A visual guide for CB aiming

[Ralph Kramden]

I told someone I aim with the front edge of the CB. He said I couldn't aim that way because you can't see the CB front edge. I said that I could see it.

I don't know how to put pics on the forum so I'll do my best to explain how I do it. If you want to try it by what I showed him, you'll need to draw a circle.

On a paper sheet trace a circle around something the size of a coffee cup. Draw a dot in the center of the circle. Draw a line from the dot to the circle edge.

Draw a dot on the line, halfway between the center dot and circle. This circle represents an object ball. Now you need to trace another same size circle.

Trace a circle on something transparent (use 1 side of a sandwich bag). After tracing the circle on the bag, cut it out. Put it over the circle on the paper.

Looking through the transparent circle, at the dot on the paper, use a marker pen to put a dot on the center. This dot will represent the cue ball center.

Move the dot on the transparent circle down the line to the paper circle edge. The edges of the transparent circle and paper circle form a football shape.

In the center of the football shape, will be the line dot. That's where the front edge of the CB actually contacts the OB. The OB will travel at 30 degrees.

Move the transparent circle dot over to the dot on the line. The center of the football shape will be between the 2 dots. The OB will now go 15 degrees.

Put the transparent dot between the 2 dots on the line, and the OB will go about 7 degrees. Aim the CB center to contact these 3 points for those angles.

Although I can't actually see the front of the CB, I know where the front edge of the CB will actually contact the OB. That's how I aim with the front edge.

After finding the OB aim point, I'll tweak my aim into the pocket. Before pulling the trigger, I think about the speed and CB stun line direction off the OB.

Hope this visual guide will help some folks in CB aiming... Carl ...(aka) Ralph Kramden

 

[336Robin]

The front edge

I told someone I aim with the front edge of the CB. He said I couldn't aim that way because you can't see the CB front edge. I said that I could see it.

I don't know how to put pics on the forum so I'll do my best to explain how I do it. If you want to try it by what I showed him, you'll need to draw a circle.

On a paper sheet trace a circle around something the size of a coffee cup. Draw a dot in the center of the circle. Draw a line from the dot to the circle edge.

Draw a dot on the line, halfway between the center dot and circle. This circle represents an object ball. Now you need to trace another same size circle.

Trace a circle on something transparent (use 1 side of a sandwich bag). After tracing the circle on the bag, cut it out. Put it over the circle on the paper.

Looking through the transparent circle, at the dot on the paper, use a marker pen to put a dot on the center. This dot will represent the cue ball center.

Move the dot on the transparent circle down the line to the paper circle edge. The edges of the transparent circle and paper circle form a football shape.

In the center of the football shape, will be the line dot. That's where the front edge of the CB actually contacts the OB. The OB will travel at 30 degrees.

Move the transparent circle dot over to the dot on the line. The center of the football shape will be between the 2 dots. The OB will now go 15 degrees.

Put the transparent dot between the 2 dots on the line, and the OB will go about 7 degrees. Aim the CB center to contact these 3 points for those angles.

Although I can't actually see the front of the CB, I know where the front edge of the CB will actually contact the OB. That's how I aim with the front edge.

After finding the OB aim point, I'll tweak my aim into the pocket. Before pulling the trigger, I think about the speed and CB stun line direction off the OB.

Hope this visual guide will help some folks in CB aiming... Carl ...(aka) Ralph Kramden

Ralph,
I had trouble following your explanation but the front edge or the contact point is located in the center of the cue ball cut on the object ball. I got it and I do it and I don't see how it can be done any other way really.

 

[Ralph Kramden]

Ralph,
I had trouble following your explanation but the front edge or the contact point is located in the center of the cue ball cut on the object ball. I got it and I do it and I don't see how it can be done any other way really.

Robin.. I'm not trying to confuse you or anyone else about how I aim the CB front edge. I don't know if you drew the circles. A picture is worth a thousand words.

I completely agree that the front edge or the contact point is located in the center of the CB cut on the OB. It's how you go about finding the CB contact point.

As the 2 circles separate from each other they start to overlap. The edge of the paper circle and the edge of the transparent circle start to form a football shape.

The further the paper circle (the OB) and the transparent circle (the CB) separate, the football shape gets narrower. When the CB center is aimed directly at the edge of the OB, the shape is a true football shape. Both balls ALWAYS contact each other in the center of this football shape. That's the front edge of the CB.

If the football shape is wide, the contact point is in the center. As the football shape narrows, the contact point is also in the center. The front edge hits the aim point.

The transparent circle shows the CB center. The CB is round with a front edge, not a actual front point. The CB center is where it's aimed, the front edge hits the OB.

If the CB center is aimed at the OB edge, the contact point sends the OB 30 degrees. The CB aim center and CB cut center are the same. It's about how you'll find it.

If the CB center is aimed aimed halfway between the OB center and outside edge, the OB goes 15 degrees. Halfway between that point it goes about 7 degrees.

For cut shots wider than 30 degrees you're aiming into outer space, but the increments are close. On thin cuts I'll match up the narrower football shapes.

These aiming points are given angles for front edge contacts. You must tweak in the correct pocketing angle. I also have a way to tweak in the OB for aiming.

Hope this clears up any confusion. Carl ...(aka) Ralph Kramden

 

[336Robin]

Eye of the Ball

Robin.. I'm not trying to confuse you or anyone else about how I aim the CB front edge. I don't know if you drew the circles. A picture is worth a thousand words.

I completely agree that the front edge or the contact point is located in the center of the CB cut on the OB. It's how you go about finding the CB contact point.

As the 2 circles separate from each other they start to overlap. The edge of the paper circle and the edge of the transparent circle start to form a football shape.

The further the paper circle (the OB) and the transparent circle (the CB) separate, the football shape gets narrower. When the CB center is aimed directly at the edge of the OB, the shape is a true football shape. Both balls ALWAYS contact each other in the center of this football shape. That's the front edge of the CB.

If the football shape is wide, the contact point is in the center. As the football shape narrows, the contact point is also in the center. The front edge hits the aim point.

The transparent circle shows the CB center. The CB is round with a front edge, not a actual front point. The CB center is where it's aimed, the front edge hits the OB.

If the CB center is aimed at the OB edge, the contact point sends the OB 30 degrees. The CB aim center and CB cut center are the same. It's about how you'll find it.

If the CB center is aimed aimed halfway between the OB center and outside edge, the OB goes 15 degrees. Halfway between that point it goes about 7 degrees.

For cut shots wider than 30 degrees you're aiming into outer space, but the increments are close. On thin cuts I match up the narrower football shapes.

These aiming points are given angles for front edge contacts. You must tweak in the correct pocketing angle. I also have a way to tweak in the OB for aiming.

Hope this clears up any confusion. Carl ...(aka) Ralph Kramden

Ralph,
This football shape you talk about I have heard and written about as being called the " Eye of the Ball". It looks to me as an eye turned up sideways.

Finding the place to fire into the ball that pots the shot is the other end of aiming. So aiming is two aims...one the object ball based on how thick or thin you perceive the shot should be hit by whatever aiming method you use.

It seems there is a lot of confusion over what to do with the shot and there are like tons of different ways to aim......but only one desired result and I have my own method, main thing is it works for me and I don't miss a lot until I misjudge the effects of spin, am jacked up over a ball or something unusual...or unless I get tired. Tired gets us all.

 

[Ralph Kramden]

Ralph,
This football shape you talk about I have heard and written about as being called the " Eye of the Ball". It looks to me as an eye turned up sideways.

Finding the place to fire into the ball that pots the shot is the other end of aiming. So aiming is two aims...one the object ball based on how thick or thin you perceive the shot should be hit by whatever aiming method you use.

It seems there is a lot of confusion over what to do with the shot and there are like tons of different ways to aim......but only one desired result and I have my own method, main thing is it works for me and I don't miss a lot until I misjudge the effects of spin, am jacked up over a ball or something unusual...or unless I get tired. Tired gets us all.

Robin... Again I completely agree with you. Although I'm aiming in a similar way, I've never given a thought to the idea of actually having 2 OB aiming points. Good thinking.

Aiming for a CB front edge contact minimizes how thick or thin you perceive the shot should be hit. CB front edge aiming would send the OB down the known angle path line.

Aim the CB center to the OB aim point (1st aim). The front edge would send the OB down a known path. The aim point, to actually pocket the OB, needs tweaked in (2nd aim).

To determine the known angle to pocket the OB, you will need to visualize the 30 degree OB cut angle with a 1/2 ball hit (A ball rack has 30 degree angles down each side).

You must recognize the 1/2 ball hit angle! Unless the shot is straight in, every OB aim point for a CB front edge contact, will increment from the 30 degree cut angle... Carl

 

[Cuemaster98]

In my system, I use the center of the ball and edge of the cue ball to find the reference line of aim. Instead of aiming out somewhere in space for the shot over half ball to edge to edge, I use the edge of the cue ball to aim at the object ball to provide a dynamic reference line that changes based on how thick or thin the cut shot is. Aiming out in space requires too much brain power to compute and it hard to define a repeatable reference line. However, if you use the edge to aim with a dynamic reference, you can give you mind a more defined refine line for which you can then use to train your subconscious...do it enough and you will quickly recognize the angles and will not have to aim at all. This apply for shots that are straight in to half ball. Half Ball and straight in shots already have a very defined reference line so that should be easier to recognized.

BR,
Duc.

Robin... Again I completely agree with you. Although I'm aiming in a similar way, I've never given a thought to the idea of actually having 2 OB aiming points. Good thinking.

Aiming for a CB front edge contact minimizes how thick or thin you perceive the shot should be hit. CB front edge aiming would send the OB down the known angle path line.

Aim the CB center to the OB aim point (1st aim). The front edge would send the OB down a known path. The aim point, to actually pocket the OB, needs tweaked in (2nd aim).

To determine the known angle to pocket the OB, you will need to visualize the 30 degree OB cut angle with a 1/2 ball hit (A ball rack has 30 degree angles down each side).

You must recognize the 1/2 ball hit angle! Unless the shot is straight in, every OB aim point for a CB front edge contact, will increment from the 30 degree cut angle... Carl

 

[Ralph Kramden]

In my system, I use the center of the ball and edge of the cue ball to find the reference line of aim. Instead of aiming out somewhere in space for the shot over half ball to edge to edge, I use the edge of the cue ball to aim at the object ball to provide a dynamic reference line that changes based on how thick or thin the cut shot is. Aiming out in space requires too much brain power to compute and it hard to define a repeatable reference line. However, if you use the edge to aim with a dynamic reference, you can give you mind a more defined refine line for which you can then use to train your subconscious...do it enough and you will quickly recognize the angles and will not have to aim at all. This apply for shots that are straight in to half ball. Half Ball and straight in shots already have a very defined reference line so that should be easier to recognized.

BR,
Duc.

Cuemaster.... I learned how to play over 50 years ago. I never got good enough that I will not have to aim at all. Not even straight in. I guess I'll never be a Tom Cruise.

You're right though. I did say for cuts wider than 30 degrees you're aiming into outer space. No, I don't aim into outer space. Guess I shouldn't have said it that way.

What I meant was the center of the CB is aligned to set increments outside the OB. Set increments create the angles. The edge of the CB actually contacts the OB.

The increments are spaced at equal distances. So how do I know where these increments are? The OB is 2.25" in diameter. The OB center to the OB edge is 1.125".

Increment aim point .5625" is between the "0" center and 1.125" edge. If the CB center is aimed at these 3 points, the OB goes straight, or 15 degrees, or 30 degrees.

Recognize the 1/2 ball contact angle of 30 degrees first. For a 45 degree cut angle, aim the CB center to a .5625 increment outside the OB edge (30 degrees + 15 degrees).

It's not complicated if you draw the circles as in post #1. You DON'T need to know these incremental numbers. Just recognize what a 30 degree OB cut angle looks like.

After the CB center aligns to the OB edge for a 30 degree cut, the CB center is aimed at the incremental OB points. Tweak in the actual OB aiming point to the pocket line.

Extremely thin shots are difficult. I aim to the incremental point outside the OB edge first. I then aim in a similar way as you. I'll align the football shapes to match each other.

Front edge aim on angles less than 15 degrees reference off the center of the OB. Smaller increments space between those 2 points. Halfway between would be 7 degrees.

These increments will align the OB close to the pocketing line. The actual CB front edge to pocket the OB needs to be tweaked for a precise hit.... Carl... (Ralph Kramden)

 

[Cuemaster98]

Hi Ralph,

When I say you will not have to aim at all....what I really saying is that your mind already recognized and understand the shot...so the aim is automatic and the rest comes down to speed control and position. Doesn't really matter what systems you use as long as the reference lines are reliable and can help your subconscious recognize the aim lines consistently. For me, is really only 4 reference lines (straight in and half ball), anything between straight in and half ball and great than half ball to edge to edge are dynamic using the natural lines (High, center and bottom) to aim. My dynamic reference aim lines start at the center of the cue ball and end at my point of references determine by the intersection of shadow and object ball. I think the key is that you must have something in your system to take the guessing game out and make your line of aim more reliable so that it can be referenced and used by the brain to train the subconscious. Essentially, learn to aim so you don't have to aim.

BR,
Duc.

Cuemaster.... I learned how to play over 50 years ago. I never got good enough that I will not have to aim at all. Not even straight in. I guess I'll never be a Tom Cruise.

You're right though. I did say for cuts wider than 30 degrees you're aiming into outer space. No, I don't aim into outer space. Guess I shouldn't have said it that way.

What I meant was the center of the CB is aligned to set increments outside the OB. Set increments create the angles. The edge of the CB actually contacts the OB.

The increments are spaced at equal distances. So how do I know where these increments are? The OB is 2.25" in diameter. The OB center to the OB edge is 1.125".

Increment aim point .5625" is between the "0" center and 1.125" edge. If the CB center is aimed at these 3 points, the OB goes straight, or 15 degrees, or 30 degrees.

Recognize the 1/2 ball contact angle of 30 degrees first. For a 45 degree cut angle, aim the CB center to a .5625 increment outside the OB edge (30 degrees + 15 degrees).

It's not complicated if you draw the circles as in post #1. You DON'T need to know these incremental numbers. Just recognize what a 30 degree OB cut angle looks like.

After the CB center aligns to the OB edge for a 30 degree cut, the CB center is aimed at the incremental OB points. Tweak in the actual OB aiming point to the pocket line.

Extremely thin shots are difficult. I aim to the incremental point outside the OB edge first. I then aim in a similar way as you. I'll align the football shapes to match each other.

Front edge aim on angles less than 15 degrees reference off the center of the OB. Smaller increments space between those 2 points. Halfway between would be 7 degrees.

These increments will align the OB close to the pocketing line. The actual CB front edge to pocket the OB needs to be tweaked for a precise hit.... Carl... (Ralph Kramden)