Aiming Bank Shots - The Truth Most Miss

Looking for a bank shot aiming system? The truth is knowing where to aim alone won't help you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxX0DU7QAKo

This video demonstrates long and short bank shots in more detail as well as how to adjust for position play.

Without THIS, the bank shot aim point isn't of much use.

"How to aim a bank shot" might be the most common question after "how to aim". You will find countless videos online about how to measure or calculate the aim point. And most falsley promise you will never miss a bank shot again!

The missing truth is - speed of shot changes the rebound angle. Hard speed or inside spin shortens the rebound angle. Soft speed or outside spin increases the rebound angle.

Geometry shows you only the baseline bank shot aim point.

There is not just ONE bank shot aim point to measure. That doesn't mean calculating the bank shot aim point is worthless. Just know that its the medium speed centerball hit aim point. Which is only the beginning of learning how to bank.

Here is another "truth" the most instructors miss about what really produces improvement when you practice.

For more lessons about practice drills and improving your overall game - learn to play Straight with my book A Shortstop On Straight Pool.

Bank Shots Video Transcript

So many players ask how to aim bank shots, but almost every instructional video I see misses the mark. Here are three reasons why any banking system is only the first step.

This bank shot to the corner is straight in. That means the cue ball and object ball are both on a line connecting the side pocket with the center diamond, which mirrors to the corner pocket. The angle in equals the angle out. When shot with a medium speed, let's say about four out of ten, the ball goes right in the pocket.

But take a closer look. The center of the balls point at the rail opposite the diamond. But that means that the ball actually strikes the rail in front of that point. That's reason number one.

The aim point and the contact point are different. So why did the ball go in? Because the rails are not frictionless and the rubber compresses, which leads to reason number two.

Here's the exact same shot, but played softer. The object ball rebounds wider. Let's compare to the same shot, struck harder and then struck very hard. Note the aim line is straight and identical for every shot.

Medium speed, approximately four out of ten, results in the entry and rebound angles matching. Struck harder compresses the rubber more, resulting in a sharper rebound angle. Softer compresses the rubber less, resulting in a wider rebound angle.

Reason number two: speed affects the object ball rebound angle.

The same thing is true when applying side spin to the shot. Outside spin—that's right spin in this case—results in a wider rebound angle. We say that the ball went long. Inside spin results in a shorter rebound angle. We say the ball went short.

Reason number three: side spin also affects the rebound angle.

How can you use this information? Imagine you want to move the cue ball to the left instead of a stop shot. Overcut the bank with speed.

Okay, now what if you want to follow the cue ball, but the speed that you have to hit it with will shorten the bank? Well, overcut the bank with speed and inside spin.

What if you want to stop the cue ball, but that angle will miss long? Add some speed to shorten the angle.