Aiming: Dominant eye or Binocular

tedkaufman

tedkaufman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
When I began playing pool back in the late '60's, there was no such thing as a professional pool teacher. Maybe from a Willie Mosconi book, or because someone told me, I learned to aim with my chin centered over the cue--binocular aiming.

About 15 years ago, I realized there was another method--dominant eye aiming. Since then, I've experimented with that method on and off many times, with periods of great success. But, of course, when a game would get tight and pressure increased, I'd always revert back to my familiar way of binocular aiming. Then I'd stay that way till I felt the urge to experiment again.

This last year, I decided no matter how long it took, I would stick with dominant eye aiming. It seems to me a far more natural way to aim. And I believe the effort has been worthwhile. This time I have stuck with it, and I feel more confident on thin cuts and long cuts than ever. It's just easier to aim this way.

So I wonder, what are you pool teachers telling new students? Do you explain both methods and tell them to experiment, or do you choose for the student? Or do you just watch and see where the student winds up?
 
When I took lessons I found out that I was opposite eye dominate. When I started shooting with my cue over my left eye (left handed) my shots improved immediately. Neils Feijen and Earl Strickland also sight with their opposite eye.
 
cgriffin5 said:
When I took lessons I found out that I was opposite eye dominate. When I started shooting with my cue over my left eye (left handed) my shots improved immediately. Neils Feijen and Earl Strickland also sight with their opposite eye.
Click to expand...

???

If you're left-handed and left-eye dominant, that's not opposite, that's the same. A majority of people are like this.

Niels Feijen and Earl Strickland both shoot with the cue to the right of their face. Niels doesn't have either eye actually over the cue, and Earl has his right eye over the cue. Neither has their opposite (left) eye even close to over the cue.

I've noticed there are some times when I just don't feel confident in my sighting. That feeling when you just feel in your gut that your cue is aligned just won't happen. I think I only get that feeling of natural alignment, like I can just unconsciously point the cue exactly where I need to, when I have my eyes aligned in just the right position over the cue. I haven't figured out how to consciously replicate my "natural" eye position, though, since it generally only happens when I'm not thinking about things like eye position. I imagine it's as simple as either aligning my cue straight under my dominant eye, or centered between my eyes. I'll try to pay attention to it next time I shoot, since I know it's an important factor in shooting accuracy.

-Andrew
 
I have thought for a long time that is was important for me to use my dominant eye. If you look into the subject on this board you could probably find a thread that I say exactly that.

There is something that has me wondering about this lately. Not that I'm convinced yet, but just thinking. I've been playing very well for me lately. On 4 occasions I believe I was "in the zone". Being in the zone is really neat and makes you want to get back there. So you start wondering what got you there. One thing I have noticed when I'm shooting in the zone or close to it is, I'm not paying much attention to the line of the stick. Yes I make sure the tip is where I want it to be, but most of my attention is where I want to hit the object ball and the line I want to object ball to take. At other times I can remember looking at the stick and the line it is on but I don't think I do this when in the zone. Is just that I don't need to when I'm in the zone or does this help me get to the zone. Also when in the zone I think I use both eyes. So....

I'm wondering? Let's see if I can say this right. Does the depth perception gained from using both eyes give you a better feel for the direction the stick is pointing. There is a question for all us "feel" people. 8>)
 
tedkaufman said:
When I began playing pool back in the late '60's, there was no such thing as a professional pool teacher. Maybe from a Willie Mosconi book, or because someone told me, I learned to aim with my chin centered over the cue--binocular aiming.

About 15 years ago, I realized there was another method--dominant eye aiming. Since then, I've experimented with that method on and off many times, with periods of great success. But, of course, when a game would get tight and pressure increased, I'd always revert back to my familiar way of binocular aiming. Then I'd stay that way till I felt the urge to experiment again.

This last year, I decided no matter how long it took, I would stick with dominant eye aiming. It seems to me a far more natural way to aim. And I believe the effort has been worthwhile. This time I have stuck with it, and I feel more confident on thin cuts and long cuts than ever. It's just easier to aim this way.

So I wonder, what are you pool teachers telling new students? Do you explain both methods and tell them to experiment, or do you choose for the student? Or do you just watch and see where the student winds up?
Click to expand...

As an experiment, I switched to the cue under the chin and the head straight several months ago. I can pocket balls okay, but not up to my standard. I just went back to dominant eye and started firing them in even better than before I experimented with binocular aiming.

Cheers,
RC
 
I've always wondered about this, but why don't people who use the dominant eye aiming just close their non-dominant eye while shooting? Wouldn't aiming with only one eye open (at least using the dominant eye aiming) only help your alignment? I mean, people shoot a rifle or a pistol with only one eye open...why not do the same in pool?

I truthfully feel that the only reason we don't shoot with our non-dominant eye closed is because we'll look like complete morons doing so. If there was never any stigma, then you'd fine a lot of people shooting with only one eye open.
 
jsp said:
I've always wondered about this, but why don't people who use the dominant eye aiming just close their non-dominant eye while shooting? Wouldn't aiming with only one eye open (at least using the dominant eye aiming) only help your alignment? I mean, people shoot a rifle or a pistol with only one eye open...why not do the same in pool?

I truthfully feel that the only reason we don't shoot with our non-dominant eye closed is because we'll look like complete morons doing so. If there was never any stigma, then you'd fine a lot of people shooting with only one eye open.
Click to expand...


Actually, a decent shooter as in rifle or gun, will leave their non-aiming eye open. You really not relaxed when your holding one eye shut. Same as breathing. Exhale, squeeze trigger.

Gives me an idea for another thread and question I have pondered....
 
jsp said:
I've always wondered about this, but why don't people who use the dominant eye aiming just close their non-dominant eye while shooting? Wouldn't aiming with only one eye open (at least using the dominant eye aiming) only help your alignment? I mean, people shoot a rifle or a pistol with only one eye open...why not do the same in pool?

I truthfully feel that the only reason we don't shoot with our non-dominant eye closed is because we'll look like complete morons doing so. If there was never any stigma, then you'd fine a lot of people shooting with only one eye open.
Click to expand...


I have tried closing my non dominent eye. Can't make a ball.
 
I think it's a VERY individual thing and depends on where you "see" center cue ball best. Everyone is different. I, personally, see center cue ball best with the cue just to the right of the center of my head. I have a friend who sees it best with the cue dead center on his head. I have another who sees it best with the cue off to the right side of his head, pretty much under his ear, much like Earl and Nels. I have yet another who sees center best with the cue under his NON dominant eye. The key is to locate the cue where you SEE CENTER BALL the best. You must be able to consistently find the center of the cue ball, it doesn't matter if you're cue is under your dominant eye or in your armpit.

Later,
Bob
 
CaptainJR said:
I have thought for a long time that is was important for me to use my dominant eye. If you look into the subject on this board you could probably find a thread that I say exactly that.

There is something that has me wondering about this lately. Not that I'm convinced yet, but just thinking. I've been playing very well for me lately. On 4 occasions I believe I was "in the zone". Being in the zone is really neat and makes you want to get back there. So you start wondering what got you there. One thing I have noticed when I'm shooting in the zone or close to it is, I'm not paying much attention to the line of the stick. Yes I make sure the tip is where I want it to be, but most of my attention is where I want to hit the object ball and the line I want to object ball to take. At other times I can remember looking at the stick and the line it is on but I don't think I do this when in the zone. Is just that I don't need to when I'm in the zone or does this help me get to the zone. Also when in the zone I think I use both eyes. So....

I'm wondering? Let's see if I can say this right. Does the depth perception gained from using both eyes give you a better feel for the direction the stick is pointing. There is a question for all us "feel" people. 8>)
Click to expand...

If you center your head (binocular aiming) over the cue, you CANNOT use the cue shaft to aim. The cue will always look offline, due to parallax. As you correctly identified, you can only use the cueball, sightline and cue tip for aiming, not the shaft.

By using dominant eye aiming one can aim down shaft because one eye is aiming and it is on or near the shaft line. This presents a far more logical and, to me, accurate picture for aiming.

I will certainly concede great shotmaking can be done with either method. But it seems a lot easier with the dominant eye.
 
jsp said:
I've always wondered about this, but why don't people who use the dominant eye aiming just close their non-dominant eye while shooting? Wouldn't aiming with only one eye open (at least using the dominant eye aiming) only help your alignment? I mean, people shoot a rifle or a pistol with only one eye open...why not do the same in pool?

I truthfully feel that the only reason we don't shoot with our non-dominant eye closed is because we'll look like complete morons doing so. If there was never any stigma, then you'd fine a lot of people shooting with only one eye open.
Click to expand...

When I first tried dominant eye aiming, I did close my non-dominant eye. It helped me to overcome my desire to aim as I always had, with both eyes (binocular).

The disadvantage of closing one eye is you lose depth perception. This is not always an issue, but it often is when there are balls to avoid.

I found that after awhile, my non-dominant eye learned to leave things to my dominant eye and I could keep both eyes open. There is a lot less eyestrain with both eyes open, so there is no reason to close one, other than learning the method.
 
Andrew Manning said:
???

I've noticed there are some times when I just don't feel confident in my sighting. That feeling when you just feel in your gut that your cue is aligned just won't happen. I think I only get that feeling of natural alignment, like I can just unconsciously point the cue exactly where I need to, when I have my eyes aligned in just the right position over the cue. I haven't figured out how to consciously replicate my "natural" eye position, though, since it generally only happens when I'm not thinking about things like eye position. I imagine it's as simple as either aligning my cue straight under my dominant eye, or centered between my eyes. I'll try to pay attention to it next time I shoot, since I know it's an important factor in shooting accuracy.

-Andrew
Click to expand...

This was exactly how and why I first discovered the two different methods. As I wrote to Capt. earlier, if you center your eyes over the cue (binocular), you CANNOT sight down the cue. It will always appear to be pointed to the right. If you let that sightline influence your aim, you will miss your mark.

However, if you align your dominant eye over the cue, THEN you can use the cue shaft for aiming. It will be right on the target line from the cueball to the object ball. The trick is, if you have been using binocular aiming, to give your brain enough practice time to relearn the shot picture. It doesn't take that long, though. It's mostly a matter of trust. I recommend practicing with mostly straight shots till you get the feel of it. Then gradually increasing difficulty--distance and degree of cut.

One other thing, in teaching a couple of friends dominant eye aiming, I noticed their tendency was to drift back to centering their heads (comfort zone). So be mindful of that. If you get into the netherland of in-between, neither method will work!
 
I have spent alot of time reading what I can about dominant eye, and at this point I totally agree with Cane. Its more important to some than others. I think if people start with the cue under their chin, they will end up making minor adjustments and end up with it in a position that best suits them.

One thing I have started trying lately is to have someone stand behind the cueball and sight a straght in shot. While in the upright position Ill have "sway" a little to move their head to the left and right. When you do this you will see when the balls look straight and you will know when your head is too far left or right. Once your best sighting position is found, thats where your head needs to be. Then get down into the shot making sure not to move your head left or right.

Woody

On a side note, to go along with what Cane has talked about. A good way to check is with the simple drill of sending the cueball the length of the table and trying to make it come back and hit your tip. Try it with the cue centered and then try it with your dominate eye over the shaft. I would bet you will see a difference in the reaction of the cueball off the rail.
 
Interesting that this discussion has come up now as a couple of days ago I took delivery of a product called sightright, for those who use both eyes. It is very strongly recommended by both Steve Davis and Terry Griffiths (now coaching) who both claimed it changed the way they address the shot and improved their games. Now I grew up watching these two players dominate the snooker scene, so I figured if it can help their games Lord knows what it might do for mine.
They make the point that most players line up the shot from the side and not standing directly in line with the shot and suggest a number of tests you can easily perform to check whether you are lining up correctly or not (I wasn’t)
I have yet to take it down the pool hall, but have used it on the kitchen table trying to develop a new pre shot routine – so far I am very happy with it.
 
I agree with Ted.

Anyone who hunts or does competitive shooting (rifle / pistol) knows that there is definitely a dominant eye. I believe it's the same is true in pool for sighting a single contact point and establishing alignment. Binocular vision gives us better depth perception and allows us to see contour better. Hence the reason most pool players keep both eyes open, but point to point aiming is a dominant eye function.
 
42NateBaller said:
Anyone who hunts or does competitive shooting (rifle / pistol) knows that there is definitely a dominant eye. I believe it's the same is true in pool for sighting a single contact point and establishing alignment. Binocular vision gives us better depth perception and allows us to see contour better. Hence the reason most pool players keep both eyes open, but point to point aiming is a dominant eye function.
Click to expand...

Very well said!
 
Sightright

zed9 said:
Interesting that this discussion has come up now as a couple of days ago I took delivery of a product called sightright, for those who use both eyes. It is very strongly recommended by both Steve Davis and Terry Griffiths (now coaching) who both claimed it changed the way they address the shot and improved their games. Now I grew up watching these two players dominate the snooker scene, so I figured if it can help their games Lord knows what it might do for mine.
They make the point that most players line up the shot from the side and not standing directly in line with the shot and suggest a number of tests you can easily perform to check whether you are lining up correctly or not (I wasn’t)
I have yet to take it down the pool hall, but have used it on the kitchen table trying to develop a new pre-shot routine – so far I am very happy with it.
Click to expand...

I would be very interested in investigating that gizmo further. I have always believed that the visual line-up is the key to performance. I have played all three ways, left-eyed dominant ( because my right eye is my dominant eye but is weaker than the left), right-eyed dominant (I would have to force it) and perfectly centered. If I had to teach a method, I would endorse perfectly centered, but that is probably the hardest to master. Where would I purchase that product you speak of? You can contact me at fbentivegna@sbcglobal.net, reply to this reply or PM me here. I would appreciate it.

the Beard
Bank on, brother!
 
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