The Art and Science of Cue Ball Deflection
Article presented by: Shot Pad – The best note taking journal for professional pool players
As any experienced pool player knows, the cue ball does not simply head straight off the tip when struck. The spin imparted on the cue ball causes it to deflect, or bend slightly offline, an effect that must be accounted for to sink shots accurately. Mastering deflection is a key part of elevating your game. Let’s break down the physics behind this phenomenon and how the pros apply it strategically.
What Causes Deflection?
Deflection occurs due to the friction between the cue tip and cue ball as it rolls off the tip. The spinning cue ball wants to continue in a straight line, but this friction imparts a slight sideways force that alters its path. Deflection can be forward (squirt) or sideways English depending on the spin.
The amount of deflection depends on several factors:
- Cue tip – More rigid tips like phenolic cause greater deflection. Softer leather tips deflect less.
- Hitting speed – Faster shots lead to increased deflection. Slow roll shots see little deflection.
- English/spin – Sidespin leads to the most deflection as friction increases off the center axis. Top and bottom spin create smaller deflection.
- Angle of attack – Shots hit firm and straight on will deflect less than cut shots.
- Distance traveled – Deflection decreases as balls travel further from the hit point.
Top professionals like Shane Van Boening are meticulously aware of these variables. They choose cue tips and precisely control shot speed, spin, and angle to minimize and utilize deflection depending on the situation.
Compensating Your Aim
Since deflection alters the cue ball’s path, players must adjust their aim to account for it. But how much to adjust requires experience.
“You just get a feel for it,” said pool legend Jeanette Lee in an interview. “After years of playing, I instinctively know how much to aim off-center for my cue and stroke.”
Deflection is most pronounced on shots using heavy English, where the cue ball must hit the object ball at an angle. In extreme English shots to sink the 9-ball in the corner pocket, pros may aim their cue ball 1-2 diamonds outside the line of the shot to allow for squirt.
“Through practice you will learn to trust at what speeds and distances the deflection will cause the cue ball to travel the desired path,” explains pro Mika Immonen. Minor adjustments in aim make the difference between a rattling near-miss and a perfect pocket.
Controlling Deflection
Rather than fighting deflection, advanced players learn to control it. By fine-tuning speed, spin, and stroke, they can influence the amount of deflection to their advantage.
A light hit with minimal English will produce little deflection, allowing the cue ball to follow a straighter path for position play. In contrast, slamming the cue ball with an open bridge generates maximum squirt.
“Once you embrace deflection and master it, then it becomes your friend rather than your enemy,” says legend Ewa Laurance.
Defensive Safety Play
In safety battles, deflection is used intentionally to hide the cue ball. Pros like Earl Strickland will blast the cue ball off multiple rails, using heavy spin and deflection to widen the distance and complexity for his opponent to find the object ball.
“Throw in some inside or outside English, and you can make the cue ball’s path really curve, which is perfect for safeties,” notes women’s champion Allison Fisher.
Massé Shots
On difficult massé shots needing extreme curve, players jack up their cues to highly elevate the shot angle. Combined with massive spin, this radically increases deflection for curving shots around multiple obstacles.
“You have to visualize the deflection bringing the cue ball back in line with your target,” describes trick shot artist Mike Massey, who uses exaggerated deflection on crowd-pleasing shots.
Equipment Choices
Understanding deflection also informs equipment choices. Players seeking maximal deflection for curve shots or safeties may opt for hard phenolic tips. Those desiring a straighter, more controlled cue ball will prefer softer leather tips that reduce squirt.
Shafts like the Predator REVO aim to specifically counteract unwanted deflection. Their uni-directional carbon fiber construction prevents friction and energy loss at impact for truer rolling paths.
“With REVO, you can just focus on aim and stroke without having to compensate your shot for deflection,” notes Predator pro Skyler Woodward.
Drilling Consistency
Dedicated practice is the only way to engrain levels of deflection into your subconscious aiming habits. Drills like cutting shots down the rail 10 times each using different speed, spin, and English will help you learn how your cue ball reacts.
Experiment varying your aim slightly off-center and observe the results to understand the deflection tendencies of your technique and gear. Keep a notebook, such as the Shot Pad, for recording perceptions from practice can help solidify the cause-effect relationship over time.
“Practice, practice, practice,” urges Hall of Famer Nick Varner. “Controlling deflection is a lifelong learning process.”
Embrace the Deflection
Rather than viewing deflection as an annoyance, great players see it as an advantage they can leverage. By combining in-depth knowledge of deflection principles with thousands of meticulously refined strokes, professionals have made this inherent side-effect their close friend and secret weapon.
With mindful practice and patience, you too can master the subtle art and science of deflection. Once harnessed properly, it will dramatically elevate your shotmaking abilities and strategic options.