Peripheral Vision & Path Perception

[336Robin]

I'm curious about others' experiences with distortions in alignment or aim perceptions during the process of coming into the shot line and changing focus between CB and OB.

I've noticed that I can't trust my peripheral vision. It may have something to do with peripheral vision being provided by the rods in the eye, while our focused vision utilizes our cones, which allow color perception.

If I lock into a perceived path from my stance and then focus on this line to CCB and slide into that, if I take notice of my peripheral perception of the OB during the approach to CCB, it looks like I'm heading left of the path line. This makes me want to push the aim line to the right, which has long been bad tendency of mine.

If I ignore the OB peripheral perception and slide to CCB, the peripheral vision of path to OB looks way left, but once bridge is locked in, if I actually lift my focus upward and to the OB, the path perception is more to the right that what my peripheral vision had suggested, and I'm usually pretty close to the path I'd perceived from back in my stance.

Conversely, if I focus on the OB during the slide to bridge, I have problems perceiving CCB. I need to then glance back and forth, which sets up the peripheral perception error of wanting to twist my aim to the right.

Anyone else noticed similar distortions?

Wow, you said so much.

The visual distortions that I have noticed while I was working on my material. It seems the eye wants to grab onto the information that is closest to it and the things behind that seem to be not quite as important.

For me this leads to a tendency for one to hit the shots too full. Speaking for myself I hit a few balls thoughtfully knowing this allows me to recalibrate and get ready to play.

Earlier on in my game it would stump me as to why I did this. I think that age, depth perception abilities and losing the ability to focus as we age has a lot to do with it. As long as you know what is happening I feel adjustments can be made.

 

[One Pocket John]

I'm curious about others' experiences with distortions in alignment or aim perceptions during the process of coming into the shot line and changing focus between CB and OB.

I've noticed that I can't trust my peripheral vision. It may have something to do with peripheral vision being provided by the rods in the eye, while our focused vision utilizes our cones, which allow color perception.

If I lock into a perceived path from my stance and then focus on this line to CCB and slide into that, if I take notice of my peripheral perception of the OB during the approach to CCB, it looks like I'm heading left of the path line. This makes me want to push the aim line to the right, which has long been bad tendency of mine.

If I ignore the OB peripheral perception and slide to CCB, the peripheral vision of path to OB looks way left, but once bridge is locked in, if I actually lift my focus upward and to the OB, the path perception is more to the right that what my peripheral vision had suggested, and I'm usually pretty close to the path I'd perceived from back in my stance.

Conversely, if I focus on the OB during the slide to bridge, I have problems perceiving CCB. I need to then glance back and forth, which sets up the peripheral perception error of wanting to twist my aim to the right.

Anyone else noticed similar distortions?

Colin,

What I did was, using a long straight edge (do not use your eyes for this) I drew a line line from the corner pocket at one end to the center diamond on the short rail on the other end.

I placed an OB about 2 diamonds from the corner pocket and the QB 3 diamonds away from the OB.
From a standing position line up the straight in shot, bend over getting into the shooting position, when down start stroking the cue back and forth, is your cue shaft in line behind the QB with the shot line on the table?

If not, I can tell you how to correct this, but I'm sure with your experience you will see what needs to be done and figure it out.

Hope this helps.
I always read your posts and it is very unusual that you would bring this up.

I had the same problem myself but I fixed it.

I really enjoyed your stroke video.

Have a good day.

John

 

[336Robin]

Colin,

What I did was, using a long straight edge (do not use your eyes for this) I drew a line line from the corner pocket at one end to the center diamond on the short rail on the other end.

I placed an OB about 2 diamonds from the corner pocket and the QB 3 diamonds away from the OB.
From a standing position line up the straight in shot, bend over getting into the shooting position, when down start stroking the cue back and forth, is your cue shaft in line behind the QB with the shot line on the table?

If not, I can tell you how to correct this, but I'm sure with your experience you will see what needs to be done and figure it out.

Hope this helps.
I always read your posts and it is very unusual that you would bring this up.

I had the same problem myself but I fixed it.

I really enjoyed your stroke video.

Have a good day.

John

Youre exactly right John. Im left eye dominant and straight ins can sometimes be problematic. Once I shoot one in Im fine but occasionally I have to recalibrate.

 

[One Pocket John]

Youre exactly right John. Im left eye dominant and straight ins can sometimes be problematic. Once I shoot one in Im fine but occasionally I have to recalibrate.

Thanks Robin.

I'm right eye dominant, but for me, from a standing position, I have to line up shots using my left eye (and I have noticed that my chin, belly button and elbow tip are also on the shot line when I am leading with my left shoulder). Right handed player here.

Keeping my left eye in line with the shot line (OB) while bending down into the shooting position the cue falls between the bridge of my nose and my right eye.

Must be old age. I have read that as you age your vision also changes, depth, eye dominance etc.

I'm 68 and sure don't see um the way I usta. But still having fun learning.

I have to pay way more attention to detail.

John

 

[ENGLISH!]

Thanks Robin.

I'm right eye dominant, but for me, from a standing position, I have to line up shots using my left eye (and I have noticed that my chin, belly button and elbow tip are also on the shot line when I am leading with my left shoulder). Right handed player here.

Keeping my left eye in line with the shot line (OB) while bending down into the shooting position the cue falls between the bridge of my nose and my right eye.

Must be old age. I have read that as you age your vision also changes, depth, eye dominance etc.

I'm 68 and sure don't see um the way I usta. But still having fun learning.

I have to pay way more attention to detail.

John

Hi John,

I'm 61 & the left eye thing is what I just found out about myself from Gene Albrecht.

I went to the hall today & it was sort of natural for the 1st. time since I found out about it 2 or more months ago.

Ingrained subconscious actions are a bit difficult to break.

I'm glad you got it correct & I think I'm well on my way to getting it more correct more consistently.

It's not peaches & cream being old. It's sort funny how I never felt or considered myself old until just recently.

Best 2 You,
Rick

 

[Mikjary]

Thanks Robin.

I'm right eye dominant, but for me, from a standing position, I have to line up shots using my left eye (and I have noticed that my chin, belly button and elbow tip are also on the shot line when I am leading with my left shoulder). Right handed player here.

Keeping my left eye in line with the shot line (OB) while bending down into the shooting position the cue falls between the bridge of my nose and my right eye.

Must be old age. I have read that as you age your vision also changes, depth, eye dominance etc.

I'm 68 and sure don't see um the way I usta. But still having fun learning.

I have to pay way more attention to detail.

John

That's because you use a stick aiming system, right? That's a way to get them to work, especially on thinner cuts, like 45 degrees or more.

Players with a weaker dominant eye or that have trouble keeping their dominant eye on the shot line, usually do well with stick aiming systems. Players that cannot deviate from using a set alignment with their eyes can't fathom how the interplay between the eyes can work and usually bash stick aiming systems as not possible for certain angles.

One man's trash is another's treasure. :wink:

Best,
Mike

 

[Colin Colenso]

Colin,

What I did was, using a long straight edge (do not use your eyes for this) I drew a line line from the corner pocket at one end to the center diamond on the short rail on the other end.

I placed an OB about 2 diamonds from the corner pocket and the QB 3 diamonds away from the OB.
From a standing position line up the straight in shot, bend over getting into the shooting position, when down start stroking the cue back and forth, is your cue shaft in line behind the QB with the shot line on the table?

If not, I can tell you how to correct this, but I'm sure with your experience you will see what needs to be done and figure it out.

Hope this helps.
I always read your posts and it is very unusual that you would bring this up.

I had the same problem myself but I fixed it.

I really enjoyed your stroke video.

Have a good day.

John

Thanks for your comments John,

I'm guessing the fix is about changing the head position to find a perspective that works?

FWIW: I've been forcing my head further right in recent times, to get my left eye over the cue as it was slightly dominant, but after some more intensive practice and competitions recently, my right eye started becoming more dominant and I'm finding I can see the line better at the moment with my right eye closer to the cue line.

Perception is a weird thing. I usually need to calibrate it at the start of a session, as Robin does. Whenever I play a 2 day tournament, my perception starts kicking in very strong and goes back to normal a couple of days after. The best cure then is to hit a million balls and do it often :frown:

I think some players are blessed with a constant perception. Perhaps that's part of having youthful eyes.

Colin

 

[LAMas]

I use stick aiming while standing to get the proper pre-shot alignment and then drop onto the shot without moving the stick alignment. Once down I adjust my head position and eyes until it appears to be correct.

Sometimes my right dominant eye ends up directly over the stick that is against my right cheek and at other times, it is under my chin - eye dominance drift problem that I have. Thereafter, I will shoot without having to always use the stick aiming...except on critical/hard shots.

Be well.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Thanks for your comments John,

I'm guessing the fix is about changing the head position to find a perspective that works?

FWIW: I've been forcing my head further right in recent times, to get my left eye over the cue as it was slightly dominant, but after some more intensive practice and competitions recently, my right eye started becoming more dominant and I'm finding I can see the line better at the moment with my right eye closer to the cue line.

Perception is a weird thing. I usually need to calibrate it at the start of a session, as Robin does. Whenever I play a 2 day tournament, my perception starts kicking in very strong and goes back to normal a couple of days after. The best cure then is to hit a million balls and do it often :frown:

I think some players are blessed with a constant perception. Perhaps that's part of having youthful eyes.

Colin

Hi Colin,

What you say above is sort of what Gene Albrecht told me. He said if one plays much then the pool related eye dominance will remain & 'we' will naturally get into the best position to see the true straight line.

But if there are gaps between 'our' playing times then it might take awhile or 'us' to get back to doing that 'naturally'.

What Gene has developed are methods to manually assist getting on that true straight line.

Also there is some stuff about older folks that did not apply to me so I don't remember them.:wink:

Later,
Rick

 

[ENGLISH!]

I use stick aiming while standing to get the proper pre-shot alignment and then drop onto the shot without moving the stick alignment. Once down I adjust my head position and eyes until it appears to be correct.

Sometimes my right dominant eye ends up directly over the stick that is against my right cheek and at other times, it is under my chin - eye dominance drift problem that I have. Thereafter, I will shoot without having to always use the stick aiming...except on critical/hard shots.

Be well.

Do you mean you actually aim with different parts of the stick (inside, center, outside) while standing or just in general for the general line to the OB?

Best,
Rick

 

[LAMas]

Do you mean you actually aim with different parts of the stick (inside, center, outside) while standing or just in general for the general line to the OB?

Best,
Rick

Yes.
I can use the center CB for straght in and the edge of the OB (<30 degrees), or 3:00 and 9:00. If its a little more or a little less, I can use the appropriate edge of the ferrule.

Be well.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Yes.
I can use the center CB for straght in and the edge of the OB (<30 degrees), or 3:00 and 9:00. If its a little more or a little less, I can use the appropriate edge of the ferrule.

Be well.

That's interesting.

I tried your pivot method & it is very viable, but not for me at this time as it has more parts than what I've been doing for so long.

I sort of go straight in to where you arrive at after the pivot BUT your method may be more consistently precise once some work is put in with it. I need to play a bit to get 'tight' with my method but I think that is more of a seeing issue than anything else.

Best 2 You,
Rick

Edit: I would surmise that I am sort of doing the pivot with my eyes while in the standing position. But we're, or I'm getting off topic. Sorry Colin.

 

[Mikjary]

That's interesting.

I tried your pivot method & it is very viable, but not for me at this time as it has more parts than what I've been doing for so long.

I sort of go straight in to where you arrive at after the pivot BUT your method may be more consistently precise once some work is put in with it. I need to play a bit to get 'tight' with my method but I think that is more of a seeing issue than anything else.

Best 2 You,
Rick

Edit: I would surmise that I am sort of doing the pivot with my eyes while in the standing position. But we're, or I'm getting off topic. Sorry Colin.

I think the pivot can be learned fairly easily and like you say, be done eventually as you get down on the shot. Stan has proven this to be a fact with his Pro One pivot as you get down on the shot, as an example. It's as easy as shifting a gear.

Best,
Mike

 

[ENGLISH!]

I think the pivot can be learned fairly easily and like you say, be done eventually as you get down on the shot. Stan has proven this to be a fact with his Pro One pivot as you get down on the shot, as an example. It's as easy as shifting a gear.

Best,
Mike

Hi Mike,

Yeah, It's sometimes not easy to put in words what we actually do especially since it was established long ago & has become subconscious if indeed it ever was something conscious.

It's been said that the eyes lead & everything else follows.

I think someone that I perhaps should not mention was trying to explain what is basically hand eye coordination. It's more than just the hands & the eyes. The whole body has to work to get one into position for the hands to work with the eyes. Picture a short stop in baseball or a receiver in football adjusting to the ball or a tennis player that even has to gauge the length of the racket.

But again...that's a whole other matter. Or is it?

Best 2 Ya,
Rick

 

[LAMas]

Theoretically, once you are in proper alignment, you can close your eyes, shoot and expect the OB to fall.

Be well.

 

[ENGLISH!]

Theoretically, once you are in proper alignment, you can close your eyes, shoot and expect the OB to fall.

Be well.

Yes, But this cross dominant thing & one eye (left) being 'dominant' while standing looking down sort of in 3D vs the other (right) being dominant while looking nearly straight like in the shooting position has certainly caused me some problems as of late.

Finding the truth of the matter has been eye opening.:wink:

Now I would probably be better off closing my eyes as I go from standing into the shooting position, but keeping my focus on the OB while sort of ignoring the CB & only seeing it 'peripherally' seems to be working rather well.

It's only been about two months & have not been to a table much with my wife having knee replacement but I think it is becoming more consistent & less of a conscious effort.

You Stay Well,
Rick

 

[LAMas]

Hit a Million Balls but remember.

The subconscious mind:
Think of the subconscious mind as the storage room of everything that is currently not in your conscious mind.

The subconscious mind stores all of your previous life experiences, your beliefs, your memories, your skills, all situations you've been through and all images you've ever seen.

Be well.

 

[ENGLISH!]

The subconscious mind:
Think of the subconscious mind as the storage room of everything that is currently not in your conscious mind.

The subconscious mind stores all of your previous life experiences, your beliefs, your memories, your skills, all situations you've been through and all images you've ever seen.

Be well.

Yes. It truly is an amazing 'entity'. :wink:

Stay Well,
Rick

PS It even knows exactly when to let my elbow drop for every situation.

 

[LAMas]

Yes. It truly is an amazing 'entity'. :wink:

Stay Well,
Rick

PS It even knows exactly when to let my elbow drop for every situation.

Yup, its like Deja Vu all over again.

Be well..

 

[jburkm002]

When someone says look at the object ball last. I assume that means contact point. If your shot is to the left. Wouldn't you be looking left of the cue balls center path. As someone stated. Your eyes steer everything. I find myself at times looking at the contact point. That's when I usually hit the object ball fatter. I try to use my perception of the cue balls path in conjunction to where I believe the balls will make contact. So I could look at the cloth or rail where I believe center cue ball will travel.