My latest experiment has potential have hope. Getting the better long range look after I get down. Of course locking in the long range while setting the platform is big.
Experiments in looking at the cueball while delivering the stroke.
- Thread starter gregcantrall
- Start date
I think that especially for players learning how to aim, it is important to be looking at the object ball last. They need to see how the cue ball lands on the object ball. Did the cue ball land where they wanted? If so, and the ball went in, do more of that. If it didn't land where they planned on the object ball, mechanics and alignment need work. Without seeing that contact, I think it will be harder and slower to learn.
Do you mean before you strike the cue ball or after?
I suppose it would be possible to change your sight from the cue ball to the object ball while the cue ball is in flight, but I meant by the time the stick starts to come forward.
I'm not sure I understand or perhaps see your logic.
I see how my cue tip interacts with the cue ball then observe the cue ball interaction with the cloth and then the contact with the object ball. How the cue ball leaves my tip giving feedback long before the object ball is contacted.
The ability to follow the cue ball still gives equal insight into the journey to and collision with the object ball.
Establish a stable platform and efficient mechanics are job one. Aiming and execution making for the complete dance.
I always figured that the object ball wasn't going to move around so once I'd looked at it and made up my mind where I wanted the cue ball to hit it then I just made sure I'd hit the cue in the exact spot I wanted so it (the cue ball) would go to the place on the object ball that I wanted it to go. But I loved golf more than pool or even baseball. I knew in golf that if I lined up the putt (or drive, or wedge, etc.) so that it would go in the hole, all I had left to do was to make the face of the putter hit the golf ball exactly where it had to hit it to make the golf ball go where I wanted it to go. If I was looking at the hole, I'd usually duff the putt. Like baseball, I'm not gonna be looking at the third baseman when I'm trying to hit the ball. I want to see the bat hit the ball. In other words, if I was able to hit the cue ball with the tip of my stick exactly where I wanted to then I'd usually make the shot. In order to accomplish that goal, the last thing I looked at was the cue. My peripheral vision pretty much took care of the rest.
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Are your eyes on the object ball when the cue ball hits it?
Absolutely. I got pretty good at ping pong so have no problem tracking the cue ball. I did hit good in baseball. Still remember the longest ball I ever hit and seeing the label on the ball as I struck it. No problem tracking a cue ball going under 20 mph.
Before contact I know if I have hit the aim point, well usually. There are still the ones that have me doing the Efren head scratch.
I found this hard to believe as well, but when trying this last night for the first time, my eyes were still focused on the cue tip at the completion of the follow through even up to when the object ball dropped in the pocket. And on most occasions there was not even any need to look up as I knew I’d pocketed the shot based on the visual feedback of the stroke.
That's the point. If you strike the cue ball exactly where you want and your alignment was correct, you can close your eyes and take a nap. The object ball will go in.
Why do people miscue? The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word as in snooker and billiards, an occasion when a player does not hit the ball correctly with the cue. If you hit the cue ball in the wrong place, all the chalk in the world isn't going to help. If you hit the cue ball in the wrong place, it isn't going to go where you want, and you'll probably miss the shot
...as an eclipse if you can get all the way down and level. I try to be locked into that relationship on the way down. Long shots and jacked up are usually blind. The funny part to me is so far it seems more accurate blind than having dicked with real time aim compensation.
Blew this totally. Fixed to read "object ball last"Call me fanatic but I do tune out when the pros claim cue ball last. lol. Ok, you're always focused on the prime directive, 100% in tune with the collision and therefore speed and direction. Yada yada... In my hypothetical (pivot word for the arguers) world, those majority pros and champs have incorporated all the biases and bad smells into a system that gets the food. It's a full time thing - bilyenzaballz to the promised land.
I just shoot the pool and my way is betterrer. Yup. Uh huh.
Call me fanatic but I do tune out when the pros claim object ball last. lol. Ok, you're always focused on the prime directive, 100% in tune with the collision and therefore speed and direction. Yada yada... In my hypothetical (pivot word for the arguers) world, those majority pros and champs have incorporated all the biases and bad smells into a system that gets the food. It's a full time thing - bilyenzaballz to the promised land.
I just shoot the pool and my way is betterrer. Yup. Uh huh.
Very interesting that this thread came up. last several months, maybe six or so. I started looking at the cue ball last because I was going down the never ending-self destructive-pit of hell known as obsessing about ones fundamentals. I found that I was making shots at what I think was basically the same rate. I did notice that my position play improved considerably. Perhaps that was/is because I have inherent flaws in my stroke. The only shots I have found that I really need to focus on the object ball are very long, very thin cut shots. But I still think that if you have your stroke dialed in prior to pulling the trigger it's best to look at what you are trying to hit to get that arm/object connection. Kinda like shooting a gun or throwing darts, or swinging a golf club, or beating your children, etc.
If you already made or missed the shot while getting aligned and properly getting down for the show why does it matter if you look at the CB last?
You can visualize where ball will go….
You can visualize where ball will go….
You're not looking at the cue ball. You are looking at the exact place on the cue ball that you must hit with your tip if you're going to make the shot. Pin point accuracy. Discipline. Concentration. Focus.
Set up a few easy shots. Get the shot aligned physically and mentally. The shot requires that you draw the ball 19 inches for perfect position on your next shot. Decide how you are going to execute the shot. Decide on the exact spot in the cue ball that you want to strike. Check alignment. Now tell your brain to tell your eyes to tell your hands to make your cue's tip hit the exact spot on the cue ball that will achieve the desired result. Look for a puff of blue smoke when the tip hits the ball. That millisecond, that moment in time is the only chance you have to physically affect the outcome of the shot. Poof, it's gone.
It matters because there's this hand/eye coordination thing going on and overly reinforced by so many instructors. What happens is the majority of students fall into the habit of cinching the shot as they shoot it. BFD right? Well when a player is distracted by the concerns of play, this ingrained sense can become distorted or go away entirely - voila: dog syndrome. Just a theory mind you - one that I have no need to pursue.
Essentially players teetering on dog syndrome may be desperately looking for visual confirmation of the object ball angle while they're shooting. Common tendencies are to make the ball and lose the cue ball or play perfect cue ball and miss the pocket. To me, duh. The shot is still entirely in the cue ball line.
Now obviously squaring away the cue ball dynamics in the PSR is essential but easily learnable. The work is in perfecting the routine for yourself.
Definitely improving my performance in the tournament tonight. It's been a long time since I won one
Soooo much better not looking over the glasses when down on the shot.
This is another reason players of today have s lower stance then the used to. Both balls can be seen at the same time.
If I were coaching a brand new player.... I would have them start with what I call The Slow Kiss. Cue ball on the head spot and object ball on the foot spot. The object being to strike the object ball so that it comes back and freeze to the cue ball. Okay wait
Before they get a second ball first master with cue ball only from head spot hit foot rail and have it come back to the cue tip that has remained at the end of the stroke. Stephen Hendry has demonstrated this and I concur.
Part of my theory of learning to walk before run. It gives an opportunity for the inspection of the form and adjustment of same. Walter Lindrum had to practice for a month before getting a second ball.
Finding center ball and stroke straight through it being a good place to start. I can achieve equal accuracy in this drill look at either ball. My best speed control comes with cue ball last. And the ring finger trigger finger. Barry Stark teaches the grip in a straight forward and understandable way. Anyway walk then run.