ps............,
How do you 'aim'?
Best,
Rick
With a closed bridge the meaty part of the index finger rests on the cue stick. This is a relatively soft area. I have noticed that I tend to unintentionally steer the cue stick into this fleshy area and this leads to a missed shot.
I'm pretty sure you just diagnosed my issue with closed bridge long shots.
I just know that it's impossible to aim with your shaft as distance increases. The ob becomes smaller and smaller...... But the cb is always the same....... So the guy that says that he aims with his shaft at any cb-ob distance doesn't know that he actually aims using his visual intelligence and subconscious adjustments. At least I know that........
I also use stick aiming on every shot. Here is my reasoning.
We must know where the shot line is from the back hand to the contact point to consistently pocket balls
When I am sighting from one step back I place the back hand and the cue tip on this line. I forget where I learned it but someone said to think of a glass wall that extends from your back hand to the contact point. I have been able to do this for many years now.
I place the stick on this line, my foot "under" the wall and my head bisects the wall just to the right of my nose. When I bend over, everything is on line and only minor adjustments are needed. If the glass wall doesn't feel right, I stand up and start over.
On long shots I sometimes have an intermediate spot about halfway to the ball. This spot on the cloth should also line up or I have to start over.
ProPoolPlayer, who used to post here often, said to aim with the tip of the stick and this simple devise, along with the imaginary wall are two of the most important things I do for "stick aiming."
It takes much longer to write it than it does to do it once you have it as part of a routine.
.
Thanks for your insight, I'll check it out.Re: aiming down the shaft... probably the best american player uses the stick.
It's a little weird but it surprised me in that it seems to work.
His explanation can be bought here, for a reasonable fee:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/svb/61677586
ps.......,
I hear you.
But the alignment of the shaft is still part of that visual perception that the subconscious utilizes.
Railroad tracks remain parallel as far as one can see even though the visual may seem like they converge on one another.
The straight line of the cue is all that one can influence upon the striking & sending the cue ball to the intended location upon the collision with object ball.
We understand & agree. It is just the definition of 'aim' that needs much clarification for many.
'Target' as a verb is a better word IMO, IF one then understands the dynamics that the cue ball rarely if ever travels in a perfectly straight line. 'I'm 'targeting' that spot but I'm 'aiming' the stick there'.
That sort of thing is not always understood.
Regards & Best Wishes,
Rick
In my opinion all these things have to do with the subconscious mind and visual intelligence. Nothing wrong with that. But it is not "shaft aiming". On long shots you aim a large cb to a smaller ob. So, if you aim your shaft or cue tip in relationship to the ob's edge could this ever be the same at 2 diamond distance and 5 diamond distance? No !!! It will produce a different cut !!!
ps....,
This thread seems to have been derailed.
So...now you are losing me. If the cut is a center to edge cut, it will be a center to edge cut if the distance between the CB & OB is 2 feet or 5 feet. The aim is the same...the center of the CB to the edge of the OB.
How do you see that differently?
Best,
Rick
Ok my friend. I think we should call this "subconscious aiming". I have said there is nothing wrong with this. But it is not objective. You don't aim at anything with your shaft. You just see the right picture. And you get the message that everything is ok, and shoot. It's about feel, not shaft aiming. There is no real shaft aiming for cb-ob distance more than 3 diamonds. It won't work.
Regards
Panagiotis
No my friend. For me it is not the same. You have to think about it. Only center to center could be the same. But you can't "fight" visual intelligence and subconscious adjustments. Of course if you "aim" this way.........
Panagiotis,
What would you call the physical activity of moving the cue into place to execute a shot?
Best,
Rick
There are several ways to "aim". Stick aiming is a very popular method. So is aiming with the cue ball.
What have you been taught?
randyg
You mean if I move on a straight line or rotate to cb? If that is what you are asking I would say I prefer the rotation. But this doesn't have to do with what I have posted. Pls think about it. You aim you shaft straight at ob's edge and cb-ob distance 2 diamonds. And you do exactly the same thing at cb-ob distance 5 diamonds. Straight to the ob' s outer edge. And aiming down the shaft. Close your eyes and shoot straight. Of course, you have to be sure that your stroke is straight. Do you get the same results?