I like the old tried-and-true method of placing the stick on the shot line (including offset for sidespin) and building your stance around it. Also helps with foot placement, another often-overlooked variable.
pj
chgo
How Do the Pros Aim
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pj
chgo
Yes. On a spot shot your hand has to be in the right place within a millimeter or so. Here's an article from 1996 that has the geometry/arithmetic for those nerdy enough to care: http://www.sfbilliards.com/articles/1994-04.pdf
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Obviously you have to know where the shot line is before placing the bridge (so you can place the bridge on it). This is the main reason that "pivot" systems cannot be free of "feel" - they specify placement of the bridge as part of determining the shot line, not after.
pj
chgo
First, I think it's great that you share the wealth of information in your articles online. I refer to them lots.
I like the simplified, and user-friendly analysis you've made in this article. My own analysis, done years ago, was a little more complicated. I looked at the basic trigonometry of shots, using the apparent pocket width from the view point of the object ball to get the width of the spot (line) where it could be hit to pocket it. Often, the target is a very tiny fraction of an inch. To take into account the distance between the CB and OB, I did a similar analysis of the margin of error on the aiming line where the CB could be struck and still pocket the OB. And that's without considering English, throw, and all the other complications....
It amazes me that we ever make long, difficult cut shots! A real tribute to the wonderful minds we have.
Our minds are better than our science.
P.S.: If you've never seen it, you should see Bob make an "impossible" cut shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaSKh1PSqok
P.P.S.: Hey Bob, what's the deflection like on that shaft?
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This, this, and more this.
For the true geeks among us:
The Hardest Straight-in Pool Shot
And, for übergeeks, here are his proofs:
Proofs of facts
The Reader's Digest Condensed version is here:
Trig shots: The secret of perfect pool
The Hardest Straight-in Pool Shot
And, for übergeeks, here are his proofs:
Proofs of facts
The Reader's Digest Condensed version is here:
Trig shots: The secret of perfect pool
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You are absolutely correct. I've posted several times in the last couple of months about this very thing. I was looking for a comment or two on bridge placement with the idea of bringing this into the discussion. Thank you, PJ!
Foot placement becomes more natural when the stick is on the line instead of when the eyes are searching for the line as you place your bridge hand.
Best,
Mike
I agree with what your saying....but what im trying to say is what the cb is doing on impact determains how the ob ball leaves.The Aim line seems to be thick or thin of the ghost ball alot.I ask Earl how he aims ,his answer was i spin the ball alot,so he must aim thick on a lot of his shots.
Theres a lot of good people on this board that try to help in the aiming threads but u get the feeling that some are searching for a one method cure. Time at the table will show u the truth...
I will take that into consideration, however; Stan Shuffet is the proprietor of a system.
There can be arguments made on that fact alone, but it wouldn't be fair on Stan to accuse him of false advertisement, before providing statements of falsehood in his product, backed by facts.---Just like it is not fair to say Thaigar insulted someone's intelligence by giving his thoughts based on his observations, before determining if this statement is the absolute truth:
Every pro knows the difference between a working system or not....because they know more than non pros, like really experienced snooker players (mind you are considered very aware of proper techniques in BALL POCKETING)
Thaigar never said anything more than his opinion for which he is entitled to, protected by law, and promoted by the constitution.
I agree. Insulting a man's intelligence is the worse thing you can do to his esteem.
"I mean you can punch me....punch my girlfriend (please)....kick my dog......sleep with my girlfriend!.....club me over the head.....BUT! (raise my finger) Insult my intelligence! HAHA....man, that's messed up"-----my very smart and crazy bud.
C.Milian -- Sorry, but I find your post a bit hard to follow.
If you are saying you agree with me that TheThaiger insulted Stan's intelligence -- no, I didn't say that. I was commenting that TheThaiger insulted Stan's playing ability, not his intelligence.
On the other hand, if you are saying that I insulted TheThaiger's intelligence -- no, I commented on his ignorance about Stan, not TheThaiger's intelligence. Those are two very different things.
Completely not true. I place my bridge before knowing the shot line and can shoot blind shots (covering 3/4 to 1/2 of the table) pretty well.
So, the odds of me envisioning a blind pocket and placing my hand within 1mm of a shot line to a blind shot is slim and none.
I disagree with Bob's assertion of 1mm for that shot and could easily proven otherwise by offsetting on either direction of a CTEL and pivoting to center. The exact point where the bridge touches the shaft cannot possibly be within 1m of each other --- yet, the ball will fire in.
I am know pro but i have hit many ball for sure......aiming a ball from one certain angle has more than one answer .The answer on how to pocket ball with success is where the cb has to be for the next shot.
The aiming line is always going to change for certain type of hits on the cb. You or no one else can get away from this,it will always be...
The type of shaft you use will play into effect on how you aim.....
There are certain type of hits that create different outcomes,the one for me that creates the most trouble is the dead center hit on the cb at a fast speed ,the outcome is sometimes not what u want...
This is just my 2 cents ,,,,just trying to help,, "
8pack.
I was only replying to the bolded part of your post. A dead center hit is sans english on the aiming line.
"just trying to help."
This is a great point......try aiming the same way using side spin with a solid maple shaft and a predator 314-2 shaft and see how well you pocket the shot.
James
1. You only think you place your bridge before knowing the shot line - this is an obvious truth that you should already know.
2. Your "blind shots" weren't blind - as you've been told many times by many people.
pj
chgo
help me out with this, what is sans english on the aiming line.lol
I know it means something but cant figure it out....
orly ??????
It means without.