the walk in

[pcb]

hi guys , i need advise on what people call putting your leading leg , (i am left handed )on the line of aim . i assume they mean the line they want to send the cue ball to the potting angle to pot the ball. also some people say you must have the eyes on the line of aim . please can someone tell me the correct walk in from the standing position , what are the eyes doing and what are the feet doing . thanks

[nrage]

Ok, I am going to assume you have already figured out the correct distance away from the white that you want your back leg, given your height, bridge arm, bridge length, etc.

Stand 1ft back from that distance. Aim the pot in your usual manner, this will have to result in you finding the line of aim (path the white ball travels along to hit the object ball in the correct place to pot it) either consciously or unconsciously.

In my case I find the point of impact, or back of ball spot on the object ball and let my unconscious mind determine the line of aim from that. It's a bit like imagining a ghost ball, except I only imagine a ball for split second to find the line of aim and then I stop and just fix on the line.

Once you have this line make sure you are standing directly on this line, one foot either side and nose directly over the line. Have your eyes follow the line from white to object ball and back again, imagine the white traveling down the line. If at this stage you think the line is wrong, adjust it.

Once you're happy with the line fix your eyes on the object ball. Depending on how you aim, you may look at different things here like the back of ball impact point, a ghost ball, or something else. The key is to keep the line of aim in mind, so your mind/body will naturally line everything up with it.

Step onto the line with your back foot (left in your case). The key here is to place the same part of the foot on the line on every shot, some people have their foot pointing down the line, others have their toes pointing outward.

Step through with your front foot (right in your case) and place it shoulder width apart, slightly ahead of your back foot (you may be slightly different here, that is fine). In this position your head will now be to the side of the line of aim (right in your case), to get it back on the line you now twist your hips (to the left in your case), without bending forwards, just rotate the upper body to bring the head/nose back onto the line.

Eyes are still fixed on the object ball, you should now have the same view of the line of aim you had before, only 1 ft closer. Follow the line from white to object and back again to double check you're happy with it. If you're not, check you're fully upright and have your head/nose directly over the line, rotate more/less to get it to the correct place.

Now bend forward and drop the cue onto the line of aim, keep your eyes on the object ball. Have the white in your peripheral vision, or flick your eyes to it briefly to get the cue tip as close to it as possible. Assuming your back foot is the correct distance, and you're consistent then you should be able to get down with the tip within 1/2 inch or less without even looking at the white, but this can take some practice.

Once the cue is on the line, and level as possible, drop your chin/chest to the cue (not the other way round), eyes still on the object ball. Start feathers.. etc

[Terry Davidson]

Just to add one important point to the excellent explanation from nrage. For the second last paragraph where you have twisted your hips to the right and brought your nose/chin/eyes back on the line of aim with eyes primarily on the object ball, remember to DROP YOUR HEAD ABSOLUTELY STRAIGHT DOWN ON THE LINE OF AIM WITH NO DEVIATION! This will ensure everything is on line and you haven't come into the line of aim from the right in your case, as a lot of players will do that unconciously, meaning they do not twist the hips while standing behind the shot but rather will twist them as they are dropping down into the shot and for a lefty that will mean approaching the line of aim from the left rather than straight down

Terry

[pcb]

thanks guys for great help but just 1 query to nrage . you said step directly on the line of aim with 1 leg either side .i am a bit confused by this . do you mean stand with both legs 1 either side of the line and the eyes and nose on this line which then sends this picture to our brain to determine the correct line we want , then once this line is in our vision we step on to it , in my case the left leg later in the walk in . thanks again

[Terry Davidson]

I believe you have it, however as you are a lefty then your first step into the shot is with your left leg and foot, which should be placed on the line of aim, usually somewhere between the toes and the arch should be directly underneath your grip hand and the foot can either be pointed straight along the line of aim (that's a bit hard on the knee joint) or turned out somewhere up to about 30degrees for comfort. (Close your eyes and try shifting the foot out and see what feels most comfortable to you)

Terry

[nrage]

thanks guys for great help but just 1 query to nrage . you said stand directly on the line of aim with 1 leg either side .i am a bit confused by this . do you mean stand with both legs 1 either side of the line and the eyes and nose on this line which then sends this picture to our brain to determine the correct line we want , then once this line is in our vision we step on to it , in my case the left leg later in the walk in . thanks again

I have made a correction above in bold, but otherwise you're correct. I meant that you stand so the line runs right between both your legs and up the middle of your body to your nose. You stand like this because it puts your head directly on the line, and assuming you get absolutely straight down on the shot (after walking in and twisting) your head should be in the same position, nose directly over the line, cue on chin, directly over the line.

Some people favour a head twist, or the cue to one side of the chin or the other. I reckon if you do this, you should stand with your head in the same position, to give you a consistent view. What you want, is for the shot to look as similar as possible when you're up as when you're down, to avoid any niggling doubts and give you confidence in your aim.

[pcb]

thanks guys , top advice.

[cain29]

Really good read. Very helpful, clear and concise.