David's Tip of the Week - 7.19.07

Last week's Tip revolved around the tangent line - this week's Tip will be concerned with starting to manipulate that line.

Vertical axis contact (VAC) on the CB can change the CB's path after the CB contacts the OB. Vertical axis contact involves hitting the CB anywhere on the line from the top of the CB to the bottom of the CB. VAC can result in stun (center ball), follow (above the equator of the CB), or draw (below the equator of the CB). Stun shots follow the tangent line (remember, last week's Tip was all about center ball contact and the tangent line). Draw and follow can change the path of the CB. Follow moves the CB forward of the tangent line, draw moves the CB back from the tangent line.

Here is an example of follow with the shot from last week. Notice that the CB takes a curved path off the OB - it always does if there's a cut angle, even though it may not look like it to the naked eye. This curve is called a parabola. The harder the CB is struck, the farther the CB travels down the tangent line before friction grabs the ball and moves it forward of the line. For a draw shot, the curve is the same, but on the opposite side of the tangent line (see page 2 of the diagram).

VAC is used to control the CB's reaction off the OB - english doesn't have an effect on the CB's path off an OB. English DOES have an effect on the CB's path when the CB contacts a rail, which is something we'll talk about next week.

Feel free to post your ideas, comments, and questions about the "Tip of the Week." If you're interested in lessons, please visit http://www.raleighbilliardacademy.com or talk to Steve Lee, Shirley Lee, or me.

-David J. Baranski
doomcue@nc.rr.com