Using glare off balls for aiming method????

mattman

mattman

Registered User
Silver Member
I played in league tonight and one of the opponents was trying to tell me about an aiming method by using the glare off the light bulbs from above. He said it worked best if the fixture had 3 bulbs and somewhat worked if the ficture had one bulb (but 2 bulbs would not work).

Anybody ever hear of this?

I thought he was so full of caca, I wasn't even interested in an explanation.
 
The reflection of the lights are always in the center of the ball from where you stand, right?
 
glare

just curious why you would post this question when you wouldnt let the guy explain
but you ask here if ne one had heard of this method rotfl.........but let me opine....this method has its merits as------ it works for him-----so its good for him which we should applaud,
i know ill get blasted for this but here goes.i hope you can follow this

for starters place a ob anywhere where you will have to cut the ball to the pocket.
now look directly over object ball towards intended pocket

you will see light reflections[yes?]

now if you were to draw a straight line from the pocket to the center of the ob you will see a reflection
hold that thought
now go back to cueball and use that reflection as your aim point
it all depends on how much you trust this approach

sounds crazy but........thats my input have fun testing this out....hopefully someone will slam me and describe it much better
have a nice day
 
I've heard of it. They call it shooting the shine. I cant see it being anything other than an aiming point to look at
 
diller47 said:
now go back to cueball and use that reflection as your aim point
Click to expand...

This is where I see a flaw in the system. As you move, the point on the ball where you see the light reflected also moves. Set up a 20 degree cut shot to the right and notice where the light reflects. Now move the ob so it is a 40 degree cut shot. The point of reflection is moved to the right, which would give you a fuller hit. The shot itself, would require a thinner hit.
Steve
 
ron v in ny teaches this, amongst other things. He teaches to aim at a particular point of the shadow for the purposes of banking. I have seen it, as well as done it. It does work!

Rg
 
I haven't heard of using light reflections, but a very good player told me uses the shadows underneath the balls to aim for certain shots.
 
Honestly, there are some similarities with light reflections and the point of contact but this theory is quickly dismissed once you begin to examine the extreme points of the spectrum of shots. I think this is a nice alternative to the ghost-ball method of teaching but I do not recommend any rigid aiming method for anyone that is beyond beginner-level.

Pocketing is much more precise than this. I think you're much better off honing your instincts.
 
Aiming methods are OK for some shots to get a feel for the contact point, and I agree wth Jude on this one. Remember the SAM system, the first word is supplemental!!!
Dan
 
I learned this system from Ron Vitello. He teaches you to find the aim point using the light reflection as a starting point. The light reflects a cresent shape on the ball. Sometimes you are aiming at the top of the cresent. Sometimes at the bottom and sometimes at the middle. Sometimes you are aiming at the spot halfway between the light and the edge. He has a tremendous book that explains how to decide which spot to use. I spent about 3 hours with him practicing the system. This system refines the SAM system by adding more aiming points. Like any system if you practice long enough it becomes natural. Please don't tell me aiming systems don't work. If you don't believe in any formal system, fine. Use what works for you. This system works for me. Ron lives in Manhattan. He sometimes plays at Amsterdam billiards. Look him up. He's a nice guy. I am sure he would enjoy sharing his knowledge with you. The book, I believe, if still in print is only available from him.
 
For the record, I do have an open mind and that is why I posted the question here. I never interuped the guy explaining how to use the system, in fact I asked a few questions about it. You have to know the guy to understand why I really didn't want him to explain it.

I do know that aiming methods to work. I use SAM as a supplemental aiming method and feel/expierence as my primary method. I am going to the table now and see if I can figure this glare method out.

Thanks,
Matt
 
I had an old timer impart this knowledge to me right before he died..He claimed this is where the term "shoot the lights out came from"

The system works on a basic level you still have to refine the sytem on some shots..But it does give you an idea where to aim..

This is why you see those Jeanette Lee and Fisher aiming systems thast use an overhead lazer/light thing
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Honestly, there are some similarities with light reflections and the point of contact but this theory is quickly dismissed once you begin to examine the extreme points of the spectrum of shots. I think this is a nice alternative to the ghost-ball method of teaching but I do not recommend any rigid aiming method for anyone that is beyond beginner-level.

Pocketing is much more precise than this. I think you're much better off honing your instincts.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree. I have used this method for a short period of time. This glaring method I guess would be used for short tutorials... much like a guide for things, but not as a cookbook. Moreover I don't think it's worth the time for what I get out of it.

As far as disregarding a league player's advice; I think many will agree some are great teachers, but not great players. I just wish I knew where I fit in... as I am majoring in education.
 
Hilarious.
U can circumvent the harsh glare using Strickland's glasses!

Note: Just a joke on Earl's glasses, not him.
 
There is no doubt that aiming systems work.. but if you want to progress to something more than an intermediate player.. you should abandon aiming systems.. I tried...and practiced ( And when I say practiced..I mean PRACTICED. to the tune of a small fortune in table time) almost every aiming system known to man for the first 10 years of my pool playing. I was too hard headed to let them go.. Time and time again I would ask really good players how they aim.. they told me that they dont, they just know how to hit the ball. I do not deny that they helped me. but as soon as I let go of all the aiming systems... I saw a huge jump in my playing ability. I tend to belive that once you learn to pocket balls..you never forget. (just like riding a bike) what goes wrong is your stroke. I'm no efren..but I can hold my own against most. even though I dont shoot much pool anymore. (I play 3 cushion full time) yesteday I played pool for the first time in about 8 months.. I ran 4 racks of 9 ball,
put my cue away..and left. that proves to me that once you know how to pocket balls you never forget. After a certain amount of time...."its all in your stroke" IMHO
 
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