How Do You Aim?

[Pidge]

I've used most aiming systems, or atleast given them a try over the years but for one reason or another they weren't for me.

What that has done is give me a good understanding of what works in an aiming system. For me this was to make sure I approach each shot the same. For others it could be something different that helps them the most.

Ok, so I'm going to try my best to describe how I go about aiming.

Firstly I find the contact point on the OB.
Then I stand along an imaginary line; inside edge of the CB aligned with the contact point on the OB.
Then whilst I'm stood facing down this imaginary line my focus shifts completely onto the CB. I focus on what I perceive to be centre CB from where I'm stood.
Once I've found centre CB I just step towards it with my right foot (because I'm right handed) all the time looking at centre CB.
Then I step in with my left foot and get down to what I perceived to be centre CB.

I don't know why it works for me, but I've done little "experiments" to test my accuracy and I hit 12 balls in a row through 2 OBs 2ft away with 5mm gap either side of a ball passing through.

So yeah, please feel free to post how you aim and past experiences you've had with aiming systems.

Cheers.

 

[whammo57]

I don't aim. I just look at the cut and I feel it............ some days I feel it so well I can't miss........... other days ... not so much............. it's all feel............

Kim

 

[randyg]

That's aiming.

randyg

I don't aim. I just look at the cut and I feel it............ some days I feel it so well I can't miss........... other days ... not so much............. it's all feel............

Kim

 

[One Pocket John]

Hey Pidge,

I use the back of the ball aiming and always have after over 50 years.

I do not see the OB as round, I see it as a flat disk.

Always have and always will.

I'm not a pro player and never will be but I do enjoy the game.

Later and have fun :wink:

John

 

[Pidge]

Hey Pidge,

I use the back of the ball aiming and always have after over 50 years.

I do not see the OB as round, I see it as a flat disk.

Always have and always will.

I'm not a pro player and never will be but I do enjoy the game.

Later and have fun :wink:

John

I used back of ball aiming for the best part of my late teens. Anyone can understand it which I liked. Easy to pick up and damn effective with a bit of practice let alone over 50 years of practice!

 

[Cuemaster98]

Practice with a reliable reference/guide/aiming system and eventually you don't have to aim. When you can understand the shot and shoot, you're halfway there.

I used my own aiming system (CM360) as a reference for the last 5 years and have used the see system, CJ TOI, Ron Vitello pivot system, Fractional, Ghost ball, light system, back of the object back, CueBall pivot and a few other references. I found for certain shots, some of the teaching from these systems come in very handy. Takes what works for you and use it.

Good Luck.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Omaha John showed me "Kentucky Windage" AIMING with TOI when I was a teenager..

I've used most aiming systems, or atleast given them a try over the years but for one reason or another they weren't for me.

What that has done is give me a good understanding of what works in an aiming system. For me this was to make sure I approach each shot the same. For others it could be something different that helps them the most.

Ok, so I'm going to try my best to describe how I go about aiming.

Firstly I find the contact point on the OB.
Then I stand along an imaginary line; inside edge of the CB aligned with the contact point on the OB.
Then whilst I'm stood facing down this imaginary line my focus shifts completely onto the CB. I focus on what I perceive to be centre CB from where I'm stood.
Once I've found centre CB I just step towards it with my right foot (because I'm right handed) all the time looking at centre CB.
Then I step in with my left foot and get down to what I perceived to be centre CB.

I don't know why it works for me, but I've done little "experiments" to test my accuracy and I hit 12 balls in a row through 2 OBs 2ft away with 5mm gap either side of a ball passing through.

So yeah, please feel free to post how you aim and past experiences you've had with aiming systems.

Cheers.

Omaha John showed me "Kentucky Windage" AIMING {with TOI} when I was a teenager...it's still the best way for most people, although you do need a consistent connection between the two balls....I use CENTER/CENTER or CENTER/EDGE.

Check out this video on Kentucky Windage, (CLICK HERE) it's not fancy, but gets the point across. Just remember, the "Wind" in the example is "Spin and/or Deflection" in Pocket Billiards.

 

[Mirza]

Are standing square on the inside CB edge - contact point line, with your vision center, or are you aligning that line in peripheral view?

Do you maybe have any videos of you doing this, I would like to see it, thx.

I've used most aiming systems, or atleast given them a try over the years but for one reason or another they weren't for me.

What that has done is give me a good understanding of what works in an aiming system. For me this was to make sure I approach each shot the same. For others it could be something different that helps them the most.

Ok, so I'm going to try my best to describe how I go about aiming.

Firstly I find the contact point on the OB.
Then I stand along an imaginary line; inside edge of the CB aligned with the contact point on the OB.
Then whilst I'm stood facing down this imaginary line my focus shifts completely onto the CB. I focus on what I perceive to be centre CB from where I'm stood.
Once I've found centre CB I just step towards it with my right foot (because I'm right handed) all the time looking at centre CB.
Then I step in with my left foot and get down to what I perceived to be centre CB.

I don't know why it works for me, but I've done little "experiments" to test my accuracy and I hit 12 balls in a row through 2 OBs 2ft away with 5mm gap either side of a ball passing through.

So yeah, please feel free to post how you aim and past experiences you've had with aiming systems.

Cheers.

 

[Pidge]

I stand square on to the inside edge to contact point line. Once there I just look at the CB centre as perceived from where I'm stood and step towards it (this could mean stepping out, forward, or inwards) with my right leg, my left leg goes out square to my right leg then I get down.

I'm not sure if this gets me onto the required shot line or if it gets me close enough that I naturally adjust when getting down. Its easy to hit any part of the pocket with it for me, makes tough combinations easier.

In theory when I think about it, it shouldn't work. I don't pivot, I don't parallel shift, I just drop into centre ball.

I've only ever tried teaching how I aim to one person, so sorry if I'm not explaining my self clearly. Ill try get a video link posted in the next couple of days

 

[67tbird]

I stand square on to the inside edge to contact point line. Once there I just look at the CB centre as perceived from where I'm stood and step towards it (this could mean stepping out, forward, or inwards) with my right leg, my left leg goes out square to my right leg then I get down.

I'm not sure if this gets me onto the required shot line or if it gets me close enough that I naturally adjust when getting down. Its easy to hit any part of the pocket with it for me, makes tough combinations easier.

In theory when I think about it, it shouldn't work. I don't pivot, I don't parallel shift, I just drop into centre ball.

I've only ever tried teaching how I aim to one person, so sorry if I'm not explaining my self clearly. Ill try get a video link posted in the next couple of days

My process is the same except I stand square behind ( align my eyes with) the part of the CB that I perceive should hit the OB.

From there I get down on CCB.

- Andy

 

[Mirza]

Well, you're explaining yourself great as I'm concerned

It sounds very easy..

Just two more questions

When you step in towards CCB with your right leg, where is your vision center going, is it going towards CCB in a straight line or does it move sideways?

And second question, do you align your vision center on the "inside CB edge-to-contact point" line, or do you not think about it, just stand square and thats it?

Tnx for sharing, video would be awesome too

I stand square on to the inside edge to contact point line. Once there I just look at the CB centre as perceived from where I'm stood and step towards it (this could mean stepping out, forward, or inwards) with my right leg, my left leg goes out square to my right leg then I get down.

I'm not sure if this gets me onto the required shot line or if it gets me close enough that I naturally adjust when getting down. Its easy to hit any part of the pocket with it for me, makes tough combinations easier.

In theory when I think about it, it shouldn't work. I don't pivot, I don't parallel shift, I just drop into centre ball.

I've only ever tried teaching how I aim to one person, so sorry if I'm not explaining my self clearly. Ill try get a video link posted in the next couple of days

 

[Pidge]

Well, you're explaining yourself great as I'm concerned

It sounds very easy..

Just two more questions

When you step in towards CCB with your right leg, where is your vision center going, is it going towards CCB in a straight line or does it move sideways?

And second question, do you align your vision center on the "inside CB edge-to-contact point" line, or do you not think about it, just stand square and thats it?

Tnx for sharing, video would be awesome too

I'm assuming you know how your vision centre is aligned over your cue when down? If so then I wouldn't worry about it and just get into centre ball then align yourself into the normal position over your cue.

I personally just move in towards CCB. My vision centre is drawn to CCB naturally because once I'm ready to step in, all I'm looking at is CCB. Once I find CCB whilst standing I ignore the contact point - inside edge line. All I focus on is CCB, then step in and get down. Some days it helps if I look down, so I can't see the OB, just the CB. Other days it helps if I have the OB in my peripheral vision.

The same is true for shots where you can't see the pocket when down on a shot. I always point my head down slightly so I can't see the OB and just focus on the CB, and once I get into CCB I don't move an inch and just trust that I've aligned properly. If I have the OB in my vision on these shots it causes me all kinds of problems

 

[Pidge]

My process is the same except I stand square behind ( align my eyes with) the part of the CB that I perceive should hit the OB.

From there I get down on CCB.

- Andy

So contact point to contact point aiming or parallel aiming?

Its great on long shots, especially in snooker I found. The problem I had was I wasn't a very good judge of CB contact points. I could find it on the OB, but then when shifting the parallel line over to the CB and found the CB contact point I'd lose the OB contact point. And if I blinked, well, I'd have to start over again. Became very frustrating when 50 balls in 14.1 would take me 45 mins.

If only my brain could automatically find both contact points! You must be one of the lucky ones.

 

[Mitchxout]

Omaha John showed me "Kentucky Windage" AIMING {with TOI} when I was a teenager...it's still the best way for most people, although you do need a consistent connection between the two balls....I use CENTER/CENTER or CENTER/EDGE.

This is how I've always done it but I never heard it called that before, pretty good. :thumbup:

 

[67tbird]

So contact point to contact point aiming or parallel aiming?

Its great on long shots, especially in snooker I found. The problem I had was I wasn't a very good judge of CB contact points. I could find it on the OB, but then when shifting the parallel line over to the CB and found the CB contact point I'd lose the OB contact point. And if I blinked, well, I'd have to start over again. Became very frustrating when 50 balls in 14.1 would take me 45 mins.

If only my brain could automatically find both contact points! You must be one of the lucky ones.

I guess you could call it contact point to contact point, although I'm not actually trying to pinpoint a contact point. I'm pretty much feeling the angle.

Too much thinking while aiming is very bad for me lol, I play fast.

 

[Pidge]

I guess you could call it contact point to contact point, although I'm not actually trying to pinpoint a contact point. I'm pretty much feeling the angle.

Too much thinking while aiming is very bad for me lol, I play fast.

That's how a lot of world class snooker players aim. They just have a natural feel for the angle. I envy you. I can judge most angles, maybe 80% of the time but the other 20% of the time I completely misjudge the required potting angle. I think I play slightly too slow for this, and I definitely over think things.

 

[LAMas]

So contact point to contact point aiming or parallel aiming?

Its great on long shots, especially in snooker I found. The problem I had was I wasn't a very good judge of CB contact points. I could find it on the OB, but then when shifting the parallel line over to the CB and found the CB contact point I'd lose the OB contact point. And if I blinked, well, I'd have to start over again. Became very frustrating when 50 balls in 14.1 would take me 45 mins.

If only my brain could automatically find both contact points! You must be one of the lucky ones.

While standing and addressing the shot, extend you cue and arm aiming at the contact point (CP) on the OB. Is the CP on the right edge of the equator? Then place the axis of the cue now over the left edge of the CB, then drop down on the shot and move the cue a bit parallel to that line until the tip is now centered on the CB.

If the CP is 1/4 of a ball diameter inside of that right edge, then place the axis of the cue now over the 1/4 location inside of the left edge of the CB, then drop down on the shot and move the cue a bit parallel to that line until the tip is now centered on the CB.

Do that for 1/8 inside, 1/3 inside, 3/8 inside....7/16 inside etc..

:smile::thumbup:

 

[CJ Wiley]

the most misunderstood factor is there's three "aiming targets".

This is how I've always done it but I never heard it called that before, pretty good. :thumbup:

Yes, and there's more....much more - the most misunderstood factor is there's three "aiming targets"....first there's the aiming target on the cue ball, an aiming target between the cue ball and the object ball, and then there's an aiming target between the object ball and the pocket.

The TOI Technique isn't an "aiming system" (in the common sense of the term), it's an overall playing system that connects all three of these targets involved in ball pocketing. 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[Jpool1985]

I use Hal Houle System which base like a Fractional aiming system but it mostly shot on 3 spots and rarely using the edge of the Object ball to shoot at.

Center shot which is ia straight in shot. Center of the Object ball is 1 spot

2 degrees-25 degrees is always hit at the quarter shot which is left quarter and right quarter, that 2 spots.

So you got Left quarter,Center and right quarter which is the 3 spots mostly hit for all shots except like 30 degree-45 degrees shot, you shoot at the edge of the Object ball....left edge and right edge depend where cutting it to.

When I stand behind center cue ball I am look at how the angle look from the cue ball to object ball lining to go into the pocket, once I got that all down I know which 3 spots and including if it is an edge shot. I like this system cause it take the pressure and the over thinking yourself that you gotta be exact spot to hit that object well not really cause like I says just choose if it is a center shot,left quarter shot,right quarters shot,left edge shot or a right edge shot. That all it matter to shoot at.

Now before I shoot at the cue ball I get down center cue ball but same time as I am center cue ball I am using the edge of the shaft/ferrule to line up at the one of those aiming spots to hit on the object ball. If I am going to cut ball to the right, I use the right edge of shaft/ferrule to aim at. If I am going to cut the ball to the left, I use the left edge of the shaft/ferrule. It kind of breaking down much of the cue ball you going to use to hit the contact point. If I was to aim center center at the spots, I feel like I am using more of the cue ball and it not going to cut enough to go in. Most of the shots, the cue ball edge is being use to hit on the object ball.

I am now trying to learn this TOI and it pretty easy to understand but little hard cause I am trying to learn something new and away from way I am. CJ Wiley and Max Eberle are a good understanding professional that can easily teach the systems and how to play the games. I enjoy watching CJ Wiley more cause he seem like a fun guy and will take his time to teach the system than anyone else.

 

[Jpool1985]

I did not meant I am not, I meant I am now trying to learn this CJ Wiley TOI....sorry for the confuse....damn keyboard.