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.
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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.
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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