Techniques for avoiding the kissBall fraction, speed, height of the hit and another path

ScalesReference linePath

Reference position

Spinside −3 · high

1/2

Ball fraction1/2

Speed3/5

The cue ball hits the right side of ball 2 at half-ball (left running spin 3, speed 3) and goes to ball 3 via the right long, top short and left long cushions. Ball 2 goes up to the top short cushion and comes back; while the cue ball is going from the right long cushion to the top cushion, the two balls meet in front of the top cushion.

Once you see a kiss zone there are two options: either change the time at which the balls arrive at that point, or change the paths and remove the crossing. The ball fraction changes the timing most effectively: hit full to let ball 2 pass first, or hit thin to let the cue ball pass first. The path is changed by the height of the hit, the spin and, if necessary, by playing ball 2 on the other side. Every change has a price: you need to compensate with spin or speed to reach ball 3. In this lesson each technique is shown as a risky and a safe way of playing the same position, one after the other.

When? When a kiss zone has been identified. Try the smallest change first (ball fraction only); if that is not enough, change the height of the hit or the spin; if that is not enough either, change the path.

Tips

1To change the timing, change the ball fraction first. If you hit fuller (from half ball to 3/4), ball 2 speeds up and passes before the crossing; if you go thinner (1/4), the cue ball keeps its speed and is the one that passes first.
2When you hit fuller, reset the spin: the cue ball leaves slower and at a different angle and does not reach the same cushions with the old spin. In the example, instead of half ball and 3 left running spin, you play 3/4 ball, 2 right reverse spin and a stroke one step harder.
3If you do not want ball 2 to reach the kiss point at all, hit it thin (1/4 ball). Ball 2 moves slowly and usually stops before reaching the crossing; then the kiss disappears completely.
4If you do not want to change the ball fraction, hit low (draw): the cue ball leaves ball 2 at a wider angle and goes to the cushions at other points. The crossing can shift by about one diamond this way; you may also need to add a little spin (from 3 to 4 in the example).
5Do not hit harder than necessary. On a hard stroke both balls speed up, ball 2 travels one or two extra cushions and cuts across the cue ball's path in new places; a new kiss can appear in place of the one you solved.
6When you hit fuller, raise the speed by one step (from speed 3 to 4 in the example). On a full hit the cue ball gives most of its energy to ball 2; if you do not add speed, it may stop before reaching ball 3.
7If the ball fraction and the height of the hit are not enough, take ball 2 on its other side (on its left if you were taking it on its right). The two balls go to different halves of the table; the paths either do not cross at all, or the balls pass the crossing at very different times.
8Practice: set up a kiss position and play it in four ways: 3/4 ball, 1/4 ball, a low hit, and ball 2 on its other side. For each, note whether there is a kiss and how easily the point comes; choose the simplest safe solution.

Voice coach

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The voice coach is part of the Pro and Club plans.

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Watch outThe paths in the diagrams are ideal: the cushion rebounds of ball 2 are drawn without spin (angle of incidence = angle of reflection), those of the cue ball as an angle opened or closed by spin. On a real table the cloth, the cushions, the speed and the curve of the shot shift the path slightly; think of the red area as one ball diameter wider.

Watch outIn the risky examples the paths drawn are the planned paths. If a kiss happens, the cue ball is deflected in the red area and does not reach ball 3; ball 2 does not stop where drawn either.

Watch outWhen the ball fraction changes, the cue ball's path changes too; in the examples the spin and speed were readjusted so that ball 3 is still reached. If you change only the ball fraction and leave the spin the same, you may miss ball 3.