Red to white mid-table cannon to push red to the pocket
General Points
This shot seems to present itself quite regularly and is a useful one to master. It is important to leave a score on and it is important that you get the red to a good position.
Standard shot
It is important to play a thick half-ball as the objective is to get momentum into the red and to drive it up the table, not leaving it behind.
By taking the red off two cushions it will come back along a good line to usually leave a pot. Don't worry too much about the white, concentrate on the red.
It is better to get slightly on the inside of the white than the outside, as this leaves you closer to the red. Also, contacting the white on the inside will prevent a cover and furthermore, ensure that the cue ball does not end up on the side cushion. Make sure that you do not hit the white too hard and pot it.
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Standard shot
Set the red on the middle spot and the white in line from the middle spot to the left corner pocket and level with the Pyramid spot. The cue ball will need to be reasonably close to the left spot in the D. Concentrate on a thick contact on the red, getting it near to the area of the top pocket. Hit the white reasonably full, remembering that it is better to get on the inside rather than the outside of it. A touch of check side is useful for this shot as it prevents the cue ball from going wide, but on less responsive tables the shot can be played plain ball.
Varying the white position
Leave the red on the middle spot and move the white around, somewhere near the area shown in the diagram. Make sure that you leave a score off the red. You will see that the end position is quite variable, depending on the position and contacts on both balls.
Varying the red position
Put the white in a fixed position and mark the cloth with a small chalk mark. Now vary the position of the red, somewhere inside the area shown in the diagram. You will see once again that the end position is quite variable, depending on the position and contacts on both balls.
Random positions
Try placing the two balls somewhere near their original staring points, adjusting the cue ball position as required for the shot. You will see that the red will take varying paths; concentrate on getting a good leave off it.
Practice Targets
| Beginner | 3/10 | Success rate for the cannon and getting good on the red will be low at first. |
| Club Player | 7/10 | An average player will be able to make the cannon and get a scoring position most of the time. |
| Professional | 10/10 | Top players are able to repeat this shot consistently. |
Remember
- Use a hint of check side
- Play a thick half-ball
- Take the red off two cushions
- Concentrate mainly on getting a leave off the red
- It is better to get on the inside of the white than the outside
Common Mistakes
- Leaving the red behind
- Potting the white
- Trying to control all three balls and controlling none!
