel to the table. Hard to say with certainty without seeing you play of course but that'd be my guess.

[trevs1]

Hello all, I have been playing snooker on and off for a while, but have never really been playing it consistantly since a few months ago (once or twice a week).

Anyway, I have a few questions:

1) This happens alot. When I use power for a shot, the ball that I hit with the cue ball will generally still be accurate, but when the ball reaches the pocket, the ball will somehow jump up from the pocket and fail to go in. This does not seem to be a problem with the accuracy aswel, but more of a technical problem? I tried to wipe the ball, but it didnt seem to help.

2) When I use top spin, I often manage to totally miscue the cue ball. Are there any tips or advice for delivering shots with top spin?

3) I also face a problem with backspin, I can perform this shot with no problem while playing pool, but I can never get the backspin I am satisfied with with snooker. Say I am hitting a straight blue, I would like the ball to pull backwards after it hits the blue, but it often pulls back a tiny amount after hitting the blue to either the left of right. How deep down are you suppose to hit the cue ball to perform a proper backspin?

Thanks in advance

To answer all your questions completely would take a lifetime of typing, but just to start.

The ball jumping from the pocket (if you're playing on a snooker table) is likely to be because the pocket plate (the back of the pocket which has the leather around it) has dropped and is not in the correct position. When the ball travels into the pocket, it should be striking the underside of the plate (the bottom of the leather cover) this will allow the ball to fall into the pocket instead of jumping up and sometimes out again.

On the backspin or screw side of things:

The reason you'll find it easier to create backspin on a pool table is due to the fact that the white ball is smaller and lighter in weight than the object balls it is striking. This will always make screw shots much easier.

I'm assuming you're talking about 8 ball pool, on a small table and not 9 ball yes?

I'm not going to get into any attempt at coaching via the web........... Impossible nightmare job that.

[linghuchong]

Actually, I'm talking about a full sized 9ball pool table, but thanks for the tips.

[jimbo]

The power shot jumping problem may be to do with you not cueing parallel to the table. This can happen if you are *digging down* into the white too much, which when hitting hard can cause the balls to leave the table slightly. Double check that you are cueing parallel to the table.

The top-spin problem you describe may also be down to you not cueing parallel to the table. If your cue is angled upwards you may miscue. Try raising your bridge hand instead and keep the cue parallel. Also use a load of chalk

Getting backspin is all about hitting low, following through, and committing to the shot. Lots of players aim low and hit high because they don't trust that they won't miscue or *jump* the white. Just stick a load of chalk on your tip, keep cue parallel to the table, hit low, and follow through. Don't grip the cue too tightly on the way through - it will only reduce the backspin you get on the white.

Hope this helps!

Jimbo