The spelling of the word "bank shot" is quite straightforward. "Bank" is spelled as it is pronounced: /bæŋk/. The second word, "shot," is spelled with the letters s-h-o-t, but it is pronounced with the short o sound like in the word "odd": /ʃɑt/. So together, the IPA transcription for "bank shot" is /bæŋk ʃɑt/. This term is commonly used in pool and billiards, referring to a shot where the ball bounces off one or more rails before hitting the target ball.
A bank shot is a term primarily used in various cue sports, particularly billiards and pool, to describe a shot where the object ball is intentionally aimed to strike one or more cushions or rails before ultimately pocketing it into a designated or specific pocket on the table. The name "bank shot" is derived from the concept of bouncing the object ball off the cushion or bank in order to achieve the desired result.
This type of shot requires a strategic and precise understanding of angles, as players calculate the path and trajectory needed to direct the object ball towards the targeted pocket. A bank shot can be executed both offensively, to gain a positional advantage or pot a difficult ball, and defensively, to create a blocking or safety zone by sending the object ball to an unfavorable spot or away from an opponent's potential pockets.
Bank shots are valuable techniques, often used when players face challenging situations such as blocked paths or crowded areas on the table. By skillfully employing bank shots, players are able to overcome obstacles and find solutions to intricate scenarios.
Bank shots demand a combination of technical proficiency, knowledge of table dynamics, and an acute sense of anticipation and precision. The ability to consistently execute successful bank shots is regarded as a mark of expertise in cue sports, highlighting a player's advanced skill and ability to manipulate and control the paths of the balls.
The term "bank shot" in the context of billiards or pool is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 1900s. It is derived from the verb "bank", which means to hit the cushion or bank of a billiard table in order to redirect the path of the struck ball. This usage of the term "bank" has its roots in the French word "banque" meaning "bank" or "bench", which was used metaphorically to refer to the cushioned sides of a billiard table.
Over time, this technique of striking the cushion to angle the ball became known as a "bank shot". The term later expanded to other sports such as basketball, where it refers to a shot that hits the backboard before going into the hoop.
The origin of the word "bank" itself, meaning a financial institution, is quite different and unrelated to the term "bank shot" in the sports context.