How to aim a billiard shot/fractional aiming
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- čas přidán 29. 04. 2022
- Aiming a Billiard shot can be confusing to many players. In this video, I explain my system for pocketing shots. Keeping your aiming process as simple as possible is key to having real consistency.
Also; see bonus videos linked below:
Training your eyes to see the ghost ball
• How to train your eyes...
Troubleshooting your Pool stroke
• Troubleshooting your P...
Good job. Viewers please understand, no aiming system will work for you if you can’t deliver you cue in a straight line.
It is obvious
Great progress. That is the best stroke delivery yet. You are one hard working guy.
Thanks Mark, hard to break those old bad habits but I’m working hard to get there. I have to give credit to John Disque for making me aware and the inspiration. 👍🏻😊👍🏻
Awesome video! I could never figure out why sometimes I make these shots and other times miss. Sometimes I’d hit the ball too full. I’m going to apply this method and practice these shots. Thanks for these great tips! ❤️
You’re welcome and please keep me posted and ask questions when you have them Veronica 👍🏻😊👍🏻
I agree with you on the fractional aiming. The completion of this equation is Poology by Brian Crist. With both of these you can make every shot and no guessing. Check it out.
Yes Greg, I know Brian and I’m a subscriber 👍🏻😊
Greg, I couldn't agree more. Big fan of Poolology! Thanks for the great video Ron!! If you don't have Brian's book, it's worth the $20!!
@@peteconklin6781 great book 👍🏻
I really can see your fundamentals are improving. Much better then previous time I reacted. And great to see you reduced the pocket size for this training. Training judging pocket angles on too big pockets is wasted time. For me the key of potting balls is understanding the different ways of aiming the shot. And start Aiming already during the pre-shot routine, seeing aiming lines and proper body placement. Fractional aiming, ghostball aiming etc etc, are nice tools to roughly get the aim right. Then indeed the feel must be good. This feel improves the more someone plays pool. Do not doubt the feel and when something does not feel right. Start the shot routine over from the start.
There is so much nonsense on the internet about pool. But so glad this channel sticks to what is true.
Thank you John, I just replied to Michael’s comment on this vid by saying the same thing.
I’ve now come to realize the pre-shot routine is truly where it’s at.
A player must be fundamentally sound to have consistency and ultimately to reach that higher level most never see.
Tesla once said "if you only knew the magnificense of the 3 6 and 9 then you would have a key to the universe"... I am looking at how that can apply to CTE and fractiional aiming.. cheers from NZ👍🇳🇿🎱'
Tesla was amazing 👍🏻😊👍🏻
"369, ass so fine. Girl gotta give it to me one more time" - Lil John
You're doing a great job Ron, good video. Keeping it real is the key.
Lil, Chris said the same thing back when I started LaDon.
I’ve always said to myself to just cover what has helped me become a better player and let my personality flow.
Thanks again for your support bud
👍🏻😊👍🏻
Got my pocket protectors from your recommendation from you last video and its really held me accountable in practice. Played really well this weekend thanks to them. Can really see an improvement in my shotmaking! Thanks ron!
Awesome TDC and thanks. Glad they helped 👍🏻
I actually had only the one reducer so I ordered a full set. They are arriving on the 5th. Thought I’d try to run out a nine ball pattern with them which I’m sure will be a challenge.
@@ronthepoolstudent i bought a set and played some 9 ball with it. Its definitely a challenge. The only odd part is shooting near the tops of the pockets and if you hit the pocket reduced with the object ball when you miss it just doesn't renounce out like it normally would
@@ThatsaDumbComment right, they aren’t very practical for play so we just have to make sure we pocket shots cleanly.
Very informative video. Thanks for posting. I am going to be practicing these shots.
Thank you Don, good luck and please let me know how it works out 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Hi Ron, I tend to agree with you, I really don’t think/have a aiming system, it’s all visualation and feel mainly in my pre shot routine, again mark Wilson’s clinic. He talks about pre shot routine, as you just pointed out on your video. Spot on again buddy!
Thanks M, I’d be willing to say that the vast majority of B levels and above would say the same.
This game is so much a feel game.
I now know when I’m down on the shot that it will be going in as long as I match up my stroke (smooth stroke) with the type english I’m applying per the situation.
Fundamentally sound 💪🏻
Thank you Ron.
am a beginner just started playing pool few months ago. Some my shooting is ok, sometime is not.
Thank you Elsa, you can improve quickly if you first and foremost get your stroke fundamentally sound. I used to jab stroke terribly just over a year ago but once I understood how to create a pause then push my cue to start the forward stroke, my game really improved.
Begin by shooting long straight in shots to ingrain muscle memory of your new fundamentally sound stroke.
Another thing, you’ll need to train your eye to see where the ghost ball position is on cut shots. I point this out in this video as you recall. Once you begin pocketing shots with consistency, then work on learning spin induced throw by performing drills. I have several powerful drills on my playlist.
After a year or so, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve improved if you dedicate yourself to what I just pointed out.
Good luck and ask questions anytime. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Helped alot, thanks!
You’re welcome and thanks for the feedback Kenneth 👍🏻
❤️🎱
Fargo Billiards has a great video on Fractional aiming...
Thanks ral 👍🏻
So many players get wrapped up in complex aiming systems. Simple fractional aiming and matching up speed and spin is where it’s at.
This is why so many players struggle imo. We must understand the physics of the cut shot to be able to shoot without thought of aiming. Once we reach that level, shot making becomes much simpler.
Thanks again 👍🏻😊👍🏻
Thanks for sharing. I found it useful!
Thanks Jon 😊👍🏻😊
I've met lots of great shot makers that told me they use ghost ball aiming. Seems like that is the most successful aiming method although I do know others who use the fractional aiming and it works for them. So I guess it just depends on the person and what they are comfortable with
I look at it that fractional aiming is ghost ball aiming. The only variable is speed & spin 🤷🏻♂️
❤️🎱
@@ronthepoolstudent I guess that's a fair case
@@zanethind the more we shoot drills, the more we develop an instinctual ability to feel the shots.
Btw that last shot I do object ball at the second diamond, shirt rail, and cue ball at 1.5 diamond on the head string. So the angle is even more impossible then 90 degrees. Just to show off. Using elevated cue masse shot with swerve. Need several tries to get it right. Sometimes when lucky at the first try, then leaving people completely amazed. lol. Pool can be so much fun.
You’re correct when both balls are equal distance out. It then becomes a back cut.
(your version is fun too)
I actually practice this shot from far down table as well as mid table. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shot this shot (mine in vid) or a variation of it. My make percentage has to be 80%+
For me, it comes down to knowing my low deflection cue and precisely aiming with the max spin I’m applying. If I’m in dead stroke, I can’t pass up going for this one. 👍🏻
I've been using ghost ball but I'm gonna try and practice this aiming system thanks Ron
The bottom line?, it’s all about shooting with our sub-conscience mind, I feel the shot 👍🏻
@@ronthepoolstudent yeah I met a person who told me he goes by the feel and a friend told me once you develop that feeling for the shot it's a good thing
@@zanethind I won’t have this feel/confidence, unless I walk to look at the shot going into the pocket then slowly walk behind the shot-line to then step into it. This allows my mind to accurately triangulate the shot thus feel the aim point.
I mostly use cut angles and have a constant aim point for each major angle (30, 45, 60 degree) and alter slightly for in-between angles.
Yep, exactly. I really don’t aim the shots at all. I just think of only maybe four fractional ghost spot points then confirm by feel 🤷🏻♂️
Question: When you apply a fractional aiming but you introduce a 1/8... Does it mean that you "slice" a target into 8 fractions, so you aim with 1/8 precision, such as the 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8 ?
OR you play only 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 1/8 instead, which, of course, would be less precise for certain angles (or fractions)...
I basically use a full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8th ball fractional aiming system.
Since speed and spin dictates how much throw will occur, factoring this into the calculation allows me to keep my aiming system simple.
This being said, I do favor one extreme to the other when it comes down to fractional aiming. (depending on the shot)
It’s hard to explain but it comes down to feeling the ghost ball location. Calculating the speed of the shot with the desired spin, this gives me the feel for the fractional aiming point per the shot line angle.
Thanks for your question Dan and hope that made sense to you. 👍🏻
Also, keep in mind, cue deflection and cue ball squirt must be accounted for when determining aim.
Hey Ron, first of all, great video. I just would like to add a little tip I have used on extreme cut shots where the cue ball is only about 3 ft. away from the object ball and slightly off the rail. I line up, aim, a few practice strokes, and when I pull the trigger on the last stroke, mentally I will purposely just ever so slightly stroke the shot a little more away from my initial line of aim. It seems to help to make unbelievable cut shots for me. Just sayin, Hope this helps. Have a good one Ron!
Thank you Richard, this is exactly what I do to this day.
Here is an example of this, in a CZcams Short I recently published.
Btw, it’s crazy but my accuracy stays solid from as far as 5’ away when shooting this way.
See link below:
Super thin Pool shots
czcams.com/users/shortszpPJwplllhs?feature=share
Great video!
Thank you 👍🏻
Thanks a lot sir!!
Thank you Nam 👍🏻
Thanks!
Thank you 👍🏻😊👍🏻
I have found it s the best way to do in fact
When we overthink, I believe this is when many players falter.
By shooting by feel and knowing how speed, spin and stun affect our shots, we can then play without thought.
Thank you for your comment t&a 👍🏻
thanks for that brother
Thank you Jose 👍🏻
Sweet intro Ron :) good video
Thank you Jon 😊👍🏻
That was helpful. This shot you show first and last in this video. How do you make sure your que ball doesn't go in the right corner when you hit your target ball in the left corner? Do you add english? Where do you hit the ball?
Thanks for the question Kurt. If you’re referring to the center table spot shot, it doesn’t scratch in the opposite corner unless you add a bit of draw. Center ball or top outside will avoid the scratch.
Hope that helps 👍🏻
I just watched the video again and I confirmed the shots your were referring to. As I thought and as I said, the spot shot from center table will not scratch unless you draw the cue ball slightly.
Thanks again 👍🏻
thanks man
You bet Ken, thank you for watching and for your comment 👍🏻
I show people find the angle and on a bar table 3/4 in off outside edge of contact ball , put center of cue through that spot and you make every shot
Not following you on this one Craig. Weren’t you referring to using pure side spin on your earlier comment? 🤔 (rail first)
@@ronthepoolstudent yes i watched your video but this was on your aiming video
Practice does it help your game?
Thanks Joseph.
I’m a guy that’s about to turn 67 so I need constant daily play.
Today, I’m at 600 play where I started as a high 300 Fargo 598 days ago. This improvement was a direct result of practicing with purpose so yes, practice is a necessity for me.
Let’s see the banking and kicking system Ron !
czcams.com/video/jk43VcWLdy0/video.html
I use your style of shooting it work most of the time.
For me Matt, it comes down to matching up the type of english used with the speed of the shot or the cut feel if it’s center ball. It’s crazy but it works better than overthinking some sort of aiming system 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks for watching and for your comment 👍🏻😊
@@ronthepoolstudent I only have a problem when I make two or three shots in a row. I seem to let everything go out the window. It is hard to keep from rushing the next shot. Not always but too much at times. I do like your method. Mow I have to work on me.
@@mattedwards4533 focus on settling your mind after feathering then pause at the cue ball to relax your thoughts. Once the anxiety is gone, make a slow back stroke then make a smooth transition as you push the cue forward to gradually accelerate through the cue ball.
@@ronthepoolstudent I will try. Thanks for the tip!
@@mattedwards4533 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 you’re welcome.
Good Video thanks alot Ron.
Thank you Lester, I’m glad you liked it and hope it helped 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@@ronthepoolstudent the student is now the master!
@@lesterweinheimer665 lol, thanks but I’m far from that at this point Lester. I’m still learning as there’s so much more to this game than I ever imagined.
Thanks though 👍🏻😊
@@ronthepoolstudent yeah I was just kidding. I have spent most of my life trying to master this game and I still learn something every time I play. In my opinion that's what makes it a great game!
@@ronthepoolstudent someone asked Efren Reyes why he was playing beginner players and he said it was because they don't know the right shot to play and sometimes he learns a shot that he never thought of from them
at 3:50...can u use that triangle trick on other shots
Do you mean knowing when “not” to take the shot TB?
@@ronthepoolstudent yes
@@trailblaza247 I only use this rule for side pocket shots TB. Even thin cuts into corner pockets are easily made. See video link below, you may find it helpful in answering your question.
Thanks for your question, see link below:
A frozen rail shot all great players know
czcams.com/video/cTuxqk-5nUw/video.html
Left side pocket, left side spin on cue ball?
Thanks for the question Eunis.
All shots in this video were hit with center cue ball only. (as mentioned in video) The exception was in the case of the rail first example.
The intention was to keep it simple to show basic fractional aiming without adding spin.
Using spin creates much more discussion in terms of throw on the object ball and how to adjust one’s aim as a result.
I will be covering aim while using spin in an upcoming video, thanks again for your question 👍🏻👍🏻
@@ronthepoolstudent My question specifically had to do with the rail shot. I understand that other elements such as throw & swerve come into play.
I just wanted basic overview concept regarding spin. This was first time watching your channel & was hoping for quick Yes or No to my question. Thank you anyway for quickness of your response.
@@cashfit8 thanks for watching Eunis and sorry to have misinterpreted your question.
While shooting the rail first shot which sends the eight ball 90° into the corner pocket, yes, pure maximum left spin is used.
Also, as you have mentioned, swerve does come into effect so keeping a level cue and not hitting low on the cue ball helps reduce curving the cue ball on lengthier attempts.
Thanks again and hope that helped. 😊
@@cashfit8 one more thing E, I often provide a video link response (when necessary to fully clarify) to answer a subscriber’s question.
I have done this in the past rather than just typing an answer which has helped.
@@ronthepoolstudent Hi, Ron. Thanks. One further quick clarification since the camera reverses how we see things....and coming back to original question, then I'll go away!
Is the corner pocket in video on left side of the 8-Ball? What I am trying to determine is if generally speaking - on a thin cut shot - can we say that if pocket is to left side of the object ball, one would use left spin on cue ball.
For thin shot on either the corner or side pocket that is to right side of object ball, would a person use right-side spin on cue ball?
The end of your video happened to touch on something I have been attempting to get a handle on for several years. Last week I thought I figured it out if thought simply in terms of "use left spin on cue ball if pocket to left of object ball, and use right spin on cue ball if pocket to right of object ball."
Appreciate your patience. I am an APA Level 3 in 9-Ball, recently demoted to Level 2 in 8-Ball.
On spot shot I just aim center ball to outside edge I know if you know that shot then all the other cuts become easy I know I don't think a aiming system I just aim at contact point and let my subconscious take over bank I beleive are the only shots I beleive are real feel shots
Thanks for the input Keith.
I shot yesterday for 10 hours then shot again with a friend that’s a very good/serious player.
We were talking about aiming and how speed with spin factors in and how we must be aware as this will change the cut angle. This is where we both agreed feel really enters in as S/S must match up.
For me, I still must confirm that I feel the shot even on a center cue ball strike. If I’m down on the shot and don’t feel it, I stand back up, walk around the cut angle, then begin my pre-shot routine again and step into the shot line.
Doing this has saved me many times as the shot was made even before shooting it in my mind.
It’s a hard thing to explain/teach.
CJ Wiley covers this best.
My game is so much feel I’m finding. Keeping it simple with fractional aiming has helped.
Thanks again Kieth 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you for turning off fire place on tv
Sometimes I don’t even realize it’s on
Uno
6 inch side pockets😂
5” actually, thanks for watching and commenting Jon 👍🏻
@@ronthepoolstudent 🙏🙏🙏
@@jonbrown3981 God bless
where can i get those ball place markers your using to position the balls in the same spot?
Any office supply store will have paper reinforcements stickers Sim.
So many guys making videos on bucket 🪣 size pockets.
This is truly a great video. Thank you . I subscribed 💪
Thank you for watching and subscribing @rpzpnting 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Btw, my pockets won’t fit two balls as they are 4 1/4” at the drop off. (4 5/8” at opening)
I use my pocket reducers often when practicing, it makes me bear down.