DrCue'sProtege said:
While this can be done, and we have all done it from time to time, focusing on your target will aid you in accurately and consistently delivering your cue to the finish position.
Ralf Souquet & Eye Pattern
- Thread starter DrCue'sProtege
- Start date
While this can be done, and we have all done it from time to time, focusing on your target will aid you in accurately and consistently delivering your cue to the finish position.
Mark Avlon said:
well, i am not sure i agree with that Mark. but yet, i dont completely disagree with that either. like Ralf (one of the best players on the planet), i think i prefer to look at the cue ball last too. but i am still experimenting.
DCP
MTfish
Registered
I seem to remember reading some where that it is not as uncommon for 3 cushin players to have there last look at the cue ball as it is for pool players. I want to say Willie Hoppe was quoted as having his last look at the cue ball, but you'll need someone whose memory and librarey go back further than mine.
Mark Avlon said:
i've been thinking about this for about an hour now folks. and i think the word TARGET is the key word here. i think i disagree with what that means.
somebody once told me that in a game of pool, there is only one thing that you as a player have control over - the Cue stick. so to me, your aiming the tip/cue at the cue ball. that exact spot on the cue ball is the target. aiming that tip at the exact spot - the target - on the cue ball is the only thing you can control. the rest is the result of your aiming, and firing, at the object ball.
so, fire away. i dont mind being the target. i think i do more good on this forum being the Target than what there would be if i wasnt on this forum.
DCP
DrCue'sProtege said:
Review my comments on the use of peripheral vision which will allow you to be TOTALLY aware of the tip-to-ball aim point while maintaining a "center of gaze" on the CB which the vast majority of players and I would guess all instructors would recommend.
It may work for Ralf but Furyck's swing works for him and I doubt he would teach it to any student.
Regards,
Jim
Well, I found it impossible to just ignore the techniques of such a GREAT player, so I tried it.
First, if the shoot aims correctly and has a dead stroke...he's right, it doesn't matter whether he looks at the tip contact target on the CB or not. He will just repeat his last warm up stroke with deadly precision and that shot goes.
I have no clue WHY he plays that way unless he agrees that missing the intended tip-to-cb target is one of the leading reasons for missing shots due to throw/squirt errors.
I am GUESSING that he wants to reduce tip targer errors to zero and trusts his stroke to repeat his final warm up stroke.
Of course, I don't have anything resembling his skills so I started shooting reasonably easy shots...but not hangers. I made 20 in a row but it was FREAKING ME OUT not to look at EITHER the OB or the POCKET.
I had to FORCE myself to look at the CB contact spot. But I did and it worked.
Then I shot some fairly sporty shots..like 30 deg. cuts with the OB at center table with 2 diamond spacing from the CB, swapping the cut direction back and forth.
I only made 6 of 10 on a shot that is...what...an 80% shot for a strong player???? So my % wasn't HORRIBLE and if I decided to work on that method...WHICH I WILL NOT...I would certainly improve.
I have no recommendations or conclusions but just suggest you might want to try it just to experience what WEIRD feels like!!
(-:
First, if the shoot aims correctly and has a dead stroke...he's right, it doesn't matter whether he looks at the tip contact target on the CB or not. He will just repeat his last warm up stroke with deadly precision and that shot goes.
I have no clue WHY he plays that way unless he agrees that missing the intended tip-to-cb target is one of the leading reasons for missing shots due to throw/squirt errors.
I am GUESSING that he wants to reduce tip targer errors to zero and trusts his stroke to repeat his final warm up stroke.
Of course, I don't have anything resembling his skills so I started shooting reasonably easy shots...but not hangers. I made 20 in a row but it was FREAKING ME OUT not to look at EITHER the OB or the POCKET.
I had to FORCE myself to look at the CB contact spot. But I did and it worked.
Then I shot some fairly sporty shots..like 30 deg. cuts with the OB at center table with 2 diamond spacing from the CB, swapping the cut direction back and forth.
I only made 6 of 10 on a shot that is...what...an 80% shot for a strong player???? So my % wasn't HORRIBLE and if I decided to work on that method...WHICH I WILL NOT...I would certainly improve.
I have no recommendations or conclusions but just suggest you might want to try it just to experience what WEIRD feels like!!
(-:
somebody once told me that in a game of pool, there is only one thing that you as a player have control over - the Cue stick. so to me, your aiming the tip/cue at the cue ball. that exact spot on the cue ball is the target. aiming that tip at the exact spot - the target - on the cue ball is the only thing you can control. the rest is the result of your aiming, and firing, at the object ball.
So you are telling us, RS looks at that cueball when the tip hits it?
I bet you he does not.
So you are telling us, RS looks at that cueball when the tip hits it?
I bet you he does not.
Looking At The Cue Ball Last
Vision problems (partially as a result of lasik) made it easy for me to quit playing serious pool about 4 or 5 years ago. My eyes got so tired after playing about 45 minutes or so, it was almost impossible to make a shot or move the cueball with any confidence.
I had always known that Souquet (and a few others including Willie Hoppe) looked at the cue ball last before swinging into the shot. I had messed around in the past (with mixed results) but never really given that system a chance.
Due to other health issues (stress fractures in my hands and elbows from playing way too much golf) I've spent some serious time trying to see if there was any merit to looking at the cueball last, seeing if I could pocket balls and if it's easier on my eyes to play that way.
So far - I'd say that I am very, very encouraged by what I'm seeing !!
The toughest part of looking at the cueball last is staying down and resisting the urge to look up.
Conversely, its easier to put a good solid stroke on the cueball because I know where I'm contacting it PLUS my eyes definitely hold up better !
Vision problems (partially as a result of lasik) made it easy for me to quit playing serious pool about 4 or 5 years ago. My eyes got so tired after playing about 45 minutes or so, it was almost impossible to make a shot or move the cueball with any confidence.
I had always known that Souquet (and a few others including Willie Hoppe) looked at the cue ball last before swinging into the shot. I had messed around in the past (with mixed results) but never really given that system a chance.
Due to other health issues (stress fractures in my hands and elbows from playing way too much golf) I've spent some serious time trying to see if there was any merit to looking at the cueball last, seeing if I could pocket balls and if it's easier on my eyes to play that way.
So far - I'd say that I am very, very encouraged by what I'm seeing !!
The toughest part of looking at the cueball last is staying down and resisting the urge to look up.
Conversely, its easier to put a good solid stroke on the cueball because I know where I'm contacting it PLUS my eyes definitely hold up better !
I used to always look at the CB last, without even realizing really. When I went to get instruction from Ray Martin he had me switch to OB last. It threw my aim off for awhile, but once I got used to it, it did improve.
There are a few things to be said for both methods. Looking at the CB last ensures you are hitting it where you intend to, and also that you don't get distracted or see another path for the CB to take after it hits the OB. This is good in a sense, as it forces you to be lined up and committed to the shot; just be careful not to move. This also means you will be watching the CB path instead of the OB path, unless you switch at contact, but that's not as easy as it sounds. If you miss, you won't know how, but you will get a good idea of how the CB reacts.
Looking at the OB last gives you something to aim for, it also gives you a wider view of the table, which is good for those last-second decisions. However, changing your mind while down on the shot is never a good thing to do, so make sure to start over - ala Allison. This method is also more prone to "steering" if your fundamentals aren't solid. Looking at OB last will also most likely mean you will be watching the OB go into the pocket, or miss entirely. I believe this method is better to learn aiming and everything involved, such as contact and english throw.
In the end, I think it's, like so many other things in this sport, personal preference. If your mechanics are strong you should be able to make the shot with your eyes closed, but you won't get any feedback.
There are a few things to be said for both methods. Looking at the CB last ensures you are hitting it where you intend to, and also that you don't get distracted or see another path for the CB to take after it hits the OB. This is good in a sense, as it forces you to be lined up and committed to the shot; just be careful not to move. This also means you will be watching the CB path instead of the OB path, unless you switch at contact, but that's not as easy as it sounds. If you miss, you won't know how, but you will get a good idea of how the CB reacts.
Looking at the OB last gives you something to aim for, it also gives you a wider view of the table, which is good for those last-second decisions. However, changing your mind while down on the shot is never a good thing to do, so make sure to start over - ala Allison. This method is also more prone to "steering" if your fundamentals aren't solid. Looking at OB last will also most likely mean you will be watching the OB go into the pocket, or miss entirely. I believe this method is better to learn aiming and everything involved, such as contact and english throw.
In the end, I think it's, like so many other things in this sport, personal preference. If your mechanics are strong you should be able to make the shot with your eyes closed, but you won't get any feedback.
