The dreaded "Straight in shot"

Slasher

Slasher

KE = 0.5 • m • v2
Silver Member
Some people fear it others simply refuse to believe they missed it :

The key to shot making involves the following.
Selecting the correct spot to hit on the OB.
Striking the CB where you intended.
Keeping your eye on the OB when you pull the trigger.

This may help you if you often miss these shots.
With any angled shot the pocket is out of the direct line of sight.
With the straight in shot the pocket is in the direct line of sight.
Often on the straight in shot the pocket will draw your eyes away from the OB.
The dicipline in this is even on the straight in shots maintain your focus on the OB when you pull the trigger.
 
Slasher said:
The key to shot making involves the following.
Selecting the correct spot to hit on the OB.
Striking the CB where you intended.
Keeping your eye on the OB when you pull the trigger.

.
Click to expand...

I believe this will apply to almost every shot on the table.
Steve
 
Yes. The second paragraph re-enforces the last line of the first one.
Steve
 
Slasher said:
The key to shot making involves the following.
Selecting the correct spot to hit on the OB.
Striking the CB where you intended.
Keeping your eye on the OB when you pull the trigger.
Click to expand...

I always try to relate information about pool to things anyone can understand. For a first timer, or a beginning player I just ask them this:

"When you drive your car, do look at the hood ornament or where you're going?"

When you first start to drive a car you move from side to side, all over the lane while you're trying to go straight. (Hitting the cue ball where you intend to).

When you first start to take corners, you often under- or over-cut them because you watch where the front of the car is, you don't focus on the things around you. (Hitting the object ball where you intended).

When you get to be experienced you just drive in a straight line (well most of us do) and rarely if ever jump curbs or swing into oncoming traffic. (Again, nothing is absolute, some people never get the hang of it.) (This also relates to making the pot.)
 
Funny you should say that I was going to add a driving analogy.
Having taken many high performance driving sessions on the track. What they stress alot is look where you what the car to go and your hands will take you there.
This unfortunatly also applies to off track excursions, ask me how I know :P

POOLTCHR, this thread was intended to help beginners in case you missed that inferance, thanks.
 
Slasher said:
Often on the straight in shot the pocket will draw your eyes away from the OB.
The dicipline in this is even on the straight in shots maintain your focus on the OB when you pull the trigger.
Click to expand...
That makes sense to me. I would add, a lot of times people try to do too much with the cue ball when left 'too straight'. If a stop shot will leave a decent shot at the next ball, but not perfect, maybe it is better to go the easy way. Also unitentional english throws the object ball more on straight in shots.

Tracy
 
Slasher said:
...This unfortunatly also applies to off track excursions, ask me how I know :P
Click to expand...

Been there. Bought a truck instead. Now I just need a sticker on the back:

"You can go fast ... I can go anywhere."

I left a drill I use to keep my stroke straight in another part of the forum that always helps me.

Drill for a straight stroke. (Last Reply)
 
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the long straight shot...

Guys, I'm a firm believer in watching the OB when you pull the trigger, but over the years on an extremely long, straight shot, I have had a lot more success focusing on my spot on the QB (not OB) at impact. This one shot is the exception for me. Can anyone explain why this would be? I'm at a loss.

Here's some background on me....I'm probably a B-level player (past APA 8-ball league level 7). I'm also left-eye dominant but right-handed. I've always wondered if my cross-eye dominance affects the long straight shot more than others.

Sean
 
I dunno what the big deal is about straight-in shots.
You don't have to aim b/c you know you just need to hit center ball.
Aim the tip to the center of the ob, follow-thru that, and it should go in.
Now, those dreaded thin rail shots....
 
cueaddicts said:
Guys, I'm a firm believer in watching the OB when you pull the trigger, but over the years on an extremely long, straight shot, I have had a lot more success focusing on my spot on the QB (not OB) at impact. This one shot is the exception for me. Can anyone explain why this would be? I'm at a loss.

Here's some background on me....I'm probably a B-level player (past APA 8-ball league level 7). I'm also left-eye dominant but right-handed. I've always wondered if my cross-eye dominance affects the long straight shot more than others.

Sean
Click to expand...


I suppose it's possible that doing it the correct way you have some movement in your stroke between taking your last look at the CB and on to the OB, but when you shoot looking at the the CB you are striking it where intended. You could also try striking just below center.
 
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cueaddicts said:
Guys, I'm a firm believer in watching the OB when you pull the trigger, but over the years on an extremely long, straight shot, I have had a lot more success focusing on my spot on the QB (not OB) at impact. This one shot is the exception for me. Can anyone explain why this would be? I'm at a loss.

Here's some background on me....I'm probably a B-level player (past APA 8-ball league level 7). I'm also left-eye dominant but right-handed. I've always wondered if my cross-eye dominance affects the long straight shot more than others.
Click to expand...
Does the object ball always miss to the same side of the pocket on straight in shots? My guess would be you are putting a small amount of unintentional english on not just your straight shots, but all of them. It's just that the straight ones really amplify the effect.

Tracy
 
RSB-Refugee said:
Does the object ball always miss to the same side of the pocket on straight in shots? My guess would be you are putting a small amount of unintentional english on not just your straight shots, but all of them. It's just that the straight ones really amplify the effect.

Tracy
Click to expand...

Tracy, yep...usually will miss them to the R-side of the pocket.
 
dreaded straight in shot

lets and a little more difficulty to that shoot~~~~~ along straight in ob on rail shoot!!!! i HAVE FOUND OUT TO RULE OUT THE WORD SHOOT ON THIS ON, USE TOP {ROLL] GREAT RESULTS [STICK]:D :D :D :D :D
 
I shift my focus between the OB and the pot or rail I'm aiming for while I feather. At the moment I strike and follow-through I can't honestly say what I'm looking at. I just know where the ball is going (so long as my mind is focused) and it does what I ask it to.
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned not looking at the object ball at all on long straight shots, but rather looking at and aiming right at the pocket. Obviously the shot has to be perfectly straight. I do this on occasion if I'm not feeling real comfortable at the time.
 
Slasher said:
POOLTCHR, this thread was intended to help beginners in case you missed that inferance, thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes, and I was only pointing out that the excellent advice you were offering not only applies to straight in shots, but cut shots as well. Usually when fundamentals are discussed, we restrict it to stance, grip, stroke, etc. I think the eye patterns, being another physical aspect of shooting, are just as critical, and should be just as consistant as a smooth stroke. Your post makes that point very well.
Steve
 
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