off the break - issue #3

2 | Off The Break Magazine Eastern New England USAPL

FIND US ON FACEBOOK!!

p6- Player of the Month: Ricky Sleeper

p10- We’re Going To Vegas!!!

p17- 10 reasons To Join the USAPL

p18- USAPL Rules

p24- How Do You Analyze a Lost Pool Match?

p26- Geometry of the One Rail Bank and Kick Shot: Part 1

https://www.facebook.com/EasternNewEnglandUSAPoolLeague?fref=ts

Welcome to this issue of “Off the Break”. The magazine for the USA Pool League Player.

The USAPL is a nationally structured handicapped league designed to accommodate all players from the beginner to the advanced. Whether you are a beginner just looking to have fun with friends or a top amateur looking to win your way to the USAPL National Championships, this is the league for you. Also, there is no annual membership. You read right...membership is FREE!

The USAPL uses Online League Management Software. This is a “real-time” state of the art pool league management system that all USAPL members can access 24/7. All USAPL players can view team standings, MVP point standings, schedules, rosters, every match score sheet from every match ever played, player histories and stats,….plus much more. LeagueSys is interfaced with the Fairplay handicap system and player’s ratings will be updated and changed as soon as that week’s score sheets are entered.

So what will you find inside? Inside each issue you’ll find pictures of local and distant league play-ers. We’ll spotlight one player per issue on our “Player of the Month” page. It could be you! You’ll find articles and pictures covering league playoffs, instructional tips, player appreciation parties and so much more. With our Q & A page, we’ll answer your questions on rules, techniques and playing strategies. So turn the page, check out and enjoy the contents and give us your feedback.

Thank you!

Jeff Gardner / Editor

Owner - Eastern New England USA Pool League

Off The Break Magazine | 3


Welcome to the USA Pool League!!The USA Pool League (USAPL) is designed to provide every player the utmost fun and excitement. By using the proven Fairplay handicap system, the USAPL provides an even playing field for players of all skill levels.

Players compete weekly in a fair and fun format for cash, prizes, and a chance to play in post-season events culminating in the USAPL National Championships. The proprietary Fairplay handicap system uses a math-ematical formula based on simple game statistics to calculate player ratings. It provides the most accurate player ratings and has a success rate of more than 70% of matches ending in a hill-hill conclusion.

Each new player receives a temporary rating until he or she completes three (3) matches, after which players receive a national rating based on the Fairplay formula. Player statistics, team standings, and league records are managed by our web-based league management system - LeagueSys.

LeagueSys is provided at no charge and is available at any time for League Managers or players to review their league information. Team play consists of three (3), four (4), or five (5) players competing in a head-to-head format.

After being selected by the team captains, players meet in a one-on-one race to their rating. The match continues until all players have com-pleted their sets. Every shot counts because bonus points are awarded based on the margin of victory.

Http://www.playcsipool.com/usapl-rules.html

Http://www.playcsipool.com/usapl-rules.html


http://www.thebilliardscafe.com/

VISIT BILLIARDS CAFE ON FACEBOOK

http://www.thebilliardscafe.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Billiards-Cafe/369669153557?sk=timeline


Player of the MonthName: Ricky SleeperAge: 31

Born: Winchester, MA

Born and raised in Winchester, Ma, Ricky started playing pool at the age of two, being taught by his father, who had little Ricky standing on a cooler to reach the table. Rick has been playing pool in the USA Pool League for almost 2 years now and has currently reached the ranked of 124. Ricky is a very strong and experienced player. His style of playing often draws the attention of those around him and he is quick to draw a crowd. Due to his commitment and dedication to the sport, Ricky won a seat in the 10-ball BCAPL open tournament that is being held in Las Vegas this July. Ricky is a great competitor and is expected to represent New England very well in Las Vegas. He has won other nu-merous tournaments including the “MD” Promotions 9 ball Series. The prestigious St. Joes open, all city “A” tournament and has also cashed in at many pro events.

Ricky is very proud to have served his country while being deployed in Afghanistan in 2011, as a military police officer, leaving Afghanistan as a Sargent. Thank you Rick for your service, we all appreciate it very much! He currently works at the Department of Corrections as a cor-rections officer.

Ricky’s favorite quote is from his Grampy Sleeper, and states,

“You can give something up without quitting or having to swallow your pride. Anyone can quit but it takes strength to give something up” - Grampy Sleeper.


Good luck Ricky Sleeper and congratulations on being the “Player of the Month”


We’re going to Las Vegas!!


10 Reasons to Join the USA Pool League!Why is Eastern New England USA Pool the league for you and your friends?

1. It is FREE to join the USAPL.

2. Teams and individuals are eligible to win trophies, cash and participate in the USAPL National Championships, held in Las Vegas alongside the BCAPL Nationals.

3. Tired of playing on Father’s Day, Mother’s day, Memorial Day and other holi-days? The USAPL has more flexibility in scheduling, team structure and events.

4. Can’t get a hold of your League operator or division rep but have an issue on league night? A representative of the Eastern New England USA Pool league will be on-call during league nights to answer questions and respond to con-cerns as they arise.

5. The “Fairplay” handicap system ensures that all players, from the beginner to the experienced will be able to have fun and compete each and every week.

6. Players are able to go on-line 24/7 to view individual and team stats.

7. No need to break up teams because of a numerical limit. Both USAPL players and teams are subject to handicaps, allowing all teams to compete fairly regard-less of team makeup. Stay with your friends and make league night your night!

8. The USAPL uses rules designed to help the player improve while having fun. BCA rules apply. Play the games the pros play.

9. 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, One-Pocket and Straight Pool formats are offered. Additionally, the USAPL has 3, 4 and 5 person team formats. With only three or four player match formats, be home in time to take care of your “life” needs without sacrificing your night out with friends.

10. Eastern New England USA Pool League members will be offered FREE “clin-ics” taught by BCA accredited Instructors during the first two sessions of play.

Signing up players and teams now!!


General RulesLag Each player begins with a ball in hand behind the head string on either side of the long string. Players shoot approximately the same time. Each player’s ball must strike the foot cushion and return towards the head rail. The player whose ball lands closest to the head rail wins the lag. The winner of the lag can choose to break or can require their opponent to break. The winner of each rack has the break on the subsequent rack. A player will lose the lag if their ball: Hits a side cushion; is pocketed or jumps off the table; crosses the long string.

Racking You must rack for yourself when breaking. The balls should be racked as tightly as possible. Your opponent may inspect the rack and require a re-rack if not satisfied.

All shots are call Pocket shots

Except for the break, the shooter must call the intended object ball and intended pocket before the shot is made. This is a “Gentleman’s Call Pocket” game. The shooter is not required to call obvious shots, even if shooting the 8-ball, 9-ball or 10-ball. If the called object ball falls into the called pocket, it is a legal shot even if the object ball unintentionally contacts another ball or a cushion prior to going into the pocket. As a general rule, bank shots and combination shots should be called as they may not be obvious to one’s opponent. If an object ball goes into an unintended pocket, the ball stays in the pocket and the shooter’s turn is ended. Although the game of 9-ball is a “Slop” game, We require that the 9-ball be called in order to win a game. Otherwise, 9-ball will be played according to the Rules of the USAPL and the BCAPL.

Legal shot For a shot to be legal, the cue ball must first strike a legal ball (as determined by the game being played) and, after contact:


1. A ball must be pocketed, or

2. Any object ball or the cue ball must strike a cushion.

Coaching1. Players in the MASTER DIVISIONS will have one

time out per match.

2. Any player that has not yet played three match-es and established a skill level rating may have two time outs per rack.

3. Players with a skill level of 35 and below may have two time outs per rack

4. Players with a skill level of 36-59 may have one time out per rack

5. Players with a skill level rating of 60 and above may have a total of three time outs per match

Time outs should not exceed 60 seconds. A time out may be called by the shooter or anyone on the shooter’s team roster and it must be acknowledged by the shooter’s opponent. Once a time out is called, the shooter will name the member of his/her team to act as coach and only that coach may confer with the shooter. No other player may offer advice to the shooter or to the coach. The coach may point to and touch the table but may not mark the table or the rail in any way and must not touch the cue ball or an object ball. The coach must leave the table area before the shot is made.

Safeties A safety must be called by the shooter prior to making the shot. If a safety is called in 8-ball and a legal object ball falls into a pocket during the safety, the object ball stays in the pocket and the shooter’s turn is ended. If a safety is called in 10-ball and an object ball falls into a pocket then the shooter’s opponent has the option of returning the shot to the shooter or taking the shot him or herself. Calling a safety in 9-ball (except when shooting the 9 ball) has no effect on the validity of the shot. It affects only the determination of the shot as a “missed shot”.

Jump shots and Masses Jump shots and jump cues are permitted unless otherwise prohibited by the “house rules” of the host establishment. All jump shots must be legal by striking down on the cue ball. “Scooping” the cue ball is illegal and will result in a foul.

Split hits A split hit occurs when the cue ball strikes both a legal and an illegal object ball at the same time. If the referee (or the shooter in the absence of a referee) can not tell which ball is struck first, it is a legal hit.

Unsportsmanlike conduct The USA Pool League (USAPL) has been designed to provide every player the utmost fun and excite-ment from their pool league experience. By using the proven “Fairplay” handicap system, the league provides an even playing field for all players. Weekly competition between players of diverse skill levels is fun and fair as they compete for cash, prizes, and a chance to play in post-season events culminating in an exciting National Championship Tournament. Inappropriate and unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated. This behavior includes, but is not limited to actions that are embarrassing, disrup-tive, or detrimental to other players, spectators, officials, referees or the sport in general. Players may be penalized for such behavior with or without warning. Penalties may include a warning, loss of game, loss of match, suspension from league play or disqualification from future league play.

Ball in hand fouls If a player commits a foul, his/her opponent will begin their turn with ball in hand anywhere on the table. The following acts are ball in hand fouls:

1. Failure to complete a legal hit.

2. Violation of the rules on coaching.

3. Scratching with the cue ball. This includes not only the situation where the cue ball falls into a pocket, but also when the player accidentally


touches or moves the cue ball other than with the tip of the cue in a stroking motion or when the player touches an object ball with his/her hand and is also holding the cue ball.

4. It is a foul if you cause any ball to be jumped off the table.

5. It is a foul if you strike the cue ball more than once with the cue. This is known as a double hit and commonly occurs when the cue ball and target object ball are very close together or touching each other.

6. It is a foul if the player shoots while any balls are still in motion from the previous shot. A spinning ball is a ball in motion.

7. It is a foul if the shooter or his/her coach marks the table or rail in any way to aid in the execu-tion of the shot. This includes placing chaulk on the rail to provide an aiming target for the shooter.

8. It a foul if the shooter disturbs more than one object ball or a disturbed object ball touches any other ball. The opponent does not have the option to restore the balls to the previously undisturbed position.

Disturbed object ball It is not a foul if the shooter accidentally touches or disturbs a single object ball with any part of the body, clothing or equipment (Unless the shooter is holding the cue ball, in a ball in hand situation, or the object ball touches another ball after being disturbed). The opponent has the option of leaving the disturbed object ball where it is or restoring it to its previous undisturbed position.

Calling a foul A foul may only be called by a player playing in a game or a referee (BCAPL Rule 1-23). In Higher Level play (Playoffs and in Nationals) a violation of this rule is itself a foul. See BCAPL rule 1-41. However, during normal weekly league play, a foul called by someone other than a player playing in a game or a referee may result in a Sportsmanship Violation.

Repeated intentional violations may result in sanc-tions including, but not limited to loss of a rack or a match.

Rules suspended or mod-ified for weekly league play

The USA Pool League is, above everything else, a recreational league. While there are plenty of opportunities to compete on the local, regional and national level, the primary purpose of the league is to create an atmosphere of fun and fellowship. In that spirit, there are some rules which, while perhaps appropriate for a regional or national tournament, will be modified or suspended during normal weekly league play.

The following rules will be so modified:

BCAPL rule 1.3

makes it a ball in hand foul for any player to use a cell phone, electronic devise or earpieces of any kind. The purpose of this rule is to avoid unautho-rized communication, and presumably coaching, between the player and his or her teammates. This rule is suspended for weekly league play. However, use of a cell phone or electronic device by a player during a match which delays a match could be considered a sportsmanship violation.

BCAPL rule 1.8

makes it a ball in hand foul if the player or any of his or her teammate’s practice while a match is in progress. This rule is suspended for weekly league play. Members of a team who are not involved in a match are encouraged to practice and enjoy the evening. Players who are involved in an active match may be committing a sportsmanship viola-tion if their actions unreasonably delay the match.


Weekly Dues and Score Sheets

Captains of each team are responsible to collect the weekly dues from the players and to send those dues to the League. Score sheets and dues should be forwarded to the league as soon as possible after the match is played. Team standings and individual handicaps cannot be updated unless the score sheets are received in a timely manner:

1. Score sheets may be sent in by US Mail, Fax or e-mail. Score sheets sent in by US Mail should be mailed no later than the day following the day the match was played.

2. Weekly team dues must be received prior to the next weeks scheduled matches.

3. eams that send in both score sheets and dues within the stated time frame will receive 100 bonus points. Teams will not receive the 100 point bonus if their dues are received after the divisions next scheduled week of matches.

4. Teams must be up to date on all weekly dues to qualify for playoffs, wild card selection or any higher level tournament.

8-Ball RulesThe rack The rack should be placed so that the apex ball rests on the foot spot. The 8-ball must be placed in the middle of the triangle and the remaining balls should be placed randomly except that that the ball at each rear corner of the rack must be from a different group (stripes or solids) from the ball located at the opposite corner.

Break requirements The incoming breaker/shooter must place the cue ball behind the head string. There is no requirement to call a ball on the break or to strike any particular ball first. For a legal break to occur an object ball

must be pocketed or at least four object balls must contact a cushion.

1. If the shooter fails to pocket a ball or to drive four balls to a cushion then the opponent may: Rerack and take the break for him or herself or require the original shooter to rerack and rebreak.

2. If the original shooter, on the break, hits four balls to a cushion or pockets a ball but scratches or commits a another foul, then the opponent receives a ball in hand and any pocketed balls remain pocketed.

3. In all cases on the break, balls jumped off the table, other than the 8-ball, are not returned to the table except in the event of a re-rack.

8-ball on the break Pocketing the 8-ball on the break does not win the game. Conversely pocketing the 8-ball on the break and scratching is not a loss of game. If the shooter, on the break, pockets the 8-ball, he/she has the option of either spotting the 8-ball and continuing with the their turn or re-racking the balls and breaking again. If the shooter pockets the 8-ball on the break and commits a foul then the opponent has the option of either having the 8-ball spotted and taking a ball in hand or re-racking and taking the break.

Table open after break The table is always open after the break even if the shooter pockets one or more balls. Groups are established when the shooter pockets a ball of one category on a shot after the break.

Loss of game It is a loss of game when:

• The 8-ball is illegally pocketed, i.e.- the shooter calls a safety but sinks the 8-ball, the 8-ball is pocketed before all the balls in the players category, the shooter pockets the 8-ball on a shot that is not obvious and did not call the shot.


• The 8-ball is jumped off the table, except on the break.

• The 8-ball is pocketed and the shooter disturbs the cue ball, disturbs a ball in motion, disturbs more than one object ball or the disturbed object ball strikes another ball.

• The shooter scratches on the 8-ball only if the 8-ball is pocketed as well as the cue ball. If the shooter scratches on the 8-ball but the 8-ball is not pocketed the inning ends and the opponent comes to the table with a ball in hand.

9-Ball RulesThe rack The 1-ball must be placed at the apex of the triangle and on the foot spot. The 9-ball must be placed in the center of the rack. All other balls are placed at random.

Break requirements The shooter must place the cue ball behind the head string. The cue ball must contact the 1-ball first. After striking the 1-ball an object ball must be pocketed or at least four balls must strike a cushion. If the shooter fails to hit the 1-ball first or does not pocket a ball or does not cause at least 4-balls to strike a cushion, then the balls must be re racked. The opponent has the option of taking the break or having the shooter break again.

Jumped balls Balls that are caused to be jumped off the table are not returned to the table, except for the 9-ball. If the 9-ball is jumped off the table it is returned and spotted.

9-ball on the break Legally pocketing the 9-ball on the break does not win the rack. The 9-ball is spotted. The shooter will continue his/her turn even if the 9-ball is the only ball pocketed. If the 9-ball is pocketed on the break and a foul is committed, then the 9-ball is spotted

and the opponent comes to the table with a ball in hand.

Push out If no foul occurs on the break then the player taking the first shot after the break has the option to “Push”. On a push out:

1. The shooter must first announce to the oppo-nent that a push out is being shot and the oppo-nent must acknowledge the announcement.

2. The cue ball does not have to strike the lowest numbered object ball first or any object ball at all. The cue ball also is not required to hit a cushion or to cause any ball to strike a cushion.

3. All other rules and fouls apply.

4. After a push shot is taken, the opponent has the option of accepting the table position and shooting or requiring the original shooter to shoot again with the table in its current position.

Three foul rule A rack may be won if the player’s opponent commits three consecutive fouls and the opponent is advised, prior to making the third foul, that he/she has just committed two consecutive fouls. If the shooter commits three consecutive fouls, after receiving a warning prior to the third foul, then the rack ends and the game points are awarded to the opponent. Please remember that a scratch or a foul on the break counts as “one” foul for purposes of the three foul rule.

10-Ball Rules10-Ball rules are exactly the same as 9-ball except for the following:

Racking The 10-ball rack appears in a triangle shape, using balls numbered 1-10. It is racked like an 8-ball rack without the last row of five balls. The One-ball is placed at the apex of the triangle on the foot spot. The 10-ball is placed in the middle and the 2-ball and


the 3-ball are placed in the corners at the base of the triangle. The 2-ball and the 3-ball may be placed in either of the corners.

10-ball is a call pocket game Please refer to the General Rule Summary at the beginning of this document for the definition of “Call Pocket”. Any ball not legally pocketed is a “Dead Ball” and no point is awarded to the shooter.

Illegally pocketed ball In the event that a ball is pocketed illegally then the shooter’s opponent has the option of taking the shot or retuning it to the original shooter. In the event that a ball is pocketed illegally and there is also a foul committed by the shooter then the opponent must take the shot (with a ball in hand) and does not have the option of returning the shot to the original shooter.

Safety If the shooter calls a safety and then pockets a ball, the Illegally pocketed ball rule above applies.

Division PlayoffsTo qualify for end of the session playoffs, a player must meet the following criteria:

A player should have an estab-lished skill level A player is considered to have an established skill level after having played six (6) times in the USA Pool League in the game being played in the play-offs. For instance, a player must have played at least 6 times in 8-ball if it is a 8-ball playoff. The purpose of this rule is simply to attempt to have players play with a skill level that at least approaches an accurate rating.

Minimum team play A player must have played at least four (4) times on a team to be allowed to play on that team during the playoff tournament. Because a player may “Sub” on more than one team during the session, this rule is meant to assure that a player is really

“Part” of the playoff team.

Vegas National Tournament Requirements“Go to Vegas” tournaments A team may qualify to compete in the New England USAPL “Go to Vegas” tournament in either the Summer, Fall or Spring Sessions. However, the qualifying team will Play in the “Go to Vegas” Tournament using its Spring Roster.

Spring Roster There must be at least three “Original” members of the qualifying team on the spring roster to qualify to play in the Vegas tournament.

Vegas Winning Team In the event a team wins a trip to Play in Las Vegas for the USAPL Nationals, It may supplement its roster (up to the predetermined team limit) by adding up to two players, from any team, in its respective division. However, a team may not intentionally exclude any member of its own spring roster team who is available and willing to attend the National Competition. Only in the event that a team member is unable or unwilling to attend, may the team supplement their roster from elsewhere in the division.

USAPL National Play Requirements In order to compete in the USAPL National Vegas Competition, a player must have played either eight (8) matches, in the appropriate game format, in the same division and in the same session. At least three players on the team must be “original” members of that team. Those three players must qualify in the same session and the same team to be considered original team members. The National tournament is held in July and the league year runs from June 1st to May 31st of each year.


How Do You Analyze A Lost

Pool Match?Whenever you play competitive pool matches, you will once in a while find yourself on the losing side. When that happens, there are reactions. For some reason (certainly no fault of your own), you experienced this setback.

Your response usually is to suffer through a post-match depression. Your post-match activities can include the standard ‘why me’ moans and groans. You could be a person who immediately make a quick survey of your available friends and then force them to listen to your tales of woe (expecting a sympathetic ear). You might be the rare individual who suffers in silence in consideration of the feelings of others.

Regardless, you serve your obligatory time in purgatory. You can use the simple process of doing your best to forget the experience. To do this, the loss is tossed away, scrubbed from your memory, or otherwise put behind you. Eventually you decide to grab your bootstraps and pull yourself up. By discarding the memory, you can pick your life back up. Actually, this process of ignoring and abandoning a life experience is not the best way to become a better player.

Instead of trying to erase the experience from your memory, try this approach: Try to figure out what happened. You lost the pool match. Why? Consider the concept of learning from your mistakes. Some careful analysis might reveal room for improvement. There can be multiple reasons and playing decisions that lead to the loss. Perhaps, this analysis can discover one or more of these. Once recognized, you can take steps that could reduce the number of failures in the future. Facing up to reality is a proactive approach to improving your game.

Start with a general overview of the match. Review your playing decisions and results. How many times did reality match up with your expectations? Here is a sample set of questions to ask yourself after you have replayed the match in your head. You must develop a


standard set of self-analysis personal queries. (This checklist can be modified to fit your personal viewpoint.)

Note: If you don’t already know this, I might as well tell you now. Most of the games lost are because you gave your opponent too many opportunities to win. You didn’t consider the chances of success and failure, played offense which you should have played defense, and just plain stupid shots that should never have been considered, much less actually shot.

So let’s open up your memories and get some answers.

•Was your opponent above your skill level?

•What (and how many) shot choices helped your opponent beat you?

•At any time, did you consider the consequences of failure?

•When your opponent gave you an opportunity (ball in hand, miss on an easy shot, etc.) mistake, what did you do with it?

•What shots decisions now look stupid in hindsight?

•What was your attitude throughout the match?

•Were you actually serious about winning the match?

•Did you shark yourself?

Some of these answers can reveal a strategic weakness in your game or your attitude. For example, did you analyze what your opponent could and couldn’t do? How many actual defensive shots did you shoot?

Other answers reveal a number of tactical errors made during the pool match. For example, if you had no shot, did you consider more than one defensive option? When faced with an easy shot, did you consider how to get shape on the second or third ball? Did you leave a cluster for last, and thereby waste several innings in the end-game? Did you get fully down on every shot? Some of these will require physical changes in pre-shot routines. Other an-swers will point out a necessary correction in your attitude. This analysis will also point out skills that need improvement.

You can make a further effort to reduce the number of lost pool matches. After your personal analysis, take the time to write out a plan. Start by writing down details about the mental and physical mistakes. This makes you very aware of the problems, which helps you focus on what you should do.

This whole article can be summed up with these words: You learn the most from mistakes, and the least from successes.


Roy Pastor is a BCA Advanced Level Instructor. He is a principal and an in-structor with the American Academy of Billiard and Cue Sports, a BCA ac-credited training facility. He may be contacted at www.Billiardacademy.com No portion of this article may be reprinted or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.

Geometry of the One Rail Bank and Kick Shot: Part 1This article is the first in a three part series exploring the simple mathematics involved in the one rail bank and kick shot. In doing so, we will examine a few of the more common techniques used by players in making these shots and the geometric foundation which they share.

As a matter of simple housekeeping, let’s begin by defining some of the terms that we will be using. A kick shot is one in which the cue ball strikes a rail prior to striking its intended target. A bank shot is one in which a cue ball strikes an object ball into a rail prior to the object ball travelling to its intended target. The angle in which a ball approaches a rail is called the approach angle. The angle in which a ball returns after striking a rail is called the rebound angle.

In pure physics, the approach angle and rebound angle are referred to as the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection and those angles are always equal. While our pool model is not so neat and tidy as the pure science of physics, the premise that the angle of approach and the rebound angle are equal is a basic assumption of all one rail bank and kick systems.

Any pool player is aware that the rebound angle can be affected by many variables. English, spin, throw, stroke, table conditions and speed are but a few of the many possible variables which the shooter must consider in making a bank or kick shot. 1 However, we will minimize the effect of these variables by assum-ing that every cue ball hit is center ball and that every shot is made using a soft/medium speed. The center ball hit eliminates the effects of spin and english on kick shots and will significantly reduce rebound effects on bank shots. The soft to medium cue ball speed will assure a rebound angle which most closely matches

the approach angle. It will be important to maintain consistency in speed because as the speed of the ball colliding with a rail increases, the path of the rebounding ball will move closer to the line of travel of the approach angle.


A Matter of Equal Angles

Once we control the variables that might distort the rebound angle, we can proceed with our premise that the rebound angle will equal the angle of approach. The question still remains, how do we identify and use these angles for our bank or kick shot?

Since we are looking for two equal angles, all one rail bank and kick systems are designed to identify and utilize an isosceles triangle. Let’s take a moment to review some of our high school geometry. An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides as well as two equal angles. The name of the isosceles triangle derives from the Greek words “iso” (same) and “skelos” (leg).

In our isosceles triangle shown above both sides, labeled as a, are equal in length. As a result, they intersect the base of the triangle at equal angles. The height of the triangle is measured by drawing a line at its highest point, here labeled as h. In geometric terms, h is the perpendicular bisector of the triangle. It divides the triangle into two equal, mirror image triangles, which meet at right angles.

While the foundation of all one rail bank and kick shot systems is built on the isosceles triangle, there exists more than one school of thought on the placement of the apex of that triangle. The very tip of the triangle, its apex, will translate into a “target point” for most of our systems.

Many traditional one rail bank and kick systems call for a target point at a diamond location. However, the placing of the apex at a diamond, or corresponding location, would require the shooter to use natural english or spin to equalize the rebound angle with the angle of approach. 2 We will, instead, be using a geometric target point which places the apex of our isosceles triangle away from the rail and the diamonds.

Parallel Aiming Line (P.A.L.)

Parallel to each rail is a visible line caused by the balls as they strike the rail. This line is often referred to as the rail groove. Because we are using this line to define the apex of our triangle, and therefore our first rail target points, we will refer to it as the Parallel Aiming Line (P.A.L.). While the line is more prominent on some tables than others, they are present to some degree on all tables.


Notice in the photograph above that the P.A.L. (Parallel Aiming Line) falls slightly short of 1 1/8 inches, which is one half of the diameter of a ball. This would appear to be a result of the height of the rail as well as the balls compressing into the cushion as they strike the rail.

Our P.A.L. line will define the target points of our geometric one rail bank and kick systems. The apex of our isosceles triangle will always come to rest at the intersection of the P.A.L. and the perpendicular bisector. By using the P.A.L., rather than the diamond target points, we substantially eliminate the use of english as a variable.

The Equal Distance Method and the Kick Shot

Now that we have identified the foundation of one rail systems, let’s take a look at one of the most com-monly used and recognizable one rail systems, the equal distance method. We will begin by examining the application of the equal distance method to the kick shot. Look for the geometric patterns in the following diagrams.


In the diagram shown above, the equal distance method is used to determine the proper line of aim for a kick shot where the balls are on approximately the same horizontal plane. The first step in using this system is to locate the point exactly mid-way between the cue ball and the object ball.

After the mid-way point is found, we draw an imaginary line to the corresponding point on the opposite rail, creating the midpoint line. The shooters target point is located by the intersection of the P.A.L. and the midpoint line. The mid-point line is the perpendicular bisector of our isosceles triangle. Both the approach angle and the rebound angle are equal.

The principles stated above are easily applied anytime the object ball and cue ball are on about the same horizontal plane. With a little practice, you will be able to use this method even where the horizontal plane is less than perfect.

Take a look at the diagram below. This diagram shows various positions of cue balls and object balls, on the same horizontal plane, positioned away from the rail. Note that the target point is always the intersection of the mid-point line and the P.A.L.

The Equal Distance Method and The Bank Shot

The previous two diagrams demonstrated the use of the equal distance method for kick shots. Let us now look at how to use this method for bank shots. Note that we will still use the midpoint line to measure the distances, but now it will be drawn from the object ball and not the mid-point between the cue ball and the object ball.


The above diagram depicts a situation where the goal is to send 8-ball along line B into the corner pock-et. Let’s take a look at how we can use the equal distance method in to determine the appropriate line of aim. Our first step is to look at the position of the object ball. Because the object ball is on or very close to the rail, we draw a line to the opposite rail, here shown as line C. Line C is the midpoint line and the perpendicular bisector of our resulting isosceles triangle.

Once we have identified our midpoint line then it is a simple matter to locate the first side of our isos-celes triangle. We only have to draw a line from the intersection of the midpoint line and P.A.L. to the location where we would like the object ball to come to rest, here it is the corner pocket and identified as line B in our diagram. The distance between the midpoint line and the corner pocket defines ½ the base of our isosceles triangle and is shown as segment 4 in the diagram. We have now identified one side and ½ of the base of our isosceles triangle. The side of our triangle that we have identified, line B, is our rebound angle. Since our triangle has two equal sides and angles, all we have to do is to take an equal measurement on the other side of our midpoint line. We do this simply by taking the measurement of segment 4 and duplicating it on the opposite side of the midpoint line, shown as segment 3 on our diagram. A line drawn between segment 3 and the object ball defines the angle of approach, show as line A.

Since the cue ball is located on the line of aim for the angle of approach, no adjustment needs to be made. The object ball can be hit straight on. If the cue ball were located somewhere on line D, an adjust-ment would have to be made so that the cue ball contacts the object ball at the point line A intersects the object ball. 3

Because the table is a rectangle, most bank shots can be diagrammed with simple geometric figures. Quadrants 1 through 4 in the diagram above are equal. Because the angle of approach and the rebound angle are equal, the lines drawn form equal triangles, rectangles, and a square.

While the equal distance method is a very easy to use system for one rail banks and kicks, it is not with-out its limitations. The system is very effective for kick shots when the object ball and the cue ball are on substantially the same horizontal plane. Once the cue ball and object balls are taken off of the horizontal plane, the system becomes awkward and other systems become better suited. Likewise, the equal distance method works well for a bank shot only when the object ball is close to a rail.


Despite its limitations, the equal distance method is very accurate and shares its geometric foundation with all one rail systems. In parts two and three of this series we will closely examine other one rail bank and kick systems which use the isosceles triangle to determine the proper target point. Unlike the equal distance method, the location of the cue ball and object ball will become irrelevant.

Roy Pastor

Copyright © 2009

CHECK OUT ISSUE #1 OF OFF THE BREAK

CHECK OUT ISSUE #2 OF OFF THE BREAK

http://issuu.com/veroconcepts/docs/offthebreak-1

http://issuu.com/veroconcepts/docs/offthebreak-2

off the break - issue #3

Documents