Using the lights for aiming
- Thread starter bbb
- Start date
There is some basis to this. Mike Johnson (maker of Jensen Cues) showed it to me a few years ago. I can't remember all the particulars, but it works by aiming at the ball's shadow on the felt created by the lights overhead.
IMO, don't waste your time.
Respectfully, the problem with this "system" is that as you go from table to table at different locations, the lights are often never perfectly centered, or for that matter, nearly at the same height or even the same type.
Hopefully, someone with more credibility than me will chime in.
Respectfully, the problem with this "system" is that as you go from table to table at different locations, the lights are often never perfectly centered, or for that matter, nearly at the same height or even the same type.
Hopefully, someone with more credibility than me will chime in.
It is a really "old school" technique
I can't explain the technique, but I can tell you that I first encountered people talking about using the reflection of light off the object ball as a method of aiming about around 1963. And it was a couple of the stronger players that seemed to know about it. Back then, the better players just did not reveal any "secrets" that might have helped weaker players, so it was not explained to me. I think your best bet at finding out anything useful about this technique is if an older road player chimes in.
I can't explain the technique, but I can tell you that I first encountered people talking about using the reflection of light off the object ball as a method of aiming about around 1963. And it was a couple of the stronger players that seemed to know about it. Back then, the better players just did not reveal any "secrets" that might have helped weaker players, so it was not explained to me. I think your best bet at finding out anything useful about this technique is if an older road player chimes in.
I, personally, want you to learn this system very very well, so well it becomes totally ingrained in your shooting pattern. Then come over to my table where the light is not centered in either dimension, you will get killed.
It took me some time (about 2 months) to figure out that the off center lights were affecting the way I looked at the balls prior to doing the mental physics to determine the point of aim (where the CB is to go,...). Once I figure it out, I stopped using the lights whatsoever, and look instead at the edges of the balls, ignoring the shadows entirely.
My game has made great forward progress, in part due to overcomming this lighting bias.
It took me some time (about 2 months) to figure out that the off center lights were affecting the way I looked at the balls prior to doing the mental physics to determine the point of aim (where the CB is to go,...). Once I figure it out, I stopped using the lights whatsoever, and look instead at the edges of the balls, ignoring the shadows entirely.
My game has made great forward progress, in part due to overcomming this lighting bias.
Ron Vitello has what I would call a group of aiming systems that use the reflections of the lights on the balls. He has a book that he uses as a handout for classes that has lots of pictures to illustrate the system(s). If you want to learn more about this, I'd recommend that you contact Ron. He has a login here.
Respectfully, the problem with this "system" is that as you go from table to table at different locations, the lights are often never perfectly centered, or for that matter, nearly at the same height or even the same type.
Hopefully, someone with more credibility than me will chime in.
Yeah...What he said!
Steve
:grin-square:
He showed me this system and it really does work.
He showed me how to aim with lights, shadows and his 90/90 system. All of them work great. Ron knows what hes talking about and I highly recommend him to teach you aiming, banking or kicking.
Bad, inconstant stroke. Never able to practice. And a born loser.
damn son i was just playing.
One of my best friends that I played a lot of pool with told me that he used the shadow of the ball to aim with. He never went into detail with me about how he did it, but if that was his aiming system it worked well for him because I racked many a rack of balls practicing with him. He played better than I did to start with and we also played on his table so I had my hands full when I went to his house to play. I never figured out what he was doing other than he applied english on his last stroke to the cue ball and he ran out very well.
James
The reflection of the light on the ball
I set up a ten foot table for a guy a couple of years ago and he taught me what he knew about this system. After we set up the table he installed the lighting and then I went back over to shoot a little, so he cauld explain it to me. He used the reflection of the actual light bulb on the ball as the contact point for the shot. The light would leave a distinct "white spot" on the side of the ball and that was the contact point. He never mentioned anything about the shadow but I'm willing to learn that one also. Just my experience for what its worth
I set up a ten foot table for a guy a couple of years ago and he taught me what he knew about this system. After we set up the table he installed the lighting and then I went back over to shoot a little, so he cauld explain it to me. He used the reflection of the actual light bulb on the ball as the contact point for the shot. The light would leave a distinct "white spot" on the side of the ball and that was the contact point. He never mentioned anything about the shadow but I'm willing to learn that one also. Just my experience for what its worth
Ron Vitello used to teach this system. He wrote a rather large book of drills using the system. Depending on the shot you have to use different parts of the light.
For example you might aim at the top of the arc of light on the ball. Some shots you might aim the side of the stick to the side of the light.
He no longer teaches this system. He feels the system he teaches now, the swivel system is easier to use. I have learned both and I agree.
If you can get to New York you can get together with Ron.
He also has a good systems to learn kicking and banking.
For example you might aim at the top of the arc of light on the ball. Some shots you might aim the side of the stick to the side of the light.
He no longer teaches this system. He feels the system he teaches now, the swivel system is easier to use. I have learned both and I agree.
If you can get to New York you can get together with Ron.
He also has a good systems to learn kicking and banking.
Occasionally some drunk will come to the table when I am shooting and tell me how great he "use" to be and tell me about how he would shoot at the lights. I would then look at him and say "Well that explains why there use to be broken or no bulbs over the table". Most times they would walk away mumbling to themselves.
Man, I have a lot of respect for folks who have contributed to this thread, but I just can't believe that anyone with any level of skill, who plays at more than one table a week actually uses any system having to do with the lights. I'm not seeing it. Right now, I feel that if there was ever a dumb ass snake oil aiming system promoted here on AZ, it is this one.
Time to put this dog to sleep!
Is anybody with me!
Time to put this dog to sleep!
Is anybody with me!
I don't use this system but have tried it.
One simple example: Line up a bank to the side pocket.
Look for the light reflection on the CB and OB.
Line the edge of the reflection on the CB to the
of the refelection of the OB.
It gets you close.
One simple example: Line up a bank to the side pocket.
Look for the light reflection on the CB and OB.
Line the edge of the reflection on the CB to the
of the refelection of the OB.
It gets you close.