Aiming Is Really Simple

[Patrick Johnson]

Patrick... You wrote this a few posts ago and I wanted to discuss it.

This is known precisely: the CB strikes the OB exactly half the apparent distance from the aim point to the OB's center. I.e., if you aim at the edge of the OB, the CB will contact it exactly halfway (as it appears to you) from the OB's edge to its center.

Does this VERY SIMPLE description help in any way for us laymen to pocket balls better... In other words, can we think to ourselves "okay... I see the actual contact point being the point on the OB furthest away from the pocket... good." "Now I am going to cut it in (at whatever angle I have) and I'm going to aim at X, or halfway to X or some such thing." where X = some point between that contact point and something else...

You've almost got it...

1. Aim the center of your CB at the center of the OB.

2. Shift your aim sideways, past the OB contact point, until the OB contact point is centered between the point you're aiming at and the OB's center (this is the same as saying "shift your aim sideways twice the distance from the OB center to the contact point").

As we've said in another thread, this method works well at average shot distances but gets less accurate as the CB and OB get closer together.

pj
chgo

 

[Clark_the_Shark]

That's PERFECT! Thanks PJ. This discussion's dualism is showing up in Dr. Dave's PIM thread too. I think I've got it now!!! 400 ball runs here I come!!!! hehe

 

[pooltchr]

Well sure... but the whole point is, if visualizing the ghost ball was so easy, then everyone would be world-beaters in pool. It's more like trying to find a way to aim that is easier than trying to visualize a 3D ghost ball in air & space, which is difficult to do.

Exactly! Visualization of any sort can be difficult for some people. But if that is a problem, visualizing twice the distance between the OB center and the contact point isn't any easier. Visualization is visualization, and if it's difficult for someone, it's difficult no matter what system you use. Unless you have a specific target to aim at, aiming is always about visualization. You must be able to determine where the cue ball needs to end up.
Just as it is necessary to learn how to develop the proper stroke mechanics, it is just as important to learn to visualize where the cue ball needs to be.. Either that, or find a way to always have a specific target to aim at.
It's not always easy. If it was, none of us would ever miss a shot. It's a part of the game everyone needs to learn. Aiming systems will help someone learn where they need to be looking. Practice, and observation of your results will help you get better at judging. Your eyes and brain must learn to work together on every shot.
Steve

Steve

 

[dr_dave]

Well sure... but the whole point is, if visualizing the ghost ball was so easy, then everyone would be world-beaters in pool. It's more like trying to find a way to aim that is easier than trying to visualize a 3D ghost ball in air & space, which is difficult to do.

This method works fairly well, and it is very straightforward, provided you practice a little with judging the gap size:

NV 3.2 - Using the cue to help visualize the impact and aiming lines​

Although, it seems most good players don't need "systems" like this. They can just "see the angle."

Regards,
Dave