I'm bad at aiming

D

Dionysus

Registered
Hi,

I started playing pool about four years ago, just with friends for fun from time to time. Even though for the last year I started playing seriously, at least once a week, and recently 3/4 times a week, I still have a bad aiming, i miss simple shots quite often. However, my stance is well, my bridge too, I put my dominant eye on the aiming line, I imagine the ghost ball...
Is it because I don't have enough experience ? Will it come over time ?

If you have any advice I'd be grateful !

Thanks for your time ;)

PS: I play english pool so small tables
 
Dionysus said:
Hi,

I started playing pool about four years ago, just with friends for fun from time to time. Even though for the last year I started playing seriously, at least once a week, and recently 3/4 times a week, I still have a bad aiming, i miss simple shots quite often. However, my stance is well, my bridge too, I put my dominant eye on the aiming line, I imagine the ghost ball...
Is it because I don't have enough experience ? Will it come over time ?

If you have any advice I'd be grateful !

Thanks for your time ;)

PS: I play english pool so small tables
Click to expand...



What are your PSR's like?

randyg
 
Dionysus said:
Hi,

I started playing pool about four years ago, just with friends for fun from time to time. Even though for the last year I started playing seriously, at least once a week, and recently 3/4 times a week, I still have a bad aiming, i miss simple shots quite often. However, my stance is well, my bridge too, I put my dominant eye on the aiming line, I imagine the ghost ball...
Is it because I don't have enough experience ? Will it come over time ?

If you have any advice I'd be grateful !

Thanks for your time ;)

PS: I play english pool so small tables
Click to expand...

Are you close to ST. Louis?

John
 
Dionysus said:
Not even from the US ^_^
Click to expand...

Too save yourself many years of frustration I highly recommend that you seek out an instructor in your area. True, it could be expensive but it will be the best money you have ever spent.

Or, take the long road. Ya ain't gonna like it. :)

John
 
1. Take a lesson from a qualified instructor.

2. Buy Mark Wilson's book.

I'm willing to bet the vast majority of aiming problems are more related to crooked stroke issues.

If, or when, you get the stroke straight, I'd be remiss if I didn't highly recommend CTE/Pro One. Buy the dvd's and if possible, get a lesson or two from Stan Shuffett or Stevie Moore. Get the stroke straightened out first. Good luck.
 
Straightpool_99 said:
[...]
Why do I ask these questions? The reason is that I think most "aiming" problems stem from problems other than aiming.
[...]
Click to expand...

That's heresy to say that here! ;)

Just kidding, but I do agree. Why is it when amateur pool players know they are inconsistent and have problems, they automatically knee-jerk to an aiming issue? Are pool players really that naive (or worse, egoed) to think that their fundamentals are good enough / aren't the root of the problem?

You don't see that in snooker; amateurs there zoom right in on their fundamentals as the root of most problems, not aiming.

I agree with your questions and tips about fundamentals, Straightpool_99. Fix these, and the OP's game should straighten out right quick. Focusing on aiming as the issue is roughly analogous to increasing the volume on your car stereo to "hide" bad noises coming from the engine.

-Sean
 
Straightpool_99 said:
Here are some questions you need to answer if you want helpful answers (the best would be to post a video of course..):

1. Do you miss more shots to the left than to the right, or the opposite?
2. Do you miss straight in shots?
3. If you play a long draw, stop or follow shot (trying to use the vertical axis only) does the cueball sometimes have sidespin?
4. You say your stance etc is solid, but:
Are you ABSOLUTELY sure that you keep your head completely still through the stroke?
What about the bridgehand? Is it firmly planted and still?
You play english pool, do you use snooker fundamentals? Do you keep chin/chest contact, do you finish hitting your chest?

Why do I ask these questions? The reason is that I think most "aiming" problems stem from problems other than aiming. You are a fairly "new" player, so there is a chance that your aiming may still need some work. However, you may get more results quicker if your fundamentals are absolutely sound. Without standing still you will not give your brain the feedback it needs to correct faulty aiming. Also you may not be hitting the center of the cueball, or subtly pulling your cue off line. If you do all the other things right but still miss shots, maybe ghost ball aiming isn't for you. Luckily there are a lot of people who would happily sell you a dvd on other systems on this forum. Just make sure that that is what you need.

Disclaimer: Not an instructor. Take all advice with a wheelbarrow of salt.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your time.

1- quite the same frequency.
2- absolutely, I find straight shots the most difficult, specially long ones.
3- I have no such a problem.
4- Well I think I stay in position few seconds after the shot, but I will make sure next time I do so.
What do you mean by snooker fundamentals ? I'm right eyed so it's rather my cheek close to the cue I don't touch though, just few millimiters between them.
For the chest, I don't know what you mean. If you mean the chest touching the cue, no there is no contact between them

Just saying, if I'm right eyed, could it still be better to aim like even eyed people ?
 
Send me a PM. I'd like to know which system you're using or whether you are playing on pure instinct, and then as Sean said, we can talk fundamentals. Hitting the balls wrong speed/wrong spin will cause misses despite reasonably decent aim.
 
If you can visualize the OB going into the hole, but can't do it its not an aiming issue. Aiming is very simple to do. The hard part is keeping that line of aim locked in as you get down, then getting all the necessary bits and pieces on the right line to send the cue ball along the correct path. It is more than likely poor alignment that's hindering your pocketing.

I made a thread on stance and alignment which has a main focus on the alignment of the body to aid getting the cue on the lone of the shot. I'll try dig out a link to it.

My advice would be to focus on your alignment of your body to get the cue onto the shot line. A friend, experienced player or instructor can all help with checking your alignment.
 
Dionysus said:
Hi,

I started playing pool about four years ago, just with friends for fun from time to time. Even though for the last year I started playing seriously, at least once a week, and recently 3/4 times a week, I still have a bad aiming, i miss simple shots quite often. However, my stance is well, my bridge too, I put my dominant eye on the aiming line, I imagine the ghost ball...
Is it because I don't have enough experience ? Will it come over time ?

If you have any advice I'd be grateful !

Thanks for your time ;)

PS: I play english pool so small tables
Click to expand...


1. Can you make straight in shots short and long?
2. Don't worry about the dominant eye, its about having the head and body in the right position that gives you the straight line.
3. Ghost ball bad.:)
4. Even though you say you've been playing for about 4 years, and as of late seriously, you're still new to things.
5. They're are 2 types of aiming , center cb and off center cb,get good at center first and work in off center aiming in your game. Center cb things look more right, off center things look wrong:wink: trust me, you need to teach the mind and eyes.
6. A good aiming method to start with is back of ball, it will always put you on the thick side of the shot. Why is that important? You learn to feel your way in one direction into the aiming line, this is so key in many aspects in teaching the eyes and mind how to address the shot. One needs not so much an aiming system , but a reliable starting point.
7. Again ...ghost ball bad.:)
8. Practice..practice...practice.


Good luck!

Anthony
 
Last edited:
Well I've seen it all. I have never heard of an englishman struggling with something as elementry as aiming before!

Playing for 4 years and you cannot aim? What the hell have you been doing, man? :confused:
 
Ron Swanson said:
Well I've seen it all. I have never heard of an englishman struggling with something as elementry as aiming before!

Playing for 4 years and you cannot aim? What the hell have you been doing, man? :confused:
Click to expand...

Sorry, Tim. He must a transplanted American.

:p
-Sean
 
Ron Swanson said:
Well I've seen it all. I have never heard of an englishman struggling with something as elementry as aiming before!

Playing for 4 years and you cannot aim? What the hell have you been doing, man? :confused:
Click to expand...

First, playing english pool doesnt mean you're english. And as I said I "really" played pool for less than a year
 
It's all about your approach to training and practice. The first thing to do is identify your weakness and strengths as you have.

Then practice. No system has any built in form of accuracy, I don't care what anyone else says. The accuracy seen by the pros comes from them and their practice habits, not what system is used.

If your are missing cuts to the right of the pocket , adjust where to CB hits the OB to the right cause this will change the direction the OB goes to the left toward the center of the pocket.

Set up shots you miss and do them till you get the hang of them.....ie practice.
You will notice that once you make one and see where the CB is on the table at the time of impact with the OB, those shots get easier and you will start make more.

Another overlooked aspect is knowing why you missed a shot. You can mss the same type of shot for various reasons. When you find that you are missing them more for one reason, work on that reason, then move on to the second most reason and so on.

Improving takes time, dedication and a structured plan on practice.

The system used is of little importance, despite what some would like you to believe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top