Head moving off the line of aim on way down

[armstm]

Embarrassing but after watching videos of myself get down to cue the ball down the balk line my head starts off to the left of the line of aim then I come back to the right as I get down, eventually I my head is too far to the right and I end up tilting my head on my cue so the cue goes under the middle of my chin. It's great to find this out albeit embarrassing. When I get down to play left handed, this doesn't happen, my head stays on the line of aim and I am aligned perfectly.

Watching nic barrow's videos, this is not uncommon but I felt like I needed to completely start again with my technique as I can see not only is my head wrong but my cue hand is not on the line of aim but is to the left and then I adjust as I am cueing (cueing across) to get the cue delivered straight. Shocking to know my technique is this bad but I guess good to know so I can work on it.

[Leo]

Personally I'd ask a regular player down your club to have a look at you and see if they can give you a few pointers and this way they can see you play.
Unfortunately asking a question like this on here of late will drag this thread along with multiple answers from different posters that in the end you won't have a clue what the hell is in going on and the posts will look look like gibberish.

[cyberheater]

If you're bending at the hips. I'm wondering if your feet are in the right place?

[vmax4steve]

Find the contact point on the object ball when stood up behind the shot, walk or step into your stance and as soon as the left foot hits the ground (right foot for lefties) STOP MOVING FORWARD and drop straight down into your stance while keeping your eyes on the contact point on the object ball or flick your eyes between cue ball and object ball, whichever it is that you normally do.

It's essential that you STOP MOVING FORWARD ONCE YOUR FEET ARE IN PLACE because that's the exact spot where you have aligned your eyes over the line of aim when stood up and to continue to move forward or backward or sideways after both feet are in place will take your cue off the line of aim.

[tedisbill]

Personally I'd ask a regular player down your club to have a look at you and see if they can give you a few pointers and this way they can see you play.
Unfortunately asking a question like this on here of late will drag this thread along with multiple answers from different posters that in the end you won't have a clue what the hell is in going on and the posts will look look like gibberish.

Yeah, well said.

[timcunnell]

I have this same problem at the moment. To be honest its good that you're aware of this. Many players have no idea how important this is. Sure you'll get it sorted.

I've seen a practice table where someone has a large mirror on the wall along the side of the table, with white tape placed vertically exactly in line with the middle pockets. This enables the player to practice straight blues into the middle, while watching their own reflection, and checking the eye line is perfectly on the line of aim, and then stays there as they get down into the shot. I know this isn't going to be possible for a lot of people, but a great way to work on alignment of you have the chance.

Because everyone is different, I don't reckon there's an easy answer that someone could give you on here. But I'm sure you'll get it sorted!

[timcunnell]

Find the contact point on the object ball when stood up behind the shot, walk or step into your stance and as soon as the left foot hits the ground (right foot for lefties) STOP MOVING FORWARD and drop straight down into your stance while keeping your eyes on the contact point on the object ball or flick your eyes between cue ball and object ball, whichever it is that you normally do.

It's essential that you STOP MOVING FORWARD ONCE YOUR FEET ARE IN PLACE because that's the exact spot where you have aligned your eyes over the line of aim when stood up and to continue to move forward or backward or sideways after both feet are in place will take your cue off the line of aim.

This is really good advice - I want to go and try this for myself now! Could be the answer to some of my problems! I find that sometimes I get down on a shot and everything feels perfect and looks perfect, and in she goes. Other times I get down and everything looks like its out of line! I know a few pros seem to pretty much set their feet, and set the cue, while fairly upright - and then very slowly lower themselves until the chin finds the cue. When I try this it seems to work great (which leads me to wonder why I don't do it more!?). Joe Perry plays like this I think. Wouldn't mind playing like him!!

[armstm]

a bit less intrusive than a mirror, an iphone on the cushion above the balk line with the video camera recording , balanced on a bottle of a water

the only thing I'm trying is to be aware that my head is moving off the line of aim and just keep it still whilst getting down. it's annoying this happens perfectly left-handed but not right-handed

it seems pointless to practice/play until I have this issue sorted but I guess I can practice left-handed ha ha

[bolton-cueman]

Personally I'd ask a regular player down your club to have a look at you and see if they can give you a few pointers and this way they can see you play.
Unfortunately asking a question like this on here of late will drag this thread along with multiple answers from different posters that in the end you won't have a clue what the hell is in going on and the posts will look look like gibberish.

Well said, that man!

Or even pay £15-£30 on an hour with a good coach....money well spent imho

[j6uk]

you might get more out of this thread if you stick up a vid

a bit less intrusive than a mirror, an iphone on the cushion above the balk line with the video camera recording , balanced on a bottle of a water

the only thing I'm trying is to be aware that my head is moving off the line of aim and just keep it still whilst getting down. it's annoying this happens perfectly left-handed but not right-handed

it seems pointless to practice/play until I have this issue sorted but I guess I can practice left-handed ha ha