Cue Ball vs Object Ball

JIGS

JIGS

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Maybe this has already been asked or discussed here, but i have a question on where to look while shooting..
I have always lined up my shot and then once ready, I focus on the object ball when shooting... however it was brought to my attention by a few very strong players that I should in fact be looking at the cue ball while shooting and then lift me eyes to the obect ball / poket after I hit the cue ball.

What are your thoughts? Should I retrain my brain to look at the cue ball? Will this improve my game?

Thanks
 
you might want to ask the question inthe ask the instructors section
im not an instructor but i beleive most instructors would tell you to look at the object ball last.
when the cue ball is frozen to the rail some will tell you to look at the cue ball
if you really want to get into it read about eye patterns
meaning when to look where when you first get down on the shot
aim ...warm up strokes.. set position...backswing and stroke
 
I agree, this would be better in the Instructors or Aiming section.

However, it's of my opinion and also Efren Reyes opinion that we look at the object ball last, before we shoot the cue ball. If I'm misunderstanding your question and you mean after I have already shot the cue ball, then I look at the object ball and follow it to the pocket.
 
oops ok I'll check out that sections.
Thanks

and yes DAVE_M I meant what we look at last before we shoot.
 
Use to be a pretty good sharking move asking who your playing what do they look at last. some couldn't run 5 balls thinking of that. It needs to be part of your PSR and not have to think about it...OB last here. Johnnyt
 
So, if you are kicking at a OB by going one or more rails with the CB first, you are looking at the OB when you stroke the CB?

There are shooting positions where you can not see the OB. What do you look at then?
 
duckie said:
So, if you are kicking at a OB by going one or more rails with the CB first, you are looking at the OB when you stroke the CB?

There are shooting positions where you can not see the OB. What do you look at then?
Click to expand...

You look at the point where you plan on contacting the rail on kick shots.
 
duckie said:
So, if you are kicking at a OB by going one or more rails with the CB first, you are looking at the OB when you stroke the CB?

There are shooting positions where you can not see the OB. What do you look at then?
Click to expand...

Gee, I never knew that. :rolleyes: Johnnyt
 
I'm looking at the contact point on the OB during the through-stroke, but the first time I saw this subject come up I was surprised how many players said they look at the CB. So I guess that works for some.

There may be some special situations where sometimes I might look at the CB like on a the break, jump shot, CB dead against the rail, etc.. Don't always in these situations, but sometimes.
 
Last edited:
I used to look exclusively at the CB. Arthritis in my neck made it difficult to look at the OB.

But my pocketing improved tremendously when I changed my stance so I could look at the OB. My recommendation is to look at the OB first (i.e. while dropping into your stance), look at the CB only once during practice strokes to insure you've got the tip-to-CB position you want, then intensely focus on contact point on the OB.

The other thing that has helped is to focus so intensely on the OB-CB collision that you can "take a snapshot" of it in your mind. That requires keeping your focus on the contact point for a couple of seconds after the collision has occurred. It really helps with stroke follow-through and staying down on the shot.
 
Well Jigs, You'll never be like all the deadly Canadians I know, if you keep looking at the cue ball last. Look up when you start your final back swing and freeze your eyes on the contact point of the object ball and complete the shot. The only exception to this, is if you have trouble hitting the break square. In that case, try looking at the cue ball last and you'll have success.
 
Cracktherack said:
Well Jigs, You'll never be like all the deadly Canadians I know, if you keep looking at the cue ball last. Look up when you start your final back swing and freeze your eyes on the contact point of the object ball and complete the shot. The only exception to this, is if you have trouble hitting the break square. In that case, try looking at the cue ball last and you'll have success.
Click to expand...


Actually I have always looked at the contact point of the object ball. It was only recently that others have started telling me to look at the cueball.. but it doesnt feel natual. I have done it on some tough drawback shots but 99% of the time its the object ball.
I wanted some feedback on what others thought.

By the way.. I already am deadly. ;) lol
 
JIGS said:
Maybe this has already been asked or discussed here, but i have a question on where to look while shooting..
I have always lined up my shot and then once ready, I focus on the object ball when shooting... however it was brought to my attention by a few very strong players that I should in fact be looking at the cue ball while shooting and then lift me eyes to the obect ball / poket after I hit the cue ball.

What are your thoughts? Should I retrain my brain to look at the cue ball? Will this improve my game?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Forum Yoda says:
Yes much discussion of this has been.
90% agree look at object ball you must.

Many use this analogy, when you throw a baseball, are you looking at the baseball or where you are trying to throw it to? You line up the contact point on cue ball of course, that is why you do that back and forth with your eyes, but at the final stroke, almost everyone, including every pro that I have seen interviewed, looks at the object ball.
 
Last edited:
Christine, I'm by no means a pro but... Object ball, if your stroke is in line and not all over the place and you have set up where to hit on the cue ball there is no reason to stare at it. You want to be looking at the point on the object ball you need to hit to pocket the ball.

-Drew
 
You need to look at the object last. The cue ball is always at the same place and you should be used to that. It's the object ball that is in different places. I can't imagine shooting a difficult shot where you need to hit the object ball precisely and expect to do so by looking at the cue ball or quickly looking up and expect to adjust instantly.
 
It's something people argue about on here... you'll get lots of answers.

I think very few players look at the cue ball last throughout their stroke.
I am positive most players are looking at the object ball while they shoot, including most pros.
The advice you were given is a bit unusual. Not necessarily bad, but unusual.

What those strong players might be doing (without realizing it) is looking at the cue ball
during their final practice swing, and then shifting their eyes up at the last second midstroke.
That's very common.

I believe looking at the CB the whole time can be done and can work.
If your stroke is straight and you align yourself properly, the shot should go in.
I've seen players look straight down or shoot eyes closed and run a rack, so it's definitely
possible to look at the cue ball while sinking the shot. It's just not typical.

I personally do it for a few specific shots. For shots where you're jacked over a ball,
it will hugely help your chances of sinking the shot. I advise everyone to try that.

I also do it for long straight ins, where a slight steer or a little accidental english will wreck the shot.
I stare at the cue ball the entire time once I've lined up my aim and set myself.
That might not work for everyone but it's worth a try.
 
Depends on the shot. For example, if the cue ball is close to the rail then it is cue ball last.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top