The Art of Aiming
- Thread starter BC21
- Start date
Here's how I look at shots when using fractional aiming....
All three of these setups have a 30° (ignoring throw) relationship to the corner pocket, meaning the 5ball needs a halfball hit from the cb to send it into the pocket. This halfball aim is based on the diameter of the ob. And, since both balls have equal diameters, I know that aiming the center of the cb diameter to the right edge of the ob diameter will create the cb-ob overlap needed. I don't have to visualize a ghostball or use the fat circumference of the ball in order to do this.
The matchsticks, though they are not balls and can't roll or move like balls, show how simple this process is. Aiming the middle of the nearest matchstick to the right end/edge of the far matchstick creates a line that has a 30° relationship to the pocket. Same with the chess pieces...aiming the middle of the white base to the right edge of the brown base creates a line that has a 30° relationship to the pocket.
All three of these setups have a 30° (ignoring throw) relationship to the corner pocket, meaning the 5ball needs a halfball hit from the cb to send it into the pocket. This halfball aim is based on the diameter of the ob. And, since both balls have equal diameters, I know that aiming the center of the cb diameter to the right edge of the ob diameter will create the cb-ob overlap needed. I don't have to visualize a ghostball or use the fat circumference of the ball in order to do this.
The matchsticks, though they are not balls and can't roll or move like balls, show how simple this process is. Aiming the middle of the nearest matchstick to the right end/edge of the far matchstick creates a line that has a 30° relationship to the pocket. Same with the chess pieces...aiming the middle of the white base to the right edge of the brown base creates a line that has a 30° relationship to the pocket.
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Ghost queens!
Good Knight.
What I've found is that aiming the center of the cue stick at a point is inherently imprecise. For me at least. So I created reference points when I was learning similar to how SVB aims the inside of the stick at the base of the shadow on certain cut shots down the rail. His system works for that shot and he knows the ins and outs of how to use it on shots that fall within the limits. One of mine was a roughly 20 - 30 degree back cut to the corner maximum outside draw with backhand English and aim - not along the shaft - but aligning the inside edge of the tip at the contact point on the OB. It created a beautiful shot that would deflect, then swerve back in and slam/throw the ball into the hole. Almost like a bowler playing a hook. And the CB would react almost magically back on a string across the table and spin back down to the opposite end for shape on a ball on the end rail.
The problem with that system for me was that if you encounter a long shot outside a reference point range then you are likely going to miss because you are not use to aiming indeterminate shots. So I needed something to build the library of reference shots.
Poolology was instrumental in helping me with this. So was studying and trying out pivot methods like CTE and Shishkabob. I developed my own pivot system that uses the edges of the shaft and it works pretty well and for a huge swatch of shots. I haven't had a chance to go through Stan's CTE book yet because of covid and I don't have a table at my home. I was playing the best pool of my life when covid grounded us and I haven't been on a table since.
The problem with that system for me was that if you encounter a long shot outside a reference point range then you are likely going to miss because you are not use to aiming indeterminate shots. So I needed something to build the library of reference shots.
Poolology was instrumental in helping me with this. So was studying and trying out pivot methods like CTE and Shishkabob. I developed my own pivot system that uses the edges of the shaft and it works pretty well and for a huge swatch of shots. I haven't had a chance to go through Stan's CTE book yet because of covid and I don't have a table at my home. I was playing the best pool of my life when covid grounded us and I haven't been on a table since.
Aha... When the mood hits me and I decide to use GB. I use it as the starting point as I get down on the shot. Once down that GB reference is my 'straight in reference' and I'll alter from there for whatever the case may be.
When I play now, I nearly never visualize a GB, and I typically walk in extremely close to my reference for 'straight in'. I know I'm going to make some level of adjustment when I'm down so I only reset if I'm really out of whack.
I'm fairly sure I'm using 'straight in' differently then you, but that's my mind set none the less.
I applaud your willingness to experiment with your game if you're playing so well. I purposely edited your quote, because my thoughts have nothing to do with the system you mentioned. Only that you're still willing to experiment with something that could take you away from your success you were experiencing.
I'm far removed from my best game, so messing around doesn't threaten to dishearten me too badly.
Thank you.
It was a hard decision. I played (guessing) about 630 Fargo before I quit for 10 years. When I started playing again I knew I had to break down a lot of systems and rebuild in order to ever have a chance of playing better than that. Or maybe even getting back to that level. And I decided to put up with the frustration right away when I started playing again.
It was tough because I would lose to people I really didn’t think I should and then they would give me advice! It was humbling but I checked my ego and started rebuilding. First I reset my fundamentals with a lesson from Scott Lee and worked through Mark Wilson’s book. Then I spent hours and hours getting my instinctive speed control and aiming back while working on new and better ways to Aim. That is practice time to get used to being in the zone.
sometimes it does feel like I have too much going on in my head but I have multiple, reliable ways to get a read on a shot if I can’t see it right.
Obviously the best way to play is in the zone where you can make anything and put the cue ball,anywhere. But that doesn’t just happen by accident. you have to work on mindset as well to trigger yourself into a good state.
I believe my best pool by far is still ahead of me.
In all seriousness... The match sticks need to be floating above the table to truly illustrate my point, that it's the diameter of the balls that I use when aiming, not the circumference. The fact that the balls are fat, that have a circumference and are not plain 2D circles, makes absolutley difference when aiming for a portion or specific cb-ob overlap.
Similarly, I have several 2 1/4" diameter clear acrylic disks. When flat on the table and touching they help me see contact point and overlap. Over the years, most of the hand-eye athletics that I've loved have taught me that I am a very visual person. I have to put on my "GOLF EYES" to keep perfect continuity as I control the distance from my "brain computer" to the ball. If I bend imperceptibly, I can hit it fat, or if I become too erect, I can hit it thin. When I am at a good place in pool, I can feel that I have my "POOL EYES" on. Visual "aids" are helpful for me, and that has become more and more pronounced with age. Your "match" visual aid is a good tool.
Saw Dennis miss and easy short soft inside english shot last night with his carbon fiber shaft .
He did not account for the swerve enough .
What aiming system teaches swerve ? Hah!
Only HAMB imo.
He did not account for the swerve enough .
What aiming system teaches swerve ? Hah!
Only HAMB imo.
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
An aiming system doesn't negate the fact you will have to learn your equipment, or that we're all humans and screw up on occasion.
Dennis has switched to wooden shaft today . He did not like the cf shaft, I guess .
boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
I went back to my maple shaft after trying LD for a few months. Nothing wrong with LD, but it's not for me so I understand him switching back.