Utilizing peripheral vision during the final stroke

My experience starting with object ball last was successful. I became a very strong competitor. Playing little tournaments every night led to being tournament sound. After a departure from that environment and entry to my Gold Prospecting Period. Upon re entry to the pool world, the magic was eluding me. Shirley the age is a factor. So I hit the books er well just one. Billiards As It Should Be Played by Hoppe. So I gave it another try. The Billiards Digest Player of the Century. Shirley definitely thinks he deserves the respect. The first attempt years previous was quick and well, at the time would have interrupted my small income from the game.
Now I am a believer that object ball last produced the best shot make percentage. So when I no longer had my best shot make percentage, cueball control became my endeavor to improve. It has paid dividends. 🤷‍♂️

The Snooker players abilities fall in line with my theory. Judd Trump was switched from cueball to object ball by an early coach. Nobody can out shoot him. His demise is most often due to lost the white. Just a bit but that's all it takes at that level. Stephen Hendry speaks of Ronnie as well as himself. I made the transition long before that knowledge.
Guess I should find Stephen on the topic. Well not the one but good.
 
Oikawa said:
There's the classic debate of whether you should you look at CB or OB last, when pulling the trigger. On top of that, some people who look at the OB last stare at their desired contact point, while some just generally look at the OB as a whole.

I have found that, for me, I get the best results by looking at the OB, but also "focusing" my peripheral vision to look at the cue stick at the same time. This way my visual focus is a combined view of the OB (stationary). and the moving cue stick. I find that this helps me deliver a straighter stroke with less effort.

Without knowing for certain why this helps me, I'd guess that the brain perhaps gets more accurate information to work with when you have a more holistic view of the situation, instead of just fixating on a single part of it?

When I say focusing on the peripheral vision, I'm not sure what the correct term for this is. I don't mean looking back and forth moving my eyes, I mean keeping your eyes pointed at the OB, but shifting your conscious focus from what you are looking at, to your peripheral vision, into a very specific part (or multiple parts) of it, in this case, the cue stick. Perhaps someone more verbally knowledged than me can say what term best describes this action.

Another thing to consider is that I have my chin on the cue, so that way the OB and cue stick are much closer to each other in your field of view, compared to if you have your head higher up. I also pause for 1-2 seconds at the back, keeping everything still and letting my vision focus properly before pulling the trigger.

Also, I look at the whole OB, not the contact point, but this doesn't matter for the purposes of this thread.

What do you all look at last? Do you utilize your peripheral vision consciously in any way?
Click to expand...
What do you think a major league pitcher looks at last?
 
Oikawa said:
There's the classic debate of whether you should you look at CB or OB last, when pulling the trigger. On top of that, some people who look at the OB last stare at their desired contact point, while some just generally look at the OB as a whole.

I have found that, for me, I get the best results by looking at the OB, but also "focusing" my peripheral vision to look at the cue stick at the same time. This way my visual focus is a combined view of the OB (stationary). and the moving cue stick. I find that this helps me deliver a straighter stroke with less effort.
Click to expand...
I call this looking down the line from the CB to OB
Oikawa said:
Without knowing for certain why this helps me, I'd guess that the brain perhaps gets more accurate information to work with when you have a more holistic view of the situation, instead of just fixating on a single part of it?
Click to expand...
When you are watching the line (between CB and OB) you can detect/determine mis-hit from table-roll easier.
Oikawa said:
When I say focusing on the peripheral vision, I'm not sure what the correct term for this is. I don't mean looking back and forth moving my eyes, I mean keeping your eyes pointed at the OB, but shifting your conscious focus from what you are looking at, to your peripheral vision, into a very specific part (or multiple parts) of it, in this case, the cue stick. Perhaps someone more verbally knowledged than me can say what term best describes this action.
Click to expand...
There is a soft-focus (taught in martial arts) where you see everything--and my used of your method uses this soft focus.
 
MitchAlsup said:
I call this looking down the line from the CB to OB

When you are watching the line (between CB and OB) you can detect/determine mis-hit from table-roll easier.

There is a soft-focus (taught in martial arts) where you see everything--and my used of your method uses this soft focus.
Click to expand...
Everyone has varying degrees of focus. Some are detail oriented and need all the visual they can get, others only get a headache. Find your zone and go w it.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
As part of my PSR I use peripheral vision to feel the shot as close as I can. I aim to the center of the pocket, then aim to the right of the pocket, then aim to the left of the pocket, then back to the center. If needed, I repeat the process on difficult shots to refine the accuracy. Then I complete the process by aiming/concentrating at a spot on the cue ball.
You may want to try this on straight in shots to see how it works for you.
Click to expand...
This middle->left->right->middle thing is interesting to hear. I use a similar process for my normal aiming (which I do down on the shot, but same principle whether you do it up or down). I don't consciously pick those spots, it's just a "dance" I let my subconscious do. Left, right, then settle to the middle where it feels the best. Looking at the OB, focusing on the CB in my peripheral vision. So it's CB/OB overlap. I find that doing the left right middle thing makes it more accurate. Not sure why, it just works for me.
 
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Oikawa said:
This middle->left->right->middle thing is interesting to hear. I use a similar process for my normal aiming (which I do down on the shot, but same principle whether you do it up or down). I don't consciously pick those spots, it's just a "dance" I let my subconscious do. Left, right, then settle to the middle where it feels the best. Looking at the OB, focusing on the CB in my peripheral vision. So it's CB/OB overlap. I find that doing the left right middle thing makes it more accurate. Not sure why, it just works for me.
Click to expand...
Fascinating. I'd never thot about the process B4. I try to stay out of my head and let experience, ie: muscle memory, kick in and put it in the hole. Kinda like double position... played it so long it's become an unconscious part of my game no longer requiring intentional thot. Ball selection has changed over the years to accompany this of course, but I hadn't noticed. Even tho others have commented on it. I guess I'm thick. Lol. I know I cheat pockets at times and aim slightly off center w pocketing English, but w these tight pockets now, it's harder to do. Works great on most older tables tho, esp my fave gold crowns. Lol.
I'm new on here, so apologies if I highjacked the post or went in the wrong direction w it. I'll figure it out. Last thing I wanna do is make waves.
 
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If you want to shark someone ask them these questions when they are shooting....This should be just natural for a solid player. Doing what works over and over again the same way. Not thinking about ir.The break shot is the only time I do think about this.
 
The reality is...it does not matter....If you are aligned correctly and have a straight stroke....once aligned you can close your eyes and make any shot....I think most misses are actually a result of pulling the trigger not fully aligned...and/or crooked stroke
 
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