How to estimate shot angles -- Poolology fractional aiming

Shows a way to get the shot angle for aiming

[joeyvanleeuwen]

After literally watching 1000 videos this one is the most helpful one I've seen. Very nicely done.

[stormteam]

I'm impressed!! I came looking for a video like this and I found the best instructional I could ask for.

[pete-dofz]

Thanks Brian . Been trying to aim correctly since the 1960’s . Lol Had your ebook a few years, and decided I’d like your print addition I just acquired. Good information. ( I appreciate how much thought you have given this ) .

[stephenmarian]

Your system is amazing it’s almost like you can’t miss been practicing the 1/8 and 1/4 ball shots on a 9 ft table making about 8 out of 10. It’s like I don’t even have to look at the pockets anymore. I will be asking some questions after I get your kindle. Stephen

[yescrypto]

You’re expanding my mind with this. Thank you

[dccherry]

Been playing pool for 3 years. Think I'm a little better than ur weekend pool player. Just missing consistantcy. Purchased ur book a couple weeks ago. Best $20 spent ever. Only read zone A. Went to pool hall to practice what I've read and it was truly amazing. Gave me CONFIDENCE! Ran a rack of 9ball. Thanks Brian. Can't wait to read zones B and C.

[rickrad]

In time you will be able to visualize the angles by just observing, OB position # and QB shot angle as a scale using the rail as a guide, then visualize that % of angle to the OB: 1/2, 3/4, 1/4, 7/8 or whatever % of shot. I've been playing this system for about six mouths and have improved my game dramatically. Give it time and let it sink in.

[allmight]

Man on some real stuff. Nice simple video and demonstration!

[BladeRunner-tdbe]

I like it. There is no way this can't help my game by knowing this. So thanks !

[viigihabe]

I do the aiming this way: visualize the line through the object ball and also keep the reference of triangle between the line and rail. This way you are able to shoot so called blind pockets - you don't see where the pocket is, but as long you know the triangle shape just aim along the hypothenuse. The correct contact point should be automatic. You should be able to correct it with/or for side spins. Even more: don't try to find the point on object ball - just feel it. Feel that you are in conjuction with that triangle. Another important part is stance. If you feel that you are not on the correct aiming line you shoudd not tilt yourself to get there but slide your feet. The one that doesn't hold weight. Left, when shooting with right arm. Right otherwise. Otherwise your body will be in forced shape and you still miss even though you aimed through the correct line. It happens due to tensed muscles that will release along the time you release your hand to fall into stroke. Don't play the game as a practice but shoot some shots to object ball (constatnt place) from different angles (cue ball) until you get it from any place. Then try from same ball positions to position cue ball into different positions (top/bottom/left/right spins). You'll note that you should adjust aiming line. Repeat until adjustments get automatic. As a side effect you'll learn great deal where the cue ball is going to land and how spins affect bouncing angles from rails. Don't hit the cue ball but stroke it. Hand muscles should be relaxed otherwise your aiming line gets destroyed at the moment the hand starts moving.
Learn to stroke with follow through. Tere are many videos up here on that topic. There are two main styles for stroke: only forearm is moving or all the parts of hand are moving. Don't try to hit hard with first, because for strong shots you need a lots of follow through to prevent kicking. Forearm ampitude just isn't long enough and it creates "digging move" as cue falls and rises with palm.

[brucecharlie]

Tips as ive been using this for a year:

1. Start with memorising quater, half and 3/4 ball .... then once you can do that split the difference for weird angles.
2. It's easier to work out the angle if you visualise 90 degrees first.
3. The easiest way is to line up the cue ball with the object ball with your eyes, stand I front of the line, then estimate the pocket angle from the object ball. Then squat down and take aim. It's a procedure

[stevemarion]

New question, when I shoot a shot with let’s say 1/2 tip of English or a full tip of English, I aim to miss the pocket when using this much English. Some other you tubers say to aim for the pocket instead. Since I think your the very best teacher period what do you say? Aim outside the pocket or not. As always your the best period!!!! Steve

[eddials]

I Like All The Videos Your Putting Out, Knowledge Makes Pool Easy, And You Do That, Thanks.

[mrfokus]

My game went from To DAMN BOY!! You dead on the aiming line!! Wonderful wonderful explanation and I'm looking forward to buying and reading your book.

[notofthisworld]

Thank You, Just started playing and Thanks to you did my first Draw Shot, all due to your explanation.

[Codge]

The Best explanation of angles that i have seen so far, Great :-)

[riff]

i am not downing condeming or disputing any of this guys help he offers and it is prolly spot on . but again it is technical where as it need not be unless you are totally new to the game, . i am a excellent ball maker just trouble with whitey the cue ball sometimes that being said i think when pool or anything becomes so mechanical it is no longer a sport . now with that being said if we take a ball a half inch off the rail so to speak we know we need to cut it absolutely straight no matter what the contact point does not need to be mathematic . the same with other shots especially to players who have hit a million balls or so and still struggle . you know exactly where the pocket is and can feel it and can feel the angle based on all your senses thrown at you from 5 other pockets plus the rails that object ball is just begging to be struck in only one spot to be honest . you may struggle feeling that from a bad stance or alignment . but if you get your head down to the slate so to speak and play the game one dimentionally not only does the pockets become bigger so do contact points and cueball deflection another example would be a ghost ball method of lining up sure that tells you where to hit the object ball but once you walk back to the cue ball that mark is gone and your still stuck with a shot 8 feet down the rail and 6 inches off the rail you just need to feel the 2 intersecting angles bewteen the long and short rails if your on a 10 footer or 7 footer thoose change also you dont really need math to complicate the entire game always is my point now what he teaches is correct and has its place i am sure but not for every single shot . HAVE FAITH IN YOUR SENSES . ITS WHAT MAKES THE GAME GREAT AND HUMAN .

[Kungfujoe]

"A good basketball player hand" is apparently about 8 or 9 inches...
I'm 6'1, 6'2, with what I would call proportonately sized hands, and my hand, from the bottom of my palm to the tip of my middle finger, when splayed, is 7.25".
Running the math on this (2.25" / tan(15) ) says the balls need to be ~8.4" apart for this to be accurate.


So for average sized humans, this "one hand" estimate is not particularly accurate, but it does provide a reference at the very least.

All I'm saying is, measure your hand real quick folks.


By the way, I think this system is an awesome idea for estimating cut angles, I'm excited to go try it out.

[BladeRunner-tdbe]

I don't use partial ball hits for my aiming system but this intrigues me. It does seem like a very valid way to aim shots and probably just a matter of getting used to it.

[ivanromero]

It would be a great addition for those who bought your book to have a private video of you explaining the system.

Some parts of the book would be easier to understand with a video explanation.

Also, would the system work on all sizes of tables? 7”, 8’, 9’ ?