Nothing wrong with discussing the merits of a post as long as you do it politely. I like to hear all sides of a discussion. Best way to learn...
The One Thing You Must Do If You Aspire to Become Good
- Thread starter Choir Boy
- Start date
Nothing wrong with discussing the merits of a post as long as you do it politely. I like to hear all sides of a discussion. Best way to learn...
I though that was why you posted the picture? The picture IMO disagrees but you reassurance is comforting.
I though that was why you posted the picture? The picture IMO disagrees but you reassurance is comforting.
what you see is the start of the turn of the rubber, you can't see the pocket opening, have fun aiming at that :grin:
New ideas scare people. New ways of thinking are not always readily accepted by the establishment.
Yet, most new initiative things come from people that think outside the box. Some of the greatest discovery's came from people outside of the field of the discovery was made in.
I understand the point of the original post and agree with it. I've thought this way about viewing a shot for a long time. I'm just surprised someone else also use the same technique.
I'll go one further in saying that I seldom even look at the CB ball any more when I get into position. I can see the tip of my cue and the CB in my peripheral vision as I get into shot position.
I think because the the length of time most people spend in front of a TV or monitor, looking at the same fixed distance all the time, one can forget how to their vision fully.
As example:
How long does it take you to see the pool balls? http://www.eyetricks.com/3dstereo53.htm
Yet, most new initiative things come from people that think outside the box. Some of the greatest discovery's came from people outside of the field of the discovery was made in.
I understand the point of the original post and agree with it. I've thought this way about viewing a shot for a long time. I'm just surprised someone else also use the same technique.
I'll go one further in saying that I seldom even look at the CB ball any more when I get into position. I can see the tip of my cue and the CB in my peripheral vision as I get into shot position.
I think because the the length of time most people spend in front of a TV or monitor, looking at the same fixed distance all the time, one can forget how to their vision fully.
As example:
How long does it take you to see the pool balls? http://www.eyetricks.com/3dstereo53.htm
Here is a quote from a Steve Davis Q&A, now why the long winded explanation if it's not a blind pocket ??
Q: The cue ball is close to the top rail, leaving a "blind pocket" pot to the black. I tried to visualize a ghost ball in line with the black, finding the spot on the black where to hit it with the cue ball but
all unsuccessfully. finally I tried just "guessing" the potting angle and was more successful in that
way. also less concerned with the potting. what is the best way to play those shots where you play
the pot to a blind pocket?
I appreciate your input on those two questions and i am very glad you can give a hand to those
snooker fans that want to improve their games.
keep your good work!!!
Hugo
A: Hi Hugo
Many Thanks
I'd still want to have some regular practice on a full size table and use the 10 x 5 to work on technique more. Then when
you go to the Snooker club forget about technique and just play the game and think about positional play.
Concerning potting a ball into a "blind pocket" I think a lot of people have this trouble but actually it shouldn't make any
difference whatsoever!
When you hit the cue ball you should have your eyes fixed firmly on the part of the ball that you intend to "cover up" with
the cue ball. And indeed a more theoretically correct method would be to have your eyes fixed on that "imaginary" ball
that you mentioned.
With this in mind, then it should make no difference where the pocket is! Cover it up with a dust sheet! Unscrew it and
put it on a chair!
However, if you are choosing the wrong part of the ball to cover in the first place then perhaps you should go back to the
basic Half Ball pot as a method of recognising pots around the whole table and also very importantly the black off its
spot.
Put the black on its spot and put a ball "your imaginary one" in line and touching the black so that they are lined up as a
plant into the corner pocket (favouring the side cushion jaw).
Now place your cue ball on the table where you think it will be a half ball pot on the black so that the cue ball will then
hit the top cushion after potting the black.
To check you have done this very accurately, lay a pencil on the top cushion and line it up with the cue ball and the
"imaginary ball" on. Now take away the "imaginary Ball" and check that when you aim the cue ball at the pencil point it is
also perfectly in line with the edge of the Black ball. If not adjust the Cue Ball position and then repeat the whole process
again.
Then mark the table with a small cross w(where your cue ball is) and repeat the whole process for the "Blind Pocket" style
cut back but this time place the Imaginary Ball so that it favours the near cushion jaw. (why? see addendum at the
bottom)
You will now have two marks on the table that are Perfect half ball pots on the black.
The "Half Ball pot" is the only shot that you can ever play where you can actually aim at something with your Cue! Every
other shot you are trying to imagine something
Practice this shot from both positions and both sides of the table. It will teach you a lot about your cue action. Set other
positons up around the table.
Blue off the spot and cue ball very near the Brown spot is great practice.
When you strike the Cue ball make sure that your eyes are fixed on the edge (Half way down the ball!!) of the object ball.
This shot, more than any other will train your eyes to "forget" the pocket.
OK so you ask "that's great for "half ball pots" but I'm talking about thinner pots than that!"
Well, go away and practice the half ball pot and then after a while when you are playing in normal play you will start to
recognise these half ball pots everywhere on the table.
You will also start to recognise pots that are thinner or thicker than Half Ball. You will start to use the Half Ball as a
reference point. As a potting aid!
Before each shot talk to yourself and say "That's a half ball pot" or That's thinner than Half ball .... by a fraction ....
perhaps even only a "Quarter Ball" !!!!! Perhaps the Thick pots are very thick .... perhaps even a 3/4 ball !!!! OK
nothing to aim at with your cue but trust me this will take the whole "WORRY of the pocket out of the equation.
Remember .... The Half Ball Pot is your best friend in the whole wide world!!
Cheers!
Steve
Q: The cue ball is close to the top rail, leaving a "blind pocket" pot to the black. I tried to visualize a ghost ball in line with the black, finding the spot on the black where to hit it with the cue ball but
all unsuccessfully. finally I tried just "guessing" the potting angle and was more successful in that
way. also less concerned with the potting. what is the best way to play those shots where you play
the pot to a blind pocket?
I appreciate your input on those two questions and i am very glad you can give a hand to those
snooker fans that want to improve their games.
keep your good work!!!
Hugo
A: Hi Hugo
Many Thanks
I'd still want to have some regular practice on a full size table and use the 10 x 5 to work on technique more. Then when
you go to the Snooker club forget about technique and just play the game and think about positional play.
Concerning potting a ball into a "blind pocket" I think a lot of people have this trouble but actually it shouldn't make any
difference whatsoever!
When you hit the cue ball you should have your eyes fixed firmly on the part of the ball that you intend to "cover up" with
the cue ball. And indeed a more theoretically correct method would be to have your eyes fixed on that "imaginary" ball
that you mentioned.
With this in mind, then it should make no difference where the pocket is! Cover it up with a dust sheet! Unscrew it and
put it on a chair!
However, if you are choosing the wrong part of the ball to cover in the first place then perhaps you should go back to the
basic Half Ball pot as a method of recognising pots around the whole table and also very importantly the black off its
spot.
Put the black on its spot and put a ball "your imaginary one" in line and touching the black so that they are lined up as a
plant into the corner pocket (favouring the side cushion jaw).
Now place your cue ball on the table where you think it will be a half ball pot on the black so that the cue ball will then
hit the top cushion after potting the black.
To check you have done this very accurately, lay a pencil on the top cushion and line it up with the cue ball and the
"imaginary ball" on. Now take away the "imaginary Ball" and check that when you aim the cue ball at the pencil point it is
also perfectly in line with the edge of the Black ball. If not adjust the Cue Ball position and then repeat the whole process
again.
Then mark the table with a small cross w(where your cue ball is) and repeat the whole process for the "Blind Pocket" style
cut back but this time place the Imaginary Ball so that it favours the near cushion jaw. (why? see addendum at the
bottom)
You will now have two marks on the table that are Perfect half ball pots on the black.
The "Half Ball pot" is the only shot that you can ever play where you can actually aim at something with your Cue! Every
other shot you are trying to imagine something
Practice this shot from both positions and both sides of the table. It will teach you a lot about your cue action. Set other
positons up around the table.
Blue off the spot and cue ball very near the Brown spot is great practice.
When you strike the Cue ball make sure that your eyes are fixed on the edge (Half way down the ball!!) of the object ball.
This shot, more than any other will train your eyes to "forget" the pocket.
OK so you ask "that's great for "half ball pots" but I'm talking about thinner pots than that!"
Well, go away and practice the half ball pot and then after a while when you are playing in normal play you will start to
recognise these half ball pots everywhere on the table.
You will also start to recognise pots that are thinner or thicker than Half Ball. You will start to use the Half Ball as a
reference point. As a potting aid!
Before each shot talk to yourself and say "That's a half ball pot" or That's thinner than Half ball .... by a fraction ....
perhaps even only a "Quarter Ball" !!!!!
Perhaps the Thick pots are very thick .... perhaps even a 3/4 ball !!!! OKnothing to aim at with your cue but trust me this will take the whole "WORRY of the pocket out of the equation.
Remember .... The Half Ball Pot is your best friend in the whole wide world!!
Cheers!
Steve
Im sorry its such a problem for you.
I just don't have any problem picking a reference point to target from in that sight picture. You don't need to see the complete actual pocket opening to be able to pick a point to target, in fact most shots don't allow you to see the entire pocket opening.
Thanks for your "opinion" , duly noted.
Please..... He got asked to clarify himself and then he apparently got butthurt and took his ball and went home. There is NOTHING wrong with challenging a persons opinion. (although I think there is something wrong with blindly following like sheep)
It's a discussion board. I don't really think anyone attacked him, maybe I missed something though. Someone on here has a great saying in their sig, it goes; "I never learned anything from a person that agreed with me" (or something like that). He still never answered my question and I was genuinely curious, i wasn't attacking him.....challenging him, maybe. But not attacking.
If "butthurt, and took his ball and went home" are ways of communicating an open friendly discussion, I'd hate to see what an attack WOULD look like
Im sorry its such a problem for you.
I just don't have any problem picking a reference point to target from in that sight picture. You don't need to see the complete actual pocket opening to be able to pick a point to target, in fact most shots don't allow you to see the entire pocket opening.
Thanks for your "opinion" , duly noted.
ok, maybe I'm on mars and your on saturn here.
The OP stated that you need to keep the pocket in view correct?
So in my pic it is obvious that the pocket opening is not in view when sighting the black ball from a (chin on the cue as I play)position, you would be guessing and on this table you cant guess. You would need to either need see the shot before you get down or play in an more upright stance, or memorize the shot as 1/4 or 1/2 or whatever.
Does that make sense to you now?
If "butthurt, and took his ball and went home" are ways of communicating an open friendly discussion, I'd hate to see what an attack WOULD look like
lol I never said "friendly".... j/k
Yeah that was probably a little out a line! I was feeling a little sarcastic.
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I still think the ball in that photo is being undercut, lmao
I completely agree
How bout now lol
center pocket, I know whatshisname on here with his x-ray vision will be able to see this pocket opening lol
Are you Don Feeney or have you just watched his video where he describes, "getting the big picture"? Don explains this exact concept even going as far as watching the CB's path and final resting place in your peripheral vision. Whatever works...:thumbup:
How bout now lol
center pocket, I know whatshisname on here with his x-ray vision will be able to see this pocket opening lol
Hmm... as Mikjary noticed, it looks like the camera has a dominant left eye.
J/K,
-Sean
Listen, either you just don't get it or your just being an ass for the sake of arguement. It shouldn't be that hard to understand that your target can be something other than a clear head on view of an open pocket?
No one said you have to understand the concept, if you can't open your mind a crack and let a little light shine in, thats totally your choice, don't sweat what other poeple think.
Listen, either you just don't get it or your just being an ass for the sake of arguement. It shouldn't be that hard to understand that your target can be something other than a clear head on view of an open pocket?
No one said you have to understand the concept, if you can't open your mind a crack and let a little light shine in, thats totally your choice, don't sweat what other poeple think.
Sorry I was just surprised that you are able to do something world champions can't do.
I aint sweating your thoughts, you offered them up.
You really think its some incredible feat to be able to pick a target other than a text book picture of an open pocket?
I "assure" you its not at all difficult and that most people, world champ or otherwise could do it quite simply.
And yea, you obviously seem to be quite obsessed with my 'thoughts' on the subject. :thumbup:
I guess I should be flattered.
I like your posts in general but you are absolutely wrong on this. On a long down the table cut where the object ball and cue ball are near each other, your peripheral vision cannot even put the corner pocket into view, much less in focus.
And like that aiming snooker video you referred us to (or someone did), the guy talking admitted that sometimes you cannot see the pocket, that you must rely on the 'back of the object ball' for reference.
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