Quickest way to recognize what fraction the hit is?

jimstone said:
Bob, It is that I don't recognize what the fraction is....
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One way to decide on the fraction is to measure or estimate the angle of the cut. That angle is directly related to the fullness of the hit. For example, if you know that the angle is 30 degrees, the required hit is half ball.

There are several ways to measure the angle, but I can't draw a diagram right now.
 
jimstone said:
Bob, It is that I don't recognize what the fraction is.

Thx , Bob, It is that I have trouble figuring out which hit to go for. By the way, your advice on this forum is very much appreciated.
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@jimstone

Are you saying that you do not understand the relation of the aiming alignments to the object ball path(s)?

Bob just gave the example of the 1/2-ball = 30-degree cut, but what is assumed is that you know that the 30 degrees is the measurement of the angle between the two lines---the cue-line (cue ball path), and the object ball path. This would be in the top-down, overhead, birds-eye view.

These are also illustrated in the diagrams found online, including the ones in the link to Dr. Dave's site, that I previously posted.

I apologize, if this post seems insulting, but I think most of us on this site have been playing so long that we assume that *everyone* already has a grasp of how the angles and the fractionals relate. I am just seeking clarification, in your case.
 
dr_dave said:
Several ways can be found here:

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The way I like from those is to put your cue tip at the ghost ball and sweep out the angle from the path of the object ball to the path of the cue ball. The number of inches your bumper moves is the number of degrees in the cut angle. (Technically, you have to measure the length of the arc and not the straight line distance between the two positions of the bumper, but for angles up to 30 or so, those are nearly the same.)

There's a diagram on Dave’s page.
 
Of course, all of these aiming systems have the same simple objective - bringing the CB and OB together in line with the pocket (or other target). If you haven't tried other ways, there's lots of discussion of them here, especially in the Aiming "Conversation" Forum.

I've always thought Ghost Ball is the most direct, intuitive approach, and quick to become "automatic". YMMV

pj
chgo
 
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ghost ball until you get past rank beginner stage. then just aim for the part of the cueball that hits the farthest point from the pocket.

it really is just that simple.

just like hitting a baseball you learn to time your swing to hit it. golf you just adjust your stance to hit where you aim by looking. tennis you swing at the ball coming at you by feel. basketball you see the rim and shoot for it.

way before most's time, but you don't need a slide rule to figure out what eight times six is.

even after all the figuring you still have to adjust your aim point for any english you use on many shots.

its no different than seeing a dime on the sidewalk and picking it up. you dont have to analyze how to get it. you just walk to it and bend over and pick it up. no aiming your hand. its all natural after you done it and other things enough.
 
yea pat. but when lining up you really are just using the ghost ball to see your spot. as the ghost ball is just the path of the cue ball to the object ball. and thats what you eyes are doing as you put your stick down.
 
Ghost ball would fit my M O, er uh personal method. It's incorporated with a process. The change of focus to confirm alignment. The final focus doesn't have a number, just a feel.
 
My practice uses numbers but competition requires all hands on deck er uh every available brain cell on the task at hand. 🤷‍♂️ the fight or flight condition.
So just running 5 in my morning routine is a good sign. Just an indication of the condition my condition is in. 🤷‍♂️
Points, Lines and Planes is my one side of the brain ass says mint. So measured is the Right way. But, but how about the beautiful music that the lady played on here piano. Never read a sheet of music, didn't know how. 🤷‍♂️ Or the apple pies that got a pinch and a touch of this or that??? So Lefty is the touchy Feely side.
Getting both sides of the brain co-ordination is kinda like a good marriage.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
…maybe still using ghost ball subconsciously.

pj
chgo
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Not really.
As I said in an earlier post, I look for the spot on the object ball furthest away from the pocket. Perhaps I do not understand aiming with a ghost ball but I concentrate, visualize on a spot on the object ball. I don't imagine a ghost ball at all.
 
philly said:
Not really.
As I said in an earlier post, I look for the spot on the object ball furthest away from the pocket. Perhaps I do not understand aiming with a ghost ball but I concentrate, visualize on a spot on the object ball. I don't imagine a ghost ball at all.
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Take the spot on the CB closest to the pocket and align that with what you said and you can't miss.
 
you use the ghost ball to see your spot on your cueball, that is to hit the correct spot on the object ball.

the ghost ball is your cueball following its path to the object ball and placed in the right spot in your mind to show where the cueball will be needed to contact the object ball.

any fool can find the object ball spot that has to be hit to make it go in just by looking at the furthest part of the ball from the pocket or the place where you would hit it if you just shot it in by itself..

that is for learning players. once you can play and have enough under your belt you dont look for a ghost ball every shot as it isnt necessary and might make you more susceptible to choking adding something to the mix not needed.

then it all goes out the window when using english as your spot on the object ball moves accordingly with the english. and that becomes subjective.
 
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philly said:
Great.
Cue ball?
Now you're getting complicated.
I keep it simple stupid.
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Those two form the only alignment in a simple, to the pocket, shot. You put two identical objects in identical orientations with some natural holographic filtering and adjustment.

The only thing getting complicated is the wordage.
 
straightline said:
Those two form the only alignment in a simple, to the pocket, shot. You put two identical objects in identical orientations with some natural holographic filtering and adjustment.

The only thing getting complicated is the wordage.
Click to expand...

Sounds like we're in the aiming forum.
Maybe we are.
Like I said, for me at least, all that I look for is the spot on the object ball furthest away from the pocket. Throw comes natural even. It's what happens after hitting a million balls.
Whatever you want to visualize then god bless you.
I try to keep it as simple and unadorned as possible.
That's just me.
 
philly said:
Sounds like we're in the aiming forum.
Maybe we are.
Like I said, for me at least, all that I look for is the spot on the object ball furthest away from the pocket. Throw comes natural even. It's what happens after hitting a million balls.
Whatever you want to visualize then god bless you.
I try to keep it as simple and unadorned as possible.
That's just me.
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Ask an aiming question... :ROFLMAO:

There's a reason for the anal specificity though - consistency. It's not even a stretch to narrow it down from a buncha bawlls to the one functional alignment.
 
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