Just before you pull the trigger...

[soulcatcher]

What do you look at when kicking and why?

Actually, this is the only area that I do not agree with Scott Lee's assessment. When I am kicking at a ball, I look at the object point on the rail I want to hit. I have already took aim at the cue ball with any english, follow or draw I am applying, so my stroke should flow true to that point. Now I need to make sure I am hitting the correct point on the rail as I complete the stroke.

 

[JimS]

What is the last thing you are looking at...the object ball or the spot on the cueball you are trying to hit? And why?

The spot on the ball I want to hit. Why? Because that's the spot I want to hit. It's hard enough to hit it perfectly lookin at it not to mention when not lookin at it.

Not goin to read the rest of this thread. No need. To me this is just a no brainer. Well maybe...... If I'm tree topped. ....... nah... still gotta look at the target. Never shot a duck while lookin at the water. 'cours I've never shot a duck. hmmmm can't think of another analogy

 

[androd]

as far as the object ball go, i personally never focus on a spot; it's more an angle that i 'feel' and doesn't appear visual. i just make sure i put the tip where it needs to be on the CB before i shoot, and if the shot is a squirting one (what??) then that goes into the brain as well

the only time i use 'focal points' on the object ball is if i have to combo, and i'm thinking going over to feel here too considering the success rate.

stand up players aim at a angle, bend over players aim at a spot on the OB. we used to ask young players the original question (what do you look at last) to confuse them. i have known a couple of good players that look at the CB last. but its rare.

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

For jump, masse', and break shots I look at the cueball last.

For the majority of standard shots I look at the object ball last.

If I come upon a really hard shot that I'm not comfortable with (and feel like I might have a 50/50 chance of making it - but for whatever reason feel like I should shoot versus playing safe) I will line up as best as possible, but will focus on the cueball last to help my confidence.

FYI: Ralf Souquest and from what I heard on an Accu-stats match commentary Earl Strickland look at the cueball last. I think if you're properly in line --- that can work for you just fine (but not the cup of tea to the majority of good players).

this is correct. there are certain shots that require you to look at the CB last, which however doesn't occur most of the time. masse, jump, break, shots that you have to concentrate on the CB last and had the OB's position calculated beforehand. but in most ordinary pool learning and playing day, it's all about OB focus last. a person that I taught just recently attested that he started to pocket balls when he started looking at the point where the OB was strucked and misses when he concentrates looking at where to hit the CB. only look at the CB last if you are certain of the position of the OB of where it is supposed to be struck and where the CB would indeed hit that spot. but that however, takes a lot of guts and pretty darn good premeditation or calculation of whatever. feels pretty good actually when you make a semi-masse and pocket the OB most often in every attempt.

 

[PoolBum]

FYI: Ralf Souquest and from what I heard on an Accu-stats match commentary Earl Strickland look at the cueball last. I think if you're properly in line --- that can work for you just fine (but not the cup of tea to the majority of good players).

On normal shots Earl looks at the object ball last. It's clear if you watch video of Earl carefully. I suspect the same is true of Ralf, but I'll have to check the video on that one.

 

[D Player]

This is an important question. What is most important, imo, is that your sight line be parallel to your stick. So if the tip is at centerball, and you're looking directly over the tip, then you'd better be looking to a spot outside the object ball.

If you want to look at the contact point on the object ball, then you should be looking FROM the equivalent contact point on the cueball.

This is an interesting thought.

I prefer to focus on the contact point for extreme cut shots rather than pick out a spot on the rail, but I also like to keep my head centered over my cue...

I think I'll experiment with your suggestions tonight. Changing my focus to a point on the rail should be pretty easy, but moving my head position will probably feel all wrong at first.

 

[Pool Player]

Hi all,

I do look at the object ball just before i pulled the trigger.

This is my S.O.P:
1st two strokes, look at cueball
Last two strokes, look at object ball
Lastly, pause while still looking at object ball and fire.

However, sometimes it seems i'm looking at the object ball for too long and I ended up missing the shot. Has anyone encounter the same problem with me?

 

[Pool Player]

Bumps anyone? Is looking at the object ball for too long becomes a stare which result in a miss?

 

[Ralph Kramden]

I've been reading a bunch of these "quiet eye" studies. One interesting one is about basketball free throws.

Free throws are a lot like pool shots because both have a "near aim" and a "far aim"

both have a "set" position followed by a final "back" stroke and forward stroke.

Good freethrowers shift focus from the near aim spot to a narrow area at the top of the front of the rim (the "far aim" spot) while in the "set" position.

But here's where the analogy with pool breaks down. During the free throw "forward" stroke the ball and hands obscure the far aim point. So you gaze at the target, and when the shot is done you want to still gaze at the target. But in the middle of this you can't see the target. They've noticed many of the good free throwers blink or avert their gaze during this obstruction time.

Anyway pool doesn't have this problem.

I'm probably gonna do a youtube thingy on this general subject in the next month or so.

When taking a golf lesson from a pro, he asked me,"What is your target?"
I said it was the center of the green.
"Wrong" he said, "It's the ball; If you don't hit the ball you can't hit the green".
I think your focus point should be EITHER on the OB or the CB, depending on the shot at hand. Hitting the right spot on the OB to pocket it may be when your eyes should be focused on OB.
Getting perfect shape on the next ball may mean you should focus on where the cue tip must contact the CB for that particular shot.

 

[AnitoKid]

This is one informative thread!
And I kid you not!

Thanks for all the great info, friends!