Babe Cranfiield's aiming "Arrow"

Dustin_J

Dustin_J

Commence the Jigglin!
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Has anyone here used Babe Cranfield's Aiming arrow as an aiming aid? It seems like a very easy to use and intuitive system, much like the ghost ball but more simplified. The system is briefly described in Cranfield's Straight Pool Bible (pg. 17-24).

For those of you not familiar with it, I've attached a few pictures of the "arrow" itself and how it can be applied. The first picture is the arrow itself, along with the dimensions. The second picture is an attempt to illustrate how the arrow should be used. The arrow is slid underneath of the object ball facing in the exact opposite direction of the intended direction of the OB. If used correctly, the tip of the arrow (marked with a red dot in the picture) is the exact spot that the center of the cueball should be aimed at (and subsequently travel through) in order to pocket the OB. This works from any angle, but obviously does not compensite for throw (be it collision induced or english-induced). Regardless, it seems like a fairly simple and elegant aid to me.

Any thoughts or experiences?
 

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Dustin_J said:
... Any thoughts or experiences?
Click to expand...
I think it's a great aid. The one place I think it falls down a little is where similar systems, such as "ghost ball" and "inch and an eighth" also have problems. On thin cuts I think you need to be looking at the edge of the ball and not the base of the ghost ball (or tip of the arrow).

For some other thoughts on "The Arrow" and a couple of other aiming devices, see http://www.sfbilliards.com/articles/2004-12.pdf
 
I want to make one to try it.

What is the overall width of the arrow? In your diagram what is the total top to bottom dimension?
 
I use the Cranfield aiming system. I point the tip of the cue thru the cueball at the point of aim on the object ball. It works.

TommyT
 
GADawg said:
I want to make one to try it.

What is the overall width of the arrow? In your diagram what is the total top to bottom dimension?
Click to expand...


I don't think the width should really make too much of a difference as long as the length is appropriate, since the tip of the arrow is the main concern. Cranfiled doesn't specifically mention it in the book. I think the ones I made are about 1 3/4" wide, and they look good, but I haven't actually had a chance to use them yet. If all else fails, I'd just experiment a bit...paper is cheap:)


Also, Bob, thank you for the link to the BD article. As far as the 30-degree aiming aid, that reminded me of a video on Dr. Dave's website about using your fingers (e.g. making a "peace sign") as an approximation for the 30-degree rule on hits ranging from ~1/4 to 3/4 ball. http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/pool/normal_videos/NV3-8.htm
 
TommyT said:
I use the Cranfield aiming system. I point the tip of the cue thru the cueball at the point of aim on the object ball. It works.

TommyT
Click to expand...

Hi TommyT, can you give us some more information on that system?

Thanks!
RC
 
Well, I thought this was a cool little find and might help explain how Babe Cranfield aimed since we seem to be talking how pros aim, old and new....
 
TommyT said:
I use the Cranfield aiming system. I point the tip of the cue thru the cueball at the point of aim on the object ball. It works.

TommyT
Click to expand...

I can't believe I am saying this, but are you sure you said that right? If that was the case, for a 90 degree cut shot, you are shooting CTE? Unless you define the "point of aim" differently, I don't understand what you mean.
 
paulempor said:
I hope you have leveled the table.... Cue ball rolled off after you shot the one ball @ 0:11 secs

Poolplayers notice these things :)
Click to expand...

Yes it did, must have hit something. The table does play level, except when I jack up one end for making videos.:)
Mark
 
looks like the best thing about the Cranfield one is that if it's cut properly you can use it for any shot.... Having to set the template and then place the ball is just kind of a big buzzkill.....
 
dr_dave said:
You can print and cut out some with the Cranfield Arrow document here:

Have fun,
Dave
Click to expand...

You can also purchase an official "Jetstream Aiming Arrow" from me which is produced on aerodynamic OfficeMax quality paper for the low COST of $29.99 ... the cue ball glides gently right over the arrow, as if it was magically paper thin... am I out of my mind? :speechless: ... YES! ... that's why I'm going to send you a second "Jetstream Aiming Arrow" FREE of charge if you order right now! This offer only applies to the first 300,000,000 orders, so please hurry!

An additional $249 Shipping & Handling Fee will be charged to your credit card each month for the rest of your life. An additional $2,000.00 will be charge for RUSH DELIVERY!
 
TommyT said:
I use the Cranfield aiming system. I point the tip of the cue thru the cueball at the point of aim on the object ball. It works.

TommyT
Click to expand...

To me this is logical.

I have been using this for about 40 years (65 now). When cutting balls to the left I use the left side of the shaft no matter what side spin I'm using. Cutting balls to the right I use the right side of the shaft and spin as described above. However, I stay within the mass of the cue ball which is about the size of a quarter. (1")

I shoot thru the cue ball (like its not there) and at the contact point on the OB. Its like playing with a 10' cue stick and shooting the OB into the pocket or wherever.

John
 
I happen to be watching a BCA instructor giving a lesson recently. When he got to the aiming part, he placed a ball next to the OB and explained ghost ball to the person. When the person got into the instance for the shot using the GB and before the shot, he moved the GB out of the way.

I thought how much better it would have been to use the arrow and then give the arrow to the student to practice and train with.

The arrow has a wide range of uses. As above for beginners to learn, train, and practice with until not needed.

It can be set up to learn caroms and combos. Basically, you are just connecting the dots.

Having an issue with super thin cuts, use the arrow to see where to put the CB for that thin hit. And since the arrow stays on the table, repeating the the shot is less guess work.

Now, training with the arrow and using the top of the CB is the closet thing to aiming there is in pool. Roll the top of the CB over the point on the arrow, and the OB goes where you want, if you did everything out. You doing everything right is one factor that can never be fully eliminated.

Training with the arrow and understanding the concepts that the drawing in my avatar shows, will help ones overall game.

Damn, I sound like a snake oil salesman........
 
Dustin_J said:
Has anyone here used Babe Cranfield's Aiming arrow as an aiming aid? It seems like a very easy to use and intuitive system, much like the ghost ball but more simplified. The system is briefly described in Cranfield's Straight Pool Bible (pg. 17-24).

For those of you not familiar with it, I've attached a few pictures of the "arrow" itself and how it can be applied. The first picture is the arrow itself, along with the dimensions. The second picture is an attempt to illustrate how the arrow should be used. The arrow is slid underneath of the object ball facing in the exact opposite direction of the intended direction of the OB. If used correctly, the tip of the arrow (marked with a red dot in the picture) is the exact spot that the center of the cueball should be aimed at (and subsequently travel through) in order to pocket the OB. This works from any angle, but obviously does not compensite for throw (be it collision induced or english-induced). Regardless, it seems like a fairly simple and elegant aid to me.

Any thoughts or experiences?
Click to expand...
I had an old magic rack that was worn out. I cut out two placement spots that where together to make a fairly accurate ghost ball indicator. Place the object ball in the spot closest to the pocket, lined up of course, and aim at the empty spot. It can be moved with ease to any shot you want.
 
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