Pat's Aiming Memory System

[Patrick Johnson]

I think that, no matter what "system" we use (or none at all), we basically memorize how successful shots look to us and then try to duplicate that picture when the same shots arise again. It's difficult to memorize how much two discs (CB and OB) overlap for many different cut angles, so many aiming systems try to help by giving us specific visible landmarks on the balls to align (edges, centers, etc.).

My "aiming memory" system is a similar approach, but very simplified. It compares the alignment of the same two things every time: where your stick points in relation to the OB contact point. There's no special way to use this information - all you do is take note of the distance between the two for each shot, and your "aiming memory" will, without any further assistance from you, develop much more quickly and accurately.

For instance, here's a typical half-ball shot showing the "measurement" I make:



pj
chgo

 

[CreeDo]

I agree, I think this is fundamentally how our brains handle cuts... "I remember that overlap from before, it cut the ball about so much when I did it last time"... and the rest is compensating for different distances where the OB appears larger or smaller so your overlap must be mentally scaled to suit.

 

[TX Poolnut]

Patrick, what program do you use to make these awesome diagrams?

 

[devindra]

he uses virtual pool i think

 

[worriedbeef]

yes it's virtual pool 3. amazing game!

and yes pointing the tip of the cue to a certain spot (edge of the ball for example), is defnitely easier for me in a lot of situations than trying to judge overlapping circles.

especially in virtual pool!

 

[JoeW]

I use something similar. First I mentally extend the line from Pat's red dot through the OB to the pocket for about 9 inches. I call it a nine inch nail. The problem here is to train the eye to see through the OB contact point to the real center of the pocket. To assist in the training of this visual determination I often (especially on difficult shots) extend the Ob line behind the OB (towards the opposite side of the rail). This is especially helpful when attempting to identify vertical and horizontal center for an OB when the number and circle are at some off angle relative to the bed of the table.

Incidentally, I find that most of my misses that are due to poor aiming occur when the OB number and circle are at the off angle because this makes the determination of OB center line more difficult and my eye often gets distracted by the irrelevent circles. I don't know how to fix it and find that extreme or heightened concentration is needed.

The second place I differ is that the CB aim line is extended to the opposite rail. This allows my eye to more easily determine center and angles that it is has seen before.

With the CB line extended past the OB (usually to the rail) it is also easier to see the angles.

One of the interesting facts about visual perception is that we use many different features to locate and identify objects in space. It makes sense to me to allow the eye to use as many refernce points as possible because this seems to be the way it works.

 

[Dead Crab]

Patrick,

Since you make the great diagrams, allow me to make a couple of comments that may be news to some people, and perhaps you could update your diagram to show these concepts:

1. All of the information for aiming present on the OB, is also present on the CB via the "parallel lines" geometry.

2. The line thru the CB that is parallel to the intended OB-pocket line, exits the CB at the same site that the impact point is at on the OB. If you are looking approximately along the correct aim line (OB ctr -- GB ctr), the projection of the impact point found on the CB in this manner on the CB is halfway to the aim point.

3. Also note that the typical ferrule is 1", and most tip edges are about 1/8". How convenient! This is the radius of the CB. If you:
a) aim cue stick along the parallel-aim-line thru the CB
b) use the ferrule+tip to find the point 1.125" along this parallel line, you have found the point that is the same relation to the CB as the ghost ball center is to the OB.
c) If you move so that you are looking approximately on the aim line (CB center - GB center) the projection of the point found in (b) on the shillouette of the CB is also the exact aim point on the OB. Connect the CB center with this OB aim point, and it should pocket.

So, it is pretty easy to find the exact aim point on the OB, just using the parallel line information that is easily available on the CB.

It takes a little practice to position your stick so that you don't bump the cue ball, but I know of no easier way to find the true aim point. Hard to explain, but it would be pretty easy with one of your diagrams.

 

[3andstop]

Great diagrams. I am by using the left side of my stick to draw a line to the point of contact when cutting left, and the right side of my stick to aim at the point of contact when cutting to the right.

Your diagram illustrates this very well if you site down the right side of the cue shaft to the point of contact.

 

[sixpack]

Patrick,

Are you going to be at pressure tonight or tomorrow night? I want to show you something about this.

~rc

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Patrick,

Are you going to be at pressure tonight or tomorrow night? I want to show you something about this.

~rc

I just came back from playing 5 or 6 hours of 1 pocket there. I'll be there again tomorrow starting at about noon. If tonight is your only time I could swing back through. I'll check this thread or my PMs to see if you answer this.

pj
chgo

 

[Quesports]

Pressure

I just came back from playing 5 or 6 hours of 1 pocket there. I'll be there again tomorrow starting at about noon. If tonight is your only time I could swing back through. I'll check this thread or my PMs to see if you answer this.

pj
chgo

Hey Pat, Does Pressure have special pricing during the day??

 

[sixpack]

I just came back from playing 5 or 6 hours of 1 pocket there. I'll be there again tomorrow starting at about noon. If tonight is your only time I could swing back through. I'll check this thread or my PMs to see if you answer this.

pj
chgo

I can catch up with you there tomorrow after about 6:30 or so or I could be there Monday evening.

It's not earth shattering but your method is so similar to how I aim it would be fun to discuss and have a chance to meet up with you.

~rc

I'll be here off and on until June.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

he uses virtual pool i think

Yep. Here's a PM I just sent somebody explaining it:

I use a pool simulation program called Virtual Pool 3. It's a very good pool simulator, by the way (and you can also play others online), but these days I mostly use it to set up positions like the one you saw for illustration.

Then I take a "screen shot" of the setup (by pressing the "Print Screen" button on my keyboard, which copies the onscreen image into the Windows "Clipboard"), paste it into a drawing program (like Paint), add lines and text, and save it as a JPEG image so I can upload it to AzB.

It's really easy, and illustrating in 3-D usually makes things easier to understand.

pj
chgo

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I can catch up with you there tomorrow after about 6:30 or so or I could be there Monday evening.

It's not earth shattering but your method is so similar to how I aim it would be fun to discuss and have a chance to meet up with you.

~rc

I'll be here off and on until June.

Check your PMs for my cell number.

pj
chgo

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Hey Pat, Does Pressure have special pricing during the day??

Actually they're a little expensive ($7.50 per hour for one, about half that for the second player - goes up a little after 5pm), but they do offer monthly rates.

They're recovering all their tables this weekend, so now's a good time to check the place out. It's a nice combination of cafe (with espresso, sandwiches, free wifi and open-mike comedy some evenings) and pool room. College students hang out during the day getting their caffeine fixes and working on laptops.

pj
chgo

 

[LAMas]

I also notice that that distance (red dot to cue spot) is also the same distance from the red dot to the center of the OB in your picture - double the distance is what I use.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Great diagrams. I am by using the left side of my stick to draw a line to the point of contact when cutting left, and the right side of my stick to aim at the point of contact when cutting to the right.

Your diagram illustrates this very well if you site down the right side of the cue shaft to the point of contact.

That's a similar reference (you use the edge of your stick and I use the centerline of mine), and it can be equally useful as long as you remember that it's a reference and not an exact "pointer". For instance, a little change in my original half ball cut angle points the edge of the stick off into space:



pj
chgo

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I also notice that that distance (red dot to cue spot) is also the same distance from the red dot to the center of the OB in your picture - double the distance is what I use.

Yes, the distance is the same for centerball hits. And double-the-distance is a "good" system in that it accurately shows how to aim if you can accurately see the overlap - but the difficulty of seeing that precisely (with the CB looking larger than the OB and from an "overhead" perspective) is why my tip-and-contact-point method is an alternative that some may like.

Of course, my method won't work well for players who have difficulty seeing the OB contact point. But if you do see the OB contact point, and if you have trouble seeing the balls overlap accurately, then this method gives you something visible and precise to "measure".

I think it's also just good technique to know exactly where your stick is pointed no matter what aiming method you use.

By the way, this method works for sidespin shots too - the same measurement helps to quickly and accurately add sidespin shots to your "aiming memory library". Your brain will categorize them for you, and even factor in speed, butt elevation and squirve.

pj
chgo

 

[TX Poolnut]

Yep. Here's a PM I just sent somebody explaining it:

I use a pool simulation program called Virtual Pool 3. It's a very good pool simulator, by the way (and you can also play others online), but these days I mostly use it to set up positions like the one you saw for illustration.

Then I take a "screen shot" of the setup (by pressing the "Print Screen" button on my keyboard, which copies the onscreen image into the Windows "Clipboard"), paste it into a drawing program (like Paint), add lines and text, and save it as a JPEG image so I can upload it to AzB.

It's really easy, and illustrating in 3-D usually makes things easier to understand.

pj
chgo

Thanks for explaining how these shots are done. I had seen them before and was always curious about how they are accomplished.

 

[philw]

I use something similar. First I mentally extend the line from Pat's red dot through the OB to the pocket for about 9 inches. I call it a nine inch nail. The problem here is to train the eye to see through the OB contact point to the real center of the pocket. To assist in the training of this visual determination I often (especially on difficult shots) extend the Ob line behind the OB (towards the opposite side of the rail). This is especially helpful when attempting to identify vertical and horizontal center for an OB when the number and circle are at some off angle relative to the bed of the table.

Incidentally, I find that most of my misses that are due to poor aiming occur when the OB number and circle are at the off angle because this makes the determination of OB center line more difficult and my eye often gets distracted by the irrelevent circles. I don't know how to fix it and find that extreme or heightened concentration is needed.

The second place I differ is that the CB aim line is extended to the opposite rail. This allows my eye to more easily determine center and angles that it is has seen before.

With the CB line extended past the OB (usually to the rail) it is also easier to see the angles.

One of the interesting facts about visual perception is that we use many different features to locate and identify objects in space. It makes sense to me to allow the eye to use as many refernce points as possible because this seems to be the way it works.

I use the opposite rail as a second reference point too. I think this really helps when having to shoot a combination shot.