Old Dogs New Tricks aka Cue Ball vs Object Ball - Mosconi Team Members Answers

Fatboy said:
This might sound a bit off. Obviously I’ve never been a champion, but I’ve had my moments and caught a gear. When I have dropped into that zone, I’m not sure what I was looking at when. I’d guess the OB as that’s my normal procedure. But when I’m in the zone(which wasn’t all that often) I can’t recall.

Anyone else relate to this?
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Absolutely. I had to actually stop and go thru a couple of shadow strokes in my mind to try and figure out which ball I looked at last!! After 4 decades of play, you'd think a guy would know this stuff!!😂
As best I can tell, I'm CB last on most shots, but until I can get on a table to double check this, I'm still not 100% sure. It's just not something I've ever had to think about, like many parts of the game that come to you automatically.
I line up, find my contact points, feather once, maybe twice and pull trigger. Eyes being on CB following the shaft as it goes forward in my line of sight to OB. Stay down until that line extends into the pocket. Good for not coming up too soon, which I still to this day must watch for. When I'm in dead Stroke, I don't think about any of this during those times. It's just there. Auto pilot kicks in. Lol. Trance like state where external info isn't recorded or analyzed. I let 'rover' take over. He gets better shape than I do.🤣
 
straightline said:
They (the good players anywhere) have always said watch the cue ball or words to that effect. Might as well start with it and put your mind to controlling it.
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I think it has a lot to do with what worked best when we first started playing, then built around that. Only getting as good as that way allowed us to. Many had to change or switch, having plateaued, being limited by the approach they first started using.
Adopting other methods and hopefully getting better in the process.
 
gregcantrall said:
I look at it as geometry. First finding the points of contact ball to ball. Then the connection line. Then the tip to ball points and line through after contact.
Development of mechanics makes the delivery more consistent. Observation of the contact give feedback. The quickest way I know of to improve is observe adjust repeat. Practice Practice Practice. 🤷‍♂️
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See my latest...
 
boogieman said:
If you're focusing on the CB you can see what your stroke is doing if you're paying attention. If your stroke is bad, looking at CB, OB or anything last isn't the issue. Fix the bleeding and your game will benefit. If you're into pool, but not into it enough to fix a terrible stroke it literally doesn't matter what you're looking at. Enjoy league night, socializing, and have a few drinks.

If you're serious about pool and would miss due to stroke then that's what you should be working on.

If some of the pros are focusing on tip placement when pulling the trigger, it has nothing to do with consistency or somehow reigning their stroke in. It's hitting the microdot. The game can be played either way. Thankfully if we're off a bit the ball usually still goes. This is about perfection. You can take a general approach or you can pinpoint. The OB isn't moving either way. Once it's sighted it all becomes execution and where you hit the CB. Focusing on the CB is a leap of faith, but one that pays dividends.
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rexus31 said:
Agreed. With advanced players, once you get down on a shot aren't you already locked into where you plan to hit the object ball? If your mechanics are sound, there's no need to continually focus on where to hit the OB. I'd wager a fair amount of misses with advanced players has more to do with mis hits on the CB vs bad aim, so it makes sense to me to have more focus on where you intend to cue vs where you intend the CB to hit the OB. Shaw may be on to something. This, coming from an OB last guy.
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Can't agree... I have my take on it, and was writing it out. However, I remembered I don't need to champion against everything I have a varying opinion on...lol.
 
Mensabum said:
See my latest...
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"having plateaued" ?
Well that trigger a Grampa story alert: 😉
I had plateaued in the B division. Was a killer B and yet maintained the grade to play in the little tournaments and donating $5 every Wednesday night to the 9 ball lessons with the Big Boys in the Seattle/Tacoma and Olympia area. (With occasional road players). I had the good fortune of striking gold when I asked Backward Jan for a weekly $20 lesson.(mid 80s).
I knew I had struck gold when his response to my request was, "on one condition. We Gotta go back to the basics." 6 weeks of Basic training got me in the Gold. Shrug
I has studied the game mainly through books which helped give a beginning. The material available on youtube is incredible and I would encourage enquiring minds to search it for Stephen Hendry and Barry Stark.
 
The_JV said:
Can't agree... I have my take on it, and was writing it out. However, I remembered I don't need to champion against everything I have a varying opinion on...lol.
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No need for Champion in discussion. 😉 I strive to present what I have seen and experienced. I certainly wouldn't wish some of my experiences. 😉 Sometimes I get excited. Well like Milo.
 
Living on the edge with the forum patrol. 🤷‍♂️ Maybe 😉 Oh well.
Anyone happen to watch the U K Snooker Champion ship?. Lots of good looks at the methods with Champion dialog. Lots of learnings available.
I
 
Think of it as uh....a Practice Thing, like well shooting with eyes closed..... is a good tester .
Shooting with eyes on the intimate interaction of tip and ball is uh well Yogi would say, "you can observe a lot by watching. "
"OK come wipe me, I'm done." Is a favorite Son quote. 😉
 
The_JV said:
Can't agree... I have my take on it, and was writing it out. However, I remembered I don't need to champion against everything I have a varying opinion on...lol.
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I agree really. I like CB last, I used to be OB last, but I can definitely see this as a preference thing. Pros do it both ways, that's good enough for me to say there's no correct answer for everyone.
 
Mensabum said:
I think it has a lot to do with what worked best when we first started playing, then built around that. Only getting as good as that way allowed us to. Many had to change or switch, having plateaued, being limited by the approach they first started using.
Adopting other methods and hopefully getting better in the process.
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My trek in so many words.
 
The_JV said:
Can't agree... I have my take on it, and was writing it out. However, I remembered I don't need to champion against everything I have a varying opinion on...lol.
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Yeah it's pool. Can you imagine big sessions between two clones of each other?
 
Just chiming in, i am below average player. For me i look at the pocket last.... Hahaha just kidding.

I look at cueball last not because theres any advantage. Its because i play with glasses and its hard for me to look at OB at longer shots as it will be above the lens. So over the years of playing with glasses on, it just develeoped into CB last.

Just my 2 cents and Sorry for the Intrusion.
 
If you are lined up correctly it does not matter what you look at, you can close your eyes and still make the shot if your stroke is good.
How many have had that in the zone moment where you feel like you can't miss and try and recall what you were looking at only to find you can't remember and then lose that "in the zone" moment trying to figure it out.

That being said. I am starting to use option 3 - I look at the shot last.

Pre shot I find my specific track lines, OB contact point, QB contact point etc. etc. (From whatever method of alignment you use)....Once I am lined up and ready to make my final stroke. I just try and look at the entire picture of the shot and let my subcounsious make the fine adjustments.

When I try to focus on something specific...if it is the CB....OB....or the nice arese walking by....that is when I lose consistency and (the zone)

I also seem to get to see more of the beuty of the game this way.....instead of just a spot on the CB or OB........Now the nice arse walking by.....that is a different story.
 
Fatboy said:
This might sound a bit off. Obviously I’ve never been a champion, but I’ve had my moments and caught a gear. When I have dropped into that zone, I’m not sure what I was looking at when. I’d guess the OB as that’s my normal procedure. But when I’m in the zone(which wasn’t all that often) I can’t recall.

Anyone else relate to this?
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No analysis paralysis occurring.
 
Blue said:
i play with glasses and its hard for me to look at OB at longer shots as it will be above the lens
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Dennis Taylor had a solution.
I was inspired by his solution to come up with an unusual solution for myself. 20241202_072334.jpg When my insurance allowed a new set of glasses I left out the bifocal and now have a pair strictly for pool. Fashioned a filler of plastic and hot melt glue to elevate the lenses. It works!
 
BRKNRUN said:
you can close your eyes and still make the shot if your stroke is good.
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I use the eyes closed as a practice method to refine the mechanics.
Precision of the strike to the white is what leads to pinpoint cueball final resting. The slightest variation can make a critical difference in where whitey goes after potting the object ball.
Willie Mosconi's booklet included a drill that involved a arc of 5 balls in front of a side pocket to practice short draw. Ball in hand on the first and play shape to run them. An accurate short draw is a straight pool necessity.
 
I like that he's got no framework surrounding the lens, Especially at the bottom.
But....
I don't like the Bullwinkle Cosmo Look.

Chose these, using an 8' focal point for bar tables.
They sit high on the nose.
 

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gregcantrall said:
Dennis Taylor had a solution.
I was inspired by his solution to come up with an unusual solution for myself.View attachment 793644 When my insurance allowed a new set of glasses I left out the bifocal and now have a pair strictly for pool. Fashioned a filler of plastic and hot melt glue to elevate the lenses. It works!
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or you can flip it around and wear it with the ear loop facing up.

it may look funny tho
 
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