Aiming With the Cue Ball Rather than "At" the Object Ball

[CJ Wiley]

To do anything consistently requires some type of "system". I think players, especially in this Aiming Forum are mislead about what an aiming "system" really is and how it works. One thing you need before aiming even matters is a "system" for hitting the cue ball straight every time. If you're mishitting the cue ball there's no aiming system that could matter.

If you play well I'm sure you have some kind of pre-shot routine to accomplish this with your feet, body angles, hand/cue alignment, etc. Then it's essential to see the cue ball and object ball connect in a way that creates the angle you are trying to "create" to make your next pool shot.

This can be done a variety of ways and you can call this a "system" or not, it's up to you. I can use several "aiming systems" if I choose to, however, the most important thing to me is to AIM WITH THE CUE BALL, instead of "AT" the object ball. Your distance from the cue ball you can control on a consistent basis, and this is impossible with the object ball.

Therefore, the specific "aiming" is easier done using a specific part of the cue ball and a "relative" spot on the object ball. Whether you use the top, bottom or middle of the object ball I feel it's important to focus on the CENTER or EDGE (depending on how much "cut" you need) of the object ball to calculate your angle with.

I look at ALL shots like they're "straight in" first before letting my mind focus on what angle I need to "Create". When all is said and done pool is a creative game played with feel and touch, the eyes are used to establish the required information for each shot.

I've never heard a champion talk about winning a tournament or match because their "eyes were good that day." They will comment on how good their feel/touch was because that's the "difference that makes the difference." 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[randyg]

Well stated!

randyg

 

[bbb]

To do anything consistently requires some type of "system". I think players, especially in this Aiming Forum are mislead about what an aiming "system" really is and how it works. One thing you need before aiming even matters is a "system" for hitting the cue ball straight every time. If you're mishitting the cue ball there's no aiming system that could matter....1

If you play well I'm sure you have some kind of pre-shot routine to accomplish this with your feet, body angles, hand/cue alignment, etc. Then it's essential to see the cue ball and object ball connect in a way that creates the angle you are trying to "create" to make your next pool shot.

This can be done a variety of ways and you can call this a "system" or not, it's up to you. I can use several "aiming systems" if I choose to, however, the most important thing to me is to AIM WITH THE CUE BALL, instead of "AT" the object ball. ...2
Your distance from the cue ball you can control on
a consistent basis, and this is impossible with the object ball.

Therefore, the specific "aiming" is easier done using a specific part of the cue ball and a "relative" spot on the object ball. Whether you use the top, bottom or middle of the object ball I feel it's important to focus on the CENTER or EDGE (depending on how much "cut" you need) of the object ball to calculate your angle with.

I look at ALL shots like they're "straight in" first before letting my mind focus on what angle I need to "Create". When all is said and done pool is a creative game played with feel and touch, the eyes are used to establish the required information for each shot.

I've never heard a champion talk about winning a tournament or match because their "eyes were good that day." They will comment on how good their feel/touch was because that's the "difference that makes the difference." 'The Game is the Teacher'

i have 2 comments on the sections i bolded 1 and 2
#1 no question without a straight repeatable stroke the rest is not obtainable
.....
....
#2
aiming with the cue ball not "AT" the object ball
does that mean you trust you alignment ant look at the cue ball LAST before your forward stroke???

 

[CJ Wiley]

Also you need to see what part of the pocket you're hitting

No, the "aiming" is done before you get down on the shot. It's important to look at the object ball as you're beginning the forward stroke. Pausing allows the transition to be smooth, you don't want to waste energy redirecting the cue.

Also you need to see what part of the pocket you're hitting, it's difficult to do this if not looking at the object ball - it happens in a split second. I do look at the cue ball last when breaking, and when "jacked up" over another ball (in these two examples you must hit the cue ball squarely, it's the target anyway, the object ball is just used for alignment purposes).

My aiming system is featured in 'Ultimate Pool Secrets' - it's difficult to explain without visual assistance. It takes about 25 minutes to explain on video.

i have 2 comments on the sections i bolded 1 and 2
#1 no question without a straight repeatable stroke the rest is not obtainable
.....
....
#2
aiming with the cue ball not "AT" the object ball
does that mean you trust you alignment ant look at the cue ball LAST before your forward stroke???

 

[Pidge]

Well I never. I actually think this is excellent advice that can help simplify anyone's game.

Firstly, every shot should be seen as a straight in. The cue ball will hopefully travel in a straight line so just treat it as a straight in and cue along your line of aim that you've chosen.

The psr should be seen as a system. Go about it in a very systematic way. This includes how you view a shot, how far you stand from the OB, how you get down. Everyone should have their own system for this. And everyone's system should revolve around the cue ball.

You do however have to aim at the object ball. You cant avoid it. It shouldn't be your sole focus. Instead the best players focus on the cue ball and the line of aim and focus on them. The object ball just sort of gets in the way of the cue balls travel.

 

[BilliardsAbout]

Pidge, aiming at the final cue ball path first is different than regarding the next object ball as a full hit which is "straight in" first. Straight in as if there was a pocket behind that object ball on the extended line of the cue ball. From there you can see edges, angles, etc.

 

[Pidge]

Pidge, aiming at the final cue ball path first is different than regarding the next object ball as a full hit which is "straight in" first. Straight in as if there was a pocket behind that object ball on the extended line of the cue ball. From there you can see edges, angles, etc.

Your post lost me slightly. I don't use any form of edges in how I aim. Simply the cue ball, the OB and the pocket. Having sighted where the 3 are located I then focus on the CB and pick my line of aim running through centre cue ball and get my cue on this line. Every shot can be seen as a straight in if you focus purely where the cue ball travel after contact. Unless you are performing a masse shot.

 

[Cardigan Kid]

In his aiming interview video, Shane says he focuses on part of the object ball and aims with a certain part of his ferrule depending on the angle.

In my studies and research material, it seems that in the end, the focus is last on a part of the object ball (edge, inside edge, potting line point, etc. ) or at least that is where your reference begins while you are back from the table thinking about the shot.

After years of focusing on a spot half cue ball width away from object ball while aiming, once I grasped point on object ball aiming, my shot making consistency grew.

So are you saying you focus on point of object ball while planning shot, but once down on shot, your aiming is with cue ball, and that point on object ball is secondary?

I have CJs dvds, and his explanation utilizing the center and edge alignment is effective, but your eyes must still be one the edge of that cue ball when your forward stroke is taken. Correct?

 

[CJ Wiley]

.I'm really just aware of the object ball's presence visually, because .......

When I'm down I use the center of the cue ball. I can tell Pidge knows what I'm referring to. The fact is the actual pool shot is an illusion, in that we can't really see the true relationship between the cue ball and the object ball once we're down on the shot.

What I'm really doing is forming the illusion to match the result, by creating the shot line (like a straight in shot) above the shot. When I get down to shoot it's like I'm "aiming" the center of the cue ball at the object ball.......I'm really just aware of the object ball's presence visually, because the cue ball is my immediate target.

In his aiming interview video, Shane says he focuses on part of the object ball and aims with a certain part of his ferrule depending on the angle.

In my studies and research material, it seems that in the end, the focus is last on a part of the object ball (edge, inside edge, potting line point, etc. ) or at least that is where your reference begins while you are back from the table thinking about the shot.

After years of focusing on a spot half cue ball width away from object ball while aiming, once I grasped point on object ball aiming, my shot making consistency grew.

So are you saying you focus on point of object ball while planning shot, but once down on shot, your aiming is with cue ball, and that point on object ball is secondary?

I have CJs dvds, and his explanation utilizing the center and edge alignment is effective, but your eyes must still be one the edge of that cue ball when your forward stroke is taken. Correct?

 

[Cardigan Kid]

When I'm down I use the center of the cue ball. I can tell Pidge knows what I'm referring to. The fact is the actual pool shot is an illusion, in that we can't really see the true relationship between the cue ball and the object ball once we're down on the shot.

What I'm really doing is forming the illusion to match the result, by creating the shot line (like a straight in shot) above the shot. When I get down to shoot it's like I'm "aiming" the center of the cue ball at the object ball.......I'm really just aware of the object ball's presence visually, because the cue ball is my immediate target.

So does this also help on long range shots, where your focus is on cue ball and object ball is at opposite end of the table. When you pull back, your eyes are focused on cue ball when object ball cannot be in your peripheral vision?

I was experimenting with focusing on just above the cue ball so I could pull the object ball into my peripheral vision line of site. it works, but is that a bad habit?

I do see how you visualize the shot before going down, so if line up, stance, stroke is all correct, theoretically you could be blindfolded and still make the object ball.

 

[pool101]

So does this also help on long range shots, where your focus is on cue ball and object ball is at opposite end of the table. When you pull back, your eyes are focused on cue ball when object ball cannot be in your peripheral vision?

I was experimenting with focusing on just above the cue ball so I could pull the object ball into my peripheral vision line of site. it works, but is that a bad habit?

I do see how you visualize the shot before going down, so if line up, stance, stroke is all correct, theoretically you could be blindfolded and still make the object ball.

Just close your eyes, If you are 100% shure you are on the line, and you stroke straight and true, you'll never see yourself miss.
Mark

 

[CJ Wiley]

Focusing on the object ball in this manner causes de-acceleration at the cue ball.

I don't visualize the shot, I connect the dots so to speak (specific section, say 2 o'clock of the cue ball to the center of edge of object ball).

I focus on the object ball until my hand almost touches the table, then my attention goes to where my tip is contacting the cue ball (TOI).

Doing what you described wouldn't be something I'd recommend. I want to LOCK IN to the cue ball target, after all it's the only thing are actually contacting. Too many people get caught up "aiming" at the object ball and forget that the cue ball is the target.

Focusing on the object ball in this manner causes de-acceleration at the cue ball. This would take some time to explain why. I share this system in my 'Ultimate Pool Secret'......if you want one I'll be glad to send you one for free, just email me your name and address.

Play Well.

So does this also help on long range shots, where your focus is on cue ball and object ball is at opposite end of the table. When you pull back, your eyes are focused on cue ball when object ball cannot be in your peripheral vision?

I was experimenting with focusing on just above the cue ball so I could pull the object ball into my peripheral vision line of site. it works, but is that a bad habit?

I do see how you visualize the shot before going down, so if line up, stance, stroke is all correct, theoretically you could be blindfolded and still make the object ball.

 

[Cardigan Kid]

I don't visualize the shot, I connect the dots so to speak (specific section, say 2 o'clock of the cue ball to the center of edge of object ball).

I focus on the object ball until my hand almost touches the table, then my attention goes to where my tip is contacting the cue ball (TOI).

Doing what you described wouldn't be something I'd recommend. I want to LOCK IN to the cue ball target, after all it's the only thing are actually contacting. Too many people get caught up "aiming" at the object ball and forget that the cue ball is the target.

Focusing on the object ball in this manner causes de-acceleration at the cue ball. This would take some time to explain why. I share this system in my 'Ultimate Pool Secret'......if you want one I'll be glad to send you one for free, just email me your name and address.

Play Well.

Thanks for the offer, CJ. I have that dvd already, and will give it another viewing and watch for these points. As always, thanks for opening my mind and keeping me thinking at the table.

 

[Mikjary]

It's counter intuitive to aim the cue ball at the center or edge of the object ball. For years, I've always aimed at a spot or alignment on the object ball with a fair amount of success.

Tonight I tried to use the cue ball to aim straight at the object ball using different points on the cue ball. After a little estimation on my part, I started to make quite a few shots. It may take a while before I can gain any speed, but I like the simplicity of aiming the cue ball. Somehow, it doesn't feel as foreign as I thought it would. It's like a combination of a fractional system and a ferrule/stick aiming system.

My brain wants to look at the shots the old way, so I have to stop and focus to get it to change. Very interesting to say the least!

Best,
Mike

 

[BilliardsAbout]

Sorry for being unclear. There's a difference between "every shot is straight along a certain path" and starting at an absolute reference point, such as the "full line", where you stand behind the cue ball as if it will hit the object ball full in the face straight ahead and afterward, taking the line of the shot.

If you are cutting a ball rather than shooting straight into a pocket, where do you stand to see/find the "straight line of the shot" before you bend into your stance address? Some stand on the full line, some the place where the contact points connect, etc.

 

[Pidge]

Sorry for being unclear. There's a difference between "every shot is straight along a certain path" and starting at an absolute reference point, such as the "full line", where you stand behind the cue ball as if it will hit the object ball full in the face straight ahead and afterward, taking the line of the shot.

If you are cutting a ball rather than shooting straight into a pocket, where do you stand to see/find the "straight line of the shot" before you bend into your stance address? Some stand on the full line, some the place where the contact points connect, etc.

Thanks for the clarification, I understand now.

For me I stand looking through centre cue ball with a rough estimate of the angle of the shot. So if I'm cutting to the left I will stand looking through centre cue ball pointing in a straight line at the right side of the OB somewhere. If its thick then it could be to just past centre OB as I perceive it and thinner could be past the OBs edge. This doesn't really matter as I stand looking through centre ball to X as a rough guess.

Then I look at the pocket, then the OB then finally the cue ball. Then from the cue ball I draw a mental line from the centre of it over in the direction of the OB, not all the way on medium to long pots but about a foot or two and I move my head side to side just a fraction whilst doing this and something clicks in my head and the line of aim is found. When I've found it my head stops moving I lock it in and step forward onto this line of aim with my back foot, whilst making sure my grip comes into this line, my elbow and then bridge hand. Then my front left foot is placed and I bend forwards looking at the cue ball and keeping this line through its centre locked and making sure to keep my vision centre also on the line whilst I get down. When down I don't look at the OB until the very last second. All my attention is on the cue ball making sure I'm central on it (if that's where I want to hit) and then as I pull back I look in the direction of the OB through centre cue ball and to a specific part the centre of the CB is pointing at. Straight in I look at centre OB, half ball the edge of it and thinner than that I look at a part of the rail centre cue ball is pointing at. Then I simply cue towards what I'm looking at and the ball drops.

So this is how I aim with the cue ball. I'm probably the only person that does it this way and I've made a fairly lengthy post on the matter for something that is a 5 second process.

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

I'm probably the only person that does it this way and I've made a fairly lengthy post on the matter for something that is a 5 second process.

I don't think you're the only one. You've mentioned in the past how you believe we both aim in a similar fashion. From the way I understand your post I think you were correct. That is almost exactly how I gather the info needed to aim, align, and make a shot, except I don't usually aim directly at a spot on the rail beyond the OB.

For me it is a perception - not an actual geometry - that leads me to the correct shot line. It's not "guesswork", either. It is dead straight through to the OB in my mind. I'll bet this is true for a lot of players even if they fail to recognize it. It's very difficult to explain how we aim, because it's mostly done at an unconscious level.

You have done an excellent job of explaining your method IMO. I don't really blame a lot of the aiming "system" proponents for telling everybody to "just take it to the table" before saying it won't work. I imagine some of them would have a hard time aiming using your method because they don't use it, and so, may find it confusing and illogical. If they just tried it, though, I mean a good fair try, most folks would see the light bulb go on over their heads.

That doesn't mean they will use it, or that they will think it is superior to their way, but they will eventually see the truth and logic behind it. I think the CTE/Pro One guys have suffered enough. They are obviously onto something very big for them, that works the way they perceive the shot to achieve a remarkable degree of success. They may not be able to explain it to our satisfaction, but they pocket balls well using it. Let's stay out of their interactions until we can prove without a doubt that it does NOT work, and that we can demonstrate why at the table. However, that day may never come.

At least that's my personal New Year's AZB resolution.