Is the Object Ball just a "Mirrored Reflection" of the Cue Ball

[CJ Wiley]

What do you aim at in pool? Do you aim at the object ball, the pocket, the cue ball, the shadows, the lights? What is your primary target?

Remember an important, and often over-looked fact - the cue ball is always the primary target because it's the only thing we physically contact - we don't effect the object ball, or the pocket directly.

This is true no matter the distance, the speed, the spin, the angle, etc. Another reason "there are no easy shots or hard shots," because the target is actually where the tip connects to the cue ball at impact. If we don't hit the cue ball where we're aiming, it's not possible to hit the object ball as planned.

The object ball acts as a "mirrored" reflection of now we influence the cue ball. When we put left spin on the cue ball, it puts right spin on the object ball, when we put under-spin on the cue ball, it puts over-spin on the object ball etc.The cue ball is always the target and in every case we have to hit the cue ball precisely where we're aiming.

We're really not "aiming" at the object ball, we align to it in such a way that, when we hit the cue ball where we intend, the object ball (as a result) goes where we desire (in the final target which is the pocket or area of the table for a safety).

 

[Colin Colenso]

If we don't hit the cue ball where we're aiming, it's not possible to hit the object ball as planned.

True in a positional sense, but say on a 1/4 ball cut to the right at firm speed, bridging at one's pivot point, hitting the CB anywhere from center CB to miscue limit right of CB (inside english), will hit the same point on the OB and likely make the pot.

When we put left spin on the cue ball, it puts right spin on the object ball

Not when gearing and less spin is applied for outside english.

 

[CJ Wiley]

we're trying to keep it simple over here, this sounds like boomerang instruction LoL

True in a positional sense, but say on a 1/4 ball cut to the right at firm speed, bridging at one's pivot point, hitting the CB anywhere from center CB to miscue limit right of CB (inside english), will hit the same point on the OB and likely make the pot.


Not when gearing and less spin is applied for outside english.

Wow, is this making it complicated.....we're trying to keep it simple over here.

Maybe this makes better sense using an Australian accent. LoL - just kidding, I love all you guys, Australia is definitely on my "bucket list" of places to visit and play some pool.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Wow, is this making it complicated.....we're trying to keep it simple over here.

Maybe this makes better sense using an Australian accent. LoL - just kidding, I love all you guys, Australia is definitely on my "bucket list" of places to visit and play some pool.

Keep in mind that we do everything upside down here!

Sydney is the only city where US type tables are predominant. Not many people play on US tables in the other cities, though they are becoming more popular, particularly with asian clientele.

I think I own the only 2 US tables in my city.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Keep in mind that we do everything upside down here!

Keep in mind that we do everything upside down here!

Sydney is the only city where US type tables are predominant. Not many people play on US tables in the other cities, though they are becoming more popular, particularly with asian clientele.

I think I own the only 2 US tables in my city.

You guys really do everything upside down? Now I have to go to Australia. I met several players at the US OPEN in the 90s who were from there, what's the name of the best pool player from that era? He was a really nice guy, and his name is on the tongue of my tip (tip of my tongue over here )

 

[TheThaiger]

Keep in mind that we do everything upside down here!

Sydney is the only city where US type tables are predominant. Not many people play on US tables in the other cities, though they are becoming more popular, particularly with asian clientele.

I think I own the only 2 US tables in my city.

Unless there has been dramatic improvement over the past decade, pool on Sydney sucks the big one.

 

[Colin Colenso]

You guys really do everything upside down? Now I have to go to Australia. I met several players at the US OPEN in the 90s who were from there, what's the name of the best pool player from that era? He was a really nice guy, and his name is on the tongue of my tip (tip of my tongue over here )

You're probably thinking of Lou Condo.

Sadly, he passed away a few weeks ago

 

[CJ Wiley]

We all had breakfast at the US OPEN and the Aussies were a pleasure

You're probably thinking of Lou Condo.

Sadly, he passed away a few weeks ago

I think his name was Lou, sorry to hear that, Colin.

We all had breakfast at the US OPEN and the Aussies were a pleasure to be around.

That cafe was where I first met Jeanette Lee, we actually had lunch there as well. She told me she was someday going to do all these awesome things in the pool world. I have to hand it to her, she did everything she envisioned and much more.

Hope things are going well there in the game, we have just about hit bottom here it appears. I just read Rodney Morris' face book page and it's time to shoot or get off the pot. I guess the conditions at the World Open over in the Philippines is less than perfect.

 

[Mr. Bond]

speaking of...

 

[CJ Wiley]

speaking of...
View attachment 375158

This is interesting Mr. Bond, where did it originate? Maybe we can do something together on one of these topics, or a combination of a few of them.

 

[pwd72s]

I see your point, CJ...much like shooting a gun. We aim a gun (bullet-cue ball) in order to strike a contact point...either on a target or an object ball.

Sound crazy, but once I figured out that the balls are round and it was the contact point that mattered, my aim improved.

 

[HawaiianEye]

What do you aim at in pool? Do you aim at the object ball, the pocket, the cue ball, the shadows, the lights? What is your primary target?

Remember an important, and often over-looked fact - the cue ball is always the primary target because it's the only thing we physically contact - we don't effect the object ball, or the pocket directly.

This is true no matter the distance, the speed, the spin, the angle, etc. Another reason "there are no easy shots or hard shots," because the target is actually where the tip connects to the cue ball at impact. If we don't hit the cue ball where we're aiming, it's not possible to hit the object ball as planned.

The object ball acts as a "mirrored" reflection of now we influence the cue ball. When we put left spin on the cue ball, it puts right spin on the object ball, when we put under-spin on the cue ball, it puts over-spin on the object ball etc.The cue ball is always the target and in every case we have to hit the cue ball precisely where we're aiming.

We're really not "aiming" at the object ball, we align to it in such a way that, when we hit the cue ball where we intend, the object ball (as a result) goes where we desire (in the final target which is the pocket or area of the table for a safety).

I agree. I tell my buddy that every weekend when we play and he still doesn't quite believe it. He asks me, over and over, how I did a certain shot or figured it out and when I explain it to him he has trouble with it.

Like you, I see the table as one big rectangle, divided into two squares, that are broken down into smaller squares. They may not be "perfect" squares and diamonds, but they are "close" enough for figuring out very good approximations.

I almost give up trying to explain it to people who can't "see" and want to start telling you it doesn't work before they even try it.

If you don't try it and stick with it for a while, you may never see the benefit. If you spend "enough" time with it, you will see the benefits and it will open your eyes more. You will see through the mirrors.
Aloha.

 

[mantis99]

What do you aim at in pool? Do you aim at the object ball, the pocket, the cue ball, the shadows, the lights? What is your primary target?

Remember an important, and often over-looked fact - the cue ball is always the primary target because it's the only thing we physically contact - we don't effect the object ball, or the pocket directly.

This is true no matter the distance, the speed, the spin, the angle, etc. Another reason "there are no easy shots or hard shots," because the target is actually where the tip connects to the cue ball at impact. If we don't hit the cue ball where we're aiming, it's not possible to hit the object ball as planned.

The object ball acts as a "mirrored" reflection of now we influence the cue ball. When we put left spin on the cue ball, it puts right spin on the object ball, when we put under-spin on the cue ball, it puts over-spin on the object ball etc.The cue ball is always the target and in every case we have to hit the cue ball precisely where we're aiming.

We're really not "aiming" at the object ball, we align to it in such a way that, when we hit the cue ball where we intend, the object ball (as a result) goes where we desire (in the final target which is the pocket or area of the table for a safety).

I do largely agree with this. Once one knows what they need to know about squirt, spin, speed control etc, all you really have to do is apply the correct stroke to the correct spot on the Cb using the right speed (of course being lined up correctly also) and everything turns out well. The game can get to where as long as you have a consistent pre shot routine and alignment, you simply need to decide where you are going to hit the CB and at what speed to get the desired result. The challenge is being able to Apply that stroke at the desired speed over and over again. Variations in that stroke or in alignment cause misses. It does, however take a lot of practice and experience to be able to accurately make those decisions for each shot, and it takes repetition to create a repetitive alignment and stroke to carry out the shot. That seems to be pretty obvious overall. The question is, is there a statement following this question that leads to a progression to greater reliability and ability to make it happen.

 

[PoolBoy1]

Of course we aim at the object ball. Only time one would not would be from say a safety played. One would have to use a rail(s) to then hit object ball. If not aiming at object ball how would one pocket it?
I am a ghost ball aimer. KISS.

 

[PoolBoy1]

I agree. I tell my buddy that every weekend when we play and he still doesn't quite believe it. He asks me, over and over, how I did a certain shot or figured it out and when I explain it to him he has trouble with it.

Like you, I see the table as one big rectangle, divided into two squares, that are broken down into smaller squares. They may not be "perfect" squares and diamonds, but they are "close" enough for figuring out very good approximations.

I almost give up trying to explain it to people who can't "see" and want to start telling you it doesn't work before they even try it.

It's no wonder he has trouble understanding.
If you don't try it and stick with it for a while, you may never see the benefit. If you spend "enough" time with it, you will see the benefits and it will open your eyes more. You will see through the mirrors.
Aloha.

It's no wonder he has trouble understanding.

 

[PINKLADY]

yes. but i shoot with Krom.
.

 

[nine o nine]

I don't know of or believe in "overspin". "put under-spin on the cue ball, it puts over-spin on the object ball" according to CJ's first post. Although I admire his accomplishments.
I believe it was Dr Dave who tried to measure "overspin" and it was proven to be an insignificant object ball action. Mitch

 

[DTL]

.....................

 

[CJ Wiley]

rely on an imaginary ball...?... I'll stick to the real one

Of course we aim at the object ball. Only time one would not would be from say a safety played. One would have to use a rail(s) to then hit object ball. If not aiming at object ball how would one pocket it?
I am a ghost ball aimer. KISS.

So you aim at this type of object ball, when's the last time you actually hit one?

Aiming at "ghosts" is simple? They are imaginary, I'd hate to be betting all my money in a match and have to rely on an imaginary ball, what if it disappears?

I'll stick to the real one (pun intended). :groucho:

 

[Colin Colenso]

I don't know of or believe in "overspin". "put under-spin on the cue ball, it puts over-spin on the object ball" according to CJ's first post. Although I admire his accomplishments.
I believe it was Dr Dave who tried to measure "overspin" and it was proven to be an insignificant object ball action. Mitch

I think the only practical application of backspin on the CB transferring a little topspin onto the OB is when the OB is frozen to another and we need to make it travel forward of the tangent line.

Last weekend an acquaintance suggested to me that drawing on the break transfers topspin into the break making it spread open much more. I told him the transfer of spin is only around 2 or 3% onto the front ball, but that hitting draw takes over 10% of CB's speed away, so the same speed stroke with stun breaks the balls up considerably more.

He'd had a few drinks and cogitated on these concepts for a few seconds. He appeared dizzy and confused and started to sway. He stood up shakily and decided it was time to go home.