Kick Shot Speed and Distance Effects

How do you adjust for speed when aiming 1-rail kick and bank shots?

The mirror kicking handout shows how to account for shot speed when using any of the rolling-ball kick and bank shot aiming systems including the 2-to-1, equal-distance, and mirror systems. You just need to change the reference line from which measurements are taken (see the diagram below). For slow-speed shots where the target is a medium-to-long distance (2-4 diamonds) from the kicking rail, you measure along the line of diamonds. For medium-speed shots or when the target is closer to the rail (1-2 diamonds), you measure along the center of the cushion or with the cue tip under the cushion. And for fast-speed shots or when the target is very close to the rail (less than 1 diamond), you measure along the rail groove where a ball sits when in contact with the cushion. The diagram below shows how to change the reference line for equal-distance kicks, but it applies to other rolling-ball kick and bank shot aiming systems.

The following videos show how to use the different reference lines to account for difference shot speeds and target distances from the rail: