Mark Wilson - CB or OB Last - Age Old Issue

[BC21]

Your eyes should always be focused on the target OB.

There are exceptions.

One exception being on the break when, once lined up, your eyes should be entirely focused on the CB.

Others being a full masse shot, jump shot, jacked-up over a ball shooting the length of the table.

A spot shot with my eyes closed for money

This is the advice I often give to people. I got it from Allison Fisher. Fact is, there are certain shots where cb striking accuracy is extremely important, more so than on normal shots. These shots include: A firm break shot, jacked up shots, froze on the rail shots, jumps shots, massè shots.

 

[Flakeandrun]

Rodney Morris said that people who look at cue ball last have better cue ball control. Players who look at object ball last are better shotmakers. He said he and Efren look at cue ball last. Jeremy Jones also says cue ball last. I think you can do either if you are able to stay focused on your target. The only thing with cue ball last is you may rise up early to see where the cue ball is going.

I was an object ball player for many years on the snooker table, and made efforts to make my game cue ball orientated in the two years before I took up playing pool (and I made some improvement and had good results doing this). What I found when playing pool, is that it was much easier to sight the cue ball last, as my peripheral vision extends easily to any point an object ball is lying on a 9foot table.
So I align everything up top while standing, Pre-shot routine into the shot, last look at the object ball as I align my intended line of striking through the cue ball (if it feels funky here, I stand up again). Focus on the tip delivery through the cue ball.

 

[Submerge]

See the Hit. CB is my target. Both can work depending on the methodology you are using.

 

[Island Drive]

I tend to get more feedback looking at the obj. ball last.
Because....
During play, when conditions change.
How would you know?
Example, cushion speed.
When you lag for break, don't you Want to see the ball rebounding to gain a ''feel'' of table speed.
On a bar table, I think it could work, but on a 9 or 10' table?

 

[ChrisinNC]

Rodney Morris said that people who look at cue ball last have better cue ball control. Players who look at object ball last are better shotmakers. He said he and Efren look at cue ball last. Jeremy Jones also says cue ball last. I think you can do either if you are able to stay focused on your target. The only thing with cue ball last is you may rise up early to see where the cue ball is going.

I’ve tried CBL before a few years ago, with mixed success. I’m giving it another try again, in a practice session.

The one thing I have noticed, when I miss a shot, because I am so focused on the cue ball and the shaft throughout the complete follow-through, I’m not seeing the ball go in the pocket and I’m not able to see what side of the pocket I might have missed the ball on, to process why I missed.

However, when I feel I’ve locked in on the line and put a good stroke on it, it’s very rare that I will miss.

Based on my early results tonight, I am encouraged enough to commit to giving it another try for the next few months. Of course, practice sessions is one thing
but having the confidence to do it in a tournament match or $ session, with success, is quite another.

 

[Island Drive]

Keep in mind, in Rodneys early days, play conditions in pro events were allot easier, with the Smaller pockets in many of the pro events now, I'd think it's not good.
Do any Snooker pros look at the cue ball last?

 

[Poolmanis]

I´ve done both ways. It does not matter where you look. There are many other things that matter a lot more. IMHO.
It is the BIG PICTURE that matters. Whole package.

 

[Flakeandrun]

Keep in mind, in Rodneys early days, play conditions in pro events were allot easier, with the Smaller pockets in many of the pro events now, I'd think it's not good.
Do any Snooker pros look at the cue ball last?

Yeah, there are a handful. I think I remember Hendry saying he switched to it as he has aged, and it's made him feel more comfortable, but don't quote me.

 

[Island Drive]

That sounds reasonable.
I know if I get a game where my opponent shoots the long shots allot better than this 75 yr old, I'll adjust.


I'm gonna say OK, but I'll play you only ''two shot shoot out'' 10 ball.

 

[Poolmanis]

I´ve done both ways. It does not matter where you look. There are many other things that matter a lot more. IMHO.
It is the BIG PICTURE that matters. Whole package.

Also when i played more snooker and during my first 147 I looked (aiming)line between balls..
I did imagine laser line on cloth then.

 

[The_JV]

wow... This whole time I've been keeping my eyes closed.

 

[ChrisinNC]

CB last or OB last. The age old issue. Here's what Mark Wilson said in his column in June of 2023 in Billiards Digest.

"It makes no difference where the eyes are on the final stroke delivery....."

r/DCP

For myself, the bottom line is that focusing my eyes on the cue ball last through the entirety of the stroke is the only way I can confirm positively that I’m striking the cue ball precisely where I plan to, as well as confirming that I’m stroking the cue straight back and straight through the intended line.

It takes a huge amount of confidence and trust in your alignment and in your target line to execute with success. I’m not there yet, but I’m committed to giving it a chance.

 

[ChrisinNC]

For myself, the bottom line is that focusing my eyes on the cue ball last through the entirety of the stroke is the only way I can confirm positively that I’m striking the cue ball precisely where I plan to, as well as confirming that I’m stroking the cue straight back and straight through the intended line.

It takes a huge amount of confidence and trust in your alignment and in your target line to execute with success. I’m not there yet, but I’m committed to giving it a chance.

Update - I’ve given up again on this cue ball last experiment after 2 days. Maybe it would work on a bar table, but not on a big table, at least not for me!