EZ Overlaps : Circumference Overlap Style, (COS)
This system has been hiding in plain sight as a 'Clock' or 'Wagon Wheel' method. You don't need special balls or do any math to use it. The line through center pocket and center OB has all the info you need. Using that line it's easy to get the correct shot angle overlap point. You can use the line to find the traditional CP and use that as a double check on the system if you want.
The overlap points can be found different ways. to find the overlap point for the CueBall, face the shot through the center of the balls.
Find the point on the circumference of the OB closest to the pocket.
Imagine a line from the pocket through the center of the OB. The point where the line crosses the circumference marks the overlap point.
Imagine a horizonal line that cuts the top part of the OB into 2 'slabs'. The point where the line cuts the circumference on the other side is the OB overlap point. If it makes it easier, imagine the OB with the top completely removed so it has a flat top. Or just imagine a mirror image of the OB with the point on the other side. Aim the two points together. EZ overlaps. You don't even need to imagine a line from the pocket to the OB center if you can see the 'closest point'. For side pocket shots imagine the line to the part of the pocket you want to use when the 'ears' are a problem.
diag here
To find the CP on the OB, drop a line straight down from the overlap point to the horizonal center line. Ditto for the CB. Easy-peasy. This is a very easy system use, one line through one ball.
This sighting system will probably feel a litle strange at first. It was for me. CP and quarters concentrate on the horizonal center line of the OB and the center and extreme edge of the CB. When lifting your eyes to the circumference, it may take a little time for you to adapt to the new sight picture. I concentrated on making the two 'half ball' hits, COS method, to get familiar using the system. The first one gives an angle of 45 and the other one gives 60.
By now some of you have already guessed when the circumference or the 'aiming arc' is divided in half on both balls, then aimed together, it would produce a 45 cut. These are good practice because they help you train your eyes to divide the balls at the half point of the arc. You can try to imagine an pie cut into 8 pieces and aim 2 pieces down.
You'll improve faster if you make the cuts at slightly different angles and get used to aiming at balls that are slightly above and below the 'half point'.
diag
Divide the arc into quarter lengths and play some 30 - 60 shots. Get used to estimating different 'steps' away from the quarter arc points. Playing the second and third arc quarters will help groove your eyes to the point closest to the pocket. After playing with the system an hour or so it was easy to 'mirror flip' the point to the other side of the OB.
It's less obvious if the line through the vertical center line is divided in half and a horizonal line is extended to the edge, that marks the overlap point of 60. At this part of the ball the arc is becoming more of a vertical line. I find it's easier to aim at this part of the ball using the height of the point from center ball.
diag
o
Advantages :
The system really shines between the second and third arc quarters or between 25 - 60 degrees. A lot of people have trouble using the 'back of the ball'. This style of play will give them a different way of looking at those angles.
There's a larger target line to use compared to the tradional tiny 1/4 ball line for shots between 50 and 90 degrees.
There's a lot of different ways to use this style of play. You could use:
vertical line alignment
height to edge
pie piece
quarter line
flat top
top to top v
top to bottom v
clock
x it system
If nothing else it's a new toy to play with.
This system has been hiding in plain sight as a 'Clock' or 'Wagon Wheel' method. You don't need special balls or do any math to use it. The line through center pocket and center OB has all the info you need. Using that line it's easy to get the correct shot angle overlap point. You can use the line to find the traditional CP and use that as a double check on the system if you want.
The overlap points can be found different ways. to find the overlap point for the CueBall, face the shot through the center of the balls.
Find the point on the circumference of the OB closest to the pocket.
Imagine a line from the pocket through the center of the OB. The point where the line crosses the circumference marks the overlap point.
Imagine a horizonal line that cuts the top part of the OB into 2 'slabs'. The point where the line cuts the circumference on the other side is the OB overlap point. If it makes it easier, imagine the OB with the top completely removed so it has a flat top. Or just imagine a mirror image of the OB with the point on the other side. Aim the two points together. EZ overlaps. You don't even need to imagine a line from the pocket to the OB center if you can see the 'closest point'. For side pocket shots imagine the line to the part of the pocket you want to use when the 'ears' are a problem.
diag here
To find the CP on the OB, drop a line straight down from the overlap point to the horizonal center line. Ditto for the CB. Easy-peasy. This is a very easy system use, one line through one ball.
This sighting system will probably feel a litle strange at first. It was for me. CP and quarters concentrate on the horizonal center line of the OB and the center and extreme edge of the CB. When lifting your eyes to the circumference, it may take a little time for you to adapt to the new sight picture. I concentrated on making the two 'half ball' hits, COS method, to get familiar using the system. The first one gives an angle of 45 and the other one gives 60.
By now some of you have already guessed when the circumference or the 'aiming arc' is divided in half on both balls, then aimed together, it would produce a 45 cut. These are good practice because they help you train your eyes to divide the balls at the half point of the arc. You can try to imagine an pie cut into 8 pieces and aim 2 pieces down.
You'll improve faster if you make the cuts at slightly different angles and get used to aiming at balls that are slightly above and below the 'half point'.diag
Divide the arc into quarter lengths and play some 30 - 60 shots. Get used to estimating different 'steps' away from the quarter arc points. Playing the second and third arc quarters will help groove your eyes to the point closest to the pocket. After playing with the system an hour or so it was easy to 'mirror flip' the point to the other side of the OB.
It's less obvious if the line through the vertical center line is divided in half and a horizonal line is extended to the edge, that marks the overlap point of 60. At this part of the ball the arc is becoming more of a vertical line. I find it's easier to aim at this part of the ball using the height of the point from center ball.
diag
o
Advantages :
The system really shines between the second and third arc quarters or between 25 - 60 degrees. A lot of people have trouble using the 'back of the ball'. This style of play will give them a different way of looking at those angles.
There's a larger target line to use compared to the tradional tiny 1/4 ball line for shots between 50 and 90 degrees.
There's a lot of different ways to use this style of play. You could use:
vertical line alignment
height to edge
pie piece
quarter line
flat top
top to top v
top to bottom v
clock
x it system
If nothing else it's a new toy to play with.