Rolling in behind green

[Scotte84]

Hi could someone please explain to me that when a player goes to snooker their opponent in behind say the green they always leave a gap between the cue ball and the green ball as well as an angle? I notice the pros always do this but when I've played I find it way more difficult when the cue ball is tight in behind the green with no angle.

Thanks and sorry if this sounds stupid.

[Terry Davidson]

Scott:

I can assure you the pros are trying to freeze the cueball on the baulk colour, however most times they overcompensate a bit in order to be certain they will actually hit the green and not end up fouling themselves and asked to shoot again. There is no doubt they are trying to make their opponent's next shot as difficult as possible.

In some cases they might be trying to take away one of the side cushions where there was an easier hit for their opponent.

Terry

[Billy]

Well, Terry's said it all really, so I'd only be repeating him. Suffice to say your answer is above mine.

[Scotte84]

Scott:

I can assure you the pros are trying to freeze the cueball on the baulk colour, however most times they overcompensate a bit in order to be certain they will actually hit the green and not end up fouling themselves and asked to shoot again. There is no doubt they are trying to make their opponent's next shot as difficult as possible.

In some cases they might be trying to take away one of the side cushions where there was an easier hit for their opponent.

Terry

I find this really interesting as when I play it doesn't seem that difficult to get really tight to the colour. Maybe the tables on TV are faster.

Thanks for the answer. Hope my post doesn't sound arrogant (I only play once in a blue moon and I am useless)

[Terry Davidson]

Without out a doubt the pro tables are much faster and that makes the pace of such a gentle shot very hard to judge properly but this shot has to be in a pro's bag of tricks. I've watched Ronnie do some really good roll-ups in his last 2 matches where he got the cueball tight on the baulk colour from a fair distance.

Terry