How do you use the mirror system to aim 1-rail kicks and banks?
The basic kicking systems handout and “VEPS GEMS – Part V: Banks and Kicks” (BD, May, 2010) describe and illustrate the mirror kicking system, which is a visual application of the classic 2-to-1 system. The following videos, the 2nd from Vol. III of How to Aim Pool Shots (HAPS), show how the system works:
For more information, see HAPS – Part VII: Kick Shots (BD, May, 2015).
A related alternative to the mirror system is the midpoint-parallel-shift system illustrated below. You first visualize the midpoint between the CB and OB. Then you place your cue along a line from this midpoint to the OB rail point. Then you parallel-shift this line to the CB for the required line of aim, which is the exact same as the mirror-system line of aim. This system can also be applied to bank shots (see shot 484 on VEPS-IV).
Another alternative system to get the same aim point on the rail is the equal-distance system.
The basic kicking systems provide a point of reference only. You must compensate your aim for a given shot based on the many effects and factors to consider. You must also be able to adjust your aim for speed and target distance from the rail, using the approach here: kick shot speed effects.
When applying the equal-distance mirror system to banks (instead of kicks), the target is the pocket (instead of the OB), and you measure from the OB (instead of the CB). Everything else is the same.
from Patrick Johnson (in AZB post):
You might already know this trick for aiming “equal angle” banks/kicks:
– Stand away from the table in the position where a mirror image of your target pocket would be.
– Sight from there back through the rail to the ball you want to bank/kick.
– Note the position on the rail that you’re line of sight passes through – that’s the equal angle rail target for your bank/kick.
But even if you have the room to do it, how do you know exactly where to stand? You can use the pockets and diamonds on your table to visually “triangulate” the exact position of any mirror-image pocket.
Just stand where two triangulation lines cross – in the spot where you’re able to see straight along both lines – and you’ll be at the mirror-image pocket location.
The pic below shows how to triangulate pocket positions for long rail banks/kicks – the trick works the same way for short rail banks/kicks too, but I’ll leave that for you to work out.
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