Expanded Glossary from the book - Illustrated Principles of Pool and ...

natural: a shot easy to execute with a normal stroke, requiring no english.
natural angle: the cue ball direction predicted by the 30º rule; also, bank shot requiring no cut
angle (i.e., it is “lined up” perfectly).
natural english: same as “running english;” or, the amount of running english that results in no
change in spin, and no lengthening or shortening of the angle, after rebound.
natural outside english: same as “gearing outside english.”
natural pivot length: the distance from the cue ball to the bridge that will result in squirt
canceling the cue pivot angle (e.g., when using back-hand english). If your bridge is at the
natural pivot point of the cue and you are lined up for a center ball hit, the cue ball will still go
straight even if you pivot the cue to apply sidespin (intentionally or unintentionally).
natural pivot point: same as “pivot point.”
natural position: “shape” that results from a slow, natural-roll shot with no english.
natural roll: rolling motion of a ball where there is no sliding between the ball and the table cloth.
near point: the pocket rail cushion point closest to the object ball.
near rail: the rail cushion adjacent to a pocket along which the object ball is approaching.
nickel: $500 (see also: C note, dime, fin, Sawbuck).
nip draw: short, jabbed draw stroke used to avoid a double-hit of the cue ball when the object
ball is close.
nip stroke: a stroke with little or no follow through.
nine-ball: see “9-ball.”
nit: person who wants too much of a handicap, or complains about the fairness of a wager. A nit
is usually a better “talker” than a “player.”
NOE: natural outside english.
normal roll: same as “natural roll.”
natural roll impact height (AKA “center of percussion” or “immediate roll impact height”): the
height at which you can strike the cue ball so it rolls without slipping (i.e., it has natrual roll)
immediately. This height is at 7/10 of the cue ball’s diameter above the table surface.
normal video (NV): video clip shot with a digital video camera played back at regular speed.
NPL: natural pivot length.
NPR: non-pool related, used to label online discussion forums on pool websites covering nonpool
topics.
nuts: game or situation where you have no chance of losing.
nut artist: same as “locksmith.”
NV: see “normal video.”