The diamond system is usually calculated by assigning numerical values to diamonds but once you understand the parallel lines between the diamonds the math is not required. Just see the lines like we are all used to doing in aiming.
First, a quick explanation on the math. Determine the numerical value for the Cue Ball position diamond and a value for the target diamond of the first cushion to hit with the ball. The value of 2 is always subtracted from the cue ball diamond to determine the target diamond, that?s it. The problem is the balls are never at the exact location the books use as illustrations and they fail to properly detail how to determine the location for cue ball diamond when it is not in the exact location. Part 2 will discuss that part and the use of parallel lines instead of math.
I could not figure out in the diagram how to get numbers next to the diamonds so I placed the corresponding ball on the ?cue ball diamonds? (place 4 ball on diamond 4 etc.). I left the ? diamonds blank so the diamond that is unnumbered between the 3 diamond and the 4 diamond is 3.5. I ran out of balls so there are no numbers for the target diamonds, but it is easy. For the target diamonds corner pocket on the opposite side (top left) is target diamond 0, the next diamond is 1, then 2, 3, 4 ( 4 is the center pocket), 5 ,6 with the last corner pocket being target diamond 7. There are no halves for the target diamond. Remember, all that is really needed is to memorize parallel lines. In the table chart the diamond for the cue ball is at cue ball diamond 5. Subtract 2 from 5 and the target target diamond is 3. That?s all there is to it, hit diamond #3.
All of this assumes no English. If you stroke off center or are inconsistent you will get different results. English can be used to change the angle to bypass balls or pockets etc but that is left to you to adjust. Part two will describe how to determine the cue ball diamond when it is not in the exact spot and to also to forget about the calculations.
The easiest way to determine the cue ball diamond is to forget about the numbers and just see the parallel lines, which cue ball diamond goes to which target diamond as in the attached diagram. Then you see where your cue ball is on the parallel grid and adjust accordingly.
In the diagram the cue ball is ? the way past number 4 parallel line so you aim ? past the target diamond (2) along the same parallel line.
The ball should end up at target diamond 7 or the corner pocket. Basically you shoot the ball in parallel with the existing parallel lines. Just remember which cue ball diamond connects to which target diamond and see the lines and shoot in parallel with the lines. I ran out of lines to draw but got most of them there.
If the desired end result is not the corner pocket, you adjust the target diamond by the amount your end target is away from the corner pocket. When both are off by a significant distance it changes the lines but most of the time you are shooting for close to the corner pocket so the target adjustment is minor.
This is an attempt to condense the subject of an entire book into about two pages. Hope it is understandable, the books are not. Happy trails.
About The Author: Ron Kurtz started pool when he was about 14 years old and was given his first cue, a Sampaio from Lisbon Portugal, and still have the same cue 40 years later.
· Stroke Detection and Correction
· Aim Alignment
· Pinpoint accuracy in Aiming
· How to be consistent at making the wing ball on a 9-ball break
· Practice for a frequent and sometimes troublesome shot
· Fun way to learn Rail Shots
· Off a Cushion Position Drill & Tracking Progress
· Slip Stroke, Speed and Carom Control