Sighting and perception errors

Bigkahuna

Bigkahuna

It's Good For Your Game!
Silver Member
I have an issue with sighting when aiming. When cutting to the left I have to aim at the middle of the ball and when cutting to the right I have to cut the ball. I play pretty well so I have adjusted to this without being aware of it.
I met instructor Tom Simpson at Nationals a few years ago and he set me up with a cue that had a laser and had me point the stick at the center of a cue ball quite a ways down the table. The laser was turned off. He had a remote. When he turned the laser on I was probably a 1/4 of an inch to the right on the cue ball. I do not recall exactly how much but I was kind of alarmed I could be off that far.
I have done nothing to try to correct this but wonder if a should.

So here is an example:
Cue ball between the side pockets in the middle of the table.
Two object balls on either side of the head or foot string at one diamond in plus an 1 to 1.5 inches or so towards center.
If these balls were hit with no cut they would land say 2 inches from the corner pocket on the short rail.
Here is how I aim the ball that needs to be cut left... NEARLY DEAD STRAIGHT.
To hit the spot on the short rail I have to actually cut it to the right which should be dead straight.
The ball I am cutting to the right I really have to cut to make the pocket.
I would say this error is about 5 degrees maybe a bit more.

Is this an error with sighting or perception? How can this be corrected?
I can draw this out on cuetable if you guys do not get my example here.

In advance thank you for your help.
BK
 
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I'm not an instructor, but do you use an aiming system? i.e. ghost ball, fractional ball, contact point and compensate for it?
 
Bigkahuna said:
I have an issue with sighting when aiming. When cutting to the left I have to aim at the middle of the ball and when cutting to the right I have to cut the ball. I play pretty well so I have adjusted to this without being aware of it.
I met instructor Tom Simpson at Nationals a few years ago and he set me up with a cue that had a laser and had me point the stick at the center of a cue ball quite a ways down the table. The laser was turned off. He had a remote. When he turned the laser on I was probably a 1/4 of an inch to the right on the cue ball. I do not recall exactly how much but I was kind of alarmed I could be off that far.
I have done nothing to try to correct this but wonder if a should.

So here is an example:
Cue ball between the side pockets in the middle of the table.
Two object balls on either side of the head or foot string at one diamond in plus an 1 to 1.5 inches or so towards center.
If these balls were hit with no cut they would land say 2 inches from the corner pocket on the short rail.
Here is how I aim the ball that needs to be cut left... NEARLY DEAD STRAIGHT.
To hit the spot on the short rail I have to actually cut it to the right which should be dead straight.
The ball I am cutting to the right I really have to cut to make the pocket.
I would say this error is about 5 degrees maybe a bit more.

Is this an error with sighting or perception? How can this be corrected?
I can draw this out on cuetable if you guys do not get my example here.

In advance thank you for your help.
BK
Click to expand...
In my experience, this indicates that your head needs to be moved left or right over the shot. You may want to visit an eye doctor if you haven't seen one recently.
 
Bob Jewett said:
In my experience, this indicates that your head needs to be moved left or right over the shot. You may want to visit an eye doctor if you haven't seen one recently.
Click to expand...

Well, I am going to look pretty funny with a plumb bob hanging from my eyelid. Dominant eye over the stick or not? Does this depend on how dominant your dominant eye is? Doing the test mine is pretty dominant. If I try to correct this I feel another slump comin' on!
 
Noah...Do you remember what I told you? You line up the cue under wherever you "perceive" a straight line...which is just what Bob told you. That may or may not be directly under your dominant eye. It doesn't matter if it's under your dominant eye or not. What matters is where you "see" a straight line...put your cue there. Time to review your lesson video.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Bigkahuna said:
Well, I am going to look pretty funny with a plumb bob hanging from my eyelid. Dominant eye over the stick or not? Does this depend on how dominant your dominant eye is? Doing the test mine is pretty dominant. If I try to correct this I feel another slump comin' on!
Click to expand...
 
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Scott Lee said:
Nathan...Do you remember what I told you? You line up the cue under wherever you "perceive" a straight line...which is just what Bob told you. That may or may not be directly under your dominant eye. It doesn't matter if it's under your dominant eye or not. What matters is where you "see" a straight line...put your cue there. Time to review your lesson video.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Scott,
It's Noah BTW LOL. I see a straight line from the cue ball to the object ball and it cuts to the left. Perhaps this is all the missed shots I have made over the years.
MY game has improved since our last get together at Diamond Billiards in Cape Coral...
 
Bikahuna,

you already had lessons with a qualified person (hu Scott :p)- and as he shown up already- You have to find out the position where you ll see *the straight -line*. Geno for sure has a ton of knowledge-and im sure in a 1vs1 lesson he can help students a lot. But you definitley see with BOTH eyes-even if you have one dominant eye. And further more it depends also on the distance between cb and ob- on closer shots you could use for example *easier* just your dominant eye (if you have one :p)-- but if the distance is getting bigger (imo about 5-6 feet and more) you ll definitley use both eyes to see *this straight-line*. Everyone is different- so his eyes are.
Here it is necessary to practice and try. And if you already have videos :-) use them^^

lg
Ingo
 
It sounds like you have the same problem I have,I would suggest you go to a good optometrist and have him check your eye alignment.I have battled it for about 3 years and just about quit pool.I now have to wear glasses and he put in a correction factor to help straighten it out.It immediately brought my game back up.I don't see your age but it changed for me at about 50.Good luck
 
I think I can help you..........

Bigkahuna said:
I have an issue with sighting when aiming. When cutting to the left I have to aim at the middle of the ball and when cutting to the right I have to cut the ball. I play pretty well so I have adjusted to this without being aware of it.
I met instructor Tom Simpson at Nationals a few years ago and he set me up with a cue that had a laser and had me point the stick at the center of a cue ball quite a ways down the table. The laser was turned off. He had a remote. When he turned the laser on I was probably a 1/4 of an inch to the right on the cue ball. I do not recall exactly how much but I was kind of alarmed I could be off that far.
I have done nothing to try to correct this but wonder if a should.

So here is an example:
Cue ball between the side pockets in the middle of the table.
Two object balls on either side of the head or foot string at one diamond in plus an 1 to 1.5 inches or so towards center.
If these balls were hit with no cut they would land say 2 inches from the corner pocket on the short rail.
Here is how I aim the ball that needs to be cut left... NEARLY DEAD STRAIGHT.
To hit the spot on the short rail I have to actually cut it to the right which should be dead straight.
The ball I am cutting to the right I really have to cut to make the pocket.
I would say this error is about 5 degrees maybe a bit more.

Is this an error with sighting or perception? How can this be corrected?
I can draw this out on cuetable if you guys do not get my example here.

In advance thank you for your help.
BK
Click to expand...

Hi there BK,

this is what I do. Teach aiming and sighting. Give me a call and I'll help you figure this out. I've been doing this for free on a thread on the main forum and just read your thread.

just be by a pool table when you call me. If you got one at home that would be great. If not call and tell me when you will be at the pool hall and i'll make sure we can hook up.

I'm sure I can help you clear this up.

Looking forward to talking with you.

geno 715-563-8712
 
Gene is one of the nicest guys I have had the pleasure of meeting in this game. His thirst of trying to help people be the best they can be at this game is unquenchable. I had the opportunity recently to spend some time with Gene. Anyone would be a fool to not capitalize on gaining a better insight to this great game.
 
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