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wolram
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There is some controversy about what causes the ball to jump and cause a kick, what is your opinion?
Borek said:Kick is something that seemingly happens at random (that comes from someone that never played, but has spent hundreds of hours watching snooker on Eurosport). So it can't be just a simple repeatable physics of the balls collision. I know players complain that kick can be an effect of a chalk piece left on the ball.
wolram said:It can not be chalk on the ball as it happens when the ball has just been cleaned.
A "kick" in snooker is a sudden and unexpected deflection of the cue ball off its intended path, caused by some kind of external interference or irregularity on the table surface.
Kicks can be caused by a number of factors, such as chalk dust or debris on the felt, a dent or bump on the table surface, or even static electricity. These factors can create friction between the cue ball and the table, resulting in a sudden change in the ball's trajectory.
Players can take certain precautions to minimize the likelihood of kicks, such as wiping down the cue ball and table regularly, ensuring the table surface is clean and free of debris, and using high-quality cue tips. Additionally, some players use a technique called "floating" where they lift the cue slightly off the table surface to minimize contact and reduce the chances of a kick.
Kicks are often unpredictable and can occur at any time during a game, making them difficult to anticipate. However, some players may be able to recognize patterns or cues that could indicate a potential kick and adjust their shot accordingly.
No, kicks are not considered a foul in snooker as they are typically caused by external factors and not a deliberate action by the player. However, if a player intentionally causes a kick by tampering with the table surface, it would be considered a foul.