Aiming System
- Thread starter TDub
- Start date
If you are struggling with consistency there is most likely more wrong than just your sight picture. You would be surprised how many people have a decent to very good sight picture and still can't make balls on a consistent manner.
Before you wright you problems off to sight picture, check your stance, bridge, grip, and follow through. These basic fundamentals cause many players more trouble than most would believe. These steps must be completely repeatable / exactly the same every time for every shot.
To check your current method of aim, place a same mark for a ball and another small mark for the cue ball on the table in a non-permanent manner. Make sure you have set thing s up so there is a small angle, however, also make sure that the shot chosen is also fair simple and that you are comfortable with the shot.
Then shoot the shot into the pocket a few times, first aiming dead center. Then aim for the right side of the pocket and then the left. If you miss any of these shots pay close attention where the object ball made contact with the rail. Then line the shot up again and compensate for the miss. When you can complete the above drill without a miss 10 times in a row center, right and then left you will know that your site picture is correct. If you can not do it consistently 10 times in a row an aiming system may be something that you need to pursue, especially if you can not figure out how to adjust using the current method you are using.
Oh and by the way, this may sound very simple and it really is because like I said above in my opinion most people can see what and where they are shooting, however, the most common problem I see is the delivery of the cue ball to what you perceive as your point of aim.
JIMO
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There are lots of systems that will get you to the right neighborhood but none will get you home every time. As Craig said, your problem is likely elsewhere.
Here's another test to check your fundamentals -- the spot shot: put a ball on the foot spot (where you rack). Put the cue ball on the line (head string) just off the cushion so that when you are lined up to make the shot into the corner pocket your cue stick passes over the opposite corner pocket. Aiming this shot is easy -- your stick should be lined up to hit the cue ball in the middle and be pointed at the exact edge of the object ball. (This is called a half-ball shot.) No aiming is required in a sense, just alignment of your stick and stroke on that line. How do you do? How is it from the other side?
TDub...Without a way to determine whether you have an accurate and repeatable stroke, no aiming method will be consistent. This is what a good pre-shot routine helps to ingraine. A qualified instructor can help you evaluate this, and if necessary, help you develop one built just for you.
Scott Lee
Www.pool knowledge.com
I'll get you started on the right track..........
Hi there TDub,
I'm doing free Perfect Aim Phone lessons for AZ members right now. Just give me a call and I will get you on the right track. this works even over the phone. just be by a table when you call.
Just like with aiming anything it's all about the eyes. if the eyes aren't right then the brain isn't getting the best info that it can.
Just give me a call. 715-563-8712 and be by a pool table.
Talk to you soon. geno...........
Hi there TDub,
I'm doing free Perfect Aim Phone lessons for AZ members right now. Just give me a call and I will get you on the right track. this works even over the phone. just be by a table when you call.
Just like with aiming anything it's all about the eyes. if the eyes aren't right then the brain isn't getting the best info that it can.
Just give me a call. 715-563-8712 and be by a pool table.
Talk to you soon. geno...........
Placing my cue directly under my vision center made a world of difference. Surprisingly my vision center is not exactly in between my eyes or my dominant eye. Its right in between. Short and medium shots were not a problem but long shots were always inconsistent until I found my vision center and lined up my cue there.
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OK. I'll bite. You used the term 'vision center' three times in one short paragraph. I know a vision center to be a place you go to have your eyes checked and to buy glasses, if needed.
What's your definition of a vision center?
Sorry, vision center is the term used by Dr. Dave in his articles. It may be known to others as a different term.
A straight shot center ball hit would have the cue stick, cue ball, object ball directly centered in a straight line to the pocket. Vision center is the position of your head/eyes over this straight line that makes it look straight to you.
Writing is not my strong point. Hopefully I have explained it ok.
Here is Dr. Dave's description:
"the concept of vision center describes the head and eye alignment relative to the cue, that allows you to see a center-ball, straight in shot as straight"
This may be basic stuff for others, but for me it was a revelation. For me, cue position in between my dominant eye and my nose, looks dead straight centered and works best. I don't recall seeing this position recommended before. I always see under dominant eye or under chin. My "vision center" may be different than most.
A straight shot center ball hit would have the cue stick, cue ball, object ball directly centered in a straight line to the pocket. Vision center is the position of your head/eyes over this straight line that makes it look straight to you.
Writing is not my strong point. Hopefully I have explained it ok.
Here is Dr. Dave's description:
"the concept of vision center describes the head and eye alignment relative to the cue, that allows you to see a center-ball, straight in shot as straight"
This may be basic stuff for others, but for me it was a revelation. For me, cue position in between my dominant eye and my nose, looks dead straight centered and works best. I don't recall seeing this position recommended before. I always see under dominant eye or under chin. My "vision center" may be different than most.
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Ok thanks for the description. Yes, there are different positions under the dominant eye that can work for a player. What you described --- I would term as the 'inside' of the dominant eye. Other positions are centered under the dominant eye and other more extreme positions are under the outside portion of the dominant eye. Some players, with a severely dominant eye, even allow the cue to drift completely outside the dominant eye, such as Strickland.
Inside the dominant eye is a good description.
Is it common to not be under the dominant eye or centered under the chin/nose ? I've read many books and articles and it seems those 2 options are recommended 99.9% of the time.
Based on my experiences in teaching hundreds, probably a thousand or more players, I would have to say that the player always favors some portion of the dominant eye, except for those with serious pathologies in their dominant eyes. I've only come across a few --- maybe two --- such situations of those in all the years I'm teaching where a pathology dictated that the cue be under the recessive eye.
Even players who appear to have the cue centered under both eyes, don't always do so. There is often a slight favoring towards the dominant eye. I think that perfectly centered cues are very much a minority, although they do exist.
Be careful about judging a player based on a photograph, especially if they are posing. They aren't really aiming. And also, in some cases the camera angle may present a bit of an illusion.
Your cue position is definitely not uncommon. Yes, I'm teaching in NYC --- at Amsterdam Billiards in Manhattan and the Cue Bar in Queens.
Follow Up
Just as a follow up, I did work on my preshot routine and ironed out one that I felt comfortable with and what a difference it made for me. I have been playing for years and have struggled with consistency. I can honestly say, at this point I am playing the best pool I have ever played in my life. Thanks for the tip. If you dont have a preshot routine, GET ONE!!!
Just as a follow up, I did work on my preshot routine and ironed out one that I felt comfortable with and what a difference it made for me. I have been playing for years and have struggled with consistency. I can honestly say, at this point I am playing the best pool I have ever played in my life. Thanks for the tip. If you dont have a preshot routine, GET ONE!!!
You wont regret being taught under Fran. She knows her stuff! My fundamentals have never been more solid until these past 2-3 months.
~Sameet