why look at the contact point from 2 positions???

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bbb

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this came up in a thread in the main forum
and im interested in the opinions instructors
you shoot from behind the cue ball
and alignment stance etc. is done from behind the cue ball
........
SO
WHY LOOK AT THE AIM POINT FROM BEHIND THE OBJECT BALL AND THEN WALK TO BEHIND THE CUE BALL WHERE THE PERSPECTIVE IS DIFFERENT???
 
bbb said:
this came up in a thread in the main forum
and im interested in the opinions instructors
you shoot from behind the cue ball
and alignment stance etc. is done from behind the cue ball
........
SO
WHY LOOK AT THE AIM POINT FROM BEHIND THE OBJECT BALL AND THEN WALK TO BEHIND THE CUE BALL WHERE THE PERSPECTIVE IS DIFFERENT???
Click to expand...

An excellent question. On most shots you don't. On tougher shots you sometimes stand behind the ob point (for those who do contact point/back of ball aim) to see not only the obcp but the whole aim line the object ball will follow to the pocket. Sometimes you see players use their whole cue down that extended line...

...I also use this spot sometimes as a start spot and then walk around--anticipating the adjustment to get behind the cue ball.
 
Larry,

You know I'm not an instructor, but I think that is how most start to learn how to visualize the ghost ball position. Once one becomes accustomed to 'all' of the ghost ball positions one does not need to do that as often, if ever.

That said, I still do it when the path to the pocket is not completely open or I want to be very precise with how the cue ball willcome off. I do it to see which way I need to cheat the pocket. If I did not do that I think I would shoot more normally & wind up hitting the ball that is partially blocking the pocket or I would not be as precise with the cue ball.

Just my thoughts.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick

PS There is also a method where individuals place the tip very near the OB & leave it there & rotate back to the CB to get a visual from the CB as to where the center of the ghost ball should be. I personally do not think that it is very accurate but I have seen some that it seems to work for them.
 
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People think it's a beginner's way to play, but it's not just for beginners. Advanced players do it a lot; for example: when you are assessing a position situation where you may have to pocket the ob in a particular side of the pocket for position play. Why guess?

I do it frequently when I have a tough cut shot along the rail. I want to see what my margin for error is. Should I guess that as well, when all I have to do is take a few steps and look?
 
bbb said:
WHY LOOK AT THE AIM POINT FROM BEHIND THE OBJECT BALL AND THEN WALK TO BEHIND THE CUE BALL WHERE THE PERSPECTIVE IS DIFFERENT???
Click to expand...
One reason is to check your "in-stance" perception because it isn't infallible. It can even "drift" over time - you won't notice because your stroke adjusts with it to keep making shots - a tendency you want to nip in the bud.

I practice without side spin sometimes for a similar reason - to be sure I remember what center ball looks like.

pj
chgo
 
This is why I do it sometimes-

1. To get a better visual of the ball going down the line to the pocket.
2. To get a better visual of the exact tangent line coming off the ob.
3. To purposely slow myself down a little if I feel I am starting to play a little to fast. Playing faster is prone to make a mistake down the road. No need for it. You want a steady rhythm playing, not speeding up.
 
For myself, I do this from time to time, depending upon the shot, mostly to gain another perspective of the cue ball path after contact. Sometimes just to get another perspective of the contact point I need to hit, especially if it is a shot that dictates an extremely accurate aim point like a combo or a shot where I am playing into a portion of the pocket.

This clip explains another reason:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRYfD9weMGs


bbb said:
this came up in a thread in the main forum
and im interested in the opinions instructors
you shoot from behind the cue ball
and alignment stance etc. is done from behind the cue ball
........
SO
WHY LOOK AT THE AIM POINT FROM BEHIND THE OBJECT BALL AND THEN WALK TO BEHIND THE CUE BALL WHERE THE PERSPECTIVE IS DIFFERENT???
Click to expand...
 
As others have said, this gives you a more precise view of the intended contact point, as well as the line to the pocket you need the target to travel on. Visualization is a critical part of the pre-shot routine. The more information your eyes send to the brain, the clearer the shot becomes in your mind, and the more likely the success of the shot becomes.
 
pooltchr said:
As others have said, this gives you a more precise view of the intended contact point, as well as the line to the pocket you need the target to travel on. Visualization is a critical part of the pre-shot routine. The more information your eyes send to the brain, the clearer the shot becomes in your mind, and the more likely the success of the shot becomes.
Click to expand...

If one ever watched Jack Nicklaus's eyes when he was studying a putt they were all over the place. It's not just visualization but letting the subconscious get as much info as it can.

I know there is perhaps more to putting such as slope & grain but we may not even consciously recognize something but our subconscious takes it in.

Instead of slope & grain like in putting, we have CIT & SIT & the effect that speed & angle has on them.

Our eyes & where we look are important & can send good or sometimes bad messages to our subconscious.

I think it is rather important where we look at that 'contact' point given the type shot that we intend given CIT & SIT, intended speed, etc. By that I mean to what part of the pocket do we want to 'start' the ball. Please note that I put start in single quotes. That means that I am not using the word in its normal manner. I mean it as a means of line compensation for the effects that I mentioned. I think perhaps too many lesser players look at a contact point to the middle of the pocket but that is not always were 'the look' should be.

Just some food for thought for the lesser player.

Best 2 All,
Rick
 
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