Banking and Kicking Techniques

When shooting kick shots, many factors come into play. English & speed, will all play a part in the path of the CB, and may affect the ultimate OB path as well.

To understand the issues that can affect your success, I will first explain the principals of speed and english.

Part I

The diamond system is usually calculated by assigning numerical values to diamonds but once you understand the parallel lines between the diamonds the math is not required. Just see the lines like we are all used to doing in aiming.

There are situations where a one-rail kick shot is not available as an option. In this case you either have to go two, three or even more rails to make a good hit on the intended object ball. This lesson will explain the basic two-rail kick shot and its proper execution.

Kick shots are in most cases, similar to the bank shot. The difference lies in the fact the when doing kick shots, the cue ball will need to contact the cushion before the intended object ball. This lesson will explain the basic one-rail kick shot and its proper execution.

This is no way a replacement for the diamond system or learning your angles but here is something that helped me with my banks in tournaments when I first started. The layout of most pool halls are pretty much the same rows of tables about one table width apart from each other. If while on the bank you look at the table next to yours and aim for the pocket on that table you want to hit It should come close. If it misses adjust your focal point on the other table until it hits the pocket you want and use that point. I hope this helps someone if not I am sorry.

Many players get away with just getting that dead shot going in their games, but when they are having a bad night, they really have a bad night all the way through. It is somewhat like a boxer going to the ring with only one punch capable of knocking out the other guy with. A good boxer sets up his combinations with jabs. If the opponent is respectable enough, he has to divert his concentration to blocking and dodging punches. Billiards is just like boxing. Some horse around just taking fun pokes at each other. The ring boxers, though, have to have the heart, training, and imagination to set them up for a kill mode.