Introduction & Aiming Question to B Jewett

[i210mfu]

Hi,

since I am here for quite a while I thought it would be wise to introduce myself a little:

I am Markus (aka I210mfu) from Frankfurt, Germany. Been playing pool for over 15 years now. Once managed to become 3rd in the state championships in 9ball. I am also dealing with top custom cues (I import top custom cues from all over the world). Once in a while I am in Eustace TX, to visit my long time pool friend Larry and his family. While I am there I am playing as much as I possibly can in Tyler TX and Dallas....But only in places where they sell imported beer of couse )

Aiming question:

Of couse everybody has his way of aiming. I now had a discussion with a friend of mine regarding aiming shots with english. The way I do it unsually is:
1. Look for the "normal" contact point on the OB
2. Aim CB to OB on that point
3. Than apply english and "correct" the aiming point on the OB accordingly

The other method my friend favors is:

1. Aim with english right away and don't "shift" the cue like in version one.
2. That means: You walk up to the shot and address it right away with the english

I tried this out and the results are promising. The balls seem to go in more easy. What I mean here is, the balls are hitting the pockes clearer and with far less "rattler's" (miss of vocabulary here).

I would like to now if anybody here has made the same change and how the resukts are? Since my friend claims that my old method is somehow wrong because the vision is changed and this leads to more mistakes in pocketing balls in the long run, it would be nice if someone woulod be able to give some physics explanation of the 2 different aiming methods as well.

Thanx in advance

Markus

 

[sjm]

Hi,

since I am here for quite a while I thought it would be wise to introduce myself a little:

I am Markus (aka I210mfu) from Frankfurt, Germany. Been playing pool for over 15 years now. Once managed to become 3rd in the state championships in 9ball. I am also dealing with top custom cues (I import top custom cues from all over the world). Once in a while I am in Eustace TX, to visit my long time pool friend Larry and his family. While I am there I am playing as much as I possibly can in Tyler TX and Dallas....But only in places where they sell imported beer of couse )

Aiming question:

Of couse everybody has his way of aiming. I now had a discussion with a friend of mine regarding aiming shots with english. The way I do it unsually is:
1. Look for the "normal" contact point on the OB
2. Aim CB to OB on that point
3. Than apply english and "correct" the aiming point on the OB accordingly

The other method my friend favors is:

1. Aim with english right away and don't "shift" the cue like in version one.
2. That means: You walk up to the shot and address it right away with the english

I tried this out and the results are promising. The balls seem to go in more easy. What I mean here is, the balls are hitting the pockes clearer and with far less "rattler's" (miss of vocabulary here).

I would like to now if anybody here has made the same change and how the resukts are? Since my friend claims that my old method is somehow wrong because the vision is changed and this leads to more mistakes in pocketing balls in the long run, it would be nice if someone woulod be able to give some physics explanation of the 2 different aiming methods as well.

Thanx in advance

Markus

Markus, I'm no student of aiming systems, but your friend's system is the one that seems best. Finding the aim point before getting into your stance best allows you to get your body alignment over the shot correct.

If you were to align yourself for center ball, and then just modify your stroke for the english aiming adjustment for the speed selelcted, you are placing yourself in danger of stroking a direction that may be ever-so-slightly different from where your body is aligned. Though the difference would be only very slight, I can see why your friend feels that this can mess up your vision of the shot.

In physics terms, the body needs to be perfectly aligned with the vector of aim to ensure your follow through is exactly along the intended path of the cue ball.

 

[rufus]

If you are getting down on the ball and then adjusting, you are neglecting the rule to always do your thinking before getting into your stance. It will also be easier to imagine where your shot will go when adding english from a high field of vision.