How does the 2-to-1 kick system work?
The system is described in “Improved 2-to-1 System” (BD, January, 2024) and “VEPS GEMS – Part VI: One-Rail Kicks” (BD, June, 2010). Here are good videos covering the system in detail:
Here are additional videos, the last from Vol. IV of the Video Encyclopedia of Pool Shots (VEPS), with more explanations:
The following videos show various visual ways to apply the 2-to-1 system, the 2nd from Vol. III of the Billiard University (BU) Instructional video series:
The visual equal-distance and mirror systems are also based on the 2-to-1 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.
from Patrick Johnson AZB post:
Here are the reference angles for banking/kicking to the bottom left corner pocket – they connect each 1/2 diamond on the far rail with the whole diamond twice as far along on the near rail:
Of course, I don’t visualize all these reference angles for every shot to that corner. For instance, the 2 ball is very near one reference angle, so I’ll just compare it to that one:
The 1 ball is midway between two reference angles, so I’ll compare it to both of them:
Here’s the same technique applied to kicking at a ball that’s not on the near rail. Just move the near “rail” (where you measure the whole diamonds) up to be parallel with the target – it doesn’t matter if the cue ball is above or below the adjusted “rail”.
Here’s another way of measuring kick shots, a little different from the “reference angles” method I posted earlier, but using the same 2-to-1 principle. It should be self explanatory…
Like the “reference angles” this measures the “equal angle” kick, so of course you need to adjust for cloth stickiness & ball speed/spin.
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