I really dont snap at people because they dont understand something, some people point and shoot. some people use the 'lights" some people draw lines, some people split the balls in half, some use ghost balls, eclipse or something like that... and there are others... Make your own system, learn where the contact points are, hitting the center of the pocket, thats where I want all my shots, and to do so, I have to know where the contact point would be.
Absolutely, as long as you find the CPs you should be alright regardless of the system that you use. That's not the question. The problem are the people who say, "No, all this talk about systems are useless you just need to develop a feel". I'm sorry but yes, you need practice and you need to develop a feel for the game, but I guarantee that if you solely go by feel your game will stagnate and you'll get stuck or one day you'll be out of stroke and you won't know how to fix it.
Rail shots, for example, if you run a straight line between the pockets at there centers, the actual contact point is off center of the object ball, now this really doesnt matter if your straight in, but at an angle instead of trying to hit the rail then the ball. you will make the ball more often by knowing exactly the point that connects the ball to the center of the pocket... If you stroke straight, I have a couple exercises I use to hone my stroke... so simple yet so effective... the whole point is to perfect the delivery of the tip to the cue ball...
If you draw a straight line through the ball on line with the direction you want the ball to go I.E. along the rail instead of to the back of the center of the pocket then the contact points DO align.
your eyes.. I see alot of people looking at the cue ball on the final stroke... this is not good... Just like baseball, football etc.. you sure dont look at the ball when you throw it.. your eyes are locked on your target... thats your final stroke, preperation up to that point will untimately determine if you pocket the ball or miss..
You say farther down that you question why people don't hit bottom CB when trying to draw, If they're not looking at the cue ball when they hit it how in the hell can they know where they're hitting it? I suggest that people learn to follow their tip on their practice strokes looking along the aimline even when you're using english I know that with the aim and pivot system you;d actually be looking at two different lines but all that does is give you a better idea of how much squirt and english you will be imparting. That way you can be absolutely sure WHERE you're hitting the CB.
your feet.. the first step I take is to walk behind the shot, to see where I need to hit it.. from there to through the center of the cue ball, to the floor.. there is where I place my right foot... the left foot is set at a 45* angle to my right foot... This will move the cue away from your body.. I place my cue right over my right foot, sometimes I'll close one eye and look down at my foot, if the butt of the cue is right over my toes on my right foot.. Im good..
Some people do this slightly differently although I agree for the most part. My personal preference is to point my forward foot toward the pocket I'm aiming at when possible.
My left arm is locked, without moving the cue should line up center of the cue ball in line with the shot... if I did nothing else I should be able to pocket the shot... I mentioned this because the is the foundation for every system... without placing my right foot on line there is no way I could have decent form... all the pro's approach the table this way or simular.. this is key for a good stroke as well.. if the cue is to close or to far away from your body you will not be able to stroke in a straight line.. no matter the style, the final stroke has to be straight...
your bridge hand.. You need a good bridge, open handed may be good for some, 90% of everybody else needs a firm bridgehand.. my bridge hand is differnt that the tri-pod style, whitch allows me to get even tighter.. The grip hand needs to be not so tight.. If your stroke pivots at the end of your stroke, loosen up a bit... This is the path to super human english... People ask me, how do I draw the cue ball? first and foremost you need to hit low on the cue ball, right? then why do most people not hit there? I mean I worked with a guy for 15 min, trying to teach him how to draw, everytime I would point where he needed to hit the cue ball, he would stroke the shot to hit there everytime, but on the final stroke he hit center ball.. thats why the delivery is so important.. if I need a full table draw to win, I need to be assured Im hitting where I need to..
Maybe because you're telling him to look at the OB when he makes his last stroke? If you correctly knew where the C.P.s were and lined up accordingly you should be able to close your eyes and stroke that ball straight in. You used the football analogy when you probably should have used the baseball or golf analogy. In baseball or golf you want to watch the ball as you make contact with it so you KNOW that you're hitting it. I don't know why it would be any different in pool?
That stroke also needs to be in line with the shot, the best way I know to do this is this.. My stroke is drawing a bow string, I pull it back, then release... this helps me to stroke the cue ball very accurately.. 90 mph strokes look good but do nothing for accuracy , some people stroke the ball 20 times, I only need 3....
I think I give enough to help players get the idea, use any system you desire, the key is your foundation... addressing the table is the first step any teacher needs to cover first... imo.. I dont think ive ever seen a twisted up crooked stroking pro.. there delivery is dead stroke... everything before that is for show... the banjo players anyhow..
2wld4u
Its exactly what he is doing. Why would anyone line up a straight shot by aiming off-center? 