I have been aiming wrong for so long

[mohrt]

So today I had a little extra time and I decided to head to the pool hall and try a few new things. One of the things that I wanted to try was never looking at the cue ball when I shoot. I mean never looking at it. Not ever. I get behind my shot looking at the object ball the entire time already knowing what I want to do with the cue ball and where I want it to be for my next shot. I get in position and still avoid looking at the cue ball. I was still using top, bottom, side and I never even miscued. I could see the cue ball in my peripheral, but I made a conscious effort to never look at it. I can honestly say that I am not sure if I have ever played that well before in my life. It made a world of difference. I feel like I just jumped two skill levels. Shots that used to rattle went dead center in the pocket.

Now I thought that before today I always looked at object ball last, but now I am not so sure. Given the way that I played today I feel like I was just staring at the wall before when I was trying to shoot. I need to put in much more time with this and see how it all turns out, but for now I am a big fan.

SIDE NOTE: When breaking I was still looking at the cue ball and I look at it last when I am breaking.

I believe there is a time for both. I think CJ said this recently. Looking at the CB last is most important when the shot demands accurate tip placement on the CB, such as the break, shooting jacked up on a rail, or jumping the CB over a very close OB.

As for you suddenly jumping two skill levels, I'm going to guess that has little to do with looking at the OB last. The fact is, you are suddenly paying close attention to detail. You are paying attention to your tip placement, your stroke, your aim, everything. I think that attention is what makes you quickly gain confidence and see immediate results.

Eddie Robin once told me he was teaching a guy that was complaining that he couldn't shoot straight. Eddie told him to raise his pinky finger on his back hand. Confused, he tried it and low and behold it was working! Not because raising the pinky helped, but in doing so his consciousness steered toward his stance and stroke.

 

[CJ Wiley]

This is how my shots calibrate towards the CENTER of the pocket

Yes, on the break and when shooting over a ball (Chris also stated this) - even shooting off the rail, especially when "kicking" is also something to experiment with.

It's essential to look at the object ball last (while pausing on the backswing typcally) so you can see where it hits the pocket.

The Primary Target in any pool shot is the Cue Ball

The Secondary Target is the Object Ball

The Final (Destination) Target is The Pocket - because of this order of "targets" it's critical to see where you're hitting the "Final Target" so you can make any adjustments to your aim before it results in a missed ball.

When I hit one side of the pocket I recognize it immediately and may make {slight} adjustments on the next shot so my shots calibrate towards the CENTER of the pocket.

]I believe there is a time for both. I think CJ said this recently. Looking at the CB last is most important when the shot demands accurate tip placement on the CB, such as the break, shooting jacked up on a rail, or jumping the CB over a very close OB.
[/B]
As for you suddenly jumping two skill levels, I'm going to guess that has little to do with looking at the OB last. The fact is, you are suddenly paying close attention to detail. You are paying attention to your tip placement, your stroke, your aim, everything. I think that attention is what makes you quickly gain confidence and see immediate results.

Eddie Robin once told me he was teaching a guy that was complaining that he couldn't shoot straight. Eddie told him to raise his pinky finger on his back hand. Confused, he tried it and low and behold it was working! Not because raising the pinky helped, but in doing so his consciousness steered toward his stance and stroke.

 

[BilliardsAbout]

I saw the first post on this thread yesterday and wondered if you have inadvertently tightened your "tip gap" thus explaining your success. A skill to build is to stand to the shot without looking at the cue ball to get the right distance with your stance from the cue ball. Regardless, you got me thinking so I made an article about fixing your tip gap. It has a provocative title to get more readers to open the contents, but I think by not staring down the cue ball this is what you did to play better. - Matt

 

[JoeyA]

I saw the first post on this thread yesterday and wondered if you have inadvertently tightened your "tip gap" thus explaining your success. A skill to build is to stand to the shot without looking at the cue ball to get the right distance with your stance from the cue ball. Regardless, you got me thinking so I made an article about fixing your tip gap. It has a provocative title to get more readers to open the contents, but I think by not staring down the cue ball this is what you did to play better. - Matt

Matt has LOTS of tips on how to tune up your game.

JoeyA

 

[Shannon.spronk]

I saw the first post on this thread yesterday and wondered if you have inadvertently tightened your "tip gap" thus explaining your success. A skill to build is to stand to the shot without looking at the cue ball to get the right distance with your stance from the cue ball. Regardless, you got me thinking so I made an article about fixing your tip gap. It has a provocative title to get more readers to open the contents, but I think by not staring down the cue ball this is what you did to play better. - Matt

I decided to revisit this issue the other day when playing with someone and have them watch as I played against them first by looking at the cue ball and object ball, but object ball last and then by intentionally never looking at the cue ball at all. He said the difference was obvious. I was setting up closer when avoiding looking at the cue ball and I was also pocketing balls better. What I want to do is video myself both ways and take a look for myself. That way it will help me find the space that is right for me.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Shanon,

If you were to go back & read my exchange with Colin, I'd like to say that is no longer how I am playing after 47 years of doing so.

The reason is Gene Albrecht's Perfect Aim. I't not an actual aiming system but instead is about how to use our eyes correctly, FOR POOL.

I 'knew' I was right eye dominant all my life until Gene showed me beyond dispute that, FOR POOL, I am actually left eye dominant. That has completely changed my process.

I'd suggest Gene's DVD & make the complimentary phone call before you watch it.

Good Luck in finding YOUR solution.

Best Wishes to You & Yours,
Rick

 

[cookie man]

Good question. Was hoping that we would get some replies on this. I remember someone asking Efren how he aims. He supposedly said with the edge. If you think about it, by using the edge, you are never out into space but on a part of the ball. Makes sense to me. However, I would like to hear some replies as to how you align and your head and eye positioning. When I do this there are some shots that I really make easily. Then there are others, especially the long thin cuts that I miss badly, Is it purely a case of align the edge then parallel over? Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Efren actually said he uses centers and edges.