Ask the Viper - March 2011
by Melissa Little (www.melissalittle.com)

Question:

"I’ve heard of using the diamond system when lining up for a kick shot, but I still struggle with consistently getting a good hit when having to kick at a ball. Do you have a “system” that you use?"

Answer:

I use the mirror image system. So, in kicking shots, if the cue ball and object ball are parallel then all you have to do is divide the distance in half. In the example below, I am showing you that the corner pocket to the center diamond goes to the side pocket and the same on the long rail. So as long as the object balls are parallel then all you need to do is divide the distance between the cue ball/object ball in half, aim, and stroke the cue ball with center and hit with medium speed.

Now, in this next example (see below), you will notice that the cue ball and object are NOT parallel – so now you must calculate the point of contact.

A. Draw a line from the object ball to the rail and add the same amount of distance outward
B. Draw a line to/from the outward point to the cue ball
C. Where the rail intersects with the B line then that is the point of contact with the cue ball
D. So basically, you are creating an isosceles triangle - An isosceles triangle is a triangle with (at least) two equal sides

You can learn more about these kinds of topics at my next Open Clinic at the Wynkoop – scheduled for Saturday, March 26th, 2011 to sign up please call me at 720-296-5395

Best of luck to you,

Viper