How do you aim those shots that are very close?

[poolqjunkie]

Any particular way to aim those cut shots when the balls are very close to each other?

Thanks in advanced for your help.

[bigbreak]

imagine a ball behind the object ball in line with the pocket. Aim for the centre of the imaginary ball

[noel]

Stand square to your shot, cue at your hip.

Place cue tip on table just before the centre of the cueball.

See the correct angle from as far away as possible
and position cue to it.

Carefully stepping into your shot postion, lowering yourself to the fixed in place cue.

Feather until comfortably certain of stroke and intended weight
[ do not adjust aim angle ], draw back very slowly, pause...

At this point you close your eyes... say a little prayer...
and stroke through the ball with feeling.

You'll probably miss but at least you gave it your best shot.
That's snooker!
Keep the faith!


=o)

Noel

[poolqjunkie]

I guess after poking fun at others so many times I deserve these.

I know it sounds like a stupid question.

May be I can rephrase it: do you look at the cue ball and not the object ball when you are down on the shot with these very close shots?

[bigbreak]

I guess after poking fun at others so many times I deserve these.

I know it sounds like a stupid question.

May be I can rephrase it: do you look at the cue ball and not the object ball when you are down on the shot with these very close shots?

I wasn't poking fun at you, that is the geometry of the shot. Also, I still believe in looking at the object ball as you strike

[poolqjunkie]

So, you just aimit like any other shot? Do you stand up a bit more?

[bigbreak]

yes and no

[noel]

I wasn't poking fun at you, that is the geometry of the shot. Also, I still believe in looking at the object ball as you strike

Neither was I, PJ.
The "close your eyes" bit wasn't entirely silly either.
The closer your cueball is to the object ball the more your eyes can play tricks on the perspective and perceived correct angle...
especially true on cutback shots.

See the proper shot angle from a distance and commit to THAT is what I meant.

Cheers.


=o)

Noel

[Terry Davidson]

poolqjunkie:

It took me a long time to learn this so I will give you what I experienced. It was always with those damned fine cut-back shots on the black. I would stand back, select my aiming point and carefully step into the shot, dropping my head straight down on the line of aim.

Then, when I was down there my brain was saying 'this looks too thick' and I would adjust my aim (while still down on the shot) to cut the black a little thinner and I would (of course) end up over-cutting the damned thing.

Now, I walk into the shot and even if my brain thinks my aim is too thick I still take the shot and make it (almost) every time.

So Noel is right with the exception of that 'walk into the cue thing'. Stand behind the shot and decide your line of aim, with cue across your hips. Take your one right foot step, then one left foot step, bend the left leg and swing the cue over to the line of aim using your bridge hand all the while twisting your hips a little left as you bend the left leg. Place bridge 'V' behind centre of cueball and drop your head straight down on the cue and don't move feet or body. Do your feathering and shoot without adjusting.

Also, the closed eye thing isn't bad advice as you won't be tempted to change your aim in mid-shot and you will deliver the cue straighter. Try it in practice with a severe cut-back shot on the black with your eyes closed and see if you're more consistent that way. If you are, then you are unconciously adjusting your aim when your eyes are open

Terry

[nutscrewsandbolts]

Then, when I was down there my brain was saying 'this looks too thick' and I would adjust my aim (while still down on the shot) to cut the black a little thinner and I would (of course) end up over-cutting the damned thing.

Now, I walk into the shot and even if my brain thinks my aim is too thick I still take the shot and make it (almost) every time.

Terry

I was struggling with these conflicts too, but when I decided to stick to my original line of aim, I was able to pot the balls and eventually the angle started looking right and the conflict decreased.

Pooljunkie, I'm not more experienced than you, but just wanted to add that sometimes on readjustments, I actually move 1 or 2 steps till I think the angle looks right. Although this contradicts the above statement, I don't even have an initial line of aim on close shots, because im so lost. So I just keep fine tuning till I feel it's right. and the success rate is 50%

[poolqjunkie]

I guess you do nto really flick your eyes between the two balls, and just forcus on the cue ball then, do you?

Yes, I do change my mind once I am down and that is very bad. I have to fight with my brain and it is not a good feeling. The worst for me is the back cut when the red is very close to the rail, with reds every where, and I have to hit the shot with a bit of pace to get position on the black. I know if I miss my opponent will have a shot almost 100%, and so my mind would keep telling me I am going to miss...etc. Other than the fact that they are close, the rail also add to the illusion making it a nightmare.

I try to only look at the cue ball after I am down, and just focus on delivering the cue straight. But in practice and in a match my confidence levels are very different--in a match I just dont feel too confident about this.

Thanks for all the advice.

[kjozsa]

I know that eye-brain conflict as well after getting down. I tend to think "first sight wins" and try to pot this way as it proved a better success rate, but sometimes it's just way too hard fighting your own brain

[cantpotforshíte]

Personally I'd follow Noels' advice. It works for me ... except where he says 'See the correct angle from as far away as possible
and position cue to it.' I'd be tempted to change this to 'See the correct angle from as high up above it as is possible and position the cue to it'
(See a bird's eye view of the shot)
If you feel you need to be lower on the shot then lower yourself down ridiculously slowly making sure not to move anything sideways.

[Terry Davidson]

poolqjunkie:

I heartily agree with both Noel and cantpotfor****e (although with a handle like that should we take his advice?)

When the balls are close together get as high as you can over the shot, keep your eyes on the object ball and drop that head STRAIGHT down, while keeping the eyes on the object ball until your bridge hand is on the table.

Now DON'T MOVE A THING (sideways that is) and do your normal feathering and moving your eyes between the cueball and object ball.

Keep the grip really loose, slow deliberate (and shorter in this case) backswing and then that SMOOTH delivery with no head or body movement.

This technique should up your pecentage on potting these close shots.

Terry