Standing further back to aim a shot.

mnorwood

mnorwood

Moon
Silver Member
I find that when I am struggling with cut shots that if I stand back from the shot a few steps I tend to lock on to the correct line better. I find myself doing this when I play snooker also. Has anyone else ever done this. What dynamics are at play other than just something weird that seams to work for me?
 
Yes. Someone pointed this out to me a couple of weeks back. It helped me. Definately a higher success rate when I remember to do that. :thumbup:
 
This works! It's part of my pre-shot routine. I like to stand back and get a visual of the line. Then i plant my bridge and stance along that line. This way, there are few adjustments needed when I'm down on the shot:thumbup:
 
How far back do you mean?

And do you mean to stand back and focus on the OB opposite of the aiming point? As in.....in line with the intended pocket?
 
I don't do this

for all shots, just difficult cut shots, I look at the contact point on the object ball, then I go around behind the cue ball and stand 4-5 feet behind it and get my aiming line on the shot. It seems to help me before I actually get down on the shot.
 
mnorwood said:
I find that when I am struggling with cut shots that if I stand back from the shot a few steps I tend to lock on to the correct line better. I find myself doing this when I play snooker also. Has anyone else ever done this. What dynamics are at play other than just something weird that seams to work for me?
Click to expand...

Works for me too, especially on longer shots. If the CB is near the rail, take one extra step back away from it to get a better perspective of the aim line. When the CB is in the middle of the table, it's generally far enough away from me to get that same good view.
 
Do you find that when you do this, you walk into the shot?

I find that if I walk into the shot with my cue on the CB direction of travel, I can get into shooting position better then standing where I think I need to be and bending over into the shot.

I know this isn't clear but its the best way I can describe it.
 
I stand back from the shot. Look at the line from the pocket to the OB. Then visualize the ghost ball then a line from the cue ball to the ghost ball. I then see the contact point and ghost ball the I walk in to the shot without taking my eyes off of my ghost ball/contact point.
 
I think it also helps to stand up slightly higher to see the correct angle to cut a ball. If you stoop low it's more difficult to see, I use this method when banking an kicking to help see the line I want.
 
I was taught that by moving further away, you see the shot better because there's less of a parallax effect -- kinda like when two players lag and it's a close call, moving back from the table makes it easier to see.
 
I do this to determine whether or not I'm snookered. Standing further back helps me see if the cue ball passes or not.
 
mnorwood said:
I find that when I am struggling with cut shots that if I stand back from the shot a few steps I tend to lock on to the correct line better. I find myself doing this when I play snooker also. Has anyone else ever done this. What dynamics are at play other than just something weird that seams to work for me?
Click to expand...

Get Lee Bretts DVD he covers this very, very well. It will be the best $52 investment you will ever make.

I have probably watched that DVD 12 times. Paying attention to chapters 8, 9 and 16.

John
 
Last edited:
I do this too.

One thing I noticed recently was that I don't stand back as far when I'm viewing a shot from the side rail and I tend to struggle more with these cuts shots. I figured out the obvious reason for this was because I don't have nearly as much room on the sides of my table as I do on the ends. I've also noticed this to be true in a lot of pool rooms - it can be hard to get back far enough on some shots because of the adjacent tables.
 
this is what Lee Brett teaches, it has definitely helped me sight the ball and help with aiming.
 
duckie said:
Do you find that when you do this, you walk into the shot?

I find that if I walk into the shot with my cue on the CB direction of travel, I can get into shooting position better then standing where I think I need to be and bending over into the shot.

I know this isn't clear but its the best way I can describe it.
Click to expand...

I've always known that as "stepping into your shot". It's a really good technique to incorporate into your PSR. Generally I'll take a step back and look at the shot then in one forward motion i step into the shooting position lined up correctly.
 
I take a long step back maybe 4-8 feet away from the pool table when measuring hard kicks or long rail banks
 
BasementDweller said:
I do this too.

One thing I noticed recently was that I don't stand back as far when I'm viewing a shot from the side rail and I tend to struggle more with these cuts shots. I figured out the obvious reason for this was because I don't have nearly as much room on the sides of my table as I do on the ends. I've also noticed this to be true in a lot of pool rooms - it can be hard to get back far enough on some shots because of the adjacent tables.
Click to expand...

This is exactly how I feel about standing back to better see the shot line.

Unfortunately it is a luxury that can't be utilized consistently in my pre-shot routine.One of my pet peeves to be sure.Room owners or tournament promoters emphasizing profits instead of enhancing competition.
 
Concur with randall and One Pocket John. Lee Brett's book or DVD do a great job of explaining this.
 
The eyes work like one........

mnorwood said:
I find that when I am struggling with cut shots that if I stand back from the shot a few steps I tend to lock on to the correct line better. I find myself doing this when I play snooker also. Has anyone else ever done this. What dynamics are at play other than just something weird that seams to work for me?
Click to expand...

The more we stand back the more the eyes work like one eye. Dominance is not as much of a factor when further back. . The closer we get especially down on the shot your dominant eye does the aiming and has to be in the correct position to envision the shot correctly. .

Many players do this to get the correct vision of the shot. if you have the room it can be a huge help.

I've even went on the other side of another table sometimes.

That is the dynamics...........Great question.
 
mnorwood said:
I stand back from the shot. Look at the line from the pocket to the OB. Then visualize the ghost ball then a line from the cue ball to the ghost ball. I then see the contact point and ghost ball the I walk in to the shot without taking my eyes off of my ghost ball/contact point.
Click to expand...

Hey Minorwood,
I am going to try this system. I like the idea and the way it helps you with your aim. Thus, I think it should be called, Minor aiming system!
Many Regards,
Lock n Load.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top