Eye Movement: Do You Look at OB when Stroking?

[eddie0776]

Guitar players don't put english on the strings, nor football players the football. Even small differences in where the tip strikes the cue ball make a difference in how it reacts at impact and after.

I can't imagine not looking at the cue ball at all?

Imagine each string as english....you have to pick certain strings even when strumming or you will get a small difference in sound. When I strike the cue ball I am looking at the object ball, not the cue ball. I know where the cue is going to strike the cue ball so I focus on the object ball and where I am going to hit it. I don't play too bad either. :wink:

 

[oldzilla]

I have been working on my eye movement when lining up the shot as part of my pre-shot routine. I gather most look at the object ball when stroking the shot. Why look at the object ball when the cue ball is your target. I previously moved my eyes between the cue and the object ball. I am taking a couple of warmup strokes while looking at the cue ball and they shifting my focus to the object ball through the rest of the shot.

What do you you think? It seems like you should be watching the ball you are hitting (the cue ball) as is the case with most other activities when you hit a ball. I couldn't imagine looking at the hold when putting in golf, for example. However, the pool instructional materials are clear about keeping your eyes on the object ball (more specifically, the portion of the object ball that you are targeting with the cue).

This question always kills me.
To answer your question, you do not think about it.
Thinking about it will ruin your game !
You look back and forth to both CB and OB until you see everything !
Then you feel you can pull the trigger.
Now go hit a million balls and get back to me, or call Scott ! :yeah:

 

[macguy]

I really never look at the cue ball during the process.

You probably do peripherally as you get lined up.

 

[macguy]

This question always kills me.
To answer your question, you do not think about it.
Thinking about it will ruin your game !
You look back and forth to both CB and OB until you see everything !
Then you feel you can pull the trigger.
Now go hit a million balls and get back to me, or call Scott ! :yeah:

When someone does what you say, 99% of the time they will be drawn to looking at the object ball last. There must be something natural about it that people just automatically do it.

 

[philly]

I look at the cue ball to make sure I am cueing it correctly. When I shoot I am looking at the object ball to make sure I am striking it at the exact point I want to. I am probably over the ball 7 or 8 seconds in all, which is a rather long time if you analyze it. Watch the second hand on your watch for 8 seconds and it will seem long.

 

[bdorman]

Guitar players don't put english on the strings,

Nope, we do things with our right hand (and left) that are far more difficult than putting english on a CB. How and where your right hand fingers or plectrum strike the strings totally changes the sound. The left hand "bends" notes to create a vibrato/tremelo effect -- often about four times per second. At least in pool you only have to strike the CB once every thirty seconds. In most cases you're using these right and left hand effects simultaneously.

Like pool, you start out by looking at the interaction between your fingers and strings. After you've HAMS (hit a million strings) it becomes a "feel" thing.

 

[pocket]

Nope, we do things with our right hand (and left) that are far more difficult than putting english on a CB. How and where your right hand fingers or plectrum strike the strings totally changes the sound. The left hand "bends" notes to create a vibrato/tremelo effect -- often about four times per second. At least in pool you only have to strike the CB once every thirty seconds. In most cases you're using these right and left hand effects simultaneously.

Like pool, you start out by looking at the interaction between your fingers and strings. After you've HAMS (hit a million strings) it becomes a "feel" thing.

Guys, I wasn't trying to insult your abilities to play pool or guitar. Nor infer that either is simple.

Just that I am surprised that a player would not first look at the cue ball and tip position, then the object ball and lastly stroke the cue ball and put the object ball in the hole.

 

[eddie0776]

Guys, I wasn't trying to insult your abilities to play pool or guitar. Nor infer that either is simple.

Everyone plays different and that is fine. What works for me doesn't work for most so I think that it comes down to what ever you are used to. I play A speed and almost never look at the cue ball. When I walk into the shot I look at the object ball because I am confident in where I am striking the cue ball. Several pros play the same way that I do and of course there are others that don't see how we shoot that way.

 

[Dr_CollieCue]

The way I read what he wrote, is that he is saying to only look at the ob, and never the cb.

Sorry if I gave that impression, I didn't mean to do so. I take my stance and check my aim, looking back and forth at the cue and object balls. From there, I look at the cue while taking warm-up strokes, and then shift to the object.ball before delivering the stroke. I had not given it much thought before (which is why I didn't remember prior threads) so I thought I would see what others do.

Thanks for the links.

 

[Neil]

Sorry if I gave that impression, I didn't mean to do so. I take my stance and check my aim, looking back and forth at the cue and object balls. From there, I look at the cue while taking warm-up strokes, and then shift to the object.ball before delivering the stroke. I had not given it much thought before (which is why I didn't remember prior threads) so I thought I would see what others do.

Thanks for the links.

That's a big difference. Yes, that is what instructors do teach, including myself.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

After I retired, I got a part time job for awhile. I was sitting at a lunch table with a woman who was probably pushing 70. A pretty girl walked by and my eyes shifted to the young lass's ass. She said why is it a man has to always look at a woman's ass. It struck me real funny and I'll never forget that comment. P.S. I guess maybe I'll stop when I'm dead.

I know exactly what you mean. I was out with this young lady the other afternoon when out of the blue she says. "You men are all alike. All you can think of is sex."
I said. "Hey, could we please have this conversation after the...."
:smile:

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Generally speaking I meticulously set up a target line for the shot, taking into account where I want the ob to go into the pocket. Sometimes I might want to cheat the pocket, sometimes not.
In my mind I have the ob divided into 360 one degree segments which allows me to simply match the a fore mentioned target line to the appropriate point on the ob.
I then make at least two practice strokes, carefully rechecking my calibrations as I do, and take the cue back slowly, and deliberately. At this point I am at the moment of truth.
I then smash the hell out of the cue ball, and hope for the best.
If I'm sober the ob goes in about 25 per cent of the time. If I'm drunk, all bets are off. :smile:

 

[tim913]

I focus on the CB on the break, jump, or masse. On regular shots I focus on the OB last

 

[tim913]

I know exactly what you mean. I was out with this young lady the other afternoon when out of the blue she says. "You men are all alike. All you can think of is sex."
I said. "Hey, could we please have this conversation after the...."
:smile:

A man takes his wife to a party, and she notices him looking at the beautiful blonde in the corner. His wife ask, "Honey, would you leave me for something like that?" The man replied, "Honey I'd kill you for something like that!"