Check out Gregs thread on looking @ the cue ball last while cueing. This has made an incredible improvement in my my game. Most aiming systems work if you hit the cue ball where you intend to. I currently use CTE but have been through shadows , fractions, Duckies infamous ghost ball, Robbins great work on aiming and even my own personal aiming technique. I know this is my first thread after years of "lurking" but I truly believe in Gregs Cantrells experiment in cueing and feel it can help to improve your game. You can check out my progress , good and bad, @ Great Lakes Billiards .com I Am currently a 7 skill level in 9 ball and hope to improve. Good luck everyone ! Randy Hatfield.
Greg Cantrell
- Thread starter Rhfactor
- Start date
Do you have a link to the thread?
I'm glad you posted that thread because I've been saying the same thing for years and everybody else seems to say you should do the opposite.
I've always looked at the cue ball last as far as I can remember. It depends upon the shot, obviously, but that is my normal way of shooting.
My philosophy is, "if you don't know if you properly hit the primary target (the cue ball) that you are aiming at, how do you know what to adjust when you miss or do something wrong?" It all begins and ends with the cue ball.
There are plenty of top players who look at the cue ball while their tip hits it.
I've always looked at the cue ball last as far as I can remember. It depends upon the shot, obviously, but that is my normal way of shooting.
My philosophy is, "if you don't know if you properly hit the primary target (the cue ball) that you are aiming at, how do you know what to adjust when you miss or do something wrong?" It all begins and ends with the cue ball.
There are plenty of top players who look at the cue ball while their tip hits it.
Last edited:
Just found this.
I was surprised to see a thread with my name as the title.
Then relieved to see what it was in regards to.:wink:
Switching to cue ball last has reinvigorated my interest in and enjoyment of the game. I played my best pool back in the '80's. I got to where I was beating players that I had considered as "Short Stops". Then I got away from the game for a while. When I started back, it just was not the same. No consistency, no confidence and B level play. It has been almost two years now and I am shooting some of the best pool I have ever. I was very pleased with my play at the Western BCA in Lincoln City, OR, in October. I got 4th place in the A division and by virtue of that finish I am now rated as a Master player by BCA.
Rodney Morris won the open ten ball event at Chinook Winds where the BCA event also was held. There was at one time a video on youtube where Rodney explains how he looks at the cueball last. It is no longer there.
At this time my aiming process has me aiming the object ball as I am standing upright at address. Johnny Archer mentions something similar in this TAR interview. Once down on the shot I am looking back and forth to confirm I am on the right line. On the final stroke I must pause at the back(like Buddy Hall) and bring my dominant eye to a precise focus on the exact spot I intend to hit on the cue ball. Then I must feel that I am starting the stroke with my fingers in a pendulum like stroke. IF I follow this routine I experience success that surprises even myself. One other factor that I found helpful is I have opened up my stance. Similar to a snooker stance. Don't know why but the stance opening has improved my consistency and accuracy.
I was surprised to see a thread with my name as the title.
Then relieved to see what it was in regards to.:wink:Switching to cue ball last has reinvigorated my interest in and enjoyment of the game. I played my best pool back in the '80's. I got to where I was beating players that I had considered as "Short Stops". Then I got away from the game for a while. When I started back, it just was not the same. No consistency, no confidence and B level play. It has been almost two years now and I am shooting some of the best pool I have ever. I was very pleased with my play at the Western BCA in Lincoln City, OR, in October. I got 4th place in the A division and by virtue of that finish I am now rated as a Master player by BCA.
Rodney Morris won the open ten ball event at Chinook Winds where the BCA event also was held. There was at one time a video on youtube where Rodney explains how he looks at the cueball last. It is no longer there.
At this time my aiming process has me aiming the object ball as I am standing upright at address. Johnny Archer mentions something similar in this TAR interview. Once down on the shot I am looking back and forth to confirm I am on the right line. On the final stroke I must pause at the back(like Buddy Hall) and bring my dominant eye to a precise focus on the exact spot I intend to hit on the cue ball. Then I must feel that I am starting the stroke with my fingers in a pendulum like stroke. IF I follow this routine I experience success that surprises even myself. One other factor that I found helpful is I have opened up my stance. Similar to a snooker stance. Don't know why but the stance opening has improved my consistency and accuracy.
GoldenFlash
Banned
I like your post.I was surprised to see a thread with my name as the title.
Switching to cue ball last has reinvigorated my interest in and enjoyment of the game. I played my best pool back in the '80's. I got to where I was beating players that I had considered as "Short Stops". Then I got away from the game for a while. When I started back, it just was not the same. No consistency, no confidence and B level play. It has been almost two years now and I am shooting some of the best pool I have ever. I was very pleased with my play at the Western BCA in Lincoln City, OR, in October. I got 4th place in the A division and by virtue of that finish I am now rated as a Master player by BCA.
Rodney Morris won the open ten ball event at Chinook Winds where the BCA event also was held. There was at one time a video on youtube where Rodney explains how he looks at the cueball last. It is no longer there.
At this time my aiming process has me aiming the object ball as I am standing upright at address. Johnny Archer mentions something similar in this TAR interview. Once down on the shot I am looking back and forth to confirm I am on the right line. On the final stroke I must pause at the back(like Buddy Hall) and bring my dominant eye to a precise focus on the exact spot I intend to hit on the cue ball. Then I must feel that I am starting the stroke with my fingers in a pendulum like stroke. IF I follow this routine I experience success that surprises even myself. One other factor that I found helpful is I have opened up my stance. Similar to a snooker stance. Don't know why but the stance opening has improved my consistency and accuracy.
I too was away from the game for almost 15 years and when I started back it was like I was a total dummy.
Switching to looking at cue ball last, using the same stroking method you're doing really made a difference. Along with learning a whole new approach with a tried and proven "aiming method".
Widening that stance has helped also...those snooker red hots are NO dummies.
I enjoy reading posts like yours. Thank you.
Flash
Last edited:
Hi Flash. Interesting that your experience has been similar to mine. :thumbup:
I have been watching a lot of snooker lately. I put several links to John Higgins in the experiments thread. He appears to look at the white last on all shots. Pretty good company.
I have been watching a lot of snooker lately. I put several links to John Higgins in the experiments thread. He appears to look at the white last on all shots. Pretty good company.