When do you do it?

Jodacus

Jodacus

Shoot...don't talk
Silver Member
This came up in a discussion at the pool room the other night.

I know the SPF guys exaggerate the movements for teaching purposes
and if I understand correctly they instruct students to shift their eyes
from the cue ball to the object ball when the final stroke is paused all
the way back.

These instructions are fine for teaching but when should the eye
shift really occur. I recently read in another thread that an instructors
pause at the back of his final stroke is only 2/10 s of a second. I suspect
that the eyes have to shift either before the final back stoke begins, as the final
backstroke is happening or as the final stroke is going forward.
I was wondering what the SPF guys would advocate as the best way since I
don't think a complete and focused eye shift can occur in the very limited
time available in most back stroke pauses?

When do you shift your eyes and why?

Thanks
Joe
 
Jodacus said:
This came up in a discussion at the pool room the other night.

I know the SPF guys exaggerate the movements for teaching purposes
and if I understand correctly they instruct students to shift their eyes
from the cue ball to the object ball when the final stroke is paused all
the way back.

These instructions are fine for teaching but when should the eye
shift really occur. I recently read in another thread that an instructors
pause at the back of his final stroke is only 2/10 s of a second. I suspect
that the eyes have to shift either before the final back stoke begins, as the final
backstroke is happening or as the final stroke is going forward.
I was wondering what the SPF guys would advocate as the best way since I
don't think a complete and focused eye shift can occur in the very limited
time available in most back stroke pauses?

When do you shift your eyes and why?

Thanks
Joe
Click to expand...




SPF teaches the eye switch at the SET Position. Many students can do the eye switch in the PAUSE Position BUT it takes a longer PAUSE.T

There, from the horse's mouth.
randyg
 
randyg said:
SPF teaches the eye switch at the SET Position. Many students can do the eye switch in the PAUSE Position BUT it takes a longer PAUSE.T

There, from the horse's mouth.
randyg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply RandyG.

So the eye switch would occur
immediately before the final stroke begins?
 
Jodacus...Since you're talking about me (I have a normally very short pause at the end of the backswing...about 2/10 of second), I'll add to what randyg said. The majority of our students are more comfortable switching the eyes from the CB to the OB PRIOR to beginning the final backswing. The reasoning behind this is that the brain needs a minimum amount of visual input in order to make decisions (you can boil this down to: "are you ready or not...are you going to strike the CB on the next swing...or not. There is no maybe...either you're ready or you aren't. Many players make the mistake of going ahead with this process, even though they're not REALLY ready.), This decision occurs after aiming is complete, focus on both aim points (CB & OB) has been established, and warmup swings are complete. The tip is stopped at the CB (very close), the eyes swith to the OB, and the eyes acquire the target before moving the cue backwards. Then, all that is required is a smooth transition to the forward, accelerated stroke. When you're looking at the CB as you pull the cue back, and then switch your eyes to the OB, before moving the cue forward, there needs to be a longer pause, as it takes a couple of seconds for the eyes to reacquire the target...hence a longer pause at the backswing. Both ways work...the first is much more common and comfortable for more poolplayers, to develop as a normal part of their shooting process.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
Last edited:
My eyes dart back and forth as I line up, focus on the cue ball on the final backswing, then sort of "swing" to the object ball as the forward stroke begins.
 
Ruark...We call that "ping-ponging" and it is not conducive to a successful eye pattern. Most beginners do this, but I've seen expert players do the same thing. The idea is to move the eyes back and forth fewer numbers of times overall, and focus longer on each place your brain needs information about (CB & OB). Read the Quiet Eye Study to learn more about how your eyes work best with your brain.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Ruark said:
My eyes dart back and forth as I line up, focus on the cue ball on the final backswing, then sort of "swing" to the object ball as the forward stroke begins.
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
Jodacus...Since you're talking about me (I have a normally very short pause at the end of the backswing...about 2/10 of second), I'll add to what randyg said. The majority of our students are more comfortable switching the eyes from the CB to the OB PRIOR to beginning the final backswing. The reasoning behind this is that the brain needs a minimum amount of visual input in order to make decisions (you can boil this down to: "are you ready or not...are you going to strike the CB on the next swing...or not. There is no maybe...either you're ready or you aren't. Many players make the mistake of going ahead with this process, even though they're not REALLY ready.), This decision occurs after aiming is complete, focus on both aim points (CB & OB) has been established, and warmup swings are complete. The tip is stopped at the CB (very close), the eyes swith to the OB, and the eyes acquire the target before moving the cue backwards. Then, all that is required is a smooth transition to the forward, accelerated stroke. When you're looking at the CB as you pull the cue back, and then switch your eyes to the OB, before moving the cue forward, there needs to be a longer pause, as it takes a couple of seconds for the eyes to reacquire the target...hence a longer pause at the backswing. Both ways work...the first is much more common and comfortable for more poolplayers, to develop as a normal part of their shooting process.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...


I too am much more comfortable moving my eyes at the P. Everything just seems easier that way. When I move my eyes during the back swing it feels as though I make a small jump in my arm. When I try to video this extra movement I don't see anything. I wonder if this happens to others or if it is illusory?
Joe
 
Jodacus...You're not supposed to switch your eyes while the cue is moving...it should be stopped, either at the CB (set) or the end of the backswing (pause). Just remember what both randyg and I said...if you're going to switch your eyes at the pause position, for best results, make sure to pause long enough for your eyes to fully re-acquire the target. That may be as much as 1-3 seconds.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Jodacus said:
I too am much more comfortable moving my eyes at the P. Everything just seems easier that way. When I move my eyes during the back swing it feels as though I make a small jump in my arm. When I try to video this extra movement I don't see anything. I wonder if this happens to others or if it is illusory?
Joe
Click to expand...
 
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