Found a flaw, how should I fix this?

[BWTadpole]

Last night I was getting in an hour or so of practice playing the 9-ball ghost. I hit that point where I began to lose focus kind of early, so I started shooting spot shots to help me reinforce the set position and a slow backstroke. Here's what I found...

Shooting from the kitchen, just short of one diamond from the left long rail, I made 15 of 15, setting them up from the 1 to the 15 so I kept track right. I set up the same shot from the right side long rail, and I'm making about 50% of the shots. Which got me thinking... I do feel more uncomfortable cutting to the left than the right. Not just the spot shot, but most shots. Like, give me a long thin cut down a rail, and I'd feel more confident cutting to the right than the left. It's almost like I have a harder time judging the edges of the balls when I'm cutting to the left.

Does anyone else have this problem? And is there a good way to help me feel better about cutting to the left?

 

[Scott Lee]

Yes...practice more shots cutting to the left! There, see how easy that was? All kidding aside...we all need to practice shots that we don't feel comfortable with. The 'uncomfortable' feeling just means you haven't played enough of those shots, to overcome the negative thought that they're tougher to cut to the left. This is actually a very common phenomenon. Many players "feel" more comfortable cutting one direction over another. I've played enough shots, both ways, over time, that it doesn't matter to me anymore, which direction I am cutting the ball.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

And is there a good way to help me feel better about cutting to the left?

 

[Richardson]

I almost always shoot shots that could go in either the side or corner, in the corner.

My teamates call me a chicken *&%^

 

[woody_968]

Like Scott said, practice more cut shots to the left.

Keep in mind you should have enough success in your practice, so dont spend hours shooting a shot you only make 50% of the time. Move the cueball closer to where you make it say 70 to 80% of the time, and keep shooting it till it feels like you cant miss. Then move back farther and start over

That doesnt mean you shouldnt practice things that are difficult, just dont spend too much of your valuable practice time on something that is going to increase your frustration more than your ability.

Woody

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Spot Shot Sweet Spot

...I started shooting spot shots...

Shooting from the kitchen, just short of one diamond from the left long rail, I made 15 of 15, setting them up from the 1 to the 15 so I kept track right.

You were shooting from the Spot Shot Sweet Spot (TM). Put the CB 2 inches inside the first diamond on the head string and the spot shot becomes a perfect half ball hit.

Here's how I want you to visualize it from now on:



pj <- only trying to help
chgo

 

[Big C]

Last night I was getting in an hour or so of practice playing the 9-ball ghost. I hit that point where I began to lose focus kind of early, so I started shooting spot shots to help me reinforce the set position and a slow backstroke. Here's what I found...

Shooting from the kitchen, just short of one diamond from the left long rail, I made 15 of 15, setting them up from the 1 to the 15 so I kept track right. I set up the same shot from the right side long rail, and I'm making about 50% of the shots. Which got me thinking... I do feel more uncomfortable cutting to the left than the right. Not just the spot shot, but most shots. Like, give me a long thin cut down a rail, and I'd feel more confident cutting to the right than the left. It's almost like I have a harder time judging the edges of the balls when I'm cutting to the left.

Does anyone else have this problem? And is there a good way to help me feel better about cutting to the left?

You favor one side probably due to a perception flaw. We are all right/left eye dominant to some extent. Try forcing yourself to use both eyes equally by keeping your cue directly under your chin. Practice those same cut shots and record the results. I don't agree that you should just practice the shots you miss more. Without knowing why you are missing, you can't expect it to improve. If you have never used Joe Tucker's third eye stroke trainer, I strongly recommend it. He also has an addition to that which I guess he is still working on as I haven't seen it for sale yet. It is designed specifically to identify your personal perception flaws and it gives you instant feedback so that you know how to adjust. Maybe you could contact him and ask him?

 

[CreeDo]

There is a scientific reason for all of this, but heck if I can remember it. It's either got to do with being right handed or your dominant eye if you have one. Basically you see these shots better and subconsciously favor them, and you almost get this feeling like your brain wants to drift and not look anymore at cuts that go 'against the grain'. You can't focus on them as carefully and the aiming point is somehow more blurry... not visually but mentally.

I think you'll find that 'regular' cuts sending the OB left to right will be easiest for you, then regular cuts from right to left, then back cuts (where the pocket is not in your direct line of sight) left to right... and the worst shot for you will be back cuts right to left.

It's normal and probably the only cure is practice. Maybe make a habit of recording how many times you overcut vs. undercut. If you have markers on the table you can use those to count. I bet you err on the side of overcutting. Once you're aware of your brain trying to trick you into aiming at the wrong place, you can override it and correct yourself.

 

[leaguedude]

IMO. If you can aim and cut the ball to the right with no problems, and struggle with the exact shot(only opposite) to the left, it could be a basic fundamental alignment issue. Here's what i mean.e.g; Say your right handed and right eye dominant, it's reasonable to assume your right eye is directly over the cue. If that is the case, then the cut shots should look the same left or right. If your right eye is 1 inch to the right of being directly over the cue then the left and right cuts will not look the same. Perhaps, this could help. Anyways, just my 2 cents.....

 

[Scott Lee]

This is very sound advice. One of the major things we stress, when practicing with discipline, is not to shoot the same the shot dozens (or hundreds) of times. You get a lot more success, with setting a limit (say 5-10 tries), and then using extreme focus and concentration, on each attempt (as if it was game ball). That way, you go through your routine (regardless of how successful you were overall), and then move on to something else.
Doing this every day will result in getting the consistency, on the shots you are 'less confidant' on (one reason why it seems like you cut better one direction over the other). It also takes less time. By the way, this confident feeling can be conscious or unconscious.

For any kind of practice to have the most benefit, there have to be several variables present. You have to have an achievable goal. You must be able to measure your result (you can't correct what you can't measure). It can't be too easy, or too hard (we get complacent, lazy or bored when it's too easy; and get frustrated or angry when it's too difficult). Most of all, the exercise can't last too long, simply because humans have short attention spans, by nature.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Keep in mind you should have enough success in your practice, so dont spend hours shooting a shot you only make 50% of the time. Move the cueball closer to where you make it say 70 to 80% of the time, and keep shooting it till it feels like you cant miss. Then move back farther and start over

That doesnt mean you shouldnt practice things that are difficult, just dont spend too much of your valuable practice time on something that is going to increase your frustration more than your ability.

Woody