Errors In Aiming

[elvicash]

I have been doing some simple drills lately trying to work on fundamentals. One of the drills is a string of balls (15 balls) from side pocket to side pocket across the center spot. Take CB BIH 2 diamonds back each shot dead straight in to the corner. When this drill was shown to me I was told when you clear the string consistently 2 out of 3 times or better you will be aligned well and basic fundamentals will be sound. I clear it OK at times and other times I am missing by the third or fourth ball. Here is what I have noticed after review today. When I miss the OB it almost always hits the side rail right before the pocket and rattles. I never hit the end rail and rarely rattle a ball hitting the end rail facing first.

What this means to me is I am picking a spot in the pocket opening that is to near the side rail. I have conciously worked on a fatter side of the pocket today and results are much better. Picking the entry spot in the pocket is critical along with minimizing ball speed.

On ball speed, you can rifle them in if nothing is touched till the back of the pocket. You can make a ton of balls with slower ball speed that would be missed if the ball had any pace on it all.

 

[JoeyA]

I have been doing some simple drills lately trying to work on fundamentals. One of the drills is a string of balls (15 balls) from side pocket to side pocket across the center spot. Take CB BIH 2 diamonds back each shot dead straight in to the corner. When this drill was shown to me I was told when you clear the string consistently 2 out of 3 times or better you will be aligned well and basic fundamentals will be sound. I clear it OK at times and other times I am missing by the third or fourth ball. Here is what I have noticed after review today. When I miss the OB it almost always hits the side rail right before the pocket and rattles. I never hit the end rail and rarely rattle a ball hitting the end rail facing first.

What this means to me is I am picking a spot in the pocket opening that is to near the side rail. I have conciously worked on a fatter side of the pocket today and results are much better. Picking the entry spot in the pocket is critical along with minimizing ball speed.

On ball speed, you can rifle them in if nothing is touched till the back of the pocket. You can make a ton of balls with slower ball speed that would be missed if the ball had any pace on it all.

One of the pros once confided in me that picking the BEST part of the pocket entry is the key to consistency. You are spot on with your observations.

One additional note: When you lower the speed of the shot, in addition to the slower speed making it easier for the ball to find the bottom of the pocket, you also stroke straighter at reduced speeds and you have smoother transitions from front to back stroking.

I'm going to give your drill a little practice today.

Thanks,

 

[Bob Jewett]

... What this means to me is I am picking a spot in the pocket opening that is to near the side rail. I have consciously worked on a fatter side of the pocket today and results are much better. Picking the entry spot in the pocket is critical along with minimizing ball speed. ....

Here is an article about where the best aiming point is. As mentioned, it will help quite a bit to use either white chalk or donuts to mark that point during practice.