Aiming systems, once learned, can make aiming almost second nature, but there is nothing like a home remedy to make aiming natural and adaptable to almost any set of circumstances.
For years I relied upon the Ghost Ball system of aiming like a crutch, it kept me out of trouble and still in some games I should have been beaten at.
Billiards accuracy in addressing the cue ball isn’t an accident and is essential to not only making the shot, but to gaining adequate position for your next shot.
This involves a lot more than simply at what point the cue makes contact with the cue ball starting from the point you step up to the table.
When you walk towards the table, purposely walk in line with the shot you have selected so as you approach, you are looking down the path you want the cue ball to travel. This line is important, not only to your aiming process, but in your stance and alignment.
Look at the shot while you are standing and align yourself in its direction. You want to be able to "“see" the shot without another ball jutting into the intended path. Your goal is to see the shot without having to rely on a “ghost ball”.
You should be able to see the line of the shot; the line the cue ball must travel to hit the object ball or rail. See the line, not some imaginary ghost spot. Choosing that exact line will help you determine what you want to accomplish with this shot, relying on your current level of skill and various aiming adjustments to compensate for throw, squirt English.
Recently, I have been experiencing problems with “Long Green” shots and it may be due to my eyesight.
This week I started a new practicing system to see if I couldn’t get a better “view” of the line. My goal: to see the line long before the edge of the object ball.
I pulled out my trusty laser level.Starting with straight on shots, I set up an object ball close to the end rail and placed the laser level on the rail directly over it’s center and flicked on the laser.
The idea is to shoot from the cue ball to the object ball staying on the thin red line. When I’m successful, the cue ball collides with the object ball and bounces straight back until it is hit by the object ball rebounding off the rail.
You may be surprised at how easy it is to see the cue ball start coming back at an angle.
Using that red line as your “guiding light” to the point where you become consistent in bouncing straight back will cause you to become much more precise in your centerball hits.