Aiming method
- Thread starter AHWOSU86
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There are a lot of aiming systems, and I don't think you can say that 1 system is the best.
The question is....which aiming system is best for YOU.
I think the way that you SIGHT the shot is important in determining which system will work best for you.
Some players use the rifleman sighting approach, and some players have a more upright approach.
I have never heard of the method you mentioned. The only image I have, from what you mentioned about cutting the CB into 4 pieces, is like the cross hairs from a rifle scope.
I have heard of the ghost ball aiming method and CTE (Center to Edge) method.
If you could explain what method you are using, then maybe you can get better advice/feed back.
I think for an aiming system, there is more than just the CB to consider. There is the OB (object ball), and the effects of english applied to the CB.
My personal aiming method is based off the ghost ball aiming method.
I use the CB to OB contact point (based off center CB) as a baseline.
When I apply english to the CB, I adjust my OB contact point, based on the distance between the CB/OB, and the amount of english I apply to the CB. This adjustment is not a fixed amount. If I am using a low deflection shaft, like OB or Predator, then the adjustment is less than, when using a normal shaft. The adjustment also must factor in how the table is playing. In Freddy "the Beard" Bentivegna's "Banking with the Beard", he mentioned how humidity/dryness in the air can affect the angle of bank shots. This effect should be factored into the adjustment. It is really difficult to explain aiming systems in text/words.
I think your best bet, if you are serious about pool/billiards, seek a qualified instructor because it's best to learn aiming systems one-on-one in person.
There are a lot of aiming systems, and I don't think you can say that 1 system is the best.
The question is....which aiming system is best for YOU.
I think the way that you SIGHT the shot is important in determining which system will work best for you.
Some players use the rifleman sighting approach, and some players have a more upright approach.
I have never heard of the method you mentioned. The only image I have, from what you mentioned about cutting the CB into 4 pieces, is like the cross hairs from a rifle scope.
I have heard of the ghost ball aiming method and CTE (Center to Edge) method.
If you could explain what method you are using, then maybe you can get better advice/feed back.
I think for an aiming system, there is more than just the CB to consider. There is the OB (object ball), and the effects of english applied to the CB.
My personal aiming method is based off the ghost ball aiming method.
I use the CB to OB contact point (based off center CB) as a baseline.
When I apply english to the CB, I adjust my OB contact point, based on the distance between the CB/OB, and the amount of english I apply to the CB. This adjustment is not a fixed amount. If I am using a low deflection shaft, like OB or Predator, then the adjustment is less than, when using a normal shaft. The adjustment also must factor in how the table is playing. In Freddy "the Beard" Bentivegna's "Banking with the Beard", he mentioned how humidity/dryness in the air can affect the angle of bank shots. This effect should be factored into the adjustment. It is really difficult to explain aiming systems in text/words.
I think your best bet, if you are serious about pool/billiards, seek a qualified instructor because it's best to learn aiming systems one-on-one in person.
Aiming System
There is no one aiming system that allows you to pocket balls magically without missing as there are several variables that have an effect on the cue ball path and the path the object ball will take after cue ball contact. Until you understand how these variables work and learn how to adjust your aim to compensate for them you may have difficulties achieving a high percentage rate of pocketing balls.
Variables that effect cue ball path include:
Stroke speed using english - compensation for squirt
Bridge-Cue elevation using english - compensation for swerve
Cue, head and eye alignment - as alignment changes your perception of aim changes
Ability to stroke straight through cue ball - If your stoke is going off line as the tip contacts the cue ball you chances of missing the shot greatly increase
Variables that effect object ball path include:
Speed of cue ball at object ball contact(no english) - contact throw
Speed of cue ball at object ball contact(english applied) - english induced throw
Adding to the problem is that aiming for most people involves an abstract function for the brain. When aiming it is very easy to pick the spot on the object ball that you aim at but since you don't pick an exact spot on the cue ball to hit the spot you are aiming at your brain is forced to use it's abstract reasoning to make the correct adjustment. That is why most players tell you to aim at the ball until it looks right then pull the trigger. There is a method to determine the exact spot on the cue ball to aim at the object ball but may be beyond the scope of this post to explain it to you. It also takes more time in the aiming process and I only use it on the more difficult shots. To explain this system briefly you simply run a line(mentally) from the center of the pocket through the object ball then run a line parallel to this line though the cue ball. Where the parallel line exits the cue ball is the point that you aim at the contact point on the object ball. If there is an interest I could probably figure out how to use the WEI system to diagram it for you.
Whatever aiming method you use the best advice I could give is to make sure you keep your body relaxed but absolutely still (except for your arm) until the shot is complete. Even the slightest body movement can cause you to miss your shot. Lastly keep your cue ball speed at a minimum. Fast cue ball speeds are rarely required except for the break.
There is no one aiming system that allows you to pocket balls magically without missing as there are several variables that have an effect on the cue ball path and the path the object ball will take after cue ball contact. Until you understand how these variables work and learn how to adjust your aim to compensate for them you may have difficulties achieving a high percentage rate of pocketing balls.
Variables that effect cue ball path include:
Stroke speed using english - compensation for squirt
Bridge-Cue elevation using english - compensation for swerve
Cue, head and eye alignment - as alignment changes your perception of aim changes
Ability to stroke straight through cue ball - If your stoke is going off line as the tip contacts the cue ball you chances of missing the shot greatly increase
Variables that effect object ball path include:
Speed of cue ball at object ball contact(no english) - contact throw
Speed of cue ball at object ball contact(english applied) - english induced throw
Adding to the problem is that aiming for most people involves an abstract function for the brain. When aiming it is very easy to pick the spot on the object ball that you aim at but since you don't pick an exact spot on the cue ball to hit the spot you are aiming at your brain is forced to use it's abstract reasoning to make the correct adjustment. That is why most players tell you to aim at the ball until it looks right then pull the trigger. There is a method to determine the exact spot on the cue ball to aim at the object ball but may be beyond the scope of this post to explain it to you. It also takes more time in the aiming process and I only use it on the more difficult shots. To explain this system briefly you simply run a line(mentally) from the center of the pocket through the object ball then run a line parallel to this line though the cue ball. Where the parallel line exits the cue ball is the point that you aim at the contact point on the object ball. If there is an interest I could probably figure out how to use the WEI system to diagram it for you.
Whatever aiming method you use the best advice I could give is to make sure you keep your body relaxed but absolutely still (except for your arm) until the shot is complete. Even the slightest body movement can cause you to miss your shot. Lastly keep your cue ball speed at a minimum. Fast cue ball speeds are rarely required except for the break.
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JLD, I think there might be a lot of interest in seeing your parallel-line aiming system. I know I would like to see it.
Good post.
Roger
Good post.
Roger
Ok Roger here goes my attempt to use the WEI.....
Due to limitations of the WEI tool I could not draw individual lines unless they were associated with a ball. Hopefully the lines that I have drawn with the tool that are associated with the cue and 1 ball will suffice. If the aiming method is still unclear I can try to find some other program to demonstrate how it is accomplished.
Due to limitations of the WEI tool I could not draw individual lines unless they were associated with a ball. Hopefully the lines that I have drawn with the tool that are associated with the cue and 1 ball will suffice. If the aiming method is still unclear I can try to find some other program to demonstrate how it is accomplished.
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I think you may be using something very similar to Joe Tucker's system.
I usually think of that as contact-contact aiming. Draw the line from the contact point of the object ball to the contact point of the cue ball, then parallel shift the cue to the center of the cue ball.
You still need to compensate for squirt and throw, but the basic idea is sound.
Steve
I usually think of that as contact-contact aiming. Draw the line from the contact point of the object ball to the contact point of the cue ball, then parallel shift the cue to the center of the cue ball.
You still need to compensate for squirt and throw, but the basic idea is sound.
Steve
for what it's worth
lately i've been shooting my most consistent pool.before i'd play and practice and on certain days would come in and shoot really good but it wouldn't last.
so i started messing with different aiming methods because my shot making was where my biggest weakness was.
i messed with ghostball,cte, and fractional aiming.some of it worked some didn't.cte and fractional aiming had merit but lacked for me when using english.
so i started messing around with center to center.i know this doesn't always work because the further away from dead on you move the aim point and the contact point change.so i started aiming at the contact point.i'd find center to center then aim off center a bit depending on which way the cut was. and it worked.and i can use the aim point or the contact point for using english.
lately i've been shooting my most consistent pool.before i'd play and practice and on certain days would come in and shoot really good but it wouldn't last.
so i started messing with different aiming methods because my shot making was where my biggest weakness was.
i messed with ghostball,cte, and fractional aiming.some of it worked some didn't.cte and fractional aiming had merit but lacked for me when using english.
so i started messing around with center to center.i know this doesn't always work because the further away from dead on you move the aim point and the contact point change.so i started aiming at the contact point.i'd find center to center then aim off center a bit depending on which way the cut was. and it worked.and i can use the aim point or the contact point for using english.
I've tried tons of different aiming systems and practicing them definitely helps......but mostly you just have to hit a ton of balls in all angles, shot lengths, etc, and just get the experience to "see" where to hit the ball.
When I'm playing my best and shooting good I can just "see" where to hit the ball. Of course, you also have to have solid fundamentals to make sure that you're hitting the cue ball correctly as well, and you must learn how to properly "in" the line of the shot.
A good stance and fundamentals is the hardest part! Once you have those down and know how to get in line, you can almost one stroke the ball in with your eyes closed if you've done all of your pre-shot routine correctly. Again, the knowledge of how to do this doesn't come over night, and to maintain it you have to play all of the time.
When I take a layoff from pool it takes me a week or so of playing to get it all back. Again, some of this is feel as well.
When I'm playing my best and shooting good I can just "see" where to hit the ball. Of course, you also have to have solid fundamentals to make sure that you're hitting the cue ball correctly as well, and you must learn how to properly "in" the line of the shot.
A good stance and fundamentals is the hardest part! Once you have those down and know how to get in line, you can almost one stroke the ball in with your eyes closed if you've done all of your pre-shot routine correctly. Again, the knowledge of how to do this doesn't come over night, and to maintain it you have to play all of the time.
When I take a layoff from pool it takes me a week or so of playing to get it all back. Again, some of this is feel as well.
FWIW, CTE is not an english system - it's designed to pocket the ball with center english. Once you pivot/turn to the center of the CB (many people do this while standing up - or air pivoting), you're supposed to use BHE from the pivot point of your cue to get to your english position. Even this isn't 100% accurate without slight adjustment - but it's the closest thing out there to 100% (i.e. requiring the fewest "tweaks"). Meaning, CTE/ETE paired with BHE (from the pivot point) is the most systematic way to play, requiring the least amount of intuition/guess work.
Hope that helps.
Dave
Hope that helps.
Dave
aboslutely....
There are several different aiming techniques that can be accurate, but BHE has to be the best way to adjust for throw and squirt out there.
Jaden
There are several different aiming techniques that can be accurate, but BHE has to be the best way to adjust for throw and squirt out there.
Jaden