This is very timely for me, I recently got the gitzo 1325 legs and RRS BH-55 ballhead as well as the sidekick. (and all RRS plates). I used the set up two days ago for the first time and I found that if I was moving around fairly quickly, it was smooth as silk. But as soon as I slowed down to the speed you need to track a running dog or horse or even a flying bird, it was "sticky" and would go "jerk...jerk...jerk" rather than a smooth motion. My first though when something isnt' working right is it is me...so I used it again yesterday at a herding dog trial where I was lined up with other pretty seasoned photographers and they couldn't get my ball head to work smoothly either. One had an Arca Swiss with the sames lens as I had on it (300 2.8) also with the side kick, and let me try it out...it was wonderful, smooth as can be. I was glad to find it is possible to get that kind of smoothness but am perplexed at my ball head. Any ideas? There was no friction from any of the knobs that could have caused it (which was confirmed by the others checking it out for me) and I can't imagine all the RRS heads being like this or no one could use them. I can't call them to ask about it til Monday so was hoping someone had an idea?