Experiments in looking at the cueball while delivering the stroke.

No doubt I am in this thread earlier but with 800 posts in it I'm too lazy to dig. I came very close to mastering cue ball control when I was a 60+ hour a week player for years. One thing I learned was aiming anywhere along the shot line. I might be looking at the cue ball, the object ball, the line anywhere from the contact point on the cue ball to the contact point on the object ball, Edit: That isn't really quite right, anywhere along the shot line is what I am trying to say duplicating the next section, the path the cue ball will take, or anywhere along an extended line beyond the object ball contact point.

I found it hard to have a nice freeflowing stroke when the object ball was fairly close to the cue ball, I'll use ten inches as an example. If a choppy stroke worked for the shot then looking at the cue ball or object ball was fine. However, if I needed the cue ball to travel a long ways I found extending the shot line out behind the object ball and picking a spot along this line to shoot at made it easier to let my stroke out despite the fact that neither ball would ever cross my aim point.

One of a few "slights" used long ago to make play easier. Now playing little I have reverted back to my original P&H style on all shots.(Poke and Hope!)

Hu
Can't imagine how I overlooked the vote on this one. 😉
I see a lot that I resemble in that remark.
 
My training as a shooter started as soon as I was able to accompany the older boys with bb guns to shoot Frogs.
My lessons from Backward Jan started with, Be a shooter. The rest will follow.
My experience is that there are indeed gut punch shots that can take the wind out of an opponent. Bar table shskuffling often led to that. The posture slumps. So lesson o the day is Don't be that guy. Keep the chin up and smile turn it to a snarled when I get to the table, would be my version of,
GregUding said:
The taste of blood excites me.
The come from behind victory does taste sweet. 🤷‍♂️ Another favorite quote is, "he said he could fight 🤷‍♂️ "
 
My shooting ability led me to hit the wheel playing baseball at the high-school level. Was the best hitter in the class of 73 at USAFA. And that's the Truth.
I know where to look from the training I got in high-school from Mr Herb.
Top class stuff alert: said:
Aim for the pea in the center.
powerful stuff.
On the white I prefer to play the center axis if available. The main thing is knowing where the center is and all the variables that are thrown in and increase thereof the further from center the strike will be.
The aiming and sped/spin are all done standing At Rest. As I flow into the dance, once the melody is selected. The computer is on feedback mode. Confirming selection. If I get down and set feathered and still go. Ring finger fires at Will. Kind of like the time I got the bully on the 3rd shot with the bb gun.
It cost me that gun at the age of 8....a full year. The older boys that I played with, well there were 3 and Every time I went with them one of them handed me his gun. Gotta Love a jury of my peers.
 
Anyway, I know what I am aiming at and arguments from the flat earth faction that Willie Hoppe and Stephen Hendry DON'T? Frivolous your honor. 😉
 
I was a lot better with sales, in person and next to the bar table with a beer in my hand. Shrug 🤷‍♂️
Gotta love the Cocky ones. Bar table 8 ball is So the Old Man's game.
 
So the first challenge in my cue sport challenge called Kicks Like A Mule is find the pea. The later stages can require uh massaging that pea. 🤔 not porn.....really. Not spinning the rock but giving it slight influence.
Seriously an hour a day for a week, should provide proof of concept.
Just remember the disclaimer for kids. Try it at your own peril. The others won't want to play with you any Moe. 🤷‍♂️
 
I often look at the cb last on long, on tough sots, especially when the cb in on the cushions.
I experimented with focusing on CBL for an entire year. At one point I was very encouraged, I ran over 100 balls (14.1) on a 7 foot table, but I’ve come to the conclusion that for me, it just does not work consistently on a 9 foot table, especially when there is considerable distance between the CB and OB.

There are shots that I do still incorporate CBL - for instance, when the CB and OB are relatively close together (within 18”), virtually all jacked up shots, jump shots and sometimes on shots off the rail if there is not too much distance between the CB and OB.
 
Perhaps I can close with:
Once I have determined that cueball at impact works best for me.......why would I employ a different method on the easy shots? [Seflf assks]Remember The Last Easy shot you missed?[/Self]
I can imagine that either or can work for others. I have not found a need to finish on the object ball. That said it wasn't a simple switch. 🤷‍♂️ worth the effort for me.
uh oh said:
Your testing results will not work and various ways of doing that to make a word salad.
Somebody in my head said:
Somebody find the off switch.
(DEFINITELY don't like the sound of kill switch) but that is what it's called. 🤷‍♂️ 😉
 
Surprise I'm Back! This is good stuff though. 🤷‍♂️ At 9:35 is a good look at Ronnie's eyes on the Break off shot. Enjoy
 
I get that on specialty shots (usually on a altered CB axis...AKA jacked up) or frozen to the rail where the tip can easily slide off.....sacrificing shape and looking at the CB last is sometimes the best option....

For standard shots...once aligned you can actually close your eyes and shoot the shot and get very proficient at making balls......but your shape will suffer massively.

Ultimately to each their own.....The real kicker though......from the mouth of Shane and Efren......@ 55:00 is pretty much end of discussion for me.

 
No doubt I am in this thread earlier but with 800 posts in it I'm too lazy to dig. I came very close to mastering cue ball control when I was a 60+ hour a week player for years. One thing I learned was aiming anywhere along the shot line. I might be looking at the cue ball, the object ball, the line anywhere from the contact point on the cue ball to the contact point on the object ball, Edit: That isn't really quite right, anywhere along the shot line is what I am trying to say duplicating the next section, the path the cue ball will take, or anywhere along an extended line beyond the object ball contact point.

I found it hard to have a nice freeflowing stroke when the object ball was fairly close to the cue ball, I'll use ten inches as an example. If a choppy stroke worked for the shot then looking at the cue ball or object ball was fine. However, if I needed the cue ball to travel a long ways I found extending the shot line out behind the object ball and picking a spot along this line to shoot at made it easier to let my stroke out despite the fact that neither ball would ever cross my aim point.

One of a few "slights" used long ago to make play easier. Now playing little I have reverted back to my original P&H style on all shots.(Poke and Hope!)

Hu
I agree your post 98%
I like to lock on cueball middle line(my aiming line) on cloth when im close/medium distance from ob and using no sidespin. I feel when i look that line it overcome some tricks that looking ball sometimes do. When i made my first 147 i was locked in that 100%.

However, when i use sidespin i lock to line from edge or middle of shaft. That is my aiming line then. Hard to explain..
 
...sacrificing shape and looking at the CB last is sometimes the best option
That might be the case for you.
For me that is not the case. There is no sacrifice With my focus on the precision of the strike to the white. In fact the best shape on all shots comes from attention to the precise application of the tip to the ball. Once the computer has spit out the calculation of how fast and the rotation of the white at the collision with the object ball.
The point of impact with the object ball is determined first then the speed and spin calculated. From the point on the object ball to the point on the cue ball is the line I lock in with the aim. If the strike to the white is center axis the line is straight. Any off center strike to the white will add another variable in that the line might have a curve depending on the extent of variation from center, Along with deflection of the white at launch. Either way once the calculation is complete the execution is dependent on following the prescription application of the tip to the ball.
The sacrificing shape statement is disproved by Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan. The precision of the cueball put on display by both is often phenomenal and definitely how they achieve titles and records They call it break building. 🤷‍♂️
The question in the video you link came from me. I messaged the commentator and he asked on my behalf. So I am familiar with their responses. My purpose in this thread is to promote the facts. The things that I determine to be "fact" don't always align with the general consensus.
The whole goal of this thread was to promote equality not superiority.
 
That might be the case for you.
For me that is not the case. There is no sacrifice With my focus on the precision of the strike to the white. In fact the best shape on all shots comes from attention to the precise application of the tip to the ball. Once the computer has spit out the calculation of how fast and the rotation of the white at the collision with the object ball.
The point of impact with the object ball is determined first then the speed and spin calculated. From the point on the object ball to the point on the cue ball is the line I lock in with the aim. If the strike to the white is center axis the line is straight. Any off center strike to the white will add another variable in that the line might have a curve depending on the extent of variation from center, Along with deflection of the white at launch. Either way once the calculation is complete the execution is dependent on following the prescription application of the tip to the ball.
The sacrificing shape statement is disproved by Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan. The precision of the cueball put on display by both is often phenomenal and definitely how they achieve titles and records They call it break building. 🤷‍♂️
The question in the video you link came from me. I messaged the commentator and he asked on my behalf. So I am familiar with their responses. My purpose in this thread is to promote the facts. The things that I determine to be "fact" don't always align with the general consensus.
The whole goal of this thread was to promote equality not superiority.
I have commented on this tread several times over the years. I spent many months learning CBL and use it exclusively now. After about the first year I tried going back and looking OBL for a few months and found my results suffered. The final analysis for me about why CBL seems so good is that the only thing we control is the tip hitting the cue ball. This really hit home for me when I understood fully how vital it is to hit the cue ball exactly in the right spot. A millimeter off will have a potentially vast impact. JMO
 
I have commented on this tread several times over the years. I spent many months learning CBL and use it exclusively now. After about the first year I tried going back and looking OBL for a few months and found my results suffered. The final analysis for me about why CBL seems so good is that the only thing we control is the tip hitting the cue ball. This really hit home for me when I understood fully how vital it is to hit the cue ball exactly in the right spot. A millimeter off will have a potentially vast impact. JMO
Definitely we have aligned experience. I suspect that even Ronnie made a similar transition. Perhaps the old interview was during the transition for him. Would savor an answer from Ronnie. It's not instant and not easy but worth the effort for me. My objective at this time is recreational. Playing to the best of my ability making it fun. Win or Lose. 🤷‍♂️
 
Definitely we have aligned experience. I suspect that even Ronnie made a similar transition. Perhaps the old interview was during the transition for him. Would savor an answer from Ronnie. It's not instant and not easy but worth the effort for me. My objective at this time is recreational. Playing to the best of my ability making it fun. Win or Lose. 🤷‍♂️
When I see SVB make numerous micro adjustments to his tip placement before he pulls the trigger it tells me how critical he (and all the top pros) consider the tip contact point. I just don't have the ability to hit the cueball with that type of precision while looking at the OB. JMO
 
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