Perfect Aim
Hello BRKNRUN! It is interesting that you think the middle may be different for each individual. That was the message that the other instructors were embracing until they went underground as a result of the enormity of Geno's suport (randyg, poolteachr, ScottLee, Roger Long come to mind). Geno preaches there is only one spot for the eyes, and that spot is such that the left eye sights along the left side of the cueball and sees the proper objectball overlap for left cuts, and visa versa for right cuts. This means that the cue must be centered beneath the eyes (within 1/8 inch) since our eyespan (distance between pupils) approximates the cueball width. (I measured a dozen people and eyespans varied from 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches.) The other instructors embrace the concept of a "vision center" which doesn't necessarily coincide with the midpoint between the eyes. There is abundant evidence (video) which demonstrates that many or most pros don't center the cue beneath their eyes. Geno dismisses that fact by saying they just practiced so much that they've learned to do it wrong. I am not making a judgement here, but recall that everytime I thought the world was wrong, it turned out that I was.
It's Geno against the world now, and Geno has bluntly stated that none of the other instructors know what they are teaching and will someday wish they had been teaching Perfect Aim all along. Everyone should read this page for a summary of his and the other instructors attitudes regarding this matter:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=153371&page=2
BRKNRUN, Did you notice that Gene again neglected to answer the question I've posted over and over. Don't you think there might be a reason for that? Gene is quick to reply or comment on any post he can possibly use to spread "Perfect Aim" spam. But he avoids my question like poison, because it would demystify "Perfect Aim" and reveal it to be no more than a requirement to center the cue beneath your eyes.
I am confused about your eye position...(cue directly under my left eye) , because that is over an inch from where Gene says your eyes must be. So, it is a good thing that you are communicating with him.
I am also confused by "I pocket balls very well, but have problems sometimes with "off" angle shots." You need to buy Gene's DVD because he clears that right up. For example, if you're shooting an off angle shot to the left (left cut), just sight with your left eye along the left edge of the cueball, and align that edge so it properly overlaps the object ball for that shot (say 1/3 ball, for example) Voila!!!!!!! They all drop, from now on.
Actually he'll probably tell you to move your head to the right until you "lose the shot"; "then go back." Unfortunately, that is not meaningful since he neglects to tell you where to start from or where to go back to. He also misleads by moving his head inches in demonstration. So, my advice is drop onto the shot with the cue centered between your eyes, and then move your dominant eye at most 1/8 inch toward the cue if your eyespan is 2 1/2 inches. My eyespan is 2 1/4 inch, the same as the cueball width, so I don't move my eyes.
But how can that make sense ie you pocket balls well with the cue directly under your dominant eye. I guess we'll have to lump you into the category with those nutty instructors - into the trash with you, Sir!
BRKNRUN, above we discussed a cut to the left, but what if you had to cut to the right using Gene's "system"? He unequivocably instructs that, if you are left eye dominant, you always move your left eye in toward the cue. He also instructs that, when cutting right, your eye sights along the right edge of the cueball. Note that if you start from a cue centered position, and your eyespan is 2 1/2 inches, you need to move your dominant eye away from the cue to bring your right eye into the proper position, not toward the cue as he instructs.
I've observed posts wherein Gene alludes to the false conclusion that his "system" in not incompatible with the concept of a "vision center", as taught by the other instructors, but Gene boxed himself in with his fractional ball aiming method wherein he clearly demos that the right eye sights along the right side of the cueball on right cuts to see the proper object ball overlap, and visa versa with left cuts. One doesn't sense any problem when discussing this relative to a 1/4 ball hit, and 1/3 ball, and 1/2 ball, and 2/3 ball, and 3/4 ball, and 7/8 ball hit. But what happens on the straight in shot? Truly, the right eye must be in a position to sight along the right edge of both balls;otherwise, there is a discontinuity between the 7/8 and full ball hit. This means that the eyes must be centered over the cue on straight in shots, within 1/8 - which obviates the concept of a "vision center" divorced more than 1/8 inch from the midpoint between the eyes. Gene against the world.
Got to go - have a full day of pool ahead. Review coming soon.