Aiming with lights reflecting on object balls
- Thread starter horton129
- Start date
the lights are one thing, but the shadow method has been around since the dawn of time....wont even try to explain it via text lol, but in person its easy to understand, I use it in correlation with S.A.M. (stick aiming method...i aim the stick not the CB ) but like all other aiming methods its not effective on EVERY shot, straight in shots are one that the shadow method does not work as there is no distinct point to aim at or see to use it.
But honestly its my favorite and most reliable general aiming system, especially when I'm having trouble seeing angles or problems visualizing track lines during play, as it is an actual visual image you can SEE, not one you have to imagine like with the Ghost Ball and some other aiming methods.
I don't think any good much less great pool player only uses one or two aiming methods....many have a grab bag full of them, certain ones designed specifically for particular types of shots.
Just as such when I have a tight 90 deg cut, I then use a combination of SAM and paralleling along with some aspects that Geno teaches in his aiming system.
Its like golf...you don't go play with just one club.
Grey Ghost
But honestly its my favorite and most reliable general aiming system, especially when I'm having trouble seeing angles or problems visualizing track lines during play, as it is an actual visual image you can SEE, not one you have to imagine like with the Ghost Ball and some other aiming methods.
I don't think any good much less great pool player only uses one or two aiming methods....many have a grab bag full of them, certain ones designed specifically for particular types of shots.
Just as such when I have a tight 90 deg cut, I then use a combination of SAM and paralleling along with some aspects that Geno teaches in his aiming system.
Its like golf...you don't go play with just one club.
Grey Ghost
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BHE = back-hand english, a technique for applying english to the cue ball while compensating for squirt (cue-ball deflection). This explains it:
Well stated
Maybe I'll get one of Johnnyt's head lights and give this thing another look see...
FYI, there's a lot more info on both BHE and FHE, with video demos, here:
Regards,
Dave
Bob Jewett has an article on the topic here:
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
Has anyone ever encountered any literature or knows anything on the subject of aiming with the points of light reflecting in the OB? As a novice player the idea was shared with me (verbaly) but obviously I had to many weaknesses or lack of knowledge of pool to do anything with it. Fast forward to yesterday, I don't know why the thought poped in my head and as I was practicing, I tried to imagine what this was all about and whitout knowing the concept i was shooting 85% of my shots this way, it worked awesome for reverse angles, long shots and mid-range shots and some banks = or better results than usual for me. I am not sure if this is all fiction, or a real system? I could see there would be some intricacies i would need to learn. It's not like I was shooting ahead of my speed, it just felt like if I was under the heat, this would be very reliable, i was not even looking at the pokets, just these points of light??? (i was in my basement where pool conditions are excellent, 9' Diamond with 860 blue Simmonis) Is there a foundation system behind this? books? or anyone teaches that way? Just found it interesting is all, would like to know more (unless all of you think I am crazy).
Regards.
This shooting method has been around pool for many, many years. Back in the early 70's it was commonly know as "Shooting the Shine". I don't whole heartedly endorse it but if the table conditions are right it does seem to work.
I'm not Jay, but I'd estimate nearly 0% of pros use BHE. They don't need BHE because they have near-perfect feel for how to adjust for squirt, swerve, and throw on every shot based on speed, distance, amount and type of English, cue elevation, cut angle conditions, etc.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
Aiming with Lights
Has anyone ever encountered any literature or knows anything on the subject of aiming with the points of light reflecting in the OB? As a novice player the idea was shared with me (verbaly) but obviously I had to many weaknesses or lack of knowledge of pool to do anything with it. Fast forward to yesterday, I don't know why the thought poped in my head and as I was practicing, I tried to imagine what this was all about and whitout knowing the concept i was shooting 85% of my shots this way, it worked awesome for reverse angles, long shots and mid-range shots and some banks = or better results than usual for me. I am not sure if this is all fiction, or a real system? I could see there would be some intricacies i would need to learn. It's not like I was shooting ahead of my speed, it just felt like if I was under the heat, this would be very reliable, i was not even looking at the pokets, just these points of light??? (i was in my basement where pool conditions are excellent, 9' Diamond with 860 blue Simmonis) Is there a foundation system behind this? books? or anyone teaches that way? Just found it interesting is all, would like to know more (unless all of you think I am crazy).
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Ive worked with this some to test the limitations. Some lights reflect a little different reflection than others. The way I did it involved finding the reflection and noting the distance of the reflection to the corresponding edge of the object ball. Then splitting that distance in half and fireing from there as a contact point. I found that it works in certain instances and distances mostly for shots down the rail. I had too many pocket rattles to want to work with it to develop my feel for the table with it. Then there are the lights that have different reflections or pairs of reflections.
An interesting tidbit I learned from a player once involved him shooting with this light system and he told me that he used it in different way.
He told me he used it when the lights on the object ball seemed to be parallel to the lights on the cue ball. He told at that point the shot was on. Ive witnessed that in part but again its just too full of holes for me to base anything I do on something like that but this is what I know of it.
Has anyone ever encountered any literature or knows anything on the subject of aiming with the points of light reflecting in the OB? As a novice player the idea was shared with me (verbaly) but obviously I had to many weaknesses or lack of knowledge of pool to do anything with it. Fast forward to yesterday, I don't know why the thought poped in my head and as I was practicing, I tried to imagine what this was all about and whitout knowing the concept i was shooting 85% of my shots this way, it worked awesome for reverse angles, long shots and mid-range shots and some banks = or better results than usual for me. I am not sure if this is all fiction, or a real system? I could see there would be some intricacies i would need to learn. It's not like I was shooting ahead of my speed, it just felt like if I was under the heat, this would be very reliable, i was not even looking at the pokets, just these points of light??? (i was in my basement where pool conditions are excellent, 9' Diamond with 860 blue Simmonis) Is there a foundation system behind this? books? or anyone teaches that way? Just found it interesting is all, would like to know more (unless all of you think I am crazy).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ive worked with this some to test the limitations. Some lights reflect a little different reflection than others. The way I did it involved finding the reflection and noting the distance of the reflection to the corresponding edge of the object ball. Then splitting that distance in half and fireing from there as a contact point. I found that it works in certain instances and distances mostly for shots down the rail. I had too many pocket rattles to want to work with it to develop my feel for the table with it. Then there are the lights that have different reflections or pairs of reflections.
An interesting tidbit I learned from a player once involved him shooting with this light system and he told me that he used it in different way.
He told me he used it when the lights on the object ball seemed to be parallel to the lights on the cue ball. He told at that point the shot was on. Ive witnessed that in part but again its just too full of holes for me to base anything I do on something like that but this is what I know of it.
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Yes. Ron Vitello has a manual he uses in his classes that has an extensive description of how to use the reflected lights to aim. For a little more on that topic, see the article Dr. Dave referred to above: http://www.sfbilliards.com/articles/2004-06.pdf For a lot more, contact Ron. He's a member here and is in NYC.
Welcome aboard!
Welcome.
Re. Light relfection aiming system accuracy-I have no clue.
Re BHE-I have no clue. There are many threads and posts on this subject. The search function will get you there. It could take a loooooooooong time to read through them. I recommend in general-regardless of topic to look for comments from Bob Jewett/Jay Helfert/Dr Dave/GradyMatthews/JoeTucker/Oldzilla/Neil/JoeyA/Johnnyt/Cornerman/Greyghost and many other knowledgeable players on this forum. This list is in no way comprehensive or complete.
Have fun. Pay some dues. Some in the community are more patient than others in explaining or commenting on questions or issues. That you will have to sort out yourself.
On balance-you/we/I can learn a lot from the discussions that take place here.
Take care
Welcome.
Re. Light relfection aiming system accuracy-I have no clue.
Re BHE-I have no clue. There are many threads and posts on this subject. The search function will get you there. It could take a loooooooooong time to read through them. I recommend in general-regardless of topic to look for comments from Bob Jewett/Jay Helfert/Dr Dave/GradyMatthews/JoeTucker/Oldzilla/Neil/JoeyA/Johnnyt/Cornerman/Greyghost and many other knowledgeable players on this forum. This list is in no way comprehensive or complete.
Have fun. Pay some dues. Some in the community are more patient than others in explaining or commenting on questions or issues. That you will have to sort out yourself.
On balance-you/we/I can learn a lot from the discussions that take place here.
Take care
FYI, here's a resource page on BHE, which includes many good videos and articles from me and others:
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave