No, you were not first in this thread. Post #36, for example.Maybe in this context but not in this thread. I don't know how there was a discussion on aiming spanning 32 pages and not a single reference to periphery? I certainly do raise the bar around here don't I?
Experiments in looking at the cueball while delivering the stroke.
- Thread starter gregcantrall
- Start date
I'm confident that the statistics experts can give you the probability of success based on numbers. Well the statistic analysis needs to be on the right numbers.
Mr Herb my highschool baseball coach(World Class) didn't want us to keep batting averages. His theory was along the lines of...your results in critical situations carry a lot more weight than others. So 1 for 4 could be terrific if the one was bottom of the 9th bases loaded. 3 for 4 was worthless if you struck out in the bottom of the 9th.
Mr Herb my highschool baseball coach(World Class) didn't want us to keep batting averages. His theory was along the lines of...your results in critical situations carry a lot more weight than others. So 1 for 4 could be terrific if the one was bottom of the 9th bases loaded. 3 for 4 was worthless if you struck out in the bottom of the 9th.
So that leads me to give incredible weight to the words of Stephen Hendry, who produced a 147 in the snooker version of the bottom of the 9th. In the decider(8-8 going to 9)in a huge event. Well only playing Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Seriously Stephen Hendry has a new YouTube channel and is willing to try to answer any questions.
Seriously Stephen Hendry has a new YouTube channel and is willing to try to answer any questions.
Wow. Mr. Herb truly was World Class!
It is in the quest for infallible marksmanship. Granted, you need to make and virtually memorize extensive observations about the impact and ball exit paths beforehand, so beginners should do the instinctive _watch the object ball_ and later in their studies, follow the cue ball till it stops.
Exactly! The positive reinforcement of watching the fruits of your labor (where the cue ball went, either good or bad) will instruct and inform your next shot/shots. Pool is very Pavlovian. Rewarding successive approximations of the desired behavior is called shaping. A good shot is rewarded by the object ball going in the pocket. The reward is that you get to shoot again. Bad shot...no reward
thenaturalpoolplayer
Active member
beginners focus on the cueball because they are clueless...so you guys want to shoot the way beginners do?
Pay attention. Beginners need to observe the mechanics of the shot. Precision hits are meaningless.
My basics are the shooting platform and the mechanics. Without a consistent stable platform and consistent repeatable mechanics it's hard to tell if I aimed right.
The platform is critical for making the mechanics repeatable. Barry Stark provides some good solid coaching on YouTube. His videos working with a student are great. Kyren Wilson is a top player that he has worked with. Watching his coaching makes it obvious to me why it's so important to take the time to perfect the platform and then the stroke. Then worry about how to get the balls in the pocket. Barry teaches object ball last. That's the only difference I have with his coaching.
Mark Williams puts on no look and eyes closed exhibition shots. Demonstrating what the platform and mechanics are worth.
Focus is more than where the eyes are pointed. My focus is on delivery of the cue tip to the ball. Hitting it in not only on the right spot but at the right angle and velocity. There was a time that once I had the plan , looking up to the object ball helped me keep the stroke on line. My focus was on striking the ball but my eyes were looking where I wanted it to go. Just like throwing a baseball.
The biggest difference I find now looking at the cue ball as I strike it is accuracy. Pocketing the ball is just the first part of accurate. My speed and spin control is better. I also get feedback watching the ball as it leaves the tip and the rotation it takes. So in practice I can set it up and do it again with a micron adjustment. Hence the Experiment. If my eyes have already left the cue ball I can't detect that micron variation in the strike.
The platform is critical for making the mechanics repeatable. Barry Stark provides some good solid coaching on YouTube. His videos working with a student are great. Kyren Wilson is a top player that he has worked with. Watching his coaching makes it obvious to me why it's so important to take the time to perfect the platform and then the stroke. Then worry about how to get the balls in the pocket. Barry teaches object ball last. That's the only difference I have with his coaching.
Mark Williams puts on no look and eyes closed exhibition shots. Demonstrating what the platform and mechanics are worth.
Focus is more than where the eyes are pointed. My focus is on delivery of the cue tip to the ball. Hitting it in not only on the right spot but at the right angle and velocity. There was a time that once I had the plan , looking up to the object ball helped me keep the stroke on line. My focus was on striking the ball but my eyes were looking where I wanted it to go. Just like throwing a baseball.
The biggest difference I find now looking at the cue ball as I strike it is accuracy. Pocketing the ball is just the first part of accurate. My speed and spin control is better. I also get feedback watching the ball as it leaves the tip and the rotation it takes. So in practice I can set it up and do it again with a micron adjustment. Hence the Experiment. If my eyes have already left the cue ball I can't detect that micron variation in the strike.
Another thing he taught was, first be a hitter. If you can hit there will be a place for you in the field. He taught me how to set up and examine my stance and swing. Using the sliding glass door as a mirror, I could inspect my form through the entire swing. The platform and mechanics along with watching the baseball strike the bat led to my success as a hitter. He did inspire me to hit The Wheel in a game.
It did take dedication and practice practice practice. I knew that to be the only way to compete with the Naturals.
Interesting, Darren Appleton has a different opinion. Look at his youtube channel, he has a video on it
My current experiment, is showing evolution. I think this iteration deserves a new name with the last being cricket, this I will call, The Pillbug.
What Mr Herb taught me to do, I have attempted to emulate with my Slow Kiss and camera. With the balls head spot foot spot and the object being drive the end rail and have it come back to freeze to the cue ball. I have posted a few videos to YouTube. The rest are deleted after a slow review.
Possibly too painful to watch again. Being afraid of the camera, is that stage fright? I hate it but will do it to get ready for The Big Stage.
The camera still shot with 10 second timer gives me insight to my form .....well using a timer. Less painful and that's where I will start this morning. Like Yogi I will see what I observe.
Freeze Frame.
Now the other hand. Didn't prop up the glasses , probably the place to add that to the habit. Hopefully in a week.
All the way down and enjoy the challenge of getting there withe clock ticking. I did get a good result with the kiss also.
Lefty was slower and didn't get all the way down. Got a good hit though but too slow for the kiss 
. The rules say shot from there.
. The rules say shot from there.
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Onwards with the video assessment. Hmmmm, best not to Publish the video as I don't want to frighten the children or upset the 'Get off my lawn' guy.