Aiming center ball hits off center

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pw98

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I recently figured out that if I aim center ball hits with what looks like 1/2 a tip to the right of center a LOT more of my more difficult center ball shots seem to go in.

I think the problem isn't with my vision center because I can close one eye and it looks like I am lined up off center when cueing right of center.

I am known to twist the wrist and bring the tip back to the right on the backstroke and to the left on the follow through. I think this is the problem.

I have seen a PBIA instructor and he said that i am not bringing the cue back straight. He also said I hold the cue too tight. He also taught me to cue into the cloth which I now do on draw shots which has seemed to increase my draw consistency.

Now the question: How do I go about figuring out exactly what is wrong and causing this bandaid to seemingly work?
 
A camera. Take a still/picture on your side and above then draw straight lines to compare start and finish (Microsoft Paint to the rescue).

Edit: If you're feeling fancy, you can buy a Xbox Kinect for like $40 and ping pong balls or stickers to stick to your arms/cue and have the software draw the lines (it can also take references and play beeps, but that's another story). Not specific to this, but I tried using a Kinect to make a 3D model and the tutorials for that cover what you want it for and more.
 
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I would suggest some drills. Specifically start with the cueball and object ball in straight line close to the pocket. Shoot the shot with high/top/follow english and see if you can consistently get the cueball to scratch in the pocket. As you start getting more consistent with it, start pulling the balls back further from the pocket.

This requires a very precise hit on the cueball. At greater distances it becomes more challenging. Missing can be for a variety of reasons from bad initial aiming/alignment to a crooked stroke. While videos of you shooting can be an effective tool in identifying the problem, but always beware of trying to fix your problems with thought alone. This drill isolates a lot of variables to focus on the specific problem you mention.

For me it was funny. I put a lot of focus on my aiming process initially. I really wanted to make my alignment was perfect from the moment of standing behind the shot, stepping into the shot, and coming to rest on the table. And the cueball kept going right of the pocket on me. I kept thinking it was my aim. It wasn't.

It dawned on me at one point that I wasn't addressing my tip to the center of the ball. I started noticing the apex of the top curve of my tip wasn't exactly in line with the apex of the top curve of the cueball. I was putting just the tiniest amount of left english on the ball. An amount I might have considered no english at all prior. But I could see it now and it was squirting my cueball just the tiniest amount to the right. Enough to fail this drill over and over at a given distrance. That was one of the first moments I realized just how real deflection is (even with a LD shaft).
 
Shoot long distance (CB and OB 4-diamonds apart) stop shots, using a measles ball. If the CB consistently has any spin on it, you are accidentally hitting the ball with slight english.

Now the crazy part. Bert Kinister taught me this. You can try figuring out what on earth is causing it. OR... just aim slightly with the opposite english.


Note: hitting with a little accidental english might go away at any time. It might be a temporary glitch in your stroke. So I'm not necessarily saying do it for the rest of your life.
 
it's more effective to favor one side of center or the other slightly

pw98 said:
I recently figured out that if I aim center ball hits with what looks like 1/2 a tip to the right of center a LOT more of my more difficult center ball shots seem to go in.

I think the problem isn't with my vision center because I can close one eye and it looks like I am lined up off center when cueing right of center.

I am known to twist the wrist and bring the tip back to the right on the backstroke and to the left on the follow through. I think this is the problem.

I have seen a PBIA instructor and he said that i am not bringing the cue back straight. He also said I hold the cue too tight. He also taught me to cue into the cloth which I now do on draw shots which has seemed to increase my draw consistency.

Now the question: How do I go about figuring out exactly what is wrong and causing this bandaid to seemingly work?
Click to expand...

The difficulty of hitting the center of the cueball and seeing the center of the cueball is not something you should want to attempt, most pros can't do it either.

I rarely try to see or hit the center of the ball, it's more effective to favor one side of center or the other slightly, this gives you an ability to create a zone in the pocket much like golfers create a zone on the fairway or green by using a slight Draw or Fade. The champion players do the same type thing to achieve the incredible consistency.

I can give you more information if you want, I'd recommend you find YOUR center, which depends on your particular eyesight and stroke.

Play Well, the Game is the Teacher
 
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