. I hear you look pretty silly with the way you fidget around after you are down on the shot. We use alignments for shooting shots, not estimating. We don't have to fidget to find what we want, sorry.
Hill-Hill & You're Shooting the 9 For the Dough
- Thread starter BasementDweller
- Start date
. I hear you look pretty silly with the way you fidget around after you are down on the shot. We use alignments for shooting shots, not estimating. We don't have to fidget to find what we want, sorry.
The something is the line of aim to successfully make the ball based on past experience. Once you see it you stop.
Pidge, I think you just scratched in the left corner
What are you putting on the CB and where is it finishing?I'd natural roll this shot to whichever side has less angle at a speed to leave the CB on the end rail, perhaps firmer if it feels better, depending on the balls, humidity, stickiness (likelihood of a kick / skid). If it's a cruddy table and balls, where skids are a big issue, I may choose firm draw with a touch of outside for gearing, not to turn it in.
Pidge, I think you just scratched in the left corner
I'd natural roll this shot to whichever side has less angle at a speed to leave the CB on the end rail, perhaps firmer if it feels better, depending on the balls, humidity, stickiness (likelihood of a kick / skid). If it's a cruddy table and balls, where skids are a big issue, I may choose firm draw with a touch of outside for gearing, not to turn it in.
I'm thinking the same exact way you are on this one. I enjoy back cuts and set them up on purpose a lot.....or I'd like to think it's on purpose.
The way I prepare for high pressure shots begins long before the shot itself.
I am a firm believer in developing a pre-shot routine that is the same for every shot. Through Practice, Practice, Practice, it becomes second nature. When the pressure is on you can focus on the steps you execute to set up and take every shot.
The best way to develop a reliable and consistent pre shot routine is to work with a coach or instructor. If you try to do it yourself you could develop bad habits that will hold you back.
My pre-shot routine has evolved over the years. At this time it includes, Do my thinking/planning standing up. Aim the shot standing up. I go into my stance the same way every time like a one two dance step. I set up as if shooting the shot one handed and aim it as such before my bridge hand ever touches the table. Once my bridge is set I am sighting and stroking to confirm that striking the cue ball where I planned is going to deliver it to the object ball the way I want. Then I take a pause at the cue ball, a pause at the back then a pause at the finish of the stroke.
If I miss a shot I expect to make, it can usually be attributed to a breakdown in my routine. At the same time by following my routine I can make shots that I am not comfortable with until they are in the pocket.
I started a thread back in 2013 in this forum titled,
Critique my pressure match.
It included a link to a match I played in the Spokane Open that year.
My highlights at Spokane Open 2013
Watching the first rack I am shooting, I made some shots that were hard for me. When I got to the nine ball I had a breakdown in my routine(my right hand was 6 inches out instead of tight to my chest in the set up.) which led to a pathetic miss on the nine. I did get lucky and got a second chance at that same nine. It was another hard shot for me but that time I followed my routine and pocketed the ball.
While my routine has changed from what it was then the most important factor is having and following the same routine every shot.
I am a firm believer in developing a pre-shot routine that is the same for every shot. Through Practice, Practice, Practice, it becomes second nature. When the pressure is on you can focus on the steps you execute to set up and take every shot.
The best way to develop a reliable and consistent pre shot routine is to work with a coach or instructor. If you try to do it yourself you could develop bad habits that will hold you back.
My pre-shot routine has evolved over the years. At this time it includes, Do my thinking/planning standing up. Aim the shot standing up. I go into my stance the same way every time like a one two dance step. I set up as if shooting the shot one handed and aim it as such before my bridge hand ever touches the table. Once my bridge is set I am sighting and stroking to confirm that striking the cue ball where I planned is going to deliver it to the object ball the way I want. Then I take a pause at the cue ball, a pause at the back then a pause at the finish of the stroke.
If I miss a shot I expect to make, it can usually be attributed to a breakdown in my routine. At the same time by following my routine I can make shots that I am not comfortable with until they are in the pocket.
I started a thread back in 2013 in this forum titled,
Critique my pressure match.
It included a link to a match I played in the Spokane Open that year.
My highlights at Spokane Open 2013
Watching the first rack I am shooting, I made some shots that were hard for me. When I got to the nine ball I had a breakdown in my routine(my right hand was 6 inches out instead of tight to my chest in the set up.) which led to a pathetic miss on the nine. I did get lucky and got a second chance at that same nine. It was another hard shot for me but that time I followed my routine and pocketed the ball.
While my routine has changed from what it was then the most important factor is having and following the same routine every shot.
Chris, the best way I have found to handle is pressure shot is this- I just look at the shot as if I don't even have to shoot it. Then, I imagine some guy is barking to the audience that he will gamble $10 to whoever can make it on the first try. I then look at the shot again, and say "I'll take that bet". Usually, when you look at it like you aren't involved, the shot looks much, much easier.
So, just ask yourself, if someone was willing to bet some money on making it or not, would you take the shot? Odds are, you would jump at the chance.
So, just ask yourself, if someone was willing to bet some money on making it or not, would you take the shot? Odds are, you would jump at the chance.
I aim my shaft/stroke a specific distance from the OB contact point for each cut angle, learned over time through focused practice. The distance-from-contact-point is my chosen "unit of measurement" for aiming, which I simply passively register as I practice or play, feeding the "calibrated" visual info to my subconscious to use in honing my aiming "recall".
This shot happens to be a half ball cut, so the shaft/stroke is aimed at the OB edge, but that fact doesn't register for me - I see it as a distance from the contact point like any other.
I'm not sure this is what you're looking for; just tossing it out there...
pj
chgo
View attachment 7070
This shot happens to be a half ball cut, so the shaft/stroke is aimed at the OB edge, but that fact doesn't register for me - I see it as a distance from the contact point like any other.
I'm not sure this is what you're looking for; just tossing it out there...
pj
chgo
View attachment 7070
Attachments
For me, this is the kind of shot that I might make 9/10 times in practice and then in a pressure situation, it all of a sudden looks wrong and I won't be able to see the shot line with everything else going on in my head. When that happens, I try to gather some extra info on the shot to help my subconscious see the shot better and give myself something to focus on besides the pressure to winning and losing.
For example, for pressure shots like the one pictured, I often like to use stun and visualize the 90-degree tangent line off the object ball. Then I just focus on making the cue ball follow that line perfectly and the shot takes care of itself. Whether it's right or wrong, I don't really care, bu I find just focusing on the cue ball instead of cue ball, object ball and pocket makes things a little easier, especially under pressure.
For example, for pressure shots like the one pictured, I often like to use stun and visualize the 90-degree tangent line off the object ball. Then I just focus on making the cue ball follow that line perfectly and the shot takes care of itself. Whether it's right or wrong, I don't really care, bu I find just focusing on the cue ball instead of cue ball, object ball and pocket makes things a little easier, especially under pressure.
Stun run through, into the right long rail and down to the short rail and out about a foot. I wouldn't shoot it too hard.Pidge, I think you just scratched in the left corner
I'd natural roll this shot to whichever side has less angle at a speed to leave the CB on the end rail, perhaps firmer if it feels better, depending on the balls, humidity, stickiness (likelihood of a kick / skid). If it's a cruddy table and balls, where skids are a big issue, I may choose firm draw with a touch of outside for gearing, not to turn it in.
'Twas my assumption, Pidge, but I was asking Basement Dweller since it's his party.
I was going to say something pithy about this and how to lock in aim but if BD is thinking something different...My answer was to illustrate the difference between those that still think about aiming and someone trying not to think about aiming.
Try not thinking about aiming. Try to see, in your minds eye, what you want to do overall with the shot then do it. Kinda a rehearsal in your mind. Do not think about the of the shot.
This is something I noticed doing my 15 ball run out drill over and over. When the balls are falling, my thinking is like ....I need to use this spin to get over to that ball and then just do it.
Nothing about my stance, where to bridge or stroke speed. Just what I need to do.
Try not thinking but seeing.......
Try not thinking about aiming. Try to see, in your minds eye, what you want to do overall with the shot then do it. Kinda a rehearsal in your mind. Do not think about the of the shot.
This is something I noticed doing my 15 ball run out drill over and over. When the balls are falling, my thinking is like ....I need to use this spin to get over to that ball and then just do it.
Nothing about my stance, where to bridge or stroke speed. Just what I need to do.
Try not thinking but seeing.......
It's the same thing that tells you to stop on any shot -- you finally see the shot.
A good comparison would be a one rail kick shot. I think it was PJ years ago that pointed out a method of zeroing in on kick shots. I can't recall the exact term but it was something along the lines of a "bracketing method" or some such thing. Anyway, the method is on these kick shots you find the point on the rail that is going to be way too long, then you find the point on the rail that is going to be way too short. Then you narrow in your focus, you keep going until you see the barely too long and barely too short points. In the middle of those points is your target.
It's the same thing with finding the proper overlap for any shot for me with the exception of sometimes starting right at the half ball hit. From the half ball hit I will go a little thinner and/or a little thicker until I either see the shot or go with my best guess.
That's it.
The way I prepare for high pressure shots begins long before the shot itself.
I am a firm believer in developing a pre-shot routine that is the same for every shot. Through Practice, Practice, Practice, it becomes second nature. When the pressure is on you can focus on the steps you execute to set up and take every shot.
The best way to develop a reliable and consistent pre shot routine is to work with a coach or instructor. If you try to do it yourself you could develop bad habits that will hold you back.
My pre-shot routine has evolved over the years. At this time it includes, Do my thinking/planning standing up. Aim the shot standing up. I go into my stance the same way every time like a one two dance step. I set up as if shooting the shot one handed and aim it as such before my bridge hand ever touches the table. Once my bridge is set I am sighting and stroking to confirm that striking the cue ball where I planned is going to deliver it to the object ball the way I want. Then I take a pause at the cue ball, a pause at the back then a pause at the finish of the stroke.
If I miss a shot I expect to make, it can usually be attributed to a breakdown in my routine. At the same time by following my routine I can make shots that I am not comfortable with until they are in the pocket.
I started a thread back in 2013 in this forum titled,
Critique my pressure match.
It included a link to a match I played in the Spokane Open that year.
My highlights at Spokane Open 2013
Watching the first rack I am shooting, I made some shots that were hard for me. When I got to the nine ball I had a breakdown in my routine(my right hand was 6 inches out instead of tight to my chest in the set up.) which led to a pathetic miss on the nine. I did get lucky and got a second chance at that same nine. It was another hard shot for me but that time I followed my routine and pocketed the ball.
While my routine has changed from what it was then the most important factor is having and following the same routine every shot.
I don't really think this is a PSR issue.
Some shots just take a bit longer to see than others. So the "seeing the shot" portion of my PSR will always be variable. Now when I begin to approach the table things become fairly consistent. As they probably should be.
On the one hand, I like the idea of saying to myself I would much rather be shooting then sitting in the chair when faced with such shots. On the other hand, I've always been a realist when it comes to pool so a lot of the self talk kind of stuff doesn't do me much good, especially if I know my actual make percentages for certain types of shots.
This being the "Aiming" sub forum, I was really just trying to find out if there are guys whose aiming system tends to break down on certain types of shots. Mine does. If I'm cueing well I don't seem to have as many aiming issues, but when I'm struggling at the table and I'm faced with anything over medium difficulty I'll start doubting what I'm seeing. The good thing is that as I've gotten better I can actually play through this and make a lot of shots that don't feel totally right.
I think this is everybodies goal regardless of what system you are using.
However, it's much easier said, or make that -- written, than done.
Very good practical concept.
Pay attention to the cue ball and its path and the rest will take care of itself.
I like that a lot.
Exactly and those not willing to under take the challenge, the journey of no way will always use a system thereby limiting their true potential.
Its a Zen thing.......mushin.......
Now that I use aiming systems, I find it quite rare that I am presented with a makeable shot that I don't go for. Once you really learn the systems, you learn to have a lot of faith in them. They don't break down that I have found. At times I don't deliver like I want to, but the system still works just fine. They have really boosted my confidence.
Okay, here comes "the pithy". Do you see "it" on every single shot (or to be more precise for most, most shots)?
If you don't see "it" on every shot--just my two cents--you might well wish to try another aiming system--be it "no system" like instinct alone or a different system. IMHO.
If you don't see "it" on every shot--just my two cents--you might well wish to try another aiming system--be it "no system" like instinct alone or a different system. IMHO.
Okay -- here's little old me working on my aiming. I'm just finding the proper overlap, sometimes with the aid of viewing the contact point first and sometimes not.
There were two things I noticed. First, focusing on your aiming is mentally exhausting. Second, this is very good practice for me because I've learned that my aiming process has been a bit lazy. You will even see me get mad after my first miss and that was because the shot didn't look quite right and I shot it anyway. Aargh!
Anyway, if you see anything wrong feel free to point it out.
https://vimeo.com/118246413
There were two things I noticed. First, focusing on your aiming is mentally exhausting. Second, this is very good practice for me because I've learned that my aiming process has been a bit lazy. You will even see me get mad after my first miss and that was because the shot didn't look quite right and I shot it anyway. Aargh!
Anyway, if you see anything wrong feel free to point it out.
https://vimeo.com/118246413
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