Focusing on the Line of the Shaft During the Stroke

[ChrisinNC]

This has been shared to me by a very strong and very experienced known player who claims it’s the best way to aim. Once you’ve locked in and trust your line to the object ball and your cue tip contact point on the cue ball (not my problem), at that point your vision focuses not on the object ball or the cue ball, but entirely on the left or right edge of the shaft and making sure that shaft line stays absolutely straight throughout the entirety of the stroke, backstroke and forward stroke.

Whether you are using the left or right edge of the shaft depends on if you are cutting the ball to the left or the right and whether you are using inside or outside spin. I’m not really sure if it matters which shaft edge you look at on a straight shot.

I’ve been experimenting with this for a short period and having some very encouraging early results. Anyone else happens to use this system with any success, during their stroke?

 

[Bob Jewett]

... I’ve been experimenting with this for a short period and having some very encouraging early results...

I think that experimenting with anything that forces you to pay attention to the shot -- more attention than you usually pay -- will give encouraging results.

As for the specific recommendation, I think that is useful only for players who are having trouble coming through straight. Most players but especially beginners need to be looking at the object ball to see whether they put the cue ball where they intend. If they are learning to aim, that's a critical thing to notice about the shot, maybe even more important than whether the ball goes in.

 

[DeadStick]

I think that experimenting with anything that forces you to pay attention to the shot -- more attention than you usually pay -- will give encouraging results.

As for the specific recommendation, I think that is useful only for players who are having trouble coming through straight. Most players but especially beginners need to be looking at the object ball to see whether they put the cue ball where they intend. If they are learning to aim, that's a critical thing to notice about the shot, maybe even more important than whether the ball goes in.

Bob, are you still playing at Crown in Danville? We had some fun 14.1 games there back in 2012-15 (?) , but I moved to Austin in early 2015.

 

[Oikawa]

This has been shared to me by a very strong and very experienced known player who claims it’s the best way to aim. Once you’ve locked in and trust your line to the object ball and your cue tip contact point on the cue ball (not my problem), at that point your vision focuses not on the object ball or the cue ball, but entirely on the left or right edge of the shaft and making sure that shaft line stays absolutely straight throughout the entirety of the stroke, backstroke and forward stroke.

Whether you are using the left or right edge of the shaft depends on if you are cutting the ball to the left or the right and whether you are using inside or outside spin. I’m not really sure if it matters which shaft edge you look at on a straight shot.

I’ve been experimenting with this for a short period and having some very encouraging early results. Anyone else happens to use this system with any success, during their stroke?

I recently made a similar thread about shaft focus, which was about looking at the OB, but utilizing peripheral vision to focus on the shaft during the stroke, to make the stroke straighter. It definitely helps me to do it like that.

I have tried the method you said of primarily looking at the shaft, but for me it doesn't work as well, since the shaft is a moving piece, and making sure that it goes in a straight line relative to the shot line is, in my opinion, easier while looking at the OB which is stationary, and absorbing that information from the peripheral vision instead of primarily looking at the moving object.

Maybe it depends on the person, and your method works better for some.

 

[Bob Jewett]

Bob, are you still playing at Crown in Danville? We had some fun 14.1 games there back in 2012-15 (?) , but I moved to Austin in early 2015.

Yes, I practiced at Crown today. Sadly the 14.1 has not started back up after Covid.

 

[boogieman]

This has been shared to me by a very strong and very experienced known player who claims it’s the best way to aim. Once you’ve locked in and trust your line to the object ball and your cue tip contact point on the cue ball (not my problem), at that point your vision focuses not on the object ball or the cue ball, but entirely on the left or right edge of the shaft and making sure that shaft line stays absolutely straight throughout the entirety of the stroke, backstroke and forward stroke.

Whether you are using the left or right edge of the shaft depends on if you are cutting the ball to the left or the right and whether you are using inside or outside spin. I’m not really sure if it matters which shaft edge you look at on a straight shot.

I’ve been experimenting with this for a short period and having some very encouraging early results. Anyone else happens to use this system with any success, during their stroke?

I'm not an instructor.

When down in shooting position I usually do a couple practice strokes, then finish with a couple fine "feather" strokes just to visually confirm my shaft is moving straight without any side to side movement. These "micro" strokes are 1/4" long at most. Once perfect straightness is confirmed visually take the shot. If it's wavering and can't be brought in with a micro adjustment I will get back up and reset. If your shaft isn't moving straight you aren't addressing the ball correctly.

After my "feather strokes" I look back at the OB while shooting but this is possibly a personal preference thing.

The bad news is it requires some discipline, but the good news is it's a good habit that will quickly develop a straight stroke. It's super easy to incorporate into a PSR, and for me it's the last step that lets me know 100% that I'm addressing the ball correctly. 100% confirmation and it's time to shut the mind off and execute the shot at hand.

I observed this by watching a really good player while in dead stroke. That "feathering" is very powerful. Try watching some pro matches (recent matchroom stuff has great camera work) and pay special attention to them addressing the CB when they zoom in some. You'll see the moment when the player "locks in" what they are about to do.

 

[Thresh]

I'm not an instructor.

When down in shooting position I usually do a couple practice strokes, then finish with a couple fine "feather" strokes just to visually confirm my shaft is moving straight without any side to side movement. These "micro" strokes are 1/4" long at most. Once perfect straightness is confirmed visually take the shot. If it's wavering and can't be brought in with a micro adjustment I will get back up and reset. If your shaft isn't moving straight you aren't addressing the ball correctly.

After my "feather strokes" I look back at the OB while shooting but this is possibly a personal preference thing.

The bad news is it requires some discipline, but the good news is it's a good habit that will quickly develop a straight stroke. It's super easy to incorporate into a PSR, and for me it's the last step that lets me know 100% that I'm addressing the ball correctly. 100% confirmation and it's time to shut the mind off and execute the shot at hand.

I observed this by watching a really good player while in dead stroke. That "feathering" is very powerful. Try watching some pro matches (recent matchroom stuff has great camera work) and pay special attention to them addressing the CB when they zoom in some. You'll see the moment when the player "locks in" what they are about to do.

I agree with what you are saying here.

I believe you can find a few videos with high level instructors and players saying they practice a few full strokes, then after 2 or 3 they get close to the cue ball with the tip and do "micro strokes" (I believe that's what I've heard others call it).

TOR discusses this starting at 20:45

Then I'm seeing lots of high level players do a 3 to 5 second pause with the cue close to the cue ball, then they execute the shot.


Side Note: Does anyone know the eye pattern during this long pause? Switching back and forth, only cue, only OB only OB contact point?


Another side note: I have found looking at the shadow of the cue tip/shaft in comparison to the shadow of the cue ball has allowed me to get the tip much closer with full confidence and no thought of accidental contact.

Obviously depends on lighting and doesn't always work, but I find it's working a majority of the time.

 

[Thresh]

Side Note: Does anyone know the eye pattern during this long pause? Switching back and forth, only cue, only OB only OB contact point?


Another side note: I have found looking at the shadow of the cue tip/shaft in comparison to the shadow of the cue ball has allowed me to get the tip much closer with full confidence and no thought of accidental contact.

Obviously depends on lighting and doesn't always work, but I find it's working a majority of the time

Any have any thoughts on these two "side notes"? I'd love to know what others are doing here.

I can't remember this portion when training with Scott Lee.