Controllable Eye Dominance

[Colin Colenso]

The ability to see more shades is a pretty useful skill when you are trying to pick a spot and remain focused on it

Chris

Just a thought Chris,
But during my Geology degree, we learned that the early 3D stereographic mappers, who worked in black and white, where selected based on their being color blind, hence have more reliance on, and presumably better development of faculties with their rods, versus cones (vision perception).

The entire field was resistant to using color in stereographic image reading due to this.

Not sure it's relevant, but interesting, in regards to the point you raised in terms of perceiving shades.

Colin

 

[Poolshootindon]

Here is what i did.

I'm left handed, left eye somewhat dominant. For most of my pool playing years I shot with the cue comfortably a little left of my chin, not all the way under my somewhat dominant left eye. This gave me a stereo view of my shaft that I could interpret pretty easily and accurately.

But I've always wondered if it would be easier and more accurate to do the final alignment part of aiming with one eye rather than interpreting a stereo view from two eyes. The one eyed view, I reasoned, would be more like aiming a rifle even though the eye is above the stick.

So I've been experimenting with focusing more of my "visual attention" on my dominant left eye when I'm down on a shot, and holding the cue more fully under my dominant eye. The results are promising so far - shifting my focus more fully to my dominant eye as I get down to shoot is becoming an easy, non-strenuous habit, and it has noticeably clarified the shot picture for me, making final aiming alignment more simple, reliable and accurate.

Anybody else do this purposely - or notice that you do it automatically?

Geno, does this make sense to you?

pj
chgo

After finding out that my vision was still 20/20 and I was very left eye dominant I decided that a major change had to occur for me to play better.

I had worked on my stroke to the point that I was pleased with it.

But I noticed that every time I got down on a shot my tip would always be just a little off center. I am right handed and the tip would always end up just left of center.

Here are 3 things I did that made a big improvement for me.
1. Started using a snooker stance.
2. Played 20 hours of pool using no side english at all. (mostly just practice shots),
3. Did 3 hours of a drill where you put the tip of the cue right against the cue ball and push through the cue ball to make it in the opposite corner.

It has made a big difference for me.

I am retired, so 20+ hours is only a week of pool for me.

Hope you find your answers.

Don

 

[genomachino]

Reality and the truth..........

Nices sales pitch

1

The fortunate ones are the ones that look and see.

It's hard to help players that don't want to listen or look.

How else do I tell people. Just be quiet?

I've been pretty sick for awhile and have been pretty quiet.

Feeling better and on the mend.

Time to start helping the players again that want to learn.

 

[railbird99]

I tried Gene's approach, without the DVD or lesson, just based on what I read here. Use your dominant eye to line up the shot while up, align inside edge of cue ball to where it should overlap using eye closest to edge when down, meaning the cue stick is aligned differently for cut shots to the right vs. left.

Interestingly enough, this actually seemed to help. I was more confident in the picture I was seeing, and I shot very well with it.

The only thing that I can't wrap my head around is how can you properly see and hit the center of the cue ball with two different alignments of the stick?

You know that simple drill where you just shoot the cue ball down the center of the table and try to get it to come back off the far end rail perfectly straight back to where you shot it from?

If for some shots you have the stick aligned towards your dominant eye, and others you have it aligned more towards the other eye, how can you be accurately perceiving and hitting center cue ball in both cases? Your perception of center cue ball will be different in both cases, and only one perception can be correct.

From what I understand, the non-dominant eye "takes over" when cutting in the direction closest to that eye, which I can understand when you are looking at the object ball, but when you are looking at the cue ball to make sure you are hitting center, it seems like that image would be distorted.

 

[Mikjary]

I tried Gene's approach, without the DVD or lesson, just based on what I read here. Use your dominant eye to line up the shot while up, align inside edge of cue ball to where it should overlap using eye closest to edge when down, meaning the cue stick is aligned differently for cut shots to the right vs. left.

Interestingly enough, this actually seemed to help. I was more confident in the picture I was seeing, and I shot very well with it.

The only thing that I can't wrap my head around is how can you properly see and hit the center of the cue ball with two different alignments of the stick?

You know that simple drill where you just shoot the cue ball down the center of the table and try to get it to come back off the far end rail perfectly straight back to where you shot it from?

If for some shots you have the stick aligned towards your dominant eye, and others you have it aligned more towards the other eye, how can you be accurately perceiving and hitting center cue ball in both cases? Your perception of center cue ball will be different in both cases, and only one perception can be correct.

From what I understand, the non-dominant eye "takes over" when cutting in the direction closest to that eye, which I can understand when you are looking at the object ball, but when you are looking at the cue ball to make sure you are hitting center, it seems like that image would be distorted.

99,

Gene doesn't teach two different stick alignments. Your dominant eye should stay in its optimal position which is probably doing most of the aiming. Your passive eye will aim shots, left eye for left cuts and vice versa. The stick alignment is the same for either cut direction. The head can move slightly, left and right, to accommodate the amount of cut.

Best,
Mike

 

[ENGLISH!]

99,

Gene doesn't teach two different stick alignments. Your dominant eye should stay in its optimal position which is probably doing most of the aiming. Your passive eye will aim shots, left eye for left cuts and vice versa. The stick alignment is the same for either cut direction. The head can move slightly, left and right, to accommodate the amount of cut.

Best,
Mike

How have you been, Mike?

Best 2 Ya.

 

[genomachino]

Great explaination............

99,

Gene doesn't teach two different stick alignments. Your dominant eye should stay in its optimal position which is probably doing most of the aiming. Your passive eye will aim shots, left eye for left cuts and vice versa. The stick alignment is the same for either cut direction. The head can move slightly, left and right, to accommodate the amount of cut.

Best,
Mike

It's amazing once you understand it and have had a lesson how simple it is.

Us pool players are hard headed though, me included.

Got to try and figure it out on our own. I put that on your own away a long time ago.

Opening ones mind can lead to all kinds of adventures including missing less shots on the pool table.

How you been Mike?

I'm healing up right now from 3 surgeries. Working out and trying to get back in top form. Just got back from the gym. 2 hours. Tough action........

 

[railbird99]

99,

Gene doesn't teach two different stick alignments. Your dominant eye should stay in its optimal position which is probably doing most of the aiming. Your passive eye will aim shots, left eye for left cuts and vice versa. The stick alignment is the same for either cut direction. The head can move slightly, left and right, to accommodate the amount of cut.

Best,
Mike

Unless I'm mistaken, he's saying you need to have the eye in line with the edge of the cue ball. So,if you are cutting to the left, you would have your left eye directly in line with the left edge of the cue ball, but then for right cuts it's the opposite. I'm not a rocket scientist, but that seems like it requires to have your head positioned in two different places, with two different alignments.

 

[dr_dave]

Unless I'm mistaken, he's saying you need to have the eye in line with the edge of the cue ball. So,if you are cutting to the left, you would have your left eye directly in line with the left edge of the cue ball, but then for right cuts it's the opposite. I'm not a rocket scientist, but that seems like it requires to have your head positioned in two different places, with two different alignments.

... unless your eye separation distance (AKA interpupillary distance, or IPD) happens to be the diameter of a pool ball.

I think it is best to have your head in your personal-best vision center position for all shots.

Regards,
Dave

 

[railbird99]

... unless your eye separation distance (AKA interpupillary distance, or IPD) happens to be the diameter of a pool ball.

I think it is best to have your head in your personal-best vision center position for all shots.

Regards,
Dave

Pretty sure everyone's is longer than the diameter of a cue ball? And even in a perfect world where that would be possible, that would only work if your stick was aligned directly in the center of the eyes, and Gene is saying it should be aligned more towards the dominant eye.

 

[dr_dave]

Pretty sure everyone's is longer than the diameter of a cue ball? And even in a perfect world where that would be possible, that would only work if your stick was aligned directly in the center of the eyes, and Gene is saying it should be aligned more towards the dominant eye.

Most people's eye's are farther apart than 2.25", but some aren't. And the lucky few whose vision center position is centered between the eyes and whose eyes are 2.25" apart always have their inner eye aligned with the inside edge of the CB.

Although, after countless posts from Gene, I'm still not sure whether or not this is what he recommends (having the inner eye be aligned with the inner edge of the CB to best visualize the amount of OB overlap). That's what I certainly thought after viewing his DVD, but quotes from him on AZB have suggested otherwise.

Regards,
Dave

 

[railbird99]

Most people's eye's are farther apart than 2.25", but some aren't. And the lucky few whose vision center position is centered between the eyes and whose eyes are 2.25" apart always have their inner eye aligned with the inside edge of the CB.

Although, after countless posts from Gene, I'm still not sure whether or not this is what he recommends (having the inner eye be aligned with the inner edge of the CB to best visualize the amount of OB overlap). That's what I certainly thought after viewing his DVD, but quotes from him on AZB have suggested otherwise.

Regards,
Dave

Lol, I want to meet the lucky person who's eyes are exactly 2.25'' apart and who also happens to have their "vision center" exactly centered. I think the chances of winning the lottery are slightly better.

Either way, I'm definitely confused now about Gene's method.

 

[Mikjary]

How have you been, Mike?

Best 2 Ya.

Great, Rick. How've you been doing? :smile:

How you been Mike?

I'm healing up right now from 3 surgeries. Working out and trying to get back in top form. Just got back from the gym. 2 hours. Tough action........

Two hours in the gym? Brutal! Glad you're on the mend.

Unless I'm mistaken, he's saying you need to have the eye in line with the edge of the cue ball. So,if you are cutting to the left, you would have your left eye directly in line with the left edge of the cue ball, but then for right cuts it's the opposite. I'm not a rocket scientist, but that seems like it requires to have your head positioned in two different places, with two different alignments.

99,

I think you're on the right track. Do you feel you have a dominant eye? Mine is the right eye. I use it mainly for straighter shots.

I have a way that works for me and may work for you to figure out your head position.

Like you, when I cut a ball to the right, I use my right (dominant) eye to line up the right cue ball edge to a point on the object ball I know will make the ball. Even if you use an aiming system of some sort, this is the position your eyes will end up in to see the shot correctly...though you may not consciously notice this alignment as such.

When I cut a ball to the left, I end up with the left edge of the cue ball sighting a spot on the object ball using my left eye. BUT, it looks to me like I'm using my right eye for that, too. I can close my right eye and then I see that my left eye is on the edge of the cue ball, not my right.

I close my left eye and discover the right eye is nowhere near the left edge of the cue ball despite the illusion that my mind tells me is happening. I have to tell myself that the left eye will aim the shot before I can see the left eye's image correctly and understand how my dominant eye/mind sees things.

I keep my dominant eye, dominant. I've gone to autopilot with my left cuts and it still feels like I'm using my right eye. But "we" know better, my right eye and I.

Best,
Mike

 

[ENGLISH!]

Great, Rick. How've you been doing? :smile:



Two hours in the gym? Brutal! Glad you're on the mend.



99,

I think you're on the right track. Do you feel you have a dominant eye? Mine is the right eye. I use it mainly for straighter shots.

I have a way that works for me and may work for you to figure out your head position.

Like you, when I cut a ball to the right, I use my right (dominant) eye to line up the right cue ball edge to a point on the object ball I know will make the ball. Even if you use an aiming system of some sort, this is the position your eyes will end up in to see the shot correctly...though you may not consciously notice this alignment as such.

When I cut a ball to the left, I end up with the left edge of the cue ball sighting a spot on the object ball using my left eye. BUT, it looks to me like I'm using my right eye for that, too. I can close my right eye and then I see that my left eye is on the edge of the cue ball, not my right.

I close my left eye and discover the right eye is nowhere near the left edge of the cue ball despite the illusion that my mind tells me is happening. I have to tell myself that the left eye will aim the shot before I can see the left eye's image correctly and understand how my dominant eye/mind sees things.

I keep my dominant eye, dominant. I've gone to autopilot with my left cuts and it still feels like I'm using my right eye. But "we" know better, my right eye and I.

Best,
Mike

I'm Okay, Mike.

I like the way you associated the right & left eye to the appropriate inside edge.

I used equal & opposite overlap for most of my time but since shooting most every shot with some form of english that was never really 'the line' for me & it's not with TOI either.

But, I'm going to play around with that the next time I'm at the table.

Best 2 Ya.

 

[railbird99]

Great, Rick. How've you been doing? :smile:



Two hours in the gym? Brutal! Glad you're on the mend.



99,

I think you're on the right track. Do you feel you have a dominant eye? Mine is the right eye. I use it mainly for straighter shots.

I have a way that works for me and may work for you to figure out your head position.

Like you, when I cut a ball to the right, I use my right (dominant) eye to line up the right cue ball edge to a point on the object ball I know will make the ball. Even if you use an aiming system of some sort, this is the position your eyes will end up in to see the shot correctly...though you may not consciously notice this alignment as such.

When I cut a ball to the left, I end up with the left edge of the cue ball sighting a spot on the object ball using my left eye. BUT, it looks to me like I'm using my right eye for that, too. I can close my right eye and then I see that my left eye is on the edge of the cue ball, not my right.

I close my left eye and discover the right eye is nowhere near the left edge of the cue ball despite the illusion that my mind tells me is happening. I have to tell myself that the left eye will aim the shot before I can see the left eye's image correctly and understand how my dominant eye/mind sees things.

I keep my dominant eye, dominant. I've gone to autopilot with my left cuts and it still feels like I'm using my right eye. But "we" know better, my right eye and I.

Best,
Mike

I don't understand. Nothing I've said has changed since your last post that stated I was wrong since Gene's method apparently doesn't require two alignments. I'm still saying that it seems like it does, but now I'm somehow on the right track?

Could you elaborate on Gene's method specifically, with regard to the alignment issue, if you do indeed know his method in detail?

Thanks,
99

 

[Mikjary]

I'm Okay, Mike.

I like the way you associated the right & left eye to the appropriate inside edge.

I used equal & opposite overlap for most of my time but since shooting most every shot with some form of english that was never really 'the line' for me & it's not with TOI either.

But, I'm going to play around with that the next time I'm at the table.

Best 2 Ya.

I like to use the equal and opposite overlap, too. It's all the same thing when you finally get down to pull the trigger. You just focus on different things and may not even see points on the cue ball and object ball other players use for their conscious or subconscious aiming.

Enough of the aiming system chit, though. :thumbup: Let's keep it on track. It's been a good discussion with a lot of great input from all concerned.

Best,
Mike

 

[railbird99]

I like to use the equal and opposite overlap, too. It's all the same thing when you finally get down to pull the trigger. You just focus on different things and may not even see points on the cue ball and object ball other players use for their conscious or subconscious aiming.

Enough of the aiming system chit, though. :thumbup: Let's keep it on track. It's been a good discussion with a lot of great input from all concerned.

Best,
Mike

I have no idea what "equal and opposite overlap" means. Is that with two alignments?

This is relevant to the topic at hand. It has to do with aligning the cue based on eye dominance, and how that relates to Gene's method in particular.

EDIT:
In your first post you said Gene doesn't teach multiple alignments, then in your second post you seemed to agree more with what I was saying about there being two alignments, even though I was describing what I thought to be Gene's method. Can you explain?

 

[Mikjary]

I don't understand. Nothing I've said has changed since your last post that stated I was wrong since Gene's method apparently doesn't require two alignments. I'm still saying that it seems like it does, but now I'm somehow on the right track?

Could you elaborate on Gene's method specifically, with regard to the alignment issue, if you do indeed know his method in detail?

Thanks,
99

Wrong is a harsh word. Did you get a chance to mull over or try what I posted? I was hoping you'd gain some insight into my meaning about head positioning and how it affects my sighting picture with the dominant eye. It's a simple test and confirms your head position, right or wrong.

You're doing what I do as far as eye positioning for cuts left and right. We're just "seeing/focusing" differently and may never see things the same. I'm explaining what I see, so you can't be wrong by seeing something different.

Best,
Mike

I see you posted while I was pondering and typing a reply.

I'll answer back to your latest post in a sec, thanks.

 

[Mikjary]

I have no idea what "equal and opposite overlap" means. Is that with two alignments?

This is relevant to the topic at hand. It has to do with aligning the cue based on eye dominance, and how that relates to Gene's method in particular.

EDIT:
In your first post you said Gene doesn't teach multiple alignments, then in your second post you seemed to agree more with what I was saying about there being two alignments, even though I was describing what I thought to be Gene's method. Can you explain?

I'm sorry about the equal and opposite stuff. It's an aiming system (shudder) and it isn't on point with our discussion.

When you said you were using 2 different alignments when you did the drill of shooting the cue ball up and down the table, were you trying to align your eye(s) to the edge(s) of the cue ball? How do you sight a straight in shot, if you don't mind me asking? Just curious. This may be part of our confusion with each other's postings.

It's hard to explain physical things in writing.

Best,
Mike

 

[railbird99]

I'm sorry about the equal and opposite stuff. It's an aiming system (shudder) and it isn't on point with our discussion.

When you said you were using 2 different alignments when you did the drill of shooting the cue ball up and down the table, were you trying to align your eye(s) to the edge(s) of the cue ball? How do you sight a straight in shot, if you don't mind me asking? Just curious. This may be part of our confusion with each other's postings.

It's hard to explain physical things in writing.

Best,
Mike

What I'm asking is fairly straightforward I hope. This isn't a philosophical discussion.

Gene's method, as far as I know, includes having your eye (left for left cuts, right for right) in line with the corresponding edge of the cue ball. In order to do this, your head, and thus the stick, would be in a different position for left cuts than right cuts. This would mean two different alignments.

I'm not asking you how you aim, or how someone should aim. I'm specifically referring to Gene's method, in which you told me earlier that it does not involve two alignments, hence my confusion.

EDIT: This has nothing to do with how I shoot or you shoot. I'm trying to understand Gene's method. Everything seemed to make sense, except for the example I gave in my earlier post about shooting that drill, how I couldn't wrap my head around seeing center cue ball accurately with two different alignments.