I always learned to approach the shot from straight behind the cue ball. But whenever I watch pros, I see them approach from behind, then step to the side and look at the object ball. What are they seeing?
When pros look down a shot...?
- Thread starter RichSchultz
- Start date
Some players kinda swing out to get a final "lock" on the contact point. Without a video of what you describe that's what i think you're seeing.
i think that’s what i mean...seems it would screw me up
I also heard that it's a way of "visualizing" the ball going into the pocket, which aids in giving the shooter a mental picture of the ball going in pre-shot. I suppose this would be like tricking the mind to giving one more confidence?
Am I making any sense here?
Maniac (just got out of bed)
Without a reference video, we’re guessing on what you’re looking at. Could be tangents, 30 degree lines, converging reference lines, contact points...
Probably taking one last look at the path to the pocket.
Probably so. Jack Nicklaus trained himself mentally to see the golf ball go into the hole on every putt before he putted it. Great training for pool. I know a guy that visualizes what part of the pocket on every shot. After he shoots, he'll say something like:, "I meant to hit a 4 on the pocket but hit a 5". He watches the OB instead of the CB into the pocket. Fantastic habit.
This would’ve been my guess. Not that I’m anywhere near pro speed...in fact, nowhere near, but I’ve started doing this in the last year. I’ve started doing this after watching snooker constantly for the last several years.
I would agree with this assessment. The last look at the path to the pocket will help confirm the intended object ball contact point. Just part of a good pre-shot routine that helps take all the thought process out of the way once you are down on the cue ball. From there it is all lock, load, and fire.