How to Calculate the Angle of Deflection of a Pool Ball

Billiards is a game of strategy, control and angles. Multiple factors play into each shot, such as speed, where the cue stick hits the cue ball and the angle at which it hits the ball. These factors carry into each ball and rail collision that plays out during the rest of the shot. It is essential to understand how speed, spin and deflection factor into each shot to play the game effectively.

Things You'll Need

  • Cue chalk
  • Pool cue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Apply cue chalk to the pool cue. Do this by lightly rubbing the chalk onto the pool cue's tip. Cue chalk helps prevent miscues---when the cue deflects off the cue ball without getting a good hit.

    • 2

      Consider where you are going to hit the cue ball. Hitting the ball toward the top will create topspin. The cue ball will deflect at a more extreme angle forward the more topspin you apply the the ball. Hitting the ball toward the bottom will create backspin, and the ball will deflect at an angle further backward. If you apply enough backspin, it is possible for the ball to deflect completely backward if you hit the other pool ball at a direct angle.

    • 3

      Decide what angle you want to hit the cue ball into another ball. The other ball will deflect directly away from where the cue ball hits it. The easiest way to decide where to hit the ball with the cue ball is to take your cue stick and act as if you want to hit the ball into a pocket without actually hitting the ball. Where you place your cue stick is precisely where you want the cue ball to make contact with the other ball.

    • 4

      Consider where the cue ball will deflect after hitting the opposing ball. The more extreme angle you hit the opposing ball, the less deflection the cue ball will make. Using backspin will force the cue ball to deflect further backward. Topspin will force the cue ball to deflect further forward. If you hit the opposing ball directly, topspin will cause the cue ball to follow the opposing ball, and backspin will cause the ball to either stop or deflect directly backward away from the opposing ball. Speed also affect the angle of deflection. The harder you hit the ball, the further it will travel and take a more extreme angle of deflection forward. The softer the ball is hit, the slower it will travel and take less of a deflection.