10 Things You Can Learn From Trick Shots

Here's my first post for Pool Synergy, this month hosted by Samm (Diep) Vidal with a theme of "10 Things". I'm writing about 10 Things You Can Learn From Trick Shots to apply to your usual games. Check out the master post to see what other bloggers are writing about!

Trick shots have always been a part of pool, whether for entertainment, proposition shots, or just to show off your skills. One question that often comes up is “Do trick shots help you with ‘real’ pool?” They may not come up during your typical 8 ball or 9 ball game so much, but there are many principles you can learn from them that you can certainly apply to other games. Here are a few of those concepts. I tried to keep the descriptions brief since this was going to be a long post, but feel free to contact me if you need expanded explanations.

1. Kisses, Combos, and Caroms

While many players view setup shots as elementary, they can open your eyes to possibilities when you’re confronted with clusters. Instead of blindly whacking into some problem balls, it’s much more efficient if you can predict where the balls will end up and you may even be able to pocket one. With setup shots like Y Not, you’ll be able to figure out how and why balls go in the directions they do after banging into each other.

2. Throw

One principle that is applied greatly to setup shots is throw. Throw, as defined by Dr. Dave (Aug 06), is the change in object ball (OB) direction due to sliding friction forces between the cue ball (CB) and OB during impact. This can be helpful when you have a combination that’s aligned slightly off where you want the ball to end up, or when you can’t see enough of the OB to cut it exactly where you want it to go. You can use throw to get it on to your intended line. Throw is affected by cut angles (or the line of the combination), speed, and spin. In setup shots like Any Questions, the last ball to go in as significantly affected by throw from the line of the combination. Similarly, in Just Showing Off, the ball traveling diagonally across the table is typically thrown 3-4 inches from its initial line.

3. English or spin

While practicing trick shots, it will also become apparent what effects spin has, not only on throw, but on the reaction of balls coming off rails. Shots like the Triple Reverse or Robin Dodson Jump show extreme examples of what you can do with spin. This can help get you out of jams especially when there’s not natural kick angle to your target ball.

4. Banks and Kicks

Speaking of which, there are plenty of trick shots that involve banking or kicking at balls. Practicing these will help you learn what aim lines you can use and how you can change the path of the balls by adjusting your aim point, the amount of spin you apply, or the speed at which you hit. Some examples include the first part of the Timing Masse, 7 Rail Kick, and Wizard’s Tray Shot.

5. Spin Transfer

This brings me to spin transfer, which is most apparent in certain bank shots, such as the Backward Bank and The Glove's Squeeze. In the Backward Bank, spin is transferred to the object ball allowing it to grab the rail and take a line to the side pocket that is not initially obvious. The other object ball just helps maximize the spin transfer, but check out Vernon Elliot’s Bank Shot to see a more natural (and much harder) version. In The Glove’s Squeeze shot, you have to put draw on the cue ball which imparts a top spin on the contact ball. With the right angle, you can get it to roll straight in to the pocket.

6. Speed Control

Most people think of speed trick shots as lagging a ball toward a pocket and then firing in as many balls as possible in the same pocket before the first ball gets there. Getting the lag speed just right is a skill in and of itself, and some shots require the timing ball to be lagged multiple rails, like in Corner Collation. Practicing these have helped me better gauge my speed for shots to improve my cue ball control. There are other types of speed control shots as well, such as 321-123, which tests your ability to dial in your speed rather quickly.

7. Useful Shots

While it may not happen often, there are certainly times when a “trick shot” does come up in a typical game. I’m not saying it’s always the right shot to take, but it’s nice to know all of your options. Take the Two Rail Reverse for instance. It’s hard enough finding a pocket for the object ball no matter where the cue ball is. With a little knowledge and a little practice, this shot can become a good choice, even if the cue ball position isn’t perfect.

8. Table Adjustments

This is a more subtle skill that’s important to success in pool: adjusting to the table (and other equipment) that you’re playing on. Between tables that play fast or slow, cushions that bank long or short, cloth that’s worn, new, or fuzzy, balls that are dirty or clean, room’s that are hot or cold, and air that is humid or dry, there are a lot of variables that affect the play of the game that are out of your control. The quicker you can identify these issues and adjust to them, the better you’ll play. It’s always frustrating to go to a new table and try a shot that you rarely miss and never be able to make it. Understanding why you’re missing and what you can do to adjust is a big part of the game, especially when it’s your first time playing on a particular table.

9. Patience and Persistence

Practicing trick shots is very much like shooting drills. It can be repetitive and frustrating, but the payoff at the end is worth the investment. Challenging yourself with shots that push your skill limits will only make you better and will teach you how to channel and focus your attention to little details that will improve your game. There have been many times in my career where I would see a shot and think, “I’ll never be able to make that!” Most of those shots, however, I have since made. Sometimes it takes a couple hours, others take a couple years, but having the mental toughness to persist and patience to accept that it may take more time is something that will make drawn out sets in tournaments seem short.

10. Fun

One of the best things about trick shots is that they’re fun. While the process may be arduous, once you learn how to make a shot, it’s fun. It’s fun for you and it’s fun to show off to your friends. It’s fun when you finally figure out a shot that you’ve been working on for a while and it’s even more fun when you didn’t think you could hit the shot in the first place! And fun is what pool should be about!

2010 World Cup of Trick Shots on ESPN

Looks like the debut airing of the 2010 World Cup of Trick Shots has moved to January 16, 2011 from 2:30-5:30pm ET. Currently it's only listed on ESPN HD, but standard ESPN has an opening for that slot. UPDATE (1/10/11): It is now listed for both ESPN HD and ESPN.

2009 World Cup of Trick Shots

Finally got around to finishing up the play-by-play for the 2009 World Cup of Trick Shots as seen on ESPN. I actually went to this in person, so I got to see every shot, unlike on TV. There are diagrams of every shot attempted, so check them out. The first semifinal pitted Mike Massey and Tom Rossman against Stefano Pelinga and Luke Szywala. In seminal number two, Andy Segal and Bruce Barthelette took on Ralph Eckert and Nick Nikolaidis. The final saw all eight competitors go at it.

2010 World Cup of Trick Shots results

As first reported on the Trick Shot Tim Forums:

Semifinal #1

Nick Nikolaidis and Luke Szywala

d. 8-7 (tiebreaker)

Tom Rossman and Andy Segal

Semifinal #2

Jamey Gray and Bruce Barthelette

d. 6-4

Gabi Visoiu and Stefano Pelinga

Final

Team Europe

d. 7-4

Team USA

Look for the premiere broadcast on ESPN on January 9, 2011 from 4-7pm EST.

Trick Shot Calendar

Busy stretch coming up in the trick shot calendar. Lot's of entertaining pool action to be had, coast to coast and even in between. Get to one in your area!

2010 APA Ultimate Trick Shot Championships
August 24-27, 2010
Riviera Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, NV

2010 ESPN Trick Shot Magic
September 1-2, 2010
Green Valley Ranch Resort
Las Vegas, NV

2010 APA Southeast Classic
September 30 - October 3, 2010
Atlanta Billiard Show - Gwinnett Center
Duluth, GA

2010 World Cup of Trick Shots
October 7, 2010
Mohegan Sun
Uncasville, CT

2010 Dr. Cue Artistic Cup IV
December 2-5, 2010
Side Pockets
Saint Charles, MO

2010 World Cup of Trick Shots Team Selection

I'm getting word that the 2010 World cup of Trick Shots teams will look like this:

USA: Andy Segal, Bruce Barthelette, Tom Rossman, and Jamey Gray (unless Dave Nangle wins Trick Shot Magic in which case he would replace Jamey.

Europe: Nick Nikolaidis, Luke Szywala, Stefano Pelinga, and a player to be named, likely between Gabi Visoiu and Florian Kohler, again, pending performances at Trick Shot Magic.

2009 World Cup of Trick Shots Results and Recap

Check out the results from the 2009 World Cup of Trick Shots at Mohegan Sun:

Semifinal #1

Team USA: Tom Rossman / Mike Massey

d. 8-5

Team Europe: Stefano Pelinga / Lukasz Szywala

This matchup featured some of the best strokes in the game of pool. Team USA took an early lead taking advantage of Europe missing one of their own attempts. They opened it up on a teamwork Circular Draw-based shot and a Railroad shot. Europe couldn't get any closer than two points, and missed all but one of USA's challenges, and the USA finally sealed the victory as Mike Massey hit a masse jump shot.

Semifinal #2

Team Europe: Ralph Eckert / Nick Nikolaidis

d. 7-4

Team USA: Andy Segal / Bruce Barthelette

A nice contrast in styles developed with Team USA's power and speed versus Europe's finesse and stroke. Ralph Eckert gave Europe an early lead that they would never relinquish. Team USA did itself no favors only earning points on two of their seven challenges, virtually handing the match to the Europeans. Nick Nikolaidis finished it off with a series of alternating one-handed jump shots.

Final

Team USA

d. 8-5

Team Europe

Team USA took the interesting strategy of going first after winning the lag. It paid dividends as they were able to get on the board first, putting pressure on the Europeans. They kept the pressure high, demonstrating their teamwork much more comfortably than their opponents and extending their lead to three points. Europe was only able to pick up one point on a USA challenge, and that on a solo shot, while missing four of their own shots. That would spell their demise as Team USA successfully defended their World Cup of Trick Shots title.

2006 World Cup of Trick Shots Play by Play

I just finished up the full play-by-play of the inaugural 2006 World Cup of Trick Shots featuring Bogdan Wolkowski, Lukasz Szywala, Nick Nikolaidis, Stefano Pelinga, Andy Segal, Mike Massey, Tom Rossman, and Bruce Barthelette. It was the first major team trick shot event that opened the door for some amazing team shots. Andy and Bruce teamed up and mounted a stirring comeback over Bogdan and Nick and the first semifinal. Stefano and Lukasz countered for Europe though, winning the second semifinal over Mike and Tom. Team USA wound up victorious in the final though, earning the first World Cup of Trick Shot title!

The 2009 World Cup of Trick Shots is coming up on October 29 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT!

Trick Shot Magic Recaps

If you can't recall all the trick shots you've seen on TV, I've been working on a section of my website to document the events. I just finished the 2007 Trick Shot Magic match recaps. You can see all the creative shots that the players came up with. The semifinals featured Sal Conti vs Tom Rossman and Nick Nikolaidis vs Stefano Pelinga. This joins my recaps of the 2008 Trick Shot Magic and the 2007 and 2008 World Cup of Trick Shots. I'll be getting the older events up at a later date. I also have a preview of the 2009 Trick Shot Magic.