Back to basics | Cue ball or object ball?

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#backtobasics #pool

[@larryjohnson4145]

Thank you Darren. Your videos, along with Karl Boyles videos have really helped my game out the last 6 months. Thank you for what you do for the game.

[@Editor_Hound]

Check out Niels Feijen's YT channel as well. He has tons of drills and explanations as well. Cheers!

[@alexwhite5435]

Thanks Darren. I alway thought you were " supposed" to look at the OB... I will experiment with both of these 👍

[@guymars4789]

Darren, Greetings from Hollywood, California where the folks wear shorts and sunglasses all year round. Thanks for posting this informational video. A few years ago, pro players Oscar and Ernesto Dominguez came to my home to work on my (4 1/2 x 9) table. When I ask them what was the best tip they could give me to improve my game, they both agreed it would be looking at the CB Last. The concept has been a game changer.

[@Braxtonpoolpowers]

So glad that a professional like you clarified this! Thanks Darren!

[@darrellj6612]

You just completely changed my game…THANK YOU Darren!

[@BangTimePool]

I am a cue ball last guy as well--great vid!!

[@wdiddy1]

I used to look at the cueball last for decades but now that I've gotten my own pool table and practice a lot, I've found that looking at the object ball last makes potting more consistent. I've even practiced not looking at the cueball at all and just keeping my eye on the object ball but that feels so strange to not look at the cueball at all but it actually works but it just feels so wrong that I stopped doing it. Feels like Im blind but I think taking your eye off the object ball can make you lose the exact point of contact. Standing up you see where exactly to hit but then when you take your eyes off of it for a second my mind seems to tell me I'm wrong and corrects my aim which makes me miss.

[@brett6314]

I'm similar. If I line my feet up, I'm close to exactly where I need to be holding the cue.

[@jerpaiz9846]

Eyes on the que ball excellent

[@9ballrunout]

Great info.. your back to basics video have really help my game.. I'm a big fan..

[@dougrobertson5907]

I just started doing this yesterday and found I'm much more consistent, not trying to "steer" my shots I guess, where I subconsciously make adjustments in my stroke that I should have already made in the pre-shot routine.

[@johnhester4024]

Great advice!!! I tried it out before commenting so it works for me.

[@heginschristianstrong7707]

I've eliminated this issue altogether. I close my eyes. I don't play as well anymore but I no longer have conundrum of OB or CB

[@TheJuice34]

I've always got my eye on the object ball when i pull the trigger

[@Krushard]

Looking at the object ball feel by far more superior to me. Gives you a bigger picture and makes everything connect better.

[@dharmaLim]

Thanks!

[@TimZ007]

I think shots where position is very important,as in how hard you would draw a ball or get shape a long way away from the object ball from the object ball last lets you feel the speed of the shot better. Cue ball last I kind of loose that positional feel. I think just masse and jump mostly is cue ball last for me anyway.

[@aarondavies4189]

Very interesting, I’ve always looked at the object ball when striking and always thought that’s what everyone else did also, will have to look into this a bit more and see what some of the other top players do

[@brendanvu1983]

All pros look at object ball last. It's only the apa players that argue looking at cueball last is correct. Any top player will say object ball last

[@deas1anguy]

@@brendanvu1983 not all pros. A few don’t like I think Tyler styer doesn’t…

[@b49730]

I’ve tried it this way in practice before. I had a lot more control and executed the shots. It’s extremely difficult to get into the habit of playing this way though. Must stick with it and the big thing for beginners is to work on your stroke and alignment. I’m still stubborn to do it this way in a gambling match though 😂 I found out I’m left eye dominant but I still use my right eye for aim. That may be one thing I’ll never change haha

[@WarriorHabits]

Cue ball for me, too. Have always been told I'm doing it wrong... until this video

[@imranramjewan6470]

Cueball last is the best way. Remember your aim point on the object ball depends on where u plan to hit the cueball. For example if u plan to use outside English you have to aim thicker on the object ball because of throw. Hence it's very important to hit the cueball precisely where u planned to otherwise u will miss the shot. I look at a combination of the shaft and cueball last. The shaft is like the barrel to a gun. That's what u aim with. Also the cueball is the only ball you ever hit with your cue in the game of pool.

[@brendanvu1983]

Yikes. Cueball last is definitely not the best way. It's why all pros look at object ball last. That's like looking at your at your site through a gun, instead of down range at your target.

[@imranramjewan6470]

@@brendanvu1983 If that gun turn invisible in your hand can u still hit your target?? No. Therefore you aim with the end of the gun barrel. Just like u aim with the shaft of the cue. And for your information most of the top pros look at cueball last. Some of them don't even know they do. It's what ure looking at when the cue contacts the cueball not after. 👍

[@brendanvu1983]

@@imranramjewan6470 I'd say most of the tops pros are looking down toward the object ball when the cue hits contact. The pros have precision strokes that they don't need to really look at the cue ball to know where they're striking. Maybe it's preference lol

[@dagperso5008]

@@brendanvu1983 Rifle exemple is wrong there's no mouvement or stroke involved in this... Its more like golf if you want to hit the ball perfectly you look at the ball...

[@Erkkremlinklum]

@@brendanvu1983who told you that, Jeremy jones told me personally that the top pros looks at cue ball last on many shots

[@orthoagnostic3364]

Surprising Mr. Appleton! This really gives me something to consider... I've always looked at the object ball after settling my tip at the cue ball. Would you consider looking at the cue ball during the break shot if one was really looking to power up? I find if really go after a break shot, I pop it off the rack and 2 hop into the side quite often. Perhaps looking at the cue ball would be a solution to a squarer hit? Thanks again!

[@dynamiteappleton]

100% cueball for break shot

[@drillguy300]

@@dynamiteappleton I find my cue ball contact is more inconsistent at high velocity so I look at cue ball for all those shots. Thanks for all you give back to pool.

[@orthoagnostic3364]

@@dynamiteappleton wow my mind is kind of blown! I can't wait to try it. Thank you Mr. Appleton!

[@zahinrafid]

@@dynamiteappleton What about jump shot? Object ball or cue ball on the final stroke?

[@johnniewalker9737]

Very well explained Darren. Cheers pal.

[@mariuszwiszowaty2979]

Nice!!!

[@rodconner9079]

Do appreciate your insight! Be Safe

[@sultan6353]

very good darren thank you

[@daaam2160]

Looking at the cue ball last seems like looking at the trigger of a rifle instead of the target.

[@udtojanpestillos2094]

Doesnt matter where you look if u still hit the right target. Some prefer like this, some prefer it other ways.

[@TheKingeboue27]

The trigger doesn't impart different spin based on which mm you touch.. Spin that effects the target line btw

[@brettcreech3490]

Thanks Darre

[@rolliedixon4805]

Daz never fails to deliver good content

[@buddyholly3527]

Great video

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

Stephen Hendrey looks at cue ball too. I am an OB looker...

[@darrenhadden1037]

Awesome tip Darren!!! 🎱 Do you line up to an aim point or ghost ball? BTW my name is Darren in Ottawa Canada. I love cue sports 😃🎱

[@Iwbenny]

Hope your health is improving much love D

[@c_tatsu5525]

Thank you sir 🙏

[@briantreadwell2206]

I had flitted between where my eyes should be . . . I’ll now just figure what works for me 👍

[@112rider]

I look at object ball. But, on tree top shots or real close shots, I watch the cue ball.

[@ohmy5388]

If a cueball is properly stroked should it slide or roll ?

[@raymondphillips7107]

How is it even possible to look at the cueball last? There’s no way I could do that.

[@dynamiteappleton]

Few do and when you blind like me it’s good 😂 as I said alignment is everything

[@raymondphillips7107]

@@dynamiteappleton yeah your alignment has to be Almost perfect! Did you always look at the object ball, or did you adjust as your vision decreased? Thanks again for the content! 👍🏻

[@dynamiteappleton]

@@raymondphillips7107 as I explain I do take glances at object ball to doubles check personal preference if you look at object ball or white ball on contact lot of people look at white

[@cj-ef1rp]

Looking only at the object ball requires your stroke to be perfect, and your alignment to be dead on. Darting your eyes back and forth from cue ball to object helps confirm setup and aiming. The only adjustments you should make are very minute cue ball strike positions. If you get down on the cue ball and begin altering your alignment and aiming, then you’re not body aligned with the shot. Looking only at the cue ball assumes that your alignment is dead on, and your focus in on the most accurate strike. Both have advantages, both have disadvantages. That is why switching back and forth is common and valuable. Imagine being frozen to the rail on a long shot. Mis-cueing is likely. Focusing only on the object ball doesn’t improve your strike. Focusing on the cue ball does. It tells your stroke where to “hit”. If you’re aligned, you stand a better chance of pocketing the ball. If you can stroke a ball like Darren, then you could likely play with your eyes closed once down on the cue ball. In fact, try that. 20 balls, long straight corner-corner shots. Line up, get down, close your eyes, then stroke it. What’s your success rate? This will tell you how much value/info you get for your stroke with your eyes seeing the balls whether it’s the cue ball or the object ball.

[@joshfaulkner3008]

@@dynamiteappleton I'm left handed and right eye dominant do u think there is a certain stance I should use like open stance or other. Thanks, love your videos sir.

[@MrDennisPerry222]

what do i do ever day to work on my stock...please tell us

[@chuckn.1367]

Great video once again. Its not often i hear anyone ssy they are focusing on the cue ball last and when i do I'm always intrigued. I've listened to a couple of pros (I think even you in one or two videos) say they change which ball they focus on depending on the shot. Particularly jacked up/elevated shots. I get the impression that anytime there is a real danger of a miss-cue they're focusing on the cue ball prior to making their stroke. Is that something you've heard and would you recommend it if it's not the norm for a shooter?

[@TheKingeboue27]

Can't see how you'd really control your backswing looking at the object ball. Or exactly what spin your playing

[@Erkkremlinklum]

Going off feel and keeping elbow still helps with being accurate. But with that said I still don’t know which is better objext or cue ball last

[@TheKingeboue27]

@@Erkkremlinklum Since spoken to some good players about this most important thing is not to think about it imo, can really mess your game up. I think you naturally do one or the other. But personally I would say eyes on the where you want to hit the white and use peripheral vision for potting angle. Would never advise a beginner to look at the object ball personally

[@garybkatz]

Maybe I'm missing something, but early in the video you're looking at the CB when you shoot, but later you're looking at the object ball. Confusion.

[@dynamiteappleton]

Because was showing you the difference and why etc

[@DominiKing32]

Did you pay attention to the video at all? He explains the differences.

[@garybkatz]

@@DominiKing32 I watched it again, and at the 7 minute mark he touches on when he does one or the other, but really left it up to each individual. So I found it a bit murky. Maybe I'm just not picking it up well. Sorry.

[@stevejones3180]

@@DominiKing32 he also said it’s very important to see exactly where you’re hitting the cue ball, so it is a little contradictory

[@DominiKing32]

@@stevejones3180 no it's not. If you watched the video at the beginning he says that there are 2 ways to execute eye patterns. He was just showing us the 2 proper ways of using your eye patterns so you can be more consistent. Darren also sayd that what you look at last doesb't really matter as long as your alignment is correct. Watch the video again. Because it looks like you missed something.

[@rodsautter6135]

Hi Darren, Good video! Do you happen to know the name of an affordable pool ball cleaning machine? If you do can you tell me the name and can I get it online?

[@dookjr]

Make one!! instructions on You Tube and get a speed controller off Ebay to make it work well. Mine works great.

[@rodsautter6135]

@@dookjr Thank you Lloyd Jr. I will do it.

[@joshuastover5533]

I can very rarely, in most situations, get down on a shot looking at the object ball. This tells me my alignment is good but I just can not let my eyes be doing any alignment as I get down. It's very frustrating. Even On a straight in shot, if I look at my target, I'm sending the object ball straight to the right jaw of the pocket. If I stay focused on the cue ball as I get down, looks like I'm aiming to the left jaw of the pocket but it goes straight to the heart. I can shift my head a smidge to the right from center chin (aiming a bit more with left eye) and it looks straight but then can't see center cue ball. Anyone got any advice on this? Fyi, I am hitting center ball and the the stroke is straight in these situations.

[@cj-ef1rp]

What you describe sounds like an eye dominance problem. If you’re right handed and left eye dominant, then it becomes necessary to have your left eye more “over” the cue (watch Albin Ouschan for example among many others). Not everyone sees the same, so your vision center may differ slightly. I am reversed, LH, right eyed. Depending upon how I address the ball (square to it, angled up with my body because of table/bridge position) I have to move my head to see correctly. Even if you think you’re hitting center ball, there are very good drills to verify that. Stop shots that are 2+ diamonds separated. The cue ball should not move or spin after contact. Wrap your tip with Scotch tape and hit straight in shots, cut shots, etc. anything other than a pure centered hit will miscue. Confirm these factors while you set your eyes to see straight. Then embed this setup in your game.

[@marksleight3229]

One thing I learned is that I am right handed and right eye dominant and so I figure for a long time that my cue needed to be under my right eye and sometimes that would work but it was inconsistent, is what I ended up learning is that everyone hold there head different, so you need to line up your shot from standing up, if your right handed then your right foot should been on the shot line or it could be a little to the right or left and that takes practice to find the correct location, then when you get that foot set you kinda lean forward letting your other foot just fall into place and that also takes a little practice finding the correct placement, when this is done correctly your head will come down straight into the shot line and you will figure the best place under your eyes where the cue should be, for me even though I'm right I dominant the cue being more to the left side of my nose, at first things might seem strange but keep trying and you will figure it out. Just remember to keep your head relaxed and the normal way you hold it, if you move your head around it might work but will also be uncomfortable and for some maybe after awhile there head adjust but for me it's all easier if your relaxed and not having to think about it.

[@joshuastover5533]

@@cj-ef1rp I am right handed in everything except for shooting a rifle and playing pool. I also have 15 years of bad muscle memory that I have gotten over most of these past 3 months of practice virtually every night. I believe my eyes need to learn to see the shot vs learning to see center ball with the other head position because when I shift to "see" the shot correctly my stroke also veers. I've been trying different head positions and that might explain the varying dominant eye. I do the center ball drills and can even draw the cue ball back to scratch 80% of the time on my 9'. Following in to scratch isn't a problem either. The problems arrive when I aim at the ball getting down or shift my eyes too much to the OB my brain sometimes want to correct what I'm seeing

[@joshuastover5533]

@@cj-ef1rp I'm definitely left eye dominant but was prescribed glasses for far sightedness in my left eye about a month ago. Since wearing them, things have been a little off too. I think I've just been trying to change too much going back and forth trying to fix things and I am just gonna stick with what gets me the best cue action/center ball because when I don't second guess what see, my alignment is dead on for what I see standing up.

[@joshuastover5533]

@@marksleight3229 I feel like I am just taking steps backwards when I change something. I've fixed a lot of bad form and technique and have not found a head alignment that I want to stick with. Changing back and forth has gotten me in a rut but the brightside is is that I have taken my center ball game to another level. That's another thing I just learned, almost every stroke my past 15 years of playing had some unwanted spin. I could run an occasional rack like this. I believe my automatic aiming just needs to be re-learned along with every cut shot because I can't "see" any of them or play them with feel now. My potting has gone down significantly since I've been cueing straight unless I take the extra time to aim and trust what I'm seeing.

[@andysingletonefc]

Stepen Hendry 100% cueball Ronnie Osullivan 100 % cueball John higgins 100% cueball. Mark Williams 100% cueball, does’nt that tell you something 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@thanhcongTDT]

i have done the opposite for the last decade 😂

[@b49730]

I’ve tried it this way in practice before. I had a lot more control and executed the shots. It’s extremely difficult to get into the habit of playing this way though. Must stick with it and the big thing for beginners is to work on your stroke and alignment. I’m still stubborn to do it this way in a gambling match though 😂 I found out I’m left eye dominant but I still use my right eye for aim. That may be one thing I’ll never change haha