Tips to playing cushion shots??

[snooligan]

Hi,

I was wondering if there was a secret to potting an object ball that's tied to a cushion or even very close to one? Would you play them plain ball? Would you apply side spin onto the cueball?

I've seen some of the professionals take these shots on with ease regardless of whether the frame was safe or not but on the other hand others would shy away and won't play them unless the frame was safe.

This shot by Mark Williams is an example of such pots under extreme pressure http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt6o_c...eature=related

[dannyd0g]

yep, aim to hit the join of object ball and cush, or aim to hit the cush a fraction before the object ball, but play it with a lot of running side on the white.

For example the shot in that clip would be played with RHS.

When i was younger with sharper eyes i had a very high success rate with this sort of shot, playing them in that way.

[Qubit]

Reply above is good. I think a bit of running side will indeed help this type of shot hug the cushion better, but where you hit it is obviously the most important part.

[Semih_Sayginer]

both replies are very good.

[Lee Vilenski]

I always play them off the cushion, I dunno why, because it doesn't help at all, but I still find that I get more control over it.... I dunno why...

[missneworleans]

I play them with a little running side and trying to play them just in center of cushion and ball. In pool it's always works, in snooker usually

[sunny3909]

As long as this game is played the cushion shot will remain one of the toughest shot in the game.

[davyp26uk]

As long as this game is played the cushion shot will remain one of the toughest shot in the game.

I have to disagree. If the object ball is tight on the cush, it's a much easier shot than if it's slightly off the cushion.

The only problem is getting decent position off this type of shot as it is difficult if you have to play it with pace.

[sunny3909]

I have to disagree. If the object ball is tight on the cush, it's a much easier shot than if it's slightly off the cushion.

The only problem is getting decent position off this type of shot as it is difficult if you have to play it with pace.

U are absolutely right But u misunderstood me mate!I was talking about the cue ball close to the cushion rather then the object ball.

[Stunrunthru]

As explained by my friends in previous replies to your question - if the object ball is tight on the cushion then aim to hit the joint of the ball and the cushion.

However if the object ball is slightly off the cushion I tend to aim so that I am playing the object ball towards the near jaw of the pocket. If you aim towards the far jaw of the pocket then most of the time you will overcut the shot and miss it.

Some will argue it is best to miss it to the far jaw so that it wriggles clear from the pocket. However I think it is best to go full blooded to the near jaw with the object ball and if you miss it and leave it over the pocket then so be it.