Master Blaster's Cueing Challenge

[<CuePower>]

Video posted below, noticed that the ball on black spot is too far from the cushion.

http://youtu.be/1lNgQg7XSdA

[<CuePower>]

I surprisingly managed the 1st challenge earlier today probably 8 attempts, will post video up tomorrow. Found it much easier than standard lineup with or without cushions. Best Lineup Break - 106, Best Break with Scattered balls - 94, Best Break Practice vs someone - 62, Best Match Break - 45.

[Master Blaster]

So who's done the Challenge 1.) line-up without cushions? I think we have Pottr, OmaMiesta and Guernsey Gooner, any others?

No-one has done Challenge 1.b) top spin only but Pottr is close to putting this to bed fingers crossed.

Challenge 2.) Pot the blue off its spot as many times as you can into a middle pocket (no cushions).

[OmaMiesta]

It is definitely easier than standard line up with no cushions

https://vimeo.com/122179761

One for J6, 10 reds with just baulk colours. Cue ball is on a rope but never seen it before so thanks J6

https://vimeo.com/122182869

Very nice cue action, well done

[Master Blaster]

I've missed the second to last ball on the top one...

only had 4 attempts... I will get it done...

poor weekend away from the table

No, that is so close! Keep going.

[pottr]

Master Blaster's Cueing Challenge

I've missed the second to last ball on the top one...

only had 4 attempts... I will get it done...

poor weekend away from the table

[Master Blaster]

So far, the pot the line-up without touching a cushion has gone ok with a few folk completing it. No-one has completed the task with top-spin and this could take some time because it requires Ding-like precision. So we move on to what appears to be an easier cueing challenge. It tests sighting down on the shot and how we use the pocket to its full extent, i.e. how we use the knuckles when we have to.

Put the blue on its spot. Put the white ball where you like. See how many times you can pot the blue ball into a middle pocket in succession. You are not allowed to use cushions. State how many pots you think you will achieve here, before you do the test. Then let us know how many you get on your first attempt and how many you max out on once you've finished the test. You can do as many attempts as you like.

[j6uk]

for me its harder to control and energy zapping gigging the white, plus you get a wider rang positionally.. yeah its mainly off the yellow or green.
in a frame that shot comes up all the time were you ether need to zigzag inside or outside the blue

Ok thanks, do you mean you would rather not dig down to hold off 1 cushion but stun across 2 instead?

[guernseygooner]

yeah you were a bit at sea there but you played a few nice yellows and green to get on the second to lest red. well done.. for me that workouts about one key shot to look tidy, and thats when you zigzag off two side cushions from the baulk colors.

Ok thanks, do you mean you would rather not dig down to hold off 1 cushion but stun across 2 instead?

[j6uk]

yeah you were a bit at sea there but you played a few nice yellows and green to get on the second to lest red. well done.. for me that workouts about one key shot to look tidy, and thats when you zigzag off two side cushions from the baulk colors.

One for J6, 10 reds with just baulk colours. Cue ball is on a rope but never seen it before so thanks J6
https://vimeo.com/122182869

[jrc750]

It is definitely easier than standard line up with no cushions

https://vimeo.com/122179761

One for J6, 10 reds with just baulk colours. Cue ball is on a rope but never seen it before so thanks J6

https://vimeo.com/122182869

Wish i was 1/2 as good as you mate

[guernseygooner]

It is definitely easier than standard line up with no cushions

https://vimeo.com/122179761

One for J6, 10 reds with just baulk colours. Cue ball is on a rope but never seen it before so thanks J6

https://vimeo.com/122182869

[Master Blaster]

Agreed, Ding has ridiculous cue ball control as does Ronnie. I think I potted around 13 on my best attempt....will give it another shot tonight

13 is outstanding! Don't give up, you're two thirds of the way there!

[OmaMiesta]

How many balls did you pot to on your best attempt?

The exercise in itself, potting the 21 balls is futile, it won't happen in a frame. But the exercise is really about ultimate cue ball control using top spin, down to the last mm or so. It requires exceptional feel and near perfect position 20 times. There may be a time when a great break hangs in the balance and this ability comes in to play. It's the kind of thing Ding would be able to do and why he is the best break builder around, apart from Ronnie. I guess the exercise is about feel more than anything. Obviously, straight cueing is really important but you will also need to be zoned for every shot. I think anyone like yourself, who can do the first challenge so quickly and easily can do this one as well.

Agreed, Ding has ridiculous cue ball control as does Ronnie. I think I potted around 13 on my best attempt....will give it another shot tonight

[Master Blaster]

Well I tried today with only top spin and its ridiculously difficult...got too frustrated after about 4 attempts and gave up. That being said its not a very useful drill in my opinion...very seldom will you only ever have to use top spin in that kind of situation so not really a big deal.

How many balls did you pot to on your best attempt?

The exercise in itself, potting the 21 balls is futile, it won't happen in a frame. But the exercise is really about ultimate cue ball control using top spin, down to the last mm or so. It requires exceptional feel and near perfect position 20 times. There may be a time when a great break hangs in the balance and this ability comes in to play. It's the kind of thing Ding would be able to do and why he is the best break builder around, apart from Ronnie. I guess the exercise is about feel more than anything. Obviously, straight cueing is really important but you will also need to be zoned for every shot. I think anyone like yourself, who can do the first challenge so quickly and easily can do this one as well.