Eye alignment.............

Patrick Johnson said:
I think you need depth perception in order to see where the pocket is in relation to the OB, allowing you to accurately visualize the cut angle.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
Is depth perception really necessary? I do not think so using this aiming system.

I aim with one eye by selecting a spot on the object ball that needs to be contacted to make it in the pocket. I then select a spot on the cue ball that needs to contact the spot on the object ball. Using parallel aiming, I make these two points connect. It took a lot of time be comfortable with this but it has increased my accuracy. I do not recommend this, but who knows...it may be the new Fosbury Flop. Would I do this again? YES.
 
Last edited:
Patrick Johnson said:
How do you select the spot on the OB?

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

On the object ball, it is the farthest spot from the pocket and adjust based on collision induced throw.

For example, take a spot shot being cut to the left. Take your cue and stand directly behind the object ball. Place your cue directly behind the object ball, so the cue points to the center of the pocket. That is the spot.

Since the ball is being cut to the left there will be some cut induced throw to the right. Guess how much the throw is ( let's say 2 inches ) and correct your aim 2 inches to the left of the pocket.
 
Last edited:
Patrick Johnson said:
I think you need depth perception in order to see where the pocket is in relation to the OB, allowing you to accurately visualize the cut angle.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
How so? For me, doesn't make a difference if I close one eye or not, the OB location relative to the pocket is the same
 
  • Like
Reactions: bbb
Patrick Johnson said:
Have you actually tried shooting with one eye closed?

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
Yes, and because I'm very right eye dominant it doesn't make a difference for me as I always utilize the image from one eye only in my alignment/aiming, but that's besides the point. What you were talking about was perception of the pocket's relationship to the OB, which is a different thing from aiming at a certain point on the OB. I certainly believe that having one eye closed makes it difficult to aim at the OB for most people who use both eyes for aiming, but I don't see how depth perception has anything to do with perception of the OB's location relative to the pocket. Your brain surely observes the location of the balls just as well with or without both eyes open.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
Is depth perception really necessary? I do not think so using this aiming system.

I aim with one eye by selecting a spot on the object ball that needs to be contacted to make it in the pocket. I then select a spot on the cue ball that needs to contact the spot on the object ball. Using parallel aiming, I make these two points connect. It took a lot of time be comfortable with this but it has increased my accuracy. I do not recommend this, but who knows...it may be the new Fosbury Flop. Would I do this again? YES.
Click to expand...
I think, at the least, depth perception is necessary in determining speed. Speed can affect your margin of error in the result. So, I think depth perception can play a role in aiming, although I can imagine some instances where it's not needed, but overall, you're giving up a weapon in your arsenal by eliminating depth perception.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bbb
Oikawa said:
I don't see how depth perception has anything to do with perception of the OB's location relative to the pocket. Your brain surely observes the location of the balls just as well with or without both eyes open.
Click to expand...
Depth perception tells you how far away things are - that tells you the visual angle made by CB, OB and pocket

pj
chgo
 
Last edited:
Patrick Johnson said:
Depth perception tells you how far away things are - that tells you the visual angle between CB (closer) & OB (how much farther?).

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
What I'm saying is that isn't this information already deducted automatically from the ball positions relative to the table? Just from a quick glance your brain senses the positions by sensing their spatial relationship to the cushions and you will then know the distances as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bbb
Oikawa said:
What I'm saying is that isn't this information already deducted automatically from the ball positions relative to the table? Just from a quick glance your brain senses the positions by sensing their spatial relationship to the cushions and you will then know the distances as well.
Click to expand...
Maybe… I’m guessing that wouldn’t be as accurate or automatic. I’m also guessing that if you’re not closing one eye your brain is using both, whether you’re aware of it or not.

pj
chgo
 
FranCrimi said:
I think, at the least, depth perception is necessary in determining speed. Speed can affect your margin of error in the result. So, I think depth perception can play a role in aiming, although I can imagine some instances where it's not needed, but overall, you're giving up a weapon in your arsenal by eliminating depth perception.
Click to expand...
Good response, thanks for your thoughts. After shooting this way for over 20 years I have changed my thinking because it works for me. It takes a couple of months until it is really second nature.

For me, one real benefit is shooting pressure shots. You may have noticed in your competitive days, that there were some fairly easy shots, under real pressure that put doubt in your mind and may effect your vision. Often we see, even the pros, take extra time and effort on these critical shots. Up and down several times until the shot feels right. I think this is because much of their aiming is intuitive instead of technical. My parallel aiming with mono vision, seems to me to be more technical with less second guessing.

On the down side, my system takes a little longer to complete the aim than it would Jayson Shaw , a real 'fire them in' type of player.

I am not suggesting this system for anyone but merely explaining it. Maybe some players with only one eye could explain their perspective.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
Good response, thanks for your thoughts. After shooting this way for over 20 years I have changed my thinking because it works for me. It takes a couple of months until it is really second nature.

For me, one real benefit is shooting pressure shots. You may have noticed in your competitive days, that there were some fairly easy shots, under real pressure that put doubt in your mind and may effect your vision. Often we see, even the pros, take extra time and effort on these critical shots. Up and down several times until the shot feels right. I think this is because much of their aiming is intuitive instead of technical. My parallel aiming with mono vision, seems to me to be more technical with less second guessing.

On the down side, my system takes a little longer to complete the aim than it would Jayson Shaw , a real 'fire them in' type of player.

I am not suggesting this system for anyone but merely explaining it. Maybe some players with only one eye could explain their perspective.
Click to expand...
Yes, pressure changes things in players. But remember, pressure is self-inflicted. That up and down thing you see the pros do is because their thoughts are out of order due to nervousness. When your pre shot routine gets out of order due to the distractions of pressure, that's the kind of thing that happens.

It happened to me too, until I started implementing visualization. For me, my solution was putting myself mentally in my local pool room, having a great day at practice, running out racks. I'd step up to the table, and suddenly I was no longer in a tournament. I was back in my local room. It worked a lot and got me out of the self-induced pressure mental state.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
Is depth perception really necessary? I do not think so using this aiming system.

I aim with one eye by selecting a spot on the object ball that needs to be contacted to make it in the pocket. I then select a spot on the cue ball that needs to contact the spot on the object ball. Using parallel aiming, I make these two points connect. It took a lot of time be comfortable with this but it has increased my accuracy. I do not recommend this, but who knows...it may be the new Fosbury Flop. Would I do this again? YES.
Click to expand...

Back in the days of pagers and flip phones just before and the start up of the interwebs....One of the best players in AZ was a guy named Andy Scott.....(I say one of the best as Roger Griffis also was in AZ for a stretch) Andy was a lights out never miss shooter.......

He played with one eye closed and a piece of chalk in his bridge hand.......or grip hand...cant remember which

I am sure no one will believe me as I am a nobody.......but you may beleive this guy in POST #21;)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top