ISO: Position Zone Tool

F

Flip_dat_Quarta

Banned
Can anyone think of how to make one of these?:

When I practice running racks I want to have something that I can lay down on the table which identifies my position zone that I am aiming to land the cue ball in.

It needs to be flat like a magic rack but it also needs to be able to change shape from large trapezoidal position zones to small pin point position zones.

A spotlight of some sort might also work.

It would also have to be able to be quickly adjustable between shots to not waste a lot of time.

I currently use a piece of computer paper but it's never the correct size and I have to move the cue ball to remove it. It get's the job done most of the time though. I just want something to clearly identify whether or not I succeeded or failed in my position attempt.
 
Why not cut the middle out of the paper so it works like a magic rack. Also you could cut paper down to different sizes and shapes and cut the middle out also so no need to remove it unless you put the cue ball on top. Just a thought.
 
I kind of tried

I kind of half heartedly tried to test something like this awhile ago for a similar purpose, but to mark balls as well.

I wound up just going back to paper, here's what didn't work for me:

Spots
Thin transparent acetate
Thin transparent acetate - scuffed up
Thin neoprene
A cut up magic rack


In the end the paper was the cheapest and least intrusive method - if you come up with something I'd love to know.

b
 
Flip_dat_Quarta said:
I want to have something that I can lay down on the table which identifies my position zone that I am aiming to land the cue ball in.

needs to be able to change shape from large trapezoidal position zones to small pin point position zones.
Click to expand...

your concept might be off a little bit, meaning just because you can get away with a "large trapeziod" shape, doesnt mean you should aim for something that large, that breeds laziness.
In other words, even if the table is wide open, try to visualize (or mark) a fairly small spot on the table, and try to hit that spot....in other words, always train yourself to aim for a small spot, even when you dont "need" to......
 
I have always used the 4 inch square napkin from the bar. Or I'll use the backing that my paper reinforcing donuts come on. I think it's 3x4. If the spot is close to me, I'll set a cube of chalk right next to myou intended position and be ready to move it if necessary.
 
Good ole sidewalk chalk or something similar that is easy to whips up would be the easiest. Mike Page used something like this is in his how to play pool video. It would probably work well for what you are trying to accomplish and won't cause any issues with the cue ball. It would also be good be drawing shot lines to make sure you are on the right side of the object ball.
 
Try like mentioned above, with cutting out the inside of the paper. Just leave a 1" border on the paper. That works way better than the full sheet of paper, for 2 reasons:
1. You can remove the paper without moving the CB
2. The CB speed on the paper is differernt than the cloth. Since the center of the paper is removed, and the cloth exposed, the CB speed is less affected.

I've also thought about using yarn for the position zone, as mentioned above. I have some, and will give it a try and report back later.
 
Buy a few sheets of a3 paper and cut thin straps of varying sizes and leave the along the rails. Place the straps on the table to create the borders of the zone. You can cut plenty of straps from an A3 size so it should be quick to change.

It also doesn't restrict you to a rectangular or triangular shape. It can be no shape at all and you can cover the borders of all the acceptable zones with ease.
 
michael4 said:
your concept might be off a little bit, meaning just because you can get away with a "large trapeziod" shape, doesnt mean you should aim for something that large, that breeds laziness.
In other words, even if the table is wide open, try to visualize (or mark) a fairly small spot on the table, and try to hit that spot....in other words, always train yourself to aim for a small spot, even when you dont "need" to......
Click to expand...

Occasionally I use a post-it note with a dime taped to it. The targe is the dime. It's quick and unless you're Buddy Hall you're rarely going to land on the post-it. If you do, the dime makes it veer off. A couple guys I've taught love it. They start realizing how bad their cue ball control is but also how good it can be.
 
You know if you hit your position or not just by looking at your next shot. There is no piece of paper in actual game play.I personally don't think it is helpful to use these sort of tools to practice with. You need to learn to see the position zones without a marker. Having said that, there are some really good ideas already posted.
 
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erhino41 said:
You know if you hit your position or not just by looking at your next shot. There is no piece of paper in actual game play.I personally don't think it is helpful to use these sort of tools to practice with. You need to learn to see the position zones without a marker. Having said that, there are some really good ideas already posted.
Click to expand...

Seeing the position zone is not hard lol. But I've been realizing that even though I hit my position zones I often play too conservative and end up with a longer shot than necessary. In order to improve I want to setup a position zone that is closer to the next object ball than I would normally play for. If I miss the position zone I'll resetup the shot and keep trying it until I am comfortable with the speed control.

I dont want to make the zone too small because I'll end up reshooting every shot but I don't want it to be too large either because I won't improve.

For example when there is one ball left on the table and I have to come off the rail and roll straight onto the ball. I want to land within 1.5 feet of the OB. In matches I tend to settle for 3 feet so I don't over shoot it. Although I'm still getting out I'm not improving.
 
Just try using another ball and make sure you use pocket speed hitting it so the CB just rolls up to it stopping.
 
Flip_dat_Quarta said:
That's too specific. What if I land an inch away, do I reshoot the shot or consider it acceptable? I need some room for error.
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I'd say if you are an inch away you did pretty well. No? I use this drill all of the time for tough 3 rail position shots. Great for speed control and you have to be fairly exact to hit the ball.
 
I just tried a piece of yarn and it works well. I just cut a piece and threw it on the table. Can make any shape you want. You can leave it an open loop so it will have a "mouth" that you can face in the direction of where the CB will enter the open loop from.

Good luck in your practice.
 
Flip_dat_Quarta said:
Seeing the position zone is not hard lol. But I've been realizing that even though I hit my position zones I often play too conservative and end up with a longer shot than necessary. In order to improve I want to setup a position zone that is closer to the next object ball than I would normally play for. If I miss the position zone I'll resetup the shot and keep trying it until I am comfortable with the speed control.

I dont want to make the zone too small because I'll end up reshooting every shot but I don't want it to be too large either because I won't improve.

For example when there is one ball left on the table and I have to come off the rail and roll straight onto the ball. I want to land within 1.5 feet of the OB. In matches I tend to settle for 3 feet so I don't over shoot it. Although I'm still getting out I'm not improving.
Click to expand...

Just giving one possible solution to your problem.i know the way my brain works, having an aid would not get me the results I wanted in actual competition. The thin strips of paper idea seems very good to me to achieve the results you want. Cheap and fully customizable.
 
One more thing to consider, and this is just a side note, watch alot of pros, you will see alot of three foot shots even though they could've moved it to within a foot and a half. The closer you get to the ball the more you risk error even for the best shooters.I certainly understand the concept your going for I'm sure will see improvement in this regard using this practice method, however, some improvement will be made just by changing your mindset of what is good enough. Just some food for thought.
 
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