How can i sink a ball on the rail or half an inch away from the rail?

Question

How can i sink a ball on the rail or half an inch away from the rail?

Answer 1

Mr. Radford has it right , Just forget about the rail and shoot it like any other shot. Now,  if you are shooting the the game ball or final ball of the game and position doesn't really matter you can try a couple of things that might help if you can't just forget about that rail. If the object ball is frozen to the rail you can aim to hit the ball and the rail at the same time and you can use a little inside english to keep the ball hugging the rail as it goes down.

Answer 2

Where the cue ball does matter but lets just say for this instance you are a couple feet away from the target ball on one of the rails.  Use a little inside english and about 5 out of 10 on power aimed right at the back of the target ball.  This will get the target ball to carry toward the pocket while spinning correctly to hug the rail.

On all shots just imagine the spot behind the target ball that would intersect with the pocket.  From there you can experiment more with english.

Answer 3

Practice

Answer 4

Rail shots can be a real trick the best method if it is hugging the rail is to hit right behind the ball

OI

     if O represents the ball with the lines being the rail aim for

OI

^ I   behind it like so you wont be able to hit it hard but maybe just hard enough :)

If the ball is away from the rail by a bit

O    I

               like so try bouncing the cue off the rail and hitting the baal

O  I

\  I

/  I  with / \ being the course the cue must take

I hope that helps sorry if the sketches are a bit sketchy haha

Answer 5

A ball that has contact with the rail can be pocketed several different ways.

If it on a rail aligned with a corner pocket and the cue is at the proper angle you must strike the ball with no english and almost make contact with the rail and the ball to be pocketed at the same time.  

That's right, you'll aim for the crack between the ball and the rail.  When done correctly it will sound as if it makes contact with both at the exact same time (a thud and a click), however if you videotape it and slow it down, you'll notice that the cue ball will actually make contact with the rail first and ever so slightly kisses the ball contacting the rail seemingly at the same time.

Of course it is possible to perform a bank shot however if it is an important play during your match there is no need to risk a scratch.

Balls 1/2" away from the rail can be tricky as well, attempt a miserably-planned bank shot and you could risk a ricochet scratch.  I am assuming you are implying that the ball 1/2" away from the rail is somewhere in the middle of the table with cue ball placement near or at a non-deflecting angle.

Take the time to learn your english, reverse english, as well as draw and follow and you'll be able to bank any ball 1/2" from the rail while keeping yourself out of penalty.

here's to you!

Answer 6

Don't confuse yourself with complicated aiming systems and formulas.  Just shoot the shot like any other cut shot and imagine that the cushion isn't even there.  I'm not going to get into how to aim because that's a whole different topic.  Less is more.  Happy shooting.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 7

i think if you put some spanish on the ball to make it spin, it will then guide it in the pocket

Answer 8

you forgot to tell me where the q is .. but that close no english bottom spin very lite