In the sport of billiards, precise power application is the key to controlling the movement of the cue ball and improving the accuracy of shots. The seemingly simple action of hitting the ball actually contains many techniques and subtleties, which require us to understand and practice from multiple dimensions.
## Three Key Elements of Basic Power Application
### Pushing Stroke: The Cornerstone of Stability and Control
The pushing stroke is often used for mid and short-distance shots. The power is mainly generated by the small arm driving the wrist, and the wrist is pushed forward smoothly at the moment of hitting the ball. In practical application, skilled players will skillfully adjust the hitting point. For example, by using a bottom pushing stroke and combining it with changes in the speed of the force, they can achieve precise positioning. Sometimes, using a medium-high stop shot instead of a regular pushing stroke can, while maintaining the stability of the shot, better control the subsequent rolling state of the cue ball.
### Hitting Stroke: The Essence of Explosive Power
The hitting stroke can be regarded as the soul of billiards power application. It requires the coordinated combination of three elements: force, speed, and hardness. Approximately 70% of the force comes from the swing of the small arm. The wrist needs to quickly flick forward at the moment of hitting the ball to ensure that the speed of the cue tip exceeds that of the cue ball. At the same time, the follow-through of the cue after hitting the ball should be concentrated and not “scattered”. When practicing the hitting stroke, it is crucial to fix the length of the backswing and the timing of applying force. Through systematic training methods such as the snake shot and L-shaped positioning, it is helpful to form a stable “motor pattern”, making the hitting action more standardized and powerful.
### Scraping Stroke (Hitting First and Then Pushing): The Art of Spin
The scraping stroke is more common in nine-ball games and is often used to achieve a strong English effect. When applying force, the strength of the large arm and the thumb web needs to be added, and the fingers should remain relaxed and not grip the cue tightly. The slower the stroke speed, the stronger the penetration of the spin. This technique is suitable for scenarios with large-angle separations or complex positioning, allowing the cue ball to generate a strong spin and accurately reach the desired position.
## Details of Power Application and Body Coordination
### Coordination of the Wrist and Fingers
The shaking of the wrist plays a crucial role at the moment of hitting the ball. Quickly shaking the wrist can enhance the penetration of the shot. At the same time, the fingers gradually grip the cue handle when touching the ball to effectively transfer the kinetic energy to the cue. It should be noted that the muscles of the small arm should remain relaxed throughout the process and only exert force briefly at the moment of hitting the ball, so as to ensure the smoothness of the stroke and the high efficiency of force transmission.
### Auxiliary Force from the Waist and Legs
Slightly bending the knees of the legs can stabilize the body’s center of gravity and provide a solid support for hitting the ball. Slightly twisting the waist helps to control the direction of the stroke and ensure that the hitting line is accurate. In strong power application actions such as the scraping stroke, the large arm can be slightly involved to cooperate with the small arm and wrist to complete the force output.
## Four-step Method for Efficient Training
### Empty Stroke Practice
Practicing empty strokes in front of a mirror helps to correct one’s own posture and clearly observe the rhythm of the wrist shaking. Repeated practice can form muscle memory, laying a good foundation for actual ball hitting.
### Multi-ball Training
Hit target balls at different distances with the same force. Through continuous attempts, develop a feel for the ball, get familiar with the changes in force required at different distances, and improve the accuracy of force control.
### Calculation of the Separation Angle
Record the trajectory of the cue ball after hitting the ball without spin and master the basic separation rule of 90 degrees, which is helpful to predict the movement of the cue ball in actual combat and create favorable conditions for the next shot.
### Video Review
Compare the hitting actions of professional players, especially the cue movement rhythm of snooker masters, draw experience from them, identify one’s own shortcomings, and make improvements.
Billiards power application is a comprehensive technique. Only through long-term deliberate practice, continuously optimizing the basic power application actions, paying attention to the coordinated cooperation of various parts of the body, and relying on scientific training methods can one gradually master it and thus show a more outstanding performance on the billiard table.
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