I'm hoping to get your thoughts on this: "Sighting" down the shaft (consciously aligning shaft with shot line) as part of your aiming process vs. only looking at the cue ball and object ball (or elsewhere). If you've tried both, did you find there to be any difference in accuracy? If you sight down the shaft, have you found it easier to get aligned with a wood shaft or a carbon fiber shaft? Thanks!
Aiming questions
- Thread starter Rachel T
- Start date
Why would the shaft's material have anything to with it? I've used the sides of the ferrule to help aim but not the whole shaft. Wood or cf wouldn't change the routine imo.
The color of the shaft, not the material, was what I was referring to. I haven't thought of using the ferrule, I'll give it a try!
I see some very helpful strategies there from Dr. Dave, thanks!
phreaticus
Well-known member
Hi Rachael - I use the shaft/ferrule a lot for aiming, not the type of stuff in that Dr Dave video, but actually using it when looking at the balls when aiming/shooting. I also have migrated to CF shafts. Its a very subtle issue, but I actually like the black shaft contrast to the balls vs maple and think it helps me a bit. But for me the more important thing visually - is the ferrule itself, seems 3/8-1/2” is about the shortest I can get comfortable with, shorter than that feels odd. Unfortunately many/most CF & modern LD shafts all have super short weenie ferrules in the name of low deflection. So, its a bit of a tradeoff. I’m not hung up on uber low deflection and I recently replaced the ferrule on one of my Cynergy’s and even went with slightly longer 3/8” vs factory 1/4” and like it a lot. I don’t notice any difference in play, deflection etc but visually its better - might even go 1/2 “ on my next one.
All super subjective and very minor stuff IMO. I can get used to anything, play with any old house cues just fine. But, those are my preferences for my personal playing cue since you asked.
Cheers
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Ultimately, it's where the cue sits. Until you get to that point, you do need to develop and hone your real time sense of alignment. It's a lengthy process; photographic memory would help.
I think sighting down the shaft (like using the sights on a rifle) is preferable if it works for you. Where I'm pointing my stick (in relation to the OB) is my primary aiming "measurement" largely for that reason. Even when using side spin with the cue angled from the shot line, it can still be effective with practice. In fact, I think "measuring" squirt correction this way makes learning the corrections quicker/easier.
pj
chgo
Yes, very short ferrule on my cf. Also, a bit of glare coming off the shaft doesn't help me with alignment. I don't get the glare with wood.
I like the rifle analogy. This is something I'm going to start spending time with and see where it leads.
Well as I done my fair share of rifle & pistol shooting.
It easy to put open sight on short distance targets. It easy to put the Cross Hairs on the “x” on a
long distance target.
So you aimed right, or perfect pick your word.
But you Jerker your trigger, did not compensate for weather, wind, humidity, barometric pressure, and last bullet weight & powder charge.
So no big deal on 12” x 18” target you did not hit paper.
Same thing in Pool, aim is right, but Stroke is not, and you over cut under cut, or miss ball your shooting at.
So the mortal to story is if pre shot routing, setting up, stand and stroke is straight like arrow. You got good foundation to build upon.
Thanks for bringing this up. The rifle analogy is good until you pull the trigger. At that point it's all rifle and might be closer to thrusting a foil. IDK...
I got really excited for SVBs aiming system with the shaft aligning in various ways to the edge of the ball. I had it dialed in with a protractor to know which alignments were which angles. My shooting improved quite a bit. I was playing a bunch of bar box pool on a 6.5’ Valley with 4.5” pockets.
THEN
I started playing on this 9’ Diamond with 4.125” pockets as much as I could. First thing I learned was I was recklessly cheating the pocket on a little table and missing everything on the big table. Second I learned my stroke was too loose. I switched all my aiming effort to while standing and simplified my fundamentals so that non-moving parts were much more stable and moving parts were relaxed yet controlled.
So now I line up CB/OB while standing, step into the shot to keep that alignment, and when I am down I am just picking a precise tip position while making sure everything still looks/feels right. If not, reset (no adjustments allowed). I also learned that it will only look/feel right if my vision center is in the right spot. If it’s not in the right spot, I can shoot anyway and make it even if it feels like I might hit too fat or thin. So trusting my alignment is key. But I’d rather my vision center be properly positioned so that how the shot looks/feels can reinforce my feedback loop.
THEN
I started playing on this 9’ Diamond with 4.125” pockets as much as I could. First thing I learned was I was recklessly cheating the pocket on a little table and missing everything on the big table. Second I learned my stroke was too loose. I switched all my aiming effort to while standing and simplified my fundamentals so that non-moving parts were much more stable and moving parts were relaxed yet controlled.
So now I line up CB/OB while standing, step into the shot to keep that alignment, and when I am down I am just picking a precise tip position while making sure everything still looks/feels right. If not, reset (no adjustments allowed). I also learned that it will only look/feel right if my vision center is in the right spot. If it’s not in the right spot, I can shoot anyway and make it even if it feels like I might hit too fat or thin. So trusting my alignment is key. But I’d rather my vision center be properly positioned so that how the shot looks/feels can reinforce my feedback loop.
Remember the guy pimp aiming system that would turn you into world class player.
All it did was remove
from your pocket to his.Here's an insider secret. If it has a price tag, that's probably the intent.Remember the guy pimp aiming system that would turn you into world class player.
All it did was remove
To be fair, imagine making a career of showing how to make a ball.
Well Pool is like building House, if foundation is not level. Or fundamentals in Pool is not consultant.
The higher you try building everything is out of alignment. Or in Pool no foundation, no success.
SlateMan
Registered
It's like teaching people to get rich. Everyone wants to be rich and they will pay you for the secret. Then you start talking about budgets and living within your means and they don't want to hear about it or practice it. They just want to skip the really important small stuff and jump to being rich.
I tried my hand at personal financial planning. I made my first three customers into millionaires!!!!! They still were not happy. I guess if you start as a your life as a billionaire, becoming a millionaire isn't such a good thing!
