How I aim

3andstop

3andstop

Focus
Silver Member
I thought I'd throw this out as a "for what it's worth" piece of info.

I would first like to say that while there are a lot of ways to aim, I've never personally been comfortable with pivoting my stick to be anything but in line with my shot. And ... I honestly don't fully comprehend the concept.

At any rate, please forgive the ridiculously poor attempt of my drawing this image using that paint program that comes with windows, but it will serve to somewhat, show what I'm talking about.

It's pretty self explanatory. If I'm cutting my shot to the left, I use the left edge of my shaft, if my shot is straight with no angle, I use the center of my tip, and if I'm cutting to the right, I use the right edge of my shaft.

No matter, I stroke that part of the shaft directly into the contact point on the object ball.

If I must apply any english (sidespin) I merely move my stick parallel to my original aim and I still shoot that part of the stick into the contact point on the object ball.

No twisting or pivoting or anything else. It seems pretty simple to me. Concentrate on the delivery. I limit my backstroke when applicable and that increases my accuracy of delivery.
 

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How is that working for you? Is there a range where this is tougher to do?

Great post...thanks SPF=randyg
 
3andstop said:
I thought I'd throw this out as a "for what it's worth" piece of info.

I would first like to say that while there are a lot of ways to aim, I've never personally been comfortable with pivoting my stick to be anything but in line with my shot. And ... I honestly don't fully comprehend the concept.

At any rate, please forgive the ridiculously poor attempt of my drawing this image using that paint program that comes with windows, but it will serve to somewhat, show what I'm talking about.

It's pretty self explanatory. If I'm cutting my shot to the left, I use the left edge of my shaft, if my shot is straight with no angle, I use the center of my tip, and if I'm cutting to the right, I use the right edge of my shaft.

No matter, I stroke that part of the shaft directly into the contact point on the object ball.

If I must apply any english (sidespin) I merely move my stick parallel to my original aim and I still shoot that part of the stick into the contact point on the object ball.

No twisting or pivoting or anything else. It seems pretty simple to me. Concentrate on the delivery. I limit my backstroke when applicable and that increases my accuracy of delivery.
Click to expand...

Now, why in the world would you want to give up the "real secret" to aiming? Sheesh!

But seriously, if you have never tried this method of aiming, you should. IMO, and also depending upon the shaft size, this as well as every other aiming system allows you to get in the ball park for most shots and your experience with squerve, table conditions, ball conditions and other equipment will allow you to make the fine tune adjustments needed to consistently pocket the object ball.

Hal Mix (RIP) was a big proponent of using the edge of the shaft for aiming.

JoeyA
 
Randy, I find it extremely accurate for both short distance and long distances, as well as pretty thin or off angle shots to the side pockets.

To keep things in perspective as far as how I play in general :) using this aiming technique. I'm 57 yrs old, I play 99% straight pool, about 8 to 10 hrs a week and I have my fair share of 40 and 50 ball runs. So, I'm no expert, but I play ok. I'd be better if I wasn't brain dead. :)

In 14.1 there are lots of shots that are semi - to steep angles shot at an easy speed across the short width of the table into the corner pockets. These (for me) are deadly accurate and I'm able to shoot them with a very high level of confidence.

I have absolutely no trouble loading up the CB when needed using this aiming technique and ( at least for me) I find it much easier to deliver straight through with confidence doing it this way.
 
I used to play with this method about 3 years ago. The negative is when you're at a distance, aiming an edge of the cue to the contact point is really tough considering you can't accurately perceive where the true contact point is on a sphere on thinner cuts. For low angle shots, it's cool. Just my opinion. Not bad though... as I mentioned, I used to use it.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
The negative is when you're at a distance, aiming an edge of the cue to the contact point is really tough considering you can't accurately perceive where the true contact point is on a sphere on thinner cuts.
Click to expand...

I suppose it's like anything else, when you become comfortable with a method, it works for you.

When I set up to shoot, once I settle in, I stop dead with my tip at the CB and I envision pulling the trigger on a rifle. I visualize the CB delivering to that target spot. Then I take a few practice strokes, return to the cue tip to CB, reset my rifle site and then deliver the shot.

On longer shots I simply use my rifle laser sight :) Seriously, I simple envision a straight line along the cloth bed to my point of aim and then cover that line with whichever side of my cue shaft is applicable to the shot. No twisting, pivoting, flailing, hopping or anything else for me ... just straight through.

Bottom line what ever works for an individual is good for that person. I loose much confidence moving my cue tip once I'm locked on. ;)
 
3ANDSTOP: I just returned from our Pool School. I gave your aiming system 20 good minutes......it has very good merit. The more I used it, the better I became.

It is fairly close to our S.A.M. system so it fit right in.

Thanks
SPF=randyg
 
3andstop said:
I suppose it's like anything else, when you become comfortable with a method, it works for you.

When I set up to shoot, once I settle in, I stop dead with my tip at the CB and I envision pulling the trigger on a rifle. I visualize the CB delivering to that target spot. Then I take a few practice strokes, return to the cue tip to CB, reset my rifle site and then deliver the shot.

On longer shots I simply use my rifle laser sight :) Seriously, I simple envision a straight line along the cloth bed to my point of aim and then cover that line with whichever side of my cue shaft is applicable to the shot. No twisting, pivoting, flailing, hopping or anything else for me ... just straight through.

Bottom line what ever works for an individual is good for that person. I loose much confidence moving my cue tip once I'm locked on. ;)
Click to expand...

I have nothing really bad to say about it. I once ran 5-racks of 8-ball on a guy using this method (9' gc3). It just takes great perception on the thin shots.
 
I think I play the same way you are trying to describe, but I'm not convinced you are actually aiming the way your diagram shows. If you did you would undercut everything. If you aim the cueball at the contact point (like your drawing) the CB will not make contact with the OB at that point but will actually make fuller contact, resulting in an undercut shot. To illustrate, draw a ghost ball in touch with the contact point of the OB and you will see your aim line does not go through the center of the GB, meaning the cue ball will not end up where you need it to in order to make the shot.

Am I explaining myself properly? I usually get all verklempt in these aiming threads so if I'm not being clear I apologize. Of course, it is entirely possible I'm mis-understanding this as per usual.:embarrassed2:
 
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