In The Rack Masse

The first time I attempted this shot was about two years ago. I was looking down at the cue ball and thinking ... no way. But yeah.. way. And it's really easy. This is one of those impressive looking shots that takes so little effort. Ok... the set up: Put the cue ball on the rail on the third diamond. Place 14 other balls frozen to each other around the cue ball in the form of a rack. Oh.. this shot really needs 17 balls or just leave off the top ball as in the diagram below. At the first diamond place a blocker ball a ball and a chalks width away from the rail. Actually I hit this shot with the blocker ball only about a ball and 5mm off the rail (try it, it'll go.) Place a ball in the corner pocket. Easy set up right??

Now how to execute the shot. Note the english I have on the cue ball. That is NOT bottom left. That is 7 o'clock masse english!!! Which means.. you are viewing the cue ball from the top!! Your cue with that kind of hit will basically land in the small triangular gap created by the cue ball, rail and one ball as per the diagram. This spin brings the cue ball back to the corner pocket and hugs it to the rail. It also clears that one ball out of your way. Yeah.. the cue stick clears that ball out of the cue's way, not the cue ball coming back. Tricky right? So just elevate the cue to between 80 and 90 degrees- make sure that remaining 10-20 degrees of cue is AIMING straight down the rail. If you're new to masses have someone stand up table and see where your cue is aimed. Once you elevate the cue to such an angle, it's hard at first to figure out all the mechanics of the stroke. Now take a pretty hard hit- drive the cue to the table- and then get it out of the way fast. Balls scatter, and the cue ball escapes the pack to zip down the rail to make the ball in the corner. It's a fun shot!! Good Luck!!!