What are *your* problems with aiming?

[Billy_Bob]

Before anyone can come up with a solution to a problem, you first need to define the problem!

So what are *your* problems with aiming?

What shots/situations are difficult for you to aim? Why?


One of *my* problems....

On a long cut shot into the corner pocket, it seems to me that the cue ball can be off 1 or 2 mm and this will cause a missed shot. I am having difficulty finding a method to adjust my cue and aim so that the cue ball will hit 1 mm further to the left or 1 mm further to the right. It is as if I have nothing accurate to reference when aiming.

Maybe if I had a pin sticking up from the center of my ferrule, a pin sticking up from the center of the joint, and a tape measure to aim at just behind the ball? Perhaps like a scope on a gun? I can shoot a rifle and hit 1/2 of a twig sticking up at 500 yards, but can't accurately aim a pool shot 5 feet away.

(I can make this shot on "autopilot", but can't figure out any way to consistantly aim with such accuracy.)

Wei...
http://endeavor.med.nyu.edu/~wei/pool/

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[azbicyclis85376]

Think everyone’s largest problem once they have BASIC POOL SKILLS TO BUILD UPON is their Computer (your brain). Your Brain is you enemy, as I find if I personally think out everything I do in pool before I do it and pay 100% attention to what it is I’m am doing. My game productivity increases 100%.

If I do the following while I am consider what shot to take, setting up for a shot, making a shot, or following though a shot my proficiency decreases.

My Big Distraction Are.

* Thinking about something other than what I am doing, Playing Pool

* Trying to carry on a conversation while, Playing Pool

* Not putting 100% concentration on, Playing Pool

Distraction is a Big Enemy

Pity the poor Pro Pool Players who have to deal with a galley of spectators, interviews, cameras, lights, etc., etc., etc.

Think the Top Pros know how to tune out everything except the game they are playing, plus they practice how many hours a week?

 

[CaptainJR]

Billy Bob
If that shot is the only shot you have problems with your doing very well. Just meant that as a little pun. That is a VERY difficult shot. Not very many players are going to have a high percentage of makes on that one. The problem with aiming that shot is two fold. The part of the shot your talking about is the delivery accuracy. Making the cue go exactly where you want it to. The farther you are from the object ball, the more difficult this is. Add to that the second thing that makes this a difficult shot. The object ball is not close to the pocket, so the contact point becomes very small. Bottom line here is, once you know what you want to do, you have to be pinpoint accurate. Other people can tell some other things as well, but one thing I do when I have to be that accurate is shorten my stroke. A lot, maybe 1 inch of stroke, 2 inches max.

 

[cut shot]

Yep, all good advice so far. I can't argue with any of it. Just remember, there are two things in play here and they go hand in hand. One is your aim and the other is your stroke. Without the both of them, you will miss the object ball and fail to pocket it. I practice by setting up the object ball and cueball at every weird angle I can dream up and fire away! The Captain is correct, some have a lower probebility of potting the object ball than others. You will find this out in practice and will hopefully recognise them when they come up again. Keep trying, you will get good at it!

Billy Bob
If that shot is the only shot you have problems with your doing very well. Just meant that as a little pun. That is a VERY difficult shot. Not very many players are going to have a high percentage of makes on that one. The problem with aiming that shot is two fold. The part of the shot your talking about is the delivery accuracy. Making the cue go exactly where you want it to. The farther you are from the object ball, the more difficult this is. Add to that the second thing that makes this a difficult shot. The object ball is not close to the pocket, so the contact point becomes very small. Bottom line here is, once you know what you want to do, you have to be pinpoint accurate. Other people can tell some other things as well, but one thing I do when I have to be that accurate is shorten my stroke. A lot, maybe 1 inch of stroke, 2 inches max.