On The Ball with Roy Yamane Roy Yamane should require very little introduction.
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Keeping the cue as level as possible is the optimum angle, but in most cases one would be scraping the knuckles on the felt or rails. In general, aiming the cue tip at the vertical center axis of the cue ball, the butt end of the cue will be elevated higher than the cue tip. This downward projection angle causes the cue ball to be forced into the cloth, which gives enough cushion for the cue ball to become airborne on the first bounce for a distance approximately two diamond or more, and repeats it self proportionately in less increments each time thereafter. The more force applied to a shot, the more elevation and distance the cue ball will remain in the air on the first bounce, and repeatedly regresses until finally gravity sets in and begins to have a natural roll. On the break, One may view the incident using a high-resolution speed camcorder from the side view to record and see this inertia.