The ghost ball changed my game. Your advice on shooting balls from one side of the table straight back was gold! I was hitting waay to the left. I can line 5 balls up now and shoot them the length of the table 3 times in a row and straight as an arrow back to me! I can stop the ball mid table, at the tip of my stick or barely bring it back to my rail. That drill is priceless!
A friend of mine (Joe Tucker) taught me to use inside English on some backward cuts to get position. It took a lot of practice but well worth it. Now it’s one of my favorite position shots. Love your videos, always learn something. THANK YOU.
All great advice Brian. Honestly this brings me to what I try to teach my son. My aiming and position is all decided before I make my stance. When over a shot I am only feeling my stroke. I quiet my mind. Automatic playing is where I'm always working to when playing. I basically play my way into dead stroke. It's the goal for every good player. People don't understand when they ask me how I hit a certain shot and they have to explain what the cue did for me to answer. Honestly dead stroke is the best feeling
Coming up to my first year of playing pool wish I'd have seen your videos at the beginning 🤔now I've had strip my game back and start again.. A big thanq 😎
Thnx for your coaching Bryan, your videos really help make sense outta this. The one tip on seeing the shot n then just focusing on MAKING the shot not the shape is gold...I catch myself doin it! It's getting better, slowly. Drills definitely help. Thnx again
No additions, corrections, or questions. I'm just feeding the algorithm monsters with a tap of the thumbs up 👍 button with top right English. Thanks, Bryan.
thanks Bryan, this shot still gives me trouble and i've been shooting for almost 20 years. your tips and guidance has helped me alot. I think the back cut is also a fundamental basic shot in snooker? as I see it all the time when I watch snooker, they make it look so easy.
I just subscribed and I liked the way you explained back cuts. You talk about our heads and all the mess that gets in it. I can remember so many times weather practice or league play I'll look at a shot and in my head ill say, I'm gonna scratch or miss the shot and I'll be damn it happened. I learned to let the rails be my friend and just stoke. Thanks for the video!
Thanks again! This is actually a good percentage shot for me but I always shoot it harder when there is more distance from the object ball. So sometimes on the longer shots the cue ball travels further than I anticipate
Finally I learned how to consistently make balls with LR spin and I kept seeing these backcuts show up if I messed up my speed or didnt properly anticipate rebound of rails. Without fail I always miss these those shots and sell the game. Hopefully I can get these down. Thanks
My other big issue must be something fundamental. If I shoot where I need a rail bridge or over a ball, I almost always miss. Its a bit frustrating because these are shots that im 99 percent from a normal bridge on. I just shoot it and the cue ball takes a completely different line than I visualize. This is more of a rant than anything else. Ill figure it out
I've never been told this. I'm going to try this and work on it. I swear I see the shots and when I line up I'm so far off. Not sure if this is why or I'm just not lining up correctly. Or both. But I'm definitely going to try this technique. Thanks FXB!
You're voice is Identical to James Woods lol ON A SERIOUS NOTE I'm 26 I've been around this game for probably as long as I can remember learned from many different players and minds alike grew up and took a step back from it however still keep up with it from time to time I remember watching your earliest videos when I was 16 or 17 you've really taken off since then! keep on keeping on please and thank you
A back cut at 30 degrees is the same as any other 30 degree shot. It may perceive to look different from the cueball position and requires you to take a look at ghost ball contact point. All things Bryan mentioned are required for any 30 degree shot that you do make now and are more comfortable with. You can do this :)
I used to struggle with these shots. But then I took a 15 year hiatus from pool, and I've been back for about 5 months now. I wouldn't say today that this is my favorite shot, but they're no longer the struggle that they used to be. So I'm a bit hesitant to watch this video.
Another great video, thank-you. However, at around the 3:00 mark, you say get down on the shot and lock in. That's all well and good, but my fav is 9 ball. You must think also of speed and spin to set up the next ball, right. It's why 9 is the premier Tour event. Focusing on more than just this 1 ball without how hard, what spin and 3 shots ahead makes the pro's special players.
I’m thinking you’re a young guy because 9-ball is far easier than 8ball when played at a high-level. The reason 9-ball is played more in events is because its quick and easy for spectators to watch and understand. 9-ball took off when Pool was on TV - because viewers couldn’t sit still for the many nuances of 8 ball and straight pool. That said - this video was about shotmaking, not position. We have 250 videos about position. You should subscribe and check them out. Thanks for watching.
@@FXBilliards Thanks for your knowledge and inspiration. I am, in fact, 62 years old and a first time APA member (and league) since June 2024. In fact, I 1st picked up a cue Saturday, 4/15/23; APA start SL3, now SL 7 with 4 + hours a day...drills like you show with shorter shots, then going long. Keep pocketing !
I automatically adjust my aim point to adjust for CIT. I've never been able to trust that I don't "squirt" the cue ball off line if I strike it off-center.
I aim a bit differently on back cuts. First I find the perpendicular line from the rail to the object ball. When you extend that line through the ball, you’re looking at dead center. On a back cut you have to make contact on the OTHER SIDE of that center line. That means your cue tip will be aiming at empty space, so you have to aim using the edges of the balls. (You might notice that people tent to hit back cuts straight into the rail. That means they made contact on or close to the center line. They were using the cue tip to aim rather than the edges of the balls, and hit it too thick.) If you hit the correct contact point, you won’t even need to use spin to compensate for throw, because you’re contacting very little of the object ball so there’s less throw being generated. Aiming this way allows me to be accurate even with extreme back cuts. A few added benefits to aiming using the edges are: First-it works for any extreme cut shot, where your cue tip is aiming at empty space. Second-the more extreme the cut, the less throw, and no spin is needed so these shots are simplified by allowing you to use center ball on the cue ball. Third-on those shots where the object ball has to be banked cross-side from near the rail, and the cue ball is coming at it from a steep angle. Find the center point, and hit it a hair on THIS SIDE of that point. (On these, since they’re banks, you need to add a little outside english to keep the angle true. That applies for any bank shot that you have to cut, even a small cut-if it’s not a dead bank, in other words.) It’s worked for me for years-hope it helps. 🎱
So is this a speed sensitive shot? And just trust your judgment bc for some I tend to over cut bc it’s an odd angle Do you compensate backhand or do you adjust it all upfront ?
I aim these shots by aiming at the outside edge of the object ball with outside spin. I make them 9 out of ten times no matter how far they are from the pocket. It's one of my best and most reliable shots.
I can shoot these pretty at 1 or 1.5 diamonds away from the pocket. When the OB gets 2 diamonds away from the pocket I have a tough time judging the aim spot. That spot messed with me at any angle over about 20 degrees cut inside or outside. I tend to overcut it. It's that normal? I'm working on it... a lot! But it's extremely slow progress. It's weird that I just can't picture the GB spot.
I miss these so often. I just can't see the shot point or line very well. I've tried doing the same shot in practice for a couple racks of balls but miss the majority. I'll try using English. I was figuring that "it takes more cut than you think". Maybe English can help. That and more practice
When picturing your line try looking at where the ball sits on the table (because that's the center of the ball) . Visually make a line through there to center pocket to help get that ghost ball spot. Then, adjust for throw. See if that helps. It's a way I figured on accident.
I ALWAYS over-cut this using the ghost ball technique. I know players who say to undercut these shots. Why does this happen to so many experienced players?
My only problem is when I do these shots is I don’t see the scratch shots. It is hard for me to see the tangent line. I have scratch the side pocket or the corner pockets
That is a common issue. Shoot some racks recording yourself shooting and practice predicting where the CB is going. More reps give you a better understanding.
The outside spin also helps with skidding problems, negating them at the right spin rotation speed for a given linear speed. Doesn't happen that often (usually when a chalk mark happens to get to the contact point), but when it does it is a bitch. I think this is maximized at about 30 degrees, as so many other things seem to be (it's a physics thing). Obviously other more first order requirements (positioning) dominate heavily, but when they don't it is a good idea. It doesn't take much at slower speeds so aiming, compensating for squirt isn't so much of an issue. If I could execute at the level of some of my knowledge (from watching pros and top instructors) it would be a much better scenario. Alas ...
Using english or aiming to miss to compensate for the law of physics seems the same. From a coaching standing point communicating english is easy but a players ability to perform the coaching is a completely different topic. Saying aim here and stroke away seems easier for the average joe to accomplish.
Bryan is STILL the only pool youtuber that hits his shots on command without editing in the example shots in his videos. A true player!
always great instructions!! and I'm 79 and I usually don't take instructions well. thankyou appreciated
Solid, straightforward advice. There are alot of eccentric techniques being touted on yt- thank you Brian for keeping it simple.
Been playing for about eight years now. It surprises me that I'm always learning something new. Thanks to people like you and others.
Our pleasure! I hope you subscribe. And thanks for watching.
The ghost ball changed my game. Your advice on shooting balls from one side of the table straight back was gold! I was hitting waay to the left.
I can line 5 balls up now and shoot them the length of the table 3 times in a row and straight as an arrow back to me! I can stop the ball mid table, at the tip of my stick or barely bring it back to my rail. That drill is priceless!
I highly recommend all his videos. They have improved my game tremendously
A friend of mine (Joe Tucker) taught me to use inside English on some backward cuts to get position. It took a lot of practice but well worth it. Now it’s one of my favorite position shots. Love your videos, always learn something. THANK YOU.
Another great Sunday lesson. Thanks Bryan!
Yes Sir, great info! That practice is so important; those "repetitive" shots, they become "familiar" shots during game time :)
All great advice Brian. Honestly this brings me to what I try to teach my son. My aiming and position is all decided before I make my stance. When over a shot I am only feeling my stroke. I quiet my mind. Automatic playing is where I'm always working to when playing. I basically play my way into dead stroke. It's the goal for every good player. People don't understand when they ask me how I hit a certain shot and they have to explain what the cue did for me to answer. Honestly dead stroke is the best feeling
Perfect timing..I recently started struggling with back cuts and this helped me realize what I was doing wrong..thanks
Coming up to my first year of playing pool wish I'd have seen your videos at the beginning 🤔now I've had strip my game back and start again..
A big thanq 😎
Really glad that you put this video out...
Thanks again like coming back to refresh
I love ❤ back cuts too get position. Once I got comfortable with them I started looking for them, because they became automatic.
Thnx for your coaching Bryan, your videos really help make sense outta this. The one tip on seeing the shot n then just focusing on MAKING the shot not the shape is gold...I catch myself doin it! It's getting better, slowly. Drills definitely help. Thnx again
Great video as usual! ⚡️
Another banger 🔥 👌🏽
I love these lessons they are potent
No additions, corrections, or questions. I'm just feeding the algorithm monsters with a tap of the thumbs up 👍 button with top right English.
Thanks, Bryan.
Thanks for that!
I needed this video yesterday!
thanks Bryan, this shot still gives me trouble and i've been shooting for almost 20 years. your tips and guidance has helped me alot. I think the back cut is also a fundamental basic shot in snooker? as I see it all the time when I watch snooker, they make it look so easy.
Your snooker comment is correct. Thanks for watching
I just subscribed and I liked the way you explained back cuts. You talk about our heads and all the mess that gets in it. I can remember so many times weather practice or league play I'll look at a shot and in my head ill say, I'm gonna scratch or miss the shot and I'll be damn it happened. I learned to let the rails be my friend and just stoke. Thanks for the video!
Thanks
Thanks again! This is actually a good percentage shot for me but I always shoot it harder when there is more distance from the object ball. So sometimes on the longer shots the cue ball travels further than I anticipate
Great insight 👍
Tremendous advice
This is an excellent video, as all fx billiard videos are. I highly recommend hi
I appreciate you taking the time to tune in.
Finally I learned how to consistently make balls with LR spin and I kept seeing these backcuts show up if I messed up my speed or didnt properly anticipate rebound of rails. Without fail I always miss these those shots and sell the game. Hopefully I can get these down. Thanks
My other big issue must be something fundamental. If I shoot where I need a rail bridge or over a ball, I almost always miss. Its a bit frustrating because these are shots that im 99 percent from a normal bridge on. I just shoot it and the cue ball takes a completely different line than I visualize. This is more of a rant than anything else. Ill figure it out
Love from Jamaica
I've never been told this. I'm going to try this and work on it. I swear I see the shots and when I line up I'm so far off. Not sure if this is why or I'm just not lining up correctly. Or both. But I'm definitely going to try this technique. Thanks FXB!
Thank you Brian
My pleasure!
Shout out from abington hope to see you play someday!
Amazing video.
You're voice is Identical to James Woods lol ON A SERIOUS NOTE I'm 26 I've been around this game for probably as long as I can remember learned from many different players and minds alike grew up and took a step back from it however still keep up with it from time to time
I remember watching your earliest videos when I was 16 or 17 you've really taken off since then! keep on keeping on please and thank you
Nice tip
Thanks for liking
A back cut at 30 degrees is the same as any other 30 degree shot. It may perceive to look different from the cueball position and requires you to take a look at ghost ball contact point. All things Bryan mentioned are required for any 30 degree shot that you do make now and are more comfortable with. You can do this :)
Thank you for showing me the part about using right hand english.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank u sir
I used to struggle with these shots. But then I took a 15 year hiatus from pool, and I've been back for about 5 months now. I wouldn't say today that this is my favorite shot, but they're no longer the struggle that they used to be. So I'm a bit hesitant to watch this video.
Another great video, thank-you.
However, at around the 3:00 mark, you say get down on the shot and lock in.
That's all well and good, but my fav is 9 ball. You must think also of speed and spin to set up
the next ball, right. It's why 9 is the premier Tour event. Focusing on more than just this 1 ball
without how hard, what spin and 3 shots ahead makes the pro's special players.
I’m thinking you’re a young guy because 9-ball is far easier than 8ball when played at a high-level. The reason 9-ball is played more in events is because its quick and easy for spectators to watch and understand. 9-ball took off when Pool was on TV - because viewers couldn’t sit still for the many nuances of 8 ball and straight pool. That said - this video was about shotmaking, not position. We have 250 videos about position. You should subscribe and check them out. Thanks for watching.
@@FXBilliards Thanks for your knowledge and inspiration.
I am, in fact, 62 years old and a first time APA member (and league) since June 2024.
In fact, I 1st picked up a cue Saturday, 4/15/23; APA start SL3, now SL 7
with 4 + hours a day...drills like you show with shorter shots, then going long. Keep pocketing !
❤ u do lesson
I do in person lessons in the Philadelphia area
I automatically adjust my aim point to adjust for CIT. I've never been able to trust that I don't "squirt" the cue ball off line if I strike it off-center.
I aim a bit differently on back cuts. First I find the perpendicular line from the rail to the object ball. When you extend that line through the ball, you’re looking at dead center.
On a back cut you have to make contact on the OTHER SIDE of that center line. That means your cue tip will be aiming at empty space, so you have to aim using the edges of the balls. (You might notice that people tent to hit back cuts straight into the rail. That means they made contact on or close to the center line. They were using the cue tip to aim rather than the edges of the balls, and hit it too thick.)
If you hit the correct contact point, you won’t even need to use spin to compensate for throw, because you’re contacting very little of the object ball so there’s less throw being generated.
Aiming this way allows me to be accurate even with extreme back cuts.
A few added benefits to aiming using the edges are:
First-it works for any extreme cut shot, where your cue tip is aiming at empty space.
Second-the more extreme the cut, the less throw, and no spin is needed so these shots are simplified by allowing you to use center ball on the cue ball.
Third-on those shots where the object ball has to be banked cross-side from near the rail, and the cue ball is coming at it from a steep angle. Find the center point, and hit it a hair on THIS SIDE of that point. (On these, since they’re banks, you need to add a little outside english to keep the angle true. That applies for any bank shot that you have to cut, even a small cut-if it’s not a dead bank, in other words.)
It’s worked for me for years-hope it helps. 🎱
So is this a speed sensitive shot? And just trust your judgment bc for some I tend to over cut bc it’s an odd angle
Do you compensate backhand or do you adjust it all upfront ?
I aim these shots by aiming at the outside edge of the object ball with outside spin. I make them 9 out of ten times no matter how far they are from the pocket. It's one of my best and most reliable shots.
You mean you aim your shaft at that point? Or aim for the cue ball to make contact at that point?
Back cuts with inside is a real challenge too
I can shoot these pretty at 1 or 1.5 diamonds away from the pocket. When the OB gets 2 diamonds away from the pocket I have a tough time judging the aim spot. That spot messed with me at any angle over about 20 degrees cut inside or outside. I tend to overcut it. It's that normal? I'm working on it... a lot! But it's extremely slow progress. It's weird that I just can't picture the GB spot.
My biggest problem with back-cuts is, I often shoot them way too hard. I will have to do this drill next trip to the pool hall.
What happens if we apply inside English on the back -cut short?
Yes. You undercut
I miss these so often. I just can't see the shot point or line very well. I've tried doing the same shot in practice for a couple racks of balls but miss the majority. I'll try using English. I was figuring that "it takes more cut than you think". Maybe English can help. That and more practice
When picturing your line try looking at where the ball sits on the table (because that's the center of the ball) . Visually make a line through there to center pocket to help get that ghost ball spot. Then, adjust for throw. See if that helps. It's a way I figured on accident.
I ALWAYS over-cut this using the ghost ball technique. I know players who say to undercut these shots. Why does this happen to so many experienced players?
My only problem is when I do these shots is I don’t see the scratch shots. It is hard for me to see the tangent line. I have scratch the side pocket or the corner pockets
That is a common issue. Shoot some racks recording yourself shooting and practice predicting where the CB is going. More reps give you a better understanding.
The outside spin also helps with skidding problems, negating them at the right spin rotation speed for a given linear speed. Doesn't happen that often (usually when a chalk mark happens to get to the contact point), but when it does it is a bitch. I think this is maximized at about 30 degrees, as so many other things seem to be (it's a physics thing). Obviously other more first order requirements (positioning) dominate heavily, but when they don't it is a good idea. It doesn't take much at slower speeds so aiming, compensating for squirt isn't so much of an issue. If I could execute at the level of some of my knowledge (from watching pros and top instructors) it would be a much better scenario. Alas ...
Good job I like those shots good info.
I shoot a lot of them
👍🤜🤛
Using english or aiming to miss to compensate for the law of physics seems the same. From a coaching standing point communicating english is easy but a players ability to perform the coaching is a completely different topic. Saying aim here and stroke away seems easier for the average joe to accomplish.