Vision center, and what not to do about it

[dr_dave]

I have a quick question about "Vision Center".

Today I found a method whereby you tape a half-folded business card to a mirror. The folded half is facing you, sticking out towards you, straight on. Then you move slightly left or right until the card appears to be exactly centered in your vision, so you can't see either side any more than the other. What I found is that just inside my left eye is where this occurs, however, I am right-handed. Is that normal? I was very surprised by that.

My other question is, if that is the case, is this where I should be dropping over the shot line every time?

In my experience, the most reliable way to find your vision center for pool is to do it at a pool table with balls, in your normal stance position, as demonstrated in this video:

And once you find your pool vision center, it is definitely best to have it aligned with the shot line during your entire pre-shot routine for every shot.

 

[Casting 9s]

In my experience, the most reliable way to find your vision center for pool is to do it at a pool table with balls, in your normal stance position, as demonstrated in this video:

And once you find your pool vision center, it is definitely best to have it aligned with the shot line during your entire pre-shot routine for every shot.

Thanks for the video.

So I did that method and same vision center as the business card method; just inside the left eye, but I’m right handed.

So this changes things for me.. a lot.

It’s a bit awkward trying line everything up because of the opposite eye being dominant. I guess I’m sure that like anything else it will just take a lot of table time until it becomes second nature.

Any insight from someone else who has an opposite dominant eye of the hand they shoot with?

 

[dr_dave]

Thanks for the video.

You’re welcome.

So I did that method and same vision center as the business card method; just inside the left eye, but I’m right handed.

So this changes things for me.. a lot.

It’s a bit awkward trying line everything up because of the opposite eye being dominant. I guess I’m sure that like anything else it will just take a lot of table time until it becomes second nature.

Any insight from someone else who has an opposite dominant eye of the hand they shoot with?

It can help to open your stance some. The advice and procedures in this video might also help:

 

[BilliardsAbout]

Remember three M's:

1) Make sure vision center is over the shot line
2) Maintain the appropriate head height (for you) above the table
3) Monitor the degree of head rotation

When these factors are all in order, you can make many successful shots, even with a less-than-perfect stroke.

 

[Casting 9s]

Remember three M's:

1) Make sure vision center is over the shot line
2) Maintain the appropriate head height (for you) above the table
3) Monitor the degree of head rotation

When these factors are all in order, you can make many successful shots, even with a less-than-perfect stroke.

Can you elaborate on #3? What are you monitoring exactly?

 

[BilliardsAbout]

Can you elaborate on #3? What are you monitoring exactly?

When lining up a shot, some players turn their head and neck to face straight ahead. Others allow their head to move to face the same direction as their body. For example, as a right-handed player, when I step into my stance with my left foot, my head naturally faces to the right, and I let it do so, bringing my left eye closer to the OB than my right eye.

For example, the diagram below shows Bob Byrne with a head rotated to square, his shooting preference, where my nose would point more toward the table's corner, my ears more aligned with the line of my waist:

Your (personal choice of) head rotation is important for aiming consistently. It can help you achieve perfect aim.

I advise against forcing your head straight if you stretch perpendicular to the shot line, as it can cause neck pain. For example, think of Mike Sigel, who positioned much of his body to one side of Byrne's in the diagram.

 

[Casting 9s]

When lining up a shot, some players turn their head and neck to face straight ahead. Others allow their head to move to face the same direction as their body. For example, as a right-handed player, when I step into my stance with my left foot, my head naturally faces to the right, and I let it do so, bringing my left eye closer to the OB than my right eye.

For example, the diagram below shows Bob Byrne with a head rotated to square, his shooting preference, where my nose would point more toward the table's corner, my ears more aligned with the line of my waist:

View attachment 775644

Your (personal choice of) head rotation is important for aiming consistently. It can help you achieve perfect aim.

I advise against forcing your head straight if you stretch perpendicular to the shot line, as it can cause neck pain. For example, think of Mike Sigel, who positioned much of his body to one side of Byrne's in the diagram.

Ok, that makes sense. I've seen Ralph Souquet play and he is cross-eye dominant like I am. He pokes his head out to one side a bit to get his vision center onto the line. I've seen others who keep their head extremely straight right onto the line. I don't believe there is a "right way" when it comes to this.

I just believe in consistency. I don't believe that every miniscule detail is important. What I believe is important, is to make sure you're doing it the same way every time for consistency. I believe there are "Meta" fundamentals that you need to have. Things like a balanced stance, good footwork, a solid bridge, coming down onto the shot line and not moving at all once you get down.

I also believe people overthink things and are too “conscious” about too many of the finer details. Relentless practice and freeing your conscious mind of checklists can do wonders.

There is a great scene in “The Last Samurai” movie, where Tom Cruise’s character is sword training. He keeps getting beat, and has a look on his face that says he can’t really understand why, as he believes he is doing all the technical things correctly. His Asian instructor looks at him and says: “Too many mind. Mindful of people watching. Mindful of opponent. Mindful of technique. Too many mind." (I'm paraphrasing there.)

The point is, our brains are super computers. Once you've practiced a ton and have hit hundreds of thousands of balls, the subconscious will already know what to do to make the shots. If Keith McCready were an unknown and posted a video here asking for feedback on his fundamentals, people here would have an aneurism. But he would shoot the liver out of anyone on here.

There have been so many times I have been practicing alone at the pool hall and the people next to me start arguing about fundamentals, and trying to sound like instructors, regurgitating what they watched on some YouTube videos, and they couldn't run 3 balls if their life depended on it.

I believe if you have the "meta" fundamentals in place, the rest doesn't matter much as long as you're consistent in what you're doing.

 

[BilliardsAbout]

Ok, that makes sense. I've seen Ralph Souquet play and he is cross-eye dominant like I am. He pokes his head out to one side a bit to get his vision center onto the line. I've seen others who keep their head extremely straight right onto the line. I don't believe there is a "right way" when it comes to this.

I just believe in consistency. I don't believe that every miniscule detail is important. What I believe is important, is to make sure you're doing it the same way every time for consistency. I believe there are "Meta" fundamentals that you need to have. Things like a balanced stance, good footwork, a solid bridge, coming down onto the shot line and not moving at all once you get down.

I also believe people overthink things and are too “conscious” about too many of the finer details. Relentless practice and freeing your conscious mind of checklists can do wonders.

There is a great scene in “The Last Samurai” movie, where Tom Cruise’s character is sword training. He keeps getting beat, and has a look on his face that says he can’t really understand why, as he believes he is doing all the technical things correctly. His Asian instructor looks at him and says: “Too many mind. Mindful of people watching. Mindful of opponent. Mindful of technique. Too many mind." (I'm paraphrasing there.)

The point is, our brains are super computers. Once you've practiced a ton and have hit hundreds of thousands of balls, the subconscious will already know what to do to make the shots. If Keith McCready were an unknown and posted a video here asking for feedback on his fundamentals, people here would have an aneurism. But he would shoot the liver out of anyone on here.

There have been so many times I have been practicing alone at the pool hall and the people next to me start arguing about fundamentals, and trying to sound like instructors, regurgitating what they watched on some YouTube videos, and they couldn't run 3 balls if their life depended on it.

I believe if you have the "meta" fundamentals in place, the rest doesn't matter much as long as you're consistent in what you're doing.

I agree with many of your points, but there is a correct method for each player, and you will notice that Souquet and other pros are extremely consistent.

Don't underestimate the value of the three head position checks, they are crucial.