In the world of billiards, if you can only choose one core ability, it is undoubtedly controlling the cue ball route. When many people first enter the field of billiards, they often consider scoring goals as their primary goal, believing that as long as they can accurately put the ball into their bag, they have mastered the essence of this sport. However, when delving deeper into billiards, especially observing the exciting matches between professional players, one will be amazed to realize that the key to truly dominating the direction of the game and distinguishing between experts and ordinary enthusiasts is not simply goal accuracy, but the ability to control the landing point of the cue ball with incredible skill.
So, how should we control the course of the cue ball? This requires emphasis on training three key abilities.
One is the hitting technique that constrains the path of the cue ball. Many people mistakenly believe that the core essence of playing ball lies in “going straight”, as if as long as the cue stick keeps moving in a straight line, it can ensure that the cue ball follows the expected trajectory. In fact, it is completely wrong. There are various factors that affect the cue ball route, such as RBI, strength, lateral kinetic energy, degree of club bending, and the contact between the skin and cue ball, all of which play a role. Professional players do not pursue any extreme effect when hitting the ball, but strive to make the cue ball’s path more stable and predictable. For example, when hitting a low shot, experts do not simply rely on hitting the bottom of the cue ball, as the bending of the cue ball during the force application process can affect the final RBI. They will use precise control to find the most stable way to release the cue ball trajectory, rather than blindly pursuing the “strongest low shot” or “most exaggerated spin”. To improve one’s control over the cue ball, it is necessary to learn this playing style that can constrain the cue ball’s trajectory, repeatedly explore and practice until finding the most suitable shooting technique that can make the cue ball trajectory stable.
Secondly, predict the outcome of the cue ball’s movement. During the process of playing, it is common for the batter to believe that the cue ball should be heading in a certain direction, but the actual situation is vastly different from expectations, with the cue ball completely deviating from the predetermined trajectory. This is a typical manifestation of insufficient predictive power. The precise prediction ability of professional players is not innate, but gradually trained through extensive observation, in-depth summarization, and repeated experiments. They are able to clearly “see” the entire trajectory of the cue ball from the moment it leaves the cue stick, until it hits the edge of the reservoir and collides with other balls, and finally comes to a standstill in their minds before hitting the ball, rather than guessing the direction of the cue ball after hitting it. They can also accurately determine the rebound angle of the cue ball after hitting the reservoir, not relying on luck, but based on deep experience accumulation and scientific analysis and judgment. For ordinary golfers, the key to training predictive ability lies in developing good habits of observation and summarization. After each stroke, carefully pay attention to the actual movement path of the cue ball, compare it with the preset before hitting, and analyze whether it is a deviation in RBI, improper use of force, or other factors that cause this difference. Continuously making revisions is necessary to make one’s predictions more accurate.
Thirdly, the ability to sustain repetition. Billiards is not a short, one shot game that determines the winner, but a game that requires maintaining a high level of focus and enduring high-intensity mental pressure over a long period of time. Even if the player has excellent cue ball control skills and precise prediction ability, it is difficult to win the final victory in fierce competition if they cannot perform stably for a long time throughout the entire game. Professional players can stand out on the field not only because of their superb skills, but also because of their strong focus and stability. They are well versed in how to manage their own energy reasonably, and can still concentrate and accurately complete every hitting action when facing enormous pressure. On the other hand, some amateur golfers often experience ups and downs in their form, sometimes able to hit stunning shots, but sometimes inexplicably making mistakes. This precisely indicates that they have deficiencies in attention management. In daily training, players should not only focus on practicing technical movements, but also pay attention to training how to maintain a stable psychological state, improve their concentration and anti-interference ability through various means, so that their best competitive state can be sustained for a long time.
In order to further clarify why “controlling the course of the cue ball” is the true core of billiards, we may examine the importance of these three key abilities through comparison. When comparing the “constrained cue ball route” with the “predictive ability”, it is not difficult to find that even if the predictive ability is precise, if the cue ball itself is not controlled and runs wildly like a wild horse, then even the most perfect prediction will lose its meaning. Therefore, only by first achieving effective control over the cue ball and allowing it to move in the approximate direction we expect, can accurate predictions be effective and provide strong support for the development of hitting strategies. Looking at the comparison between “constrained cue ball path” and “repeatable sustained ability”, while maintaining good form for a long time is important, if the basic hitting skills are not up to par, even if the player can always maintain a high level of focus, they cannot stably control the cue ball path when hitting the ball, making it difficult to truly win the game. From this, it can be seen that solid technology is a prerequisite for achieving excellent results, while a focused mental state is the icing on the cake, allowing technology to be better utilized.
Billiards is not a simple goal scoring game, its essence is an artistic feast about control. Mastering the path of the cue ball is undoubtedly the only shortcut to the realm of masters. Only when players can proficiently use various skills, accurately control the trajectory of the cue ball, and integrate a deep understanding and careful planning of the situation into every stroke, can they truly appreciate the infinite charm of billiards, gallop in the world of billiards, and shine their own light. Speke billiards table manufacturer chooses direct sales from the original manufacturer, embracing the perfect combination of quality and affordability. We provide sincere service and create value for you.