Mastering Short Kick Shots with the Two-Finger Rule

PoolTablePortfolio • Kicking Systems

A fast, physical aiming shortcut for high-pressure short kicks near the pocket—no mental geometry required.

Read time: 3–5 min

Every pool player runs into it: you’ve got a makeable ball, but another ball blocks the line. The only route is a kick off the rail—exactly where many players struggle, especially when the object ball sits tight to a pocket.

The Two-Finger Rule turns those short kicks into a quick calculation you can trust.

What Is a Short Kick Shot?

A kick shot sends the cue ball into a cushion before it contacts the object ball. Short kicks are the tight, near-pocket versions where precision matters—you either pot cleanly or sell out.

The Two-Finger Rule Explained

Overview

Use two fingers to “transfer” the pocket line onto the cushion and reveal the exact mirror point to aim at.

Step 1 – Find the contact point

Imagine the straight line from the object ball to the pocket.
Extend that line backward through the object ball—this is where the cue ball must strike the object ball.

Step 2 – Transfer to the rail

Place two fingers so one points at that contact spot and the other touches the rail.
Slide your hand until your outer finger aligns with the rail’s edge.
The inner finger now points to your aiming spot on the rail.

Step 3 – Lock the aim

Keep your eyes on that aiming spot as you walk into stance.
Align the cue ball to travel straight into that spot.
Deliver a smooth, committed stroke.

Why It Works

The rule is a mirror-point shortcut. Instead of computing the rebound line, your fingers physically map the pocket line onto the cushion so the cue ball reflects back through the required contact point.

Tips for Consistency

Stay relaxed: Don’t rush. Keep your eyes locked on the rail spot while getting down.
Adjust for speed: On fast cloths, aim slightly fuller; on slow cloths, a hair thinner to compensate for skid.
Practice both rails: Work the method along short and long rails so it’s automatic everywhere.

Table-to-table calibration

Do 10 reps per pocket at soft, medium and firm speeds. Note how each table’s cushions/cloth shift the mirror point by a hair—bake that in.

To Conclude

Short kicks feel scary until you have a repeatable aim. With the Two-Finger Rule, you can find the mirror point in seconds, line up with confidence and turn blockers into made balls.