Can two strokes of different “type” or “quality” create a different outcome on a shot, assuming the tip contact point, cue direction, and cue speed are the same with both strokes?
No. All the cue ball “cares” about is the hit, not what creates the hit. The important variables of the “hit” are cue speed, tip contact point, and the angle of the cue (left/right and up/down). Now, stroke technique obviously has a lot to do with how the cue is actually delivered to the ball. You might think you are delivering the cue the same way with different stroke “types” or “qualities,” but this might not be the case.
Tom Ross, my partner on the VEPS project, and I had a big argument on this topic years ago. He thought the “type of stroke” made a difference on a particular shot he was demonstrating to me. He was totally convinced he was using the same speed and tip position with both stroke types, and yet he was getting two totally different results (which he could replicate consistently with his two “stroke types”). After using a Jim Rempe ball (with chalk mark evidence) and my high-speed video camera, I finally convinced him that the two stroke “types” were creating different “hits” on the CB. On one of the strokes, he was dropping his elbow a little more creating a higher tip position even though we was sure he was not. For more info, see Tom Ross’ April ’08 and August ’08 BD articles and the following video demonstration:
Technique is important to create the desired cue speed, tip contact point, and cue angle; and if you change your technique, it will affect the outcome of the shot, but only if the cue speed, tip contact point, and/or cue angle are different as a result of the technique changes.
FYI, For more information on why grip, stroke acceleration, and follow through have no direct effect on the action of the CB, see the following:
- good stroke “timing”
- effects of light vs. tight grip
- stroke acceleration
- follow through
- swoop stroke
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