Ah Grasshopper...Damn, i knew it. I haven't been figuring in the effects of the transverse, longitudinal and compression waves on my shots. HOW could i be so dense? This revelation, coming on the first day of a new year, could hold all the keys to pool enlightenment.![]()
This is a myth.in advice dr_dave said:The reason why pretty much all top players in all cue sports focus on the OB before and during the final stroke
Okay on page 25 I find.Willie Hoppe said:It is quite important for you to practice handling the cue and shooting with your left hand if you are a natural right-hander (vice versa if you are left-handed).
He goes on to say, "both methods are satisfactory. "Willie said:Aiming
Select the spots on the object and cue balls you wish to hit. Then concentrate on this line of aim---watch tip of cue on preliminary strokes to see that your tip is going to the same spot. Your eye and hand should act in strict unison.
A glance should go from the cue ball to the object ball, back to the cue ball, and rest there---so you must be looking at the cue ball rather than the object ball before delivering your stroke.
The argument often arises whether or not a player's last glance before striking the cue ball is on the cue or object ball. My eyes are last on the cue ball.
GregThis is a myth.
Starting with Willie Hoppe, Billiards Digest player of the century. He teaches cueball last in his book Billiards as it should be played.
An interesting aside I just ran across while looking for his words on final focus.
Okay on page 25 I find.
He goes on to say, "both methods are satisfactory. "
So my quibble is with your words,
"Pretty much all top players", as Stephen Hendry who held the title of GOAT in snooker, has revealed that he and Ronnie O'Sullivan look at the cueball last. Ronnie is still in the process of snatching all time records from Stephen.
The video coverage of snooker provided currently often gives a good look at the eye pattern of players. There are many more that the video evidence seems to show cueball last. Starting with John Higgins and Mark Williams. The class of '92 .
I personally have experience both ways and achieved my earliest stellar performances looking at the object ball last. I have since gone to cueball at contact and experience better cueball control with equal or better shot making. My observation of Judd Trump, one of the greatest shot makers and object ball last is that fine cueball control is often his downfall.
Edit: I forgot the disclaimer. I came to this topic late and have only read page 1 of 6 so apologies if by chance this horse is already out of the stable.![]()
He goes on to say, "both methods are satisfactory. "
So my quibble is with your words,
"Pretty much all top players",
The Greatest of All Times is definitely a minority category. The point I strive to make is that 3 in the Greatest of all times ranks is a majority in the category. Well I come up wih 5 that can wear the title.Greg
With all due respect, I think you have to admit that it’s the minority of top players that look at cue ball Last.
So yes, you can find top players that advocate that and you are on that bandwagon so you tirelessly promote it.
Even though it is not done by the majority
JMHO
ICBW
Most top players are not GOATs.Most top players
And some(a lot??) that may say one thing actually do another. I've watched a lot of snooker and pay close attention to the face-towards-camera shots. Virtually every player is looking at the OB when they pull the trigger. Yes Virginia, there is rapid back-n-forth eye movement but at THE moment they send it eyes are on the OB. The VAST majority of pool/snooker players are OB-last shooters.Greg
With all due respect, I think you have to admit that it’s the minority of top players that look at cue ball Last.
So yes, you can find top players that advocate that and you are on that bandwagon so you tirelessly promote it.
Even though it is not done by the majority
JMHO
ICBW
Seems like you like CB last but you are way in the minority. ONLY time i use it is when CB is on/real close to the cushion. Buddy showed me that yrs ago and it helps getting a pure strike when you only have half the ball to hit. I've tried playing that way and it was not good. Missed a BUNCH of shots and had no feel for speed/distance playing shape.I would have never believed how powerful CB last was/is until recently. Your fundamentals must be solid. You line up with your stance. Once you have your aim line pay attention to a few feather strokes at the CB. They tell you all you need to know. Are they straight as an arrow or is there wavering? Wavering means you're not aligned correctly. This will eliminate almost all weird chicken wing things, stroke not feeling correct, bad bridge hand placement, jumping up, etc. When it's right it's right and you can send it.
Once you get to where you can keep feather strokes dead nuts you don't have to look at the OB. If you're looking at the OB you can't assure your tip placement is dead nuts. This is a game where 1mm is the difference between making it/getting perfect shape or not. Now you might still see the OB in your peripheral but that's beside the point.
You know how there is the practice where you close your eyes on the shot? Well imagine if you were so sure of the OB you didn't have to look at it and could focus tight on tip placement. It's like sniper mode. It's preference in the end but if you've not tried it on the table and put some practice to it you might be missing out. It's pretty amazing.
I know CB last is in the minority. I was OB last until about 2 months ago. It took a week or so of missing until it all clicked. IMHO it's preference but I would have never known if I hadn't put in about a week worth of practice. There are certain shots that I'll focus on OB last but they are now in the minority. Personally I think it has improved my feel too because with a basically fixed distance target (the end of your stick) the other stuff like speed control just comes easier. Again, not saying it's right or wrong but the results were a pleasant surprise.Seems like you like CB last but you are way in the minority. ONLY time i use it is when CB is on/real close to the cushion. Buddy showed me that yrs ago and it helps getting a pure strike when you only have half the ball to hit. I've tried playing that way and it was not good. Missed a BUNCH of shots and had no feel for speed/distance playing shape.
I find your observations interesting and yet majority is an inaccurate description. IMHOAnd some(a lot??) that may say one thing actually do another. I've watched a lot of snooker and pay close attention to the face-towards-camera shots. Virtually every player is looking at the OB when they pull the trigger. Yes Virginia, there is rapid back-n-forth eye movement but at THE moment they send it eyes are on the OB. The VAST majority of pool/snooker players are OB-last shooters.
Okay it's at 11:34, but the whole thing is pure gold.Cliff Thorburn
Is definitely worth a listen.
Any that aspire should study Stephen Hendry. Start here.
Just remember Hoppe’s foundation as a balkline/ free game player. Different game. Looking at 3 balls for a 2” shot. That game will test the opposite hand, masses different bridges a lot.This is a myth.
Starting with Willie Hoppe, Billiards Digest player of the century. He teaches cueball last in his book Billiards as it should be played.
An interesting aside I just ran across while looking for his words on final focus.
Okay on page 25 I find.
He goes on to say, "both methods are satisfactory. "
So my quibble is with your words,
"Pretty much all top players", as Stephen Hendry who held the title of GOAT in snooker, has revealed that he and Ronnie O'Sullivan look at the cueball last. Ronnie is still in the process of snatching all time records from Stephen.
The video coverage of snooker provided currently often gives a good look at the eye pattern of players. There are many more that the video evidence seems to show cueball last. Starting with John Higgins and Mark Williams. The class of '92 .
I personally have experience both ways and achieved my earliest stellar performances looking at the object ball last. I have since gone to cueball at contact and experience better cueball control with equal or better shot making. My observation of Judd Trump, one of the greatest shot makers and object ball last is that fine cueball control is often his downfall.
Edit: I forgot the disclaimer. I came to this topic late and have only read page 1 of 6 so apologies if by chance this horse is already out of the stable.![]()
Yes, I know you are being sarcastic lolDamn, i knew it. I haven't been figuring in the effects of the transverse, longitudinal and compression waves on my shots. HOW could i be so dense? This revelation, coming on the first day of a new year, could hold all the keys to pool enlightenment.![]()
What about for longish shots with the cue ball up against the cushion, forcing the shooter to hit the center of the cue ball but on the upper portion? I think this causes more shooters to look at the cue ball last because it is somewhat of a delicate exacting shot.