Basic Aiming - My thoughts and approach

Matt_24 said:

Here is how I aim. It's really basic, but it works.

1. I find the line between the cue ball and a 100% full hit on the object ball (regardless of where the object ball is in relation to the pocket). I need to see that full hit first.

2. Then I look at the object ball in relation to the pocket.

3. Looking at these two perceptions helps me find the contact point.

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Matt_24 said:

Here is how I aim. It's really basic, but it works.

1. I find the line between the cue ball and a 100% full hit on the object ball (regardless of where the object ball is in relation to the pocket). I need to see that full hit first.

2. Then I look at the object ball in relation to the pocket.

Click to expand...

Matt_24 said:

Here is how I aim. It's really basic, but it works.

1. I find the line between the cue ball and a 100% full hit on the object ball (regardless of where the object ball is in relation to the pocket). I need to see that full hit first.

2. Then I look at the object ball in relation to the pocket.

3. Looking at these two perceptions helps me find the contact point. I always had a tendency to overcut everything and when I figured this out, it really helped.

4. Shoot with good fundamentals and if you miss, your brain will interpret why and should kind of automatically adjust as you progress in your game for that day. You should get these adjustments out of the way during practice and before competition each day.

I hope this might help someone.

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Matt_24 said:

3. Looking at these two perceptions helps me find the contact point. I always had a tendency to overcut everything and when I figured this out, it really helped.

I hope this might help someone.

Click to expand...

Matt_24 said:

Like many of you I've played pool all of my life.

I was blessed with above average hand-eye coordination.

I took lessons from Jimmy Reid many years ago (if you're not familiar with Jimmy, he was a stone cold champion - 1985 US OPEN 9 Ball Champion, World 8 Ball Champion, etc, etc...).

Jimmy taught me the fundamentals needed to be a good shot maker. These aren't any secret...but at the time he showed these to me as a kid they were life changing.

1. Your stance should always be well balanced regardless of the shot. If you're balanced, after your tip makes contact with the cue ball you should be able to freeze completely in place (head/arm/stance/all) UNTIL the cue ball stops rolling. When you can do this consistently you will play way, way, better. And when you miss, you'll KNOW why you missed (overcut, undercut, etc).

Aiming is perception so everyone will ultimately develop or fine-tune their own methods (despite the various, wonderful techniques that can help you get started...I advocate trying them all), but if they can't stay still or get in-line...they'll never REALLY know why they miss or make a ball.

Here is how I aim. It's really basic, but it works.

1. I find the line between the cue ball and a 100% full hit on the object ball (regardless of where the object ball is in relation to the pocket). I need to see that full hit first.

2. Then I look at the object ball in relation to the pocket.

3. Looking at these two perceptions helps me find the contact point. I always had a tendency to overcut everything and when I figured this out, it really helped.

4. Shoot with good fundamentals and if you miss, your brain will interpret why and should kind of automatically adjust as you progress in your game for that day. You should get these adjustments out of the way during practice and before competition each day.

I hope this might help someone.

Click to expand...

BC21 said:

I never paid much attention to the full hit comparison until I started looking at fractional aiming. Now I see it as a great key to recognizing cut shots. Great helpful post! :grin:

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denwhit said:

Thanks for your post. I am so surprised that you "overcut" everything! When I'm in a daze or not concentrating, I undercut everything. And, that is what my pool teacher says most misses are from. It usually boils down that the pocket is not really the pocket along the rails, etc. It could be 4" outside of the actual pocket with the middle of the rail ends. I think most amateurs "undercut" almost everything thinking the pocket is the pocket. Thinking that what they see as the deep dark end of the pocket is the goal to send the OB. Maybe just my mistake.

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BilliardsAbout said:

Stronger players tend to be undercutters IMO. Most league players overcut, driving corner cuts into the long rails, not the short rails.
Reasons for overcutting from weaker players include:
* Overcutting past the geometric aim point can help counteract throw, so they overcut subconciously, don't get throw, miss
* Aiming/aligning the body on the perceived geometric aim line, where the full line is easier to hit full upon, by contrast
* Hitting the ball too hard (subconciously, perhaps, attempting to account for throw again) and squirting/deflecting off line/jumping the ball, etc.
* Having been "taught" (often by "knowledgeable" pool friends rather than instructors) that certain cuts are best when we "aim to miss then come back a bit"
* Ghost ball aim players often overcut, their emphasis is on "missing" rather than edge-to-edge or something solid[/QUOTE]<===I've never seen a "ghost" yet.:wink:

NOW.......you're sounding like a pool player!
That's good stuff.
WTG.

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Matt_24 said:

I don't even think of it as a "point". I think of it as a "face"...almost as if the ball is a cube. It psychologically gives me a much bigger target. Don't know if it makes sense for others, but works for me. Of course, when I'm in stroke I don't have it to give it much thought. I've been playing for so long it doesn't take as long to get my aiming in tune.

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Low500 said:

BilliardsAbout said:

Stronger players tend to be undercutters IMO. Most league players overcut, driving corner cuts into the long rails, not the short rails.
Reasons for overcutting from weaker players include:
* Overcutting past the geometric aim point can help counteract throw, so they overcut subconciously, don't get throw, miss
* Aiming/aligning the body on the perceived geometric aim line, where the full line is easier to hit full upon, by contrast
* Hitting the ball too hard (subconciously, perhaps, attempting to account for throw again) and squirting/deflecting off line/jumping the ball, etc.
* Having been "taught" (often by "knowledgeable" pool friends rather than instructors) that certain cuts are best when we "aim to miss then come back a bit"
* Ghost ball aim players often overcut, their emphasis is on "missing" rather than edge-to-edge or something solid[/QUOTE]<===I've never seen a "ghost" yet.:wink:
View attachment 506780
NOW.......you're sounding like a pool player!
That's good stuff.
WTG.

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Matt_24 said:

In celebration of my award winning aiming post, I'm giving it an annual bump.

I switched to a normal shaft this year...so while using basically the same techniques to aim, through careful practice I've had to make some adjustments for English/distance/speed of various shots, but it wasn't monumental.

I like the way a wood/high deflection shaft "hits" better than a 314-2. I've learned to adjust for the change in squirt/deflection with practice.

Note: Any good player can say they have a technique they will teach you for a price, but, they all learned through a lot of experience, competition, etc. Hey, Stan Shuffett is a smart guy and has really put a lot of thought and work into his system....I'm all for everyone buying it/reviewing it and seeing how it can work for you -- but I also promise, he played like a stone cold champion when he was aiming with his natural talent.

I like my technique as a good starting point for anyone. Everyone understands what its like to "line up" on a full ball hit, first. Then, based on where the object ball is in relation to the pocket, find a relatively reliable point of contact/shot line (all of this done while standing up, before getting down).

I don't care what technique you use. Everyone should experiment with them all to find what you like best....or invent your own through practice, experimentation, etc. Why does anyone have to choose a specific "technique"?

Has anyone else here had problems trying to figure out aim? Sure, we've all been there. Things like Spin, Squirt, Finding the line of the shot, Throw...they've given us all problems, right? Here's a secret. I'd like to introduce you to a system I've developed called the Matt_24 Starter Aim. For $99.95 I'll give you the secrets to make YOU shoot pool like a PRO! I'm KIDDING, I'm KIDDING. Have a great weekend.

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Matt_24 said:

Everyone understands what its like to "line up" on a full ball hit, first.

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