Where do you get your kicks?

[Strickimicki]

I've been playing Snooker quiet some time now and have just started to realise how often I get kicks and when!

I get the most kicks playing with top (run through). Very few playing center ball. Just a few playing bottom (Screw).

I was just wondering if it's the same everywhere?

[scoo24]

Mostly when rolling a ball and hitting anywhere above center.

[matoski]

Mostly with top spin or plain ball striking with low pace.

[KeithinFrance]

I get my kicks ... on route 66!! Sorry, it's the drugs! I saw the title and I couldn't help myself.

Seriously, when playing with topspin and most especially when playing off a cushion. I hate kicks!

[spike]

mainly when i apply top spin... & often a kick occurs for me when i'm following through for the black. So annoying!

[Strickimicki]

I was expecting this, that's why I put the question as I did!

I get my kicks ... on route 66!! Sorry, it's the drugs! I saw the title and I couldn't help myself.

And I was expecting it from Noel or you Keith

[vmax4steve]

Kicks occur 90% of the time because of chalk on the cue ball, and it's you that puts it there.
Let's imagine that the cue ball has just been cleaned and you have a straight shot on a red. When you strike the cue ball you will leave a bit of chalk on the centre of it. As the contact point of the cue ball on the object ball will be on the centre of the cue ball, then there is a greater chance of a kick. If you play the shot with side, then there is a lesser chance of a kick as the cue ball is spinning sideways and or with top or bottom, and the chalk left on the cue ball is no longer in the centre, the odds of the chalk mark making contact with the object ball is considerably less.

Let's imagine you are faced with an angle on the red. Strike the cue ball in the centre and the chalk mark on the centre of the cue ball would not be making contact with the object ball, as the contact point is off centre of the cue ball. Put side on the shot and the chances of a kick will be increased as the cue ball is now spinning sideways and the chalk marks chances of making the contact point are increased.

With a stun shot, the cue ball is carrying no spin, so the chalk mark stays on the side of the cue ball that has just been struck by the tip, therefore no chance of making the contact point. Stun run throughs have a greater chance of making the contact point as the cue ball is struck slightly above centre, so a little top spin might come into effect.

The object balls also pick up chalk from the cloth, this accounts for the other 10%, so unless the object ball is cleaned before every shot as well as the cue ball then kicks are inevitable.
If I am ever on 93 with a straight black for my first ton, I will have the table brushed & ironed, the cue ball and object ball cleaned, and will wipe the chalk off my tip and roll it in, otherwise Murphy's law will apply.

[KeithinFrance]

Great! I'm in the same boat as Noel! Thanks, pal.

Oh, by the way, how're the eyes? Been to see a specialist yet or are you just continuing with the Internet exercises?

[Strickimicki]

Hi Keith,

thanks for asking!

No I haven't been to the Doc's about my eyes! I'Ve been doing the exercise's from the net!

I've been hitting the ball just nicelly over the last two months with those execises. If I start going off while I'm playing I look through the corner of me eye at the bridge of my nose. First one side then the other. It causes headache if I keep it up to long but it gets me back on line 70% of the time!

I really will have to go the Doc's about this, but time is the big problem!


TIME

time turns the weather from hot and cold,
time makes us grow old,
time is a split decision,
time is what we have alot in prison,
time is something you cant buy,
time keeps going even after you die,
time is money and money is time,
time is what you get when you commit a crime,
time is something you cant break,
time is something you learn from a mistake,
time doesnt grant you wishes,
time is based on decisions,
time is something you remember from the past,
time is something that goes by so fast,
time gives u another try,
time makes you laugh and cry,
time makes you happy and sad,
time is something you want more but never had,
time has no end,
time can make you a better man,
time makes you choose wrong from right,
time turns day to night,
time makes you forgive but not forget,
time is something you could regret,
time makes you go under pressure,
time is something you will always treasure,
time is never enough,
time is easy but also rough,
time can make you rich or poor,
time is something we all want more.

by JOSE MURGUIA

[noel]

Great! I'm in the same boat as Noel! Thanks, pal.

Ya but you're rowing faster today mate...

Route 66 popped into mind immediately Strickimicki... Good call.


=o)

Noel

[recoil]

Yeah, my first thought was Route 66 too. Opening the poll I got dissapointed it has something to do with snooker balls. lol

[moglet]

Strickimicki,

Strictly speaking and if I am to choose from your options I would have to go for the fifth option. You may think this stupid but since there are at least three types of kick, chalk certainly, but I would exclude the one where the cue ball is steeplechasing - that one is too obvious as player induced - and include the "other" the more common one that has nothing to do with chalk, so it would depend on the definition how I answer the question.

If you play the shot with side, then there is a lesser chance of a kick as the cue ball is spinning sideways and or with top or bottom, and the chalk left on the cue ball is no longer in the centre, the odds of the chalk mark making contact with the object ball is considerably less.

Let's imagine you are faced with an angle on the red. Strike the cue ball in the centre and the chalk mark on the centre of the cue ball would not be making contact with the object ball, as the contact point is off centre of the cue ball. Put side on the shot and the chances of a kick will be increased as the cue ball is now spinning sideways and the chalk marks chances of making the contact point are increased.

From a transferred chalk mark point of view, I would like to ask vmax4steve if he can show with any conviction that, assuming there is no intervening cushion, a ball struck with side has more chance or less of finding the chalk spot in the contact area if the shot were a full ball one, as well as for the contact that is anything less than full ball? In the general case simple physics suggests otherwise, but there is a special case when it can occur using side, mercifully fairly rare.

[vainparasite]

Looking closely at some of the balls i was playing with tonight, i seriously doubt that a bit of chalk dust could make a difference big enough to make me miss a pot. Some of the balls had tiny chips/scratches in them, not big enough to feel with your fingers but if you rub the tip of your fingernail over them you can certainly feel them. These marks must have more affect than a bit of chalk dust and i must say i have never NOTICED any kicks at all. Then again i only see the kicks on TV when they do a slo mo close up of a bad contact. When i see some of the team players practising they often turn up with different balls, i dont know if they are their own or just the clubs match balls.
I think you would have to be a lot better than my standard to notice the difference

[RocketRoy1983]

Generally, when attempting a dead weight shot into a middle pocket maybe across the nap i find that the object ball jumps slightly.

[Forman]

theres a couple of tables around my area that are in pretty bad condition, they have what i guess youd call dents in the slate on the black spot from people not being carful when spoting the black, this means its pretty much impossible to get the black to sit directly on its spot (you place the black on the spot and it will roll about half a cm into one of the dents), 9 times out of 10 when you play the black on these tables youll get a kick, its pretty frustrating and i find myself acually playing shots like slow rolling the black in with alot of extra pace because you expect the kick.
when i play on good tables i find i get kicks most often when playing with top, i think a good few of them might be because im not getting the cue close enough to parrallel to the table though