Noob aiming dilemma

edep12

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I should preface this with a few details. I am getting back into the game after nearly 20 years of playing very little and my eyes aren't what they used to be. My dilemma is about a specific shot and what those who play much better than me think the best way to handle it is.

I am speaking of tight cut shots. Let's use an example where they cue ball is even with the side pocket and the object balls near the middle diamond on the foot/bottom rail (but not touching the rail). This shot seems easier for me to aim at it if I choke up to the top of my grip, and sight it by using inside, middle English, so it really puts my eyes close to the tip/cue edge and I feel I can easier align the cue's edge to the OB edge.

The problem with this is obviously the throw imparted by the inside English. On really fine cuts it can be the reason I miss the shot. On the other hand, if I attempt to do it the opposite way where I use outside English, I can cut the shot much finer (without the throw), but it's way more difficult for me to aim/hit the object ball where I am trying to (not to mention I get apprehensive that I'm going to miss the OB altogether - something I never worry about choked up using inside).

Just wondering what suggestions others have and if I am maybe going about this altogether wrong to begin with (I've considered using running middle with mixed results).

Look forward to your help and thanks in advance.

...and if I didn't make it clear to this point, I am only worried about the easiest way to pocket the OB ball with no concern for position/scratching.
 
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learn to make the ball with vertical axis hit on the cue ball
 
By "fine" do you mean thin like greater than 30 degrees up to 90 degrees?

Can you visualize the contact point on the OB that you need to hit with the CB?

If you use inside English on the CB, aim the shaft at the contact point. On thick cuts, use a touch of inside (TOI) and for thinner cuts, use more inside up to the point where you miscue.

Be well.
 
Ways to Make the Ball

I should preface this with a few details. I am getting back into the game after nearly 20 years of playing very little and my eyes aren't what they used to be. My dilemma is about a specific shot and what those who play much better than me think the best way to handle it is.

I am speaking of tight cut shots. Let's use an example where they cue ball is even with the side pocket and the object balls near the middle diamond on the foot/bottom rail (but not touching the rail). This shot seems easier for me to aim at it if I choke up to the top of my grip, and sight it by using inside, middle English, so it really puts my eyes close to the tip/cue edge and I feel I can easier align the cue's edge to the OB edge.

The problem with this is obviously the throw imparted by the inside English. On really fine cuts it can be the reason I miss the shot. On the other hand, if I attempt to do it the opposite way where I use outside English, I can cut the shot much finer (without the throw), but it's way more difficult for me to aim/hit the object ball where I am trying to (not to mention I get apprehensive that I'm going to miss the OB altogether - something I never worry about choked up using inside).

Just wondering what suggestions others have and if I am maybe going about this altogether wrong to begin with (I've considered using running middle with mixed results).

Look forward to your help and thanks in advance.

...and if I didn't make it clear to this point, I am only worried about the easiest way to pocket the OB ball with no concern for position/scratching.

Ive found that once I learn to make the shot center ball then my next step is learning to make the shot with outside, then inside, then with an elevated cue. Knowing how the shot needs to be hit is the first conundrum from which the rest follow.
 
Not a lot if any throw on those thin cut shots.

randyg
Right.

Adding inside English squirts the CB a little to compensate for hitting them too thick - but it's just replacing one problem with a worse one.

Like bbb says, learn to aim 'em without English - or with whatever English is needed for shape.

pj
chgo
 
Right.

Adding inside English squirts the CB a little to compensate for hitting them too thick - but it's just replacing one problem with a worse one.

Like bbb says, learn to aim 'em without English - or with whatever English is needed for shape.

pj
chgo

i will give
myself "soft fuzzies" :thumbup:
that patrick agrees with me (even if partially)
(i will probably catch flack for that...:eek:)
thanks patrick:smile:
 
I had a couple come up in league last night and I used straight high, center with good results. Think I'm on to something. Thank everyone for their input. I love this forum.
 
Center ball for sure with a smooth straight stroke on thin cuts. After being able to make those balls, take a harder look at shape. Remember on thin cuts the cue ball will retain most of the energy. Meaning you have to stroke powerfully enough the OB in, but much of the speed and travel stays with the cue ball.
 
The thinner the cut the less collision induced throw and spin that will transfer. Thus very thin cuts transfer very little of either to make a difference in a shot that close to a pocket thus you are only introducing another potential issue to overcome by trying to use side to throw it in.

The biggest thing you can learn to do is make 99% of all shots with no side and use it only when you absolutely have too. Adjust where the cue ball goes by using top, center or bottom based on the tangent line.
 
I am speaking of tight cut shots. Let's use an example where they cue ball is even with the side pocket and the object balls near the middle diamond on the foot/bottom rail (but not touching the rail). This shot seems easier for me to aim at it if I choke up to the top of my grip, and sight it by using inside, middle English, so it really puts my eyes close to the tip/cue edge and I feel I can easier align the cue's edge to the OB edge.

The problem with this is obviously the throw imparted by the inside English.
I assume you meant squirt, not throw (which is used in English circles to mean squirt). And I assume your tendency is to hit thick when aligning through the vertical axis... or perhaps you're just inconsistent at perceiving the fine hit from there.

Basically, it sounds like the Touch Of Inside (TOI) method, which can be a quick fix, but is problematic.

The problem is adapting the aim for firmer shots and for grippier or more slippery cloths, not to mention, the distance between CB and OB.

Changes in these, will change the degree to which swerve changes the line of the shot.

Because distance, and cloths and speed of shot requirements do change, it would seem to make sense to learn to perceive the angle better through the vertical axis. The best way to learn to perceive the alignment this way, would be to hit a few hundred shots, stroking straight, head still, eyes follow the CB.... sooner or later the brain starts to see a more effective aim line.

Colin
 
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