In the 1960’s I read a book by Willie Mosconi that described an aiming system that used a paralell line thru the cue that was paralell to the line through the object ball to the center of the pocket. The idea was to align the opposite point of the cue ball to the aim point on the object ball and you would have to pocket the object ball if these two contact points met. Over the years I would use this method on long shots or difficult cut shots. It was uncanny that I would make these difficult shots a high percentage of the time.
In 2008 I adopted this aiming method for almost all shots. My pocket making ability jumped significantly. However it is difficult sometimes to visualize these lines. I discoverd Mike Massey’s and Joe Tucker’s ”Aiming by the Numbers” training aids. Mike and Joe have assigned numbers on the cue and object balls. The number is derived from the object balls position relative to the pocket to be pocketed. You aim or match the number on the cue ball to the object and shoot.
It is second nature for me now to walk around the table and select the numbers and execute the shot with confidence. In addition, you can use the numbers when object ball is stuck on the side rail and you want to place the object ball at center of end rail to nail a safety play.
I walk around with the discs in my pocket included in the “aiming by the numbers” package so I can practice pool anywhere at anytime.
Technorati Tags: aiming, aiming by numbers, pool
Part II on how to aim a bank shot
Duration : 0:6:9
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: aim, aiming, bank, banking, bankshot, billiard, billiards, carom, lesson, lessons, pool, snooker, system
A discussion of aiming bank shots.
Duration : 0:7:12
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: aim, aiming, bank, banking, bankshot, billiard, billiards, carom, lesson, lessons, pool, snooker, system
What am I missing? Do you know which shots you miss frequently? After learning ‘aiming by the numbers’, I found it is a good idea to make a mental note of the ‘number’ of the shot that was missed and then practice the shot immediatley after a match. I learned I frequently miss number 4 and 5. Now knowing the number it is easier to set up the same shot that was missed. I watched Thorsten Hohmann make shot after shot in a tournament and finally miss one shot. When the match was done, immediately Thorsten set the shot up several times. Learning the ‘numbers’ will help you learn which shots you are missing. The “Aiming by the Numbers” tool kit endorsed by Mike Massey and created by Joe Tucker is available on this blog from Amazon and I do make a small commission if you buy it from here.
Technorati Tags: aiming by the numbers, nine ball, Thosten Hohmann
Joe Tucker’s billiard aiming system “Aiming by the Numbers” gets easier and easier as you continuously use the system. I have been using his system for almost a year. i have much more confidence in my aim now and that leads to success in making the shot. I walk up toward the object ball line to the pocket and mentally determine the aim point and the aim number. Now I walk back to the cue ball and review the aim number on the cue ball and see the sight of aim from the cue ball aim number to the object ball aim number. I mentally see the parallel line thru the center of the cue ball then get into the stance for the stroke. Now, after my 3 swing pre-stroke ritural I stroke the cue and pocket the ball more often than a year ago.
I am going out to Bank Shot Billiards today and participate in one of the most challenging weekly nine ball tournaments in the country. I will be aiming by the numbers and it will be easier to win games because of that. Wish me luck! Check out Joe’s Mike Massey endorsed “Aiming by the Numbers” tools on the right.
Technorati Tags: aiming, aiming by numbers, Bank Shot Billiards, Joe Tucker, Mike Massey, nine ball, pool
A discussion of the basics for 1 rail kick shooting. I encourage you to read BlackJack David Sapolis.
***READ PAGE 2 THREADS BY DEADAIM***
http://forums.azbilliards.com/search.php?searchid=1821816
Duration : 0:8:55
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: aim, bank, beginner, billiard, billiards, bumper, carom, how, kick, lesson, lessons, method, one, pool, rail, shot, snooker, system, to
http://billiards.colostate.edu
Bob Jewett’s ten-times-fuller frozen-object-ball aiming system for predicting object ball direction.
Much more info can be found at:
http://billiards.colostate.edu
Duration : 0:2:42
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: ball, billiards, frozen, full, Jewett, object, pool, ten-times
Since adapting the aiming by the numbers technique I have come to realize that usually when I miss now is when I did not check the number prior to shooting. I simply just shot with feel or said to myself I did not need to check the number.
Rituals are part of most sucessful players in sports, whether it is in shooting a foul shot, playing tennis or getting into stance for shooting pool.
There are three parts for the aiming by the numbers technique that need to become part of the ritual routine. Part one check the number the object ball is on, part two visualize the number on the cue ball and part three visuaalize the line from the number on the cue ball to the number on the object ball. One can not guess the number the object ball is on. So make it a ritual to walk so you see the line directly from the object ball to the pocket it is to go into. Calculate the number from this position. Now walk over to the cue ball and visualize the number on the cue ball. Now as you get ready to get into your stance see the line from the number on the cue ball to the number on the object ball. Making sure these three processes become part of your ritual will help you pocket a higher percentage of balls.
If you haven’t started aiming by the numbers yet there is a link on this page that takes you to Amazon to get the material and training you need.
Technorati Tags: aiming, aiming by numbers, pool, pre-shot rituals
http://billiards.colostate.edu
Bob Jewett’s two-times-fuller frozen-cue-ball aiming system for predicting cue ball direction.
Much more info can be found at:
http://billiards.colostate.edu
Duration : 0:4:1
Read the rest of this entry »
Technorati Tags: ball, billiards, cue, frozen, full, Jewett, pool, two-times
Drills lead to consistant steady improvement in your pool game, if you have the patience and the stamina. Most people will try a drill once or twice, get bored because they can not execute yet and give up. A friend of mine watched the PAT part 1 video and committed to doing the 15,000 balls in pocket drill that was recommended. He set a goal and completed the 15,000 pocketed balls. It improved his pool stroke.
The Aiming by the Numbers pool tool I recommend comes with a number of drills for shooting the numbered aim points. The repetition from doing the drills gives you the familiarity with the shot when you approach the table and along with familiarity comes confidence. Both Mike Massey and Joe Tucker provide drills in their books on Aiming by the Numbers. As an example, for the 4 and half shot Joe recommends putting the object ball on the spot and then shoot the object ball into corner pocket with the cue on the rail at each diamond even or above the cue ball. It is a difficult drill and some of drills in their books are easier.
About two months ago I was lucky enough to watch the “Drill Instructor” demo his drills and promo his video and books for drills at Bank Shots in Jacksonville, Fl. It was an exciting evening and I learned a lot from this promotion. But it was not nearly as much as I would learn from actually doing the drills. “Drill Instructor” Pro Skill Drills – Training Instructional Books & DVDs
has more than enough drills to keep you busy.
To get you started on drills, I recommend you do the circle drill. Place the balls in a circle that is two diamonds wide centered on a 4 and half by 9 foot table. Now your object is to pocket all the balls with out hitting another ball with the cue ball and you can not let the cue ball touch a rail. This drill is also recommended by the “Drill Instructor” and builds the skills for alignment, pace and position play.
Throw all the balls on the table and shoot each one in with a stop shot. After shooting in a ball pick the next ball that is straight into a pocket. If there is not a straight in shot place the cue so that there is a straight in shot. This drill teaches skills for various speeds and distance to make a stop shot.
This evening I am .going to do some drills with my stroke training machine. Lately my stroke has not been as keen as I like. I usually get the stroke training machine out 2 or 3 times a year to sharpen my performance. I do this daily for about 3 weeks.
Improve your skills do some drills.
Greg
Technorati Tags: aiming by the numbers, drills, skills