Nursery cannons are of course a great feature of play at the top of the table, and must be made a separate study. They are much easier than is generally supposed, and require really more knowledge than execution, especially with the push stroke allowed as in the English game. The writer has several times seen fifty consecutive cannons made with no tip on the cue, which is strong evidence in favour of not much execution being required.
The chief difficulty lies (1) in getting position; (2) in turning the corners. Getting past the middle pocket is rarely attempted, and would generally defeat the best players. It is almost impossible to illustrate these ‘nurseries’ by means of diagrams, as often a difference of a hair’s breadth in position will determine the way of playing the stroke. To anyone wishing to make a study of nursery cannon play Vignaux’s ‘Le Billard’ (Paris, Delarue), an admirable work on the French game, well illustrated with diagrams, is strongly recommended.
Now, unless the opponent has been kind, before one can play the top-of-the-table game it is obviously necessary to get there; consequently diagrams are given to show some of the readiest means of obtaining the desired position. These do not, of course, pretend in any way to exhaust the subject, but merely indicate the general idea. Each diagram is accompanied by some simple instructions for play.
It will be seen that the commonest mode of getting position is by the long cannon (Diagram II.), played either to collect the balls in the region of the spot, or—with a slight variation of position—to double the red towards the top pocket, driving the opponent’s ball spotwards.
While mentioning this cannon it will not be out of place to call attention to a very important point, one of general application, but especially valuable in this type of stroke.
It is of the first importance that after cannoning the striker’s ball (ball 1) be left in a commanding position; in fact, in such a position that a score will almost certainly be left wherever the other two balls may come to rest at the top of the table.
In a general way this is effected by two opposite methods. We will first consider a case where the cannon ball (ball 3) lies well away from a cushion, and in an uncramped position, which it would be desirable for the striker’s ball to occupy. In this case the cannon should be made dead full on ball 3. Ball 1 will be stopped comparatively dead, and will occupy the other’s place, which is what is required.
It follows from this that in the event of ball 3 being close to a cushion or in some other undesirable place, the opposite method should be employed, and the full ball cannon avoided.
There are cases, of course, when it is desirable to cannon full on a ball touching or nearly touching a cushion, with a view of utilising the kiss, but this is not the class of stroke under discussion.
The main point it is hoped the previous remarks may convey is, the great importance of leaving the striker’s ball in a commanding position. The player’s attention is called to this as one of the chief points to be considered in this class of stroke.