Aiming 101 please

KarenTang

KarenTang

Registered
I know the spot on the object ball the cue has to hit in order to pocket. However I don't know which part of the cue ball needs to hit that spot. I cannot "see the ghost ball". I see the spot and aim slightly farther so the "nose" of the cue ball hits that slightly off compensated point. It is my variation of CTE bc I cannot visualize CTE either. So I think about half quarter and eighth ball on shots. Where to send the nose. But I often over cut.

So after getting a lesson from a pro, which I will continue, my homework is ghostball. Just practicing with someone and having them remove ball. Going now to practice that. But this is my biggest obstacle in cut shots.
 
KarenTang said:
I know the spot on the object ball the cue has to hit in order to pocket. However I don't know which part of the cue ball needs to hit that spot. I cannot "see the ghost ball". I see the spot and aim slightly farther so the "nose" of the cue ball hits that slightly off compensated point. It is my variation of CTE bc I cannot visualize CTE either. So I think about half quarter and eighth ball on shots. Where to send the nose. But I often over cut.

So after getting a lesson from a pro, which I will continue, my homework is ghostball. Just practicing with someone and having them remove ball. Going now to practice that. But this is my biggest obstacle in cut shots.
Click to expand...

exact equal opposites on the cue ball.
 
KarenTang said:
I know the spot on the object ball the cue has to hit in order to pocket. However I don't know which part of the cue ball needs to hit that spot. I cannot "see the ghost ball". I see the spot and aim slightly farther so the "nose" of the cue ball hits that slightly off compensated point.
Click to expand...
That's a good start, and you're already close to a very effective aiming method that I use. All you have to do is notice each time (as exactly as possible) how far past the object ball contact point you're aiming the "nose" of the cue ball. Over time this simple measurement will train your subconscious to "see" the correct amount for shots as they repeat themselves.

Here's a refinement: instead of thinking of it as where the nose of the CB is aimed in relation to the OB contact point, think of it as where your stick is aimed in relation to the OB contact point. This gives you a specific point (your tip) to aim with and has the advantage of automatically checking your stick alignment with the shot.

All aiming methods, simple ones like this or more complicated ones like "systems", take time and practice to get better at - you have to train yourself to use any of them. You might end up using a "mashup" of more than one.

pj
chgo
 
champ2107 said:
exact equal opposites on the cue ball.
Click to expand...
What champ means, in his own enigmatic way, is a method called "double overlap" or "double the distance". It's one of the simpler methods and deserves a look. Click the "Search" button at the top of your screen and find some past conversations about it.

pj
chgo

P.S. I think I read champ's post too quickly. He isn't talking about the "double overlap/distance" method (although that's similar) - he's simply saying to estimate where the CB contact point is by imagining it in the same position that the OB contact point is (same distance from center), but on the opposite side of the CB. This is a good (and simple) visualization method. Sorry, champ.
 
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Patrick Johnson said:
What champ means, in his own enigmatic way, is a method called "double overlap" or "double the distance". It's one of the simpler methods and deserves a look. Click the "Search" button at the top of your screen and find some past conversations about it.

pj
chgo

P.S. I think I read champ's post too quickly. He isn't talking about the "double overlap/distance" method (although that's similar) - he's simply saying to estimate where the CB contact point is by imagining it in the same position that the OB contact point is (same distance from center), but on the opposite side of the CB. This is a good (and simple) visualization method. Sorry, champ.
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that is what i meant, she says "she can find the contact point on the ob" but not on the cb and i figured someone would go into detail for her.
 
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duckie said:
What you are referring to is what I call Cue Ball Contact Point Offset. It also is called parallel aiming. The reason I do not is because I do not use contact points for my final aim.

This is a rough drawing of what I am these concepts. The OB contact point never moves. Only the CB contact point moves based on the angle to the OB.

Also, you might this useful to train with, the Arrow. Plus, its just a good book to have. http://books.google.com/books?id=cS...gKd69nuCQ&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false
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Well that's not confusing,lol.
 
Have you tried using paper holes???

Set up a dead "ghost ball" /object ball pair so that they point at the pocket you intend to practice.
Mark both the object and ghost ball locations where they rest on the felt with the paper holes.
Imagine the Cue Ball's resting point lining up with the ghost ball resting point; use this to point your cue (line of aim) to the center of the ghost spot. I think that this is similar to the parallel method mentioned earlier.

Try shooting the cueball center to the Ghost ball's resting spot from various areas on the table. That will take the majority of the guesswork away untill you develop a feel for what system you want to try to figure out in tandem with the paper hole method. Take the holes away and see how you do after a bit.
I use the resting spot / parallel line aim method on sharp cut shots near the rail.
Have you tried any searches on line for practice drills?
 
EddySJ said:
Set up a dead "ghost ball" /object ball pair so that they point at the pocket you intend to practice.
Mark both the object and ghost ball locations where they rest on the felt with the paper holes.
Imagine the Cue Ball's resting point lining up with the ghost ball resting point; use this to point your cue (line of aim) to the center of the ghost spot. I think that this is similar to the parallel method mentioned earlier.
Click to expand...
"Parallel lines" is a different visualization method. That's where you draw a line from the pocket through the object ball and another parallel line through the cue ball (to help estimate where the CB contact point is).

pj
chgo
 
Parallel lines...

Thanks for the clarification.
I will have to look into it further.
I am working on my aim, as my game has suffered recently due to work and college. Every option helps.
I personally think I just need to play more, as I am not as confident as I used to be with how the shots "feel..." (somewhat akin to the other thread about Earl Strickland's speed of shot).

It is my goal to get out at least for 3 to 5 hours a week. I used to play so much more...

Karen, Let us know how it goes and if anything from a certain system "clicked" for you.
I am ready to get out of my inconsistency.

Jeremy
 
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KarenTang said:
I know the spot on the object ball the cue has to hit in order to pocket. However I don't know which part of the cue ball needs to hit that spot. I cannot "see the ghost ball". I see the spot and aim slightly farther so the "nose" of the cue ball hits that slightly off compensated point. It is my variation of CTE bc I cannot visualize CTE either. So I think about half quarter and eighth ball on shots. Where to send the nose. But I often over cut.

So after getting a lesson from a pro, which I will continue, my homework is ghostball. Just practicing with someone and having them remove ball. Going now to practice that. But this is my biggest obstacle in cut shots.
Click to expand...
You might try the method demonstrated here, especially if you are having trouble visualizing the ghost ball or aim point:

FYI, additional resources for using and practicing ghost-ball aiming can be found here:

Good luck,
Dave
 
KarenTang said:
I know the spot on the object ball the cue has to hit in order to pocket. However I don't know which part of the cue ball needs to hit that spot. I cannot "see the ghost ball". I see the spot and aim slightly farther so the "nose" of the cue ball hits that slightly off compensated point. It is my variation of CTE bc I cannot visualize CTE either. So I think about half quarter and eighth ball on shots. Where to send the nose. But I often over cut.

So after getting a lesson from a pro, which I will continue, my homework is ghostball. Just practicing with someone and having them remove ball. Going now to practice that. But this is my biggest obstacle in cut shots.
Click to expand...

You might want to take a look at Joe Tucker's Aiming by the Numbers. IMO it should help you with finding the contact point on the CB. Johnnyt
 
KarenTang said:
I know the spot on the object ball the cue has to hit in order to pocket. However I don't know which part of the cue ball needs to hit that spot. I cannot "see the ghost ball".
Click to expand...

I used to have this problem but then had the realization that there is exactly (and ONLY) one spot on the cue ball that can contact a specific contact spot on the object ball. Since then I've trained myself to look harder around the outer edge of the cue ball to find that spot on the cue ball before I get down on the shot. Its not as difficult as I make it sound.
 
I also can't visualize the ghost ball. No matter how hard I try my brain just isn't good at producing imaginary things. I can visualize a vector though (straight line).
So, since I know the contact point of the object ball, I draw a straight line from the center of the cue ball to the center of the object ball. I take the distance between the contact point of the object ball and the straight line from the cue ball to object ball and I double it. That gives me my aiming point. From there I'll adjust slightly to compensate for throw or English I may be using.
 
droveto said:
I also can't visualize the ghost ball. No matter how hard I try my brain just isn't good at producing imaginary things. I can visualize a vector though (straight line).
So, since I know the contact point of the object ball, I draw a straight line from the center of the cue ball to the center of the object ball. I take the distance between the contact point of the object ball and the straight line from the cue ball to object ball and I double it. That gives me my aiming point. From there I'll adjust slightly to compensate for throw or English I may be using.
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This is called "double-the-distance" or "double-the-overlap" aiming. There are two ways to use it - one for cuts fuller than half ball (double-the-distance) and another for cuts thinner than half ball (double-the-overlap). Here's a diagram of it from the "Basic Aiming Methods Illustrated" thread:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=3581640&highlight=illustrated#post3581640

pj
chgo
 
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Patrick Johnson said:
This is called "double-the-distance" or "double-the-overlap" aiming. There are two ways to use it - one for cuts fuller than half ball and another for cuts thinner than half ball. Here's a diagram of it from the "Basic Aiming Methods Illustrated" thread:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=3623831#post3623831

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

I don't use a second way as you describe of aiming the edge of the cueball for thinner than half ball cuts. I still aim center of cue ball and still double the distance with cuts thinner than half ball... Sure, I'm aiming at a spot on the rail or on the felt, but it's easier for me to do that than to try and worry about aiming any part of the cue ball other than the center.
 
droveto said:
I don't use a second way as you describe of aiming the edge of the cueball for thinner than half ball cuts. I still aim center of cue ball and still double the distance with cuts thinner than half ball... Sure, I'm aiming at a spot on the rail or on the felt, but it's easier for me to do that than to try and worry about aiming any part of the cue ball other than the center.
Click to expand...
Sure - the second way is an alternate for those who feel uncomfortable aiming "off the ball". It has it's own difficulties - for instance, aiming the edge of the CB rather than its center can be harder.

pj
chgo
 
The good news is you really don't need to know the contact point on the cb to make a shot....all you really need is an aim point for the CB.

Another practice method you can work with that will help you with finding your aim point is a center to center method.

Simply put...you aim the center of the cb to the center of the GB.

You can even start by setting a ball in the GB position and get down on the shot to shoot it.....then remove it and shoot the shot.

You will start to notice an extended line through the GB and see where center CB will be (aimed)...note that this is NOT the contact point...it is the AIM point.

You will see many many shots that will be on a aim line of center CB to 1/4 OB.....center CB to edge of OB.....or 1/4 CB to edge of OB

or.......

You may notice that aligned with (cue) stick through center CB....many times the center of your cue will point to 1/4 OB.......outside edge (of cue) will point to edge of OB......inside edge (of cue) will point to edge of OB.

The point is you will eventually start to see these relationships automatically and just know that if you align this with that....aka...."aim here" you will make the shot........and you will forever forget the need to know the actual contact point on the CB.
 
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