Cushion shots!

[nam1977]

How do play a perfect cushion shot?

The type where the cue ball is tight on the cushion.
I hate them shots with a vengence.
I know you shouldn't be to ambitious when taking on these shots, but I'm not sure about technique.
Do you still stand and cue the same ways as if you're playing with hand comfortably on the table or do you have to adjust both (stance & cueing technique) for these shots.
It feels so awkward and I only pot about 3 out of 10 of these shots.
I get the line and everything but once my cue delivers, it pushes the cue ball way off line.
Whats the secret!!

HELP!!!

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Reply

The first thing you should do , if you are playing a cross table cushion shot is move your hand where you hold the butt of the cue and shorten, it hold the cue further up say at the joint if its a 3/4 cue ,this will give the shot more stability , try and keep your head dead still , and push through . try potting blues with the cue ball slightly at the side of the pocket . and the same with the green or yellow . it will help . if you hold your cue full length it makes the shot so much more difficult .

[bongo]

Cushion shots are difficult even for professionals. Your forearm of your cueing arm should be vertical; this gives perfect freedom of movement for a smooth, straight strike.

Your stance should not be too far from the table, if you can stand while balanced and not moving forward, back or side to side and you are comfortable then it will help you to improve cushion shots.

Shot selection is very important, you should not take on shots where pace of the cue ball is required or when there is difficult positional aspects. Potting is very difficult when the cue ball is close or on the cushion so don't expect to be able to play the shots you would when your hand is on the table before you practice and master cushion shots.

Your bridge should be firm, your first finger should be next to the cue, guiding the cue along the first finger for a straight strike and follow through of the cue. Your thumb should form a firm 'v' for the cue, you don't want an open channel where the cue can wobble and come off the line. The fingers should be open and resting on the cushion, and gripping the cushion to stop any unwanted movement. The back of the bridge should be able to rest against the side of the cushion wood itself. The bridge is different to the normal table bridge as that bridge on the cushion has a too steep angle for the cue.

The cue needs to be raised slightly so that you do not slide over the top of the ball and miscue. Also, as there is not very much of the cue ball to strike, move the cue over the tip of the ball to 'see' the cue ball's centre and move the cue down to the actual cue ball centre. The angle of the cushion makes it difficult to see the important centre ball.

Limit your cueing actions slightly to keep the cue controlled and on the line. Also, very importantly keep your head still which isn't easy.

There is no secret to it, they are just difficult shots to master.

bongo

[nam1977]

Thanks for that guys. These cushion shots are a pain, and I also try avoid getting them in the first place but as my positioning isn't great it happens.

Also I was told before that as you come to hit the cue ball you should aim to sort of push the ball in the direction, without doing an actual push shot, kinda wierd I know. Has anyone been told that?

Thanks again all for your input!!
Much appreciated.