How to train your eyes to see the ghost ball

This video reveals a unique yet simple way to train your eyes to see the ghost ball position when shooting tough frozen rail shots.
Every once in a while, a sound training method surfaces and this is one.
Come with me as a share this effective method geared to helping you aim a tough shot.
Bonus video:
Bank shot physics/spin control/Note correction @ 3:38 time mark; tip indicator should be on left
• Bank shot physics/spin...
Also, see link below from Darren Appleton’s channel:
• The secret aiming syst...

[@bradreading7122]

Great video. This is why this is the best channel on KZbin!!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Brad, I’m really working hard to help all my fellow players find ways to improve 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@johnskulavik7116]

After some time looking around youtube I agree!!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@johnskulavik7116 thanks 👍🏻😊👍🏻

[@dougquara6302]

You are definitely working hard on your game, and not only that, but working hard how to learn. It shows. Nicely done.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Doug. I find myself saying…I wonder if others are doing what I’m doing. This being said, I keep searching for new ways to learn as I have more to go. Along the way, I share everything to my fellow players.

[@shanesoldner9117]

hey man, nice video! It absolutely does help to train your brain to see what the shot looks like I wanted to mention that the thing you are doing with the golf tee on the rail is a thing that I do relatively often in real games and I call it "pinning the line." I can look at a shot while standing and find the correct diamond line target for my shot, if I shoot my cue ball towards my pinned target the object ball will be in the way and go in the pocket. I Don't "pin" every shot but I do use it when it is useful. I use it a lot on longshots, both straight and almost straight as well as long thin shots, sometimes I also "pin" rail targets when I need to free up mental capacity to focus on something else like an exact speed or spin control. It works really well on shots where I am struggling to hold my line when transitioning from standing to down. I also regularly pin a target when I am shooting jump shots or combo shots. In these last two cases, it frees up my mind not to have to try to focus on making the ball, but instead focus on getting a good hit. Basicly two things I needed to make shots successfully. 1. A valid Shot line for the speed and spin you are going to use. 2. Some kind of speed component (you can shoot the same shot with the same line and same spin at different speeds and get different outcomes up to and including missing the shot because it changes how the physics work). Both of these things can be pinned into ideas and feelings. I explained the shot line above, and the speed component thing would be complicated enough that it would need it s own post. But in general I try to stand and think while stroking my cue "is this how the shot is going to feel when I shoot it?" your mental focus ability is limited, so the more things you can pin down to be automatic. The more focus you have available to think about other things when shooting. Like shotline curve or better speed control. Not all situations are created the same and so I don't always do these things but I do them when they are useful. I thought you might find something here. Interesting, so I left this post.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Shane and well said and I totally get it. As a newer player, I’m not only developing sound fundamentals, I’m also structuring my mindset. I totally get what you’re saying here and it sounds like I’m on the correct path to better consistency. These type thought processes are great to free up our mind to eliminate clutter as you’ve pointed out. To reach that high level of play, it’s things like this that can push us onward and upward. Thanks again for articulating your comment so well, myself and others reading it will be appreciative I’m sure. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rodconner9079]

Yes Sir --- That's "Learning how to learn" or finding ways to learn! : ) Now yer talkin', the finest example of "learning". Accolades to ya! Be Safe

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Rod, back at ya 👍🏻

[@iantiffin5854]

Ron, I never scroll past any of your lessons, my “pool drills” playlist is 80% your vids! Please keep sharing your hard earned wisdom. I’ve been working on that long straight in shot to the corner and can’t wait to try this “spot in the pocket” aiming drill. I have a question for you… I’ve been playing league, 8 ball, one night per week, for 3 years and I win about 65% of my matches and have only had one ERO the whole time. I finally got my own table at home a couple months ago and practice every morning for about an hour before I go to work. I work on my stroke for about the first 15 minutes and then move on to drills. What would you say is the best type of drills I should be focusing on in order to start running out… because that’s the level I am trying to get to. Apologies for the novel here LOL! Ian

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you so much Ian. I have two videos in mind. Incase you haven’t seen them, I’m linking them below. Please follow up if you try these and let me know how they worked out. Thank you. See links below: A Pool Pro’s training method/Part 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmbPdWePg7l-q9k A Pool Pro’s training method/Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2nShmhsdpqdh5o

[@junusbaan7787]

Great lesson Ron. Thank you

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Junus, glad you liked it 👍🏻😊👍🏻

[@mediaboxentertainment8571]

wonderful

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks MBE, this works very well 👍🏻

[@johngies4024]

Once again, another great video.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you John, glad you liked it bud and hope it helped 👍🏻😊

[@saleemullahkhan3316]

Thank you. You have solved my biggest problem in pool game. Great

[@ronthepoolstudent]

That’s awesome Salee 😊 Thanks fort the comment 👍🏻

[@johnskulavik7116]

This is amazing and very creative Ron. Spot on the wall works for me on this... no golf tee's needed. If your somewhere unfamiliar you could place table chalk there. I don't use ordinary table chalk I use Taom V10. Thanks for your creativity. I can think of other shots I'd like to work on with this same idea.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks John, have fun with it bud and yes, spot on the wall would also work 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SuperKillbill1234]

Good tip Ron, Thanks

[@ronthepoolstudent]

You bet Bill and thank you. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks again for watching and for your comment 👍🏻😊👍🏻

[@lawrenceholton-nu5zj]

Very cool

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Larry. By using an aiming point away from the object ball as I describe here, this can help us on combo shots as well.

[@EhBitTV]

I love this idea, I’ll be playing with it in different ways

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Lots of training opportunities here 👍🏻😊👍🏻 Thank you 😊

[@fixitrod4969]

You're getting your channel rolling well! Nice job! And thank you for the help and idea! Ever thought about becoming an instructor?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Rodney and funny you should ask. Almost daily, (yesterday and today it happened again) I’m asked if I give instructions. I turn them all down. I’d rather just teach through my channel 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks again 👍🏻

[@rogercarlson2330]

just found you and subbed, im coming back after almost 20 yrs.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Awesome and thank you Roger. Please reach out at any time if you have questions. I answer and work with every subscriber when they need help. As I learn, I share what it was that helped my game. Thanks again…let’s get better together 👍🏻💪🏻👍🏻

[@dpbuc32]

Great video Ron, Yea I agree, We will always strive to learn from ourselves and others. This game has infinite possibilities. That's why I chose to subscribe to your channel you seem very insightful and humble. Hence your'e name "The pool student"

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you dp, 👍🏻😊❤️🎱

[@thepawnking]

I ❤ your videos

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you Abraham and thank you for watching and for commenting. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask at anytime, I hope I’ll have an answer for you 👍🏻

[@tomburns890]

I understand how you used Applelton’s theory to learning. I tried his looking at the corner pocket for the cue and missed the shots about 75% of the time. Definitely didn’t work or feel comfortable with me. Check out my around the world corner to corner video & bigger shaft=more accuracy videos where I make those long straight shots using normal cue/object ball eye focus/contact and not looking or steering the cue to the corner pocket. Cheers

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Tom, It’s interesting how we all differ so much. I showed the Appleton aiming method to a few friends and two did very well while one did not. Today for me, I really have great success using this method on combo aiming. Thanks again 👍🏻😊

[@chemmii]

Kudo's......very interesting, vary helpful..!!!

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Learning how to learn Chemmii 👍🏻💪🏻😊 thanks!

[@chemmii]

Hey Ron, at 76 I don't have much time left to learn..that's why I watch others vids, to pick up what I can..😂 are u practicing the slip stroke yet.??

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@chemmii I do slip my grip on some shots Chemmii. Also, love this game as we can play it at any age 😊

[@politicalatheist5861]

Awesome

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks PA 👍🏻😊

[@andrewlaprairie]

Nice! I use a strip of 1/8" painters masking tape in the back of all my pockets to see the heart of the pocket. Your a great teacher btw

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I like the the narrow painter’s tape idea Andrew. Thanks and thank you 👍🏻😊👍🏻

[@CueballcontrolSometimes]

I have been using this for balls deep in the jaws, to get better accuracy when drawing the cue ball back in a straight line(or intended angle). Sight well beyond the ball even though you can make it hitting anywhere.

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Cool, this is a great way to go.

[@devoncole5789]

I love Darren Appleton his videos are awesome best insight a pro player has given besides Neils also in the words of efren Reyes I got lucky means I practiced this shot at some degree to try it atleast once

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Yes Devon, both of them are great 👍🏻

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Tor Lowry is another great one.

[@devoncole5789]

@@ronthepoolstudent yes he is but like others he chooses to sell knowledge when knowledge was meant to be passed on for free that way next generation has the same love for the game

[@ronthepoolstudent]

@@devoncole5789 yes, I never could figure that one out. Shoot, I’ve been giving personal lessons for free since I’ve improved 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@devoncole5789]

@@ronthepoolstudent break outs and pattern play and safety’s and when to play each is my level of game Ive been working on seems I get one lined out another challenge arises

[@BigAlsBilliards]

For those Banks, it will only work if the CB is in that exact position. What if the CB or OB is off by an inch or two? How do you then determine the shot aim point?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Actually I love the question Al. A few weeks after this video, I played at a local hang out where top player friends of mine (top guy is a 753 fargo) and I shoot weekly. This shot came up where my 5 ball was frozen to the cushion (second diamond long rail) yet my cue ball was a diamond out half table away. From this exercise, I was able to adjust my aim to the correct ghost ball position and drained the shot then ran out. Later that day, I made the shot again on the eight then pocketed the nine to knock off our king of the hill table holder. Full disclosure btw: I don’t just shoot from the the same exact locations once I work on a specific shot. I move my cue ball to various locations yet leave the object ball as is so I can learn the angles. I’m obsessed with figuring out shots so I stick with them till I can’t miss. I put more time in than anyone I know but I’m retired and weird that way lol PS, if the object ball is off the cushion, it becomes an easier cross side/corner bank shot.

[@zekragash4294]

Ok, catching on your vids. The straight shot makes sense. How did you locate the tee for bank shot? Did miss something?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thank you for your question Ze. To train your eyes, position the Tee through trial and error. Once the Tee is at the correct location, you’ll then be pocketing the shot with regularity as you aim at the Tee. Once you pocket several in a row, then begin to look at the cut point on the object ball and fixate on this ghost ball point as you shoot. This is how you’ll develop a feel for these shots. Also, speed plays a big part so experiment with that aspect as well. For instance, I like to hit these shots with a repeatable/consistent speed. Personally, I worked on these shots for over a week when I began learning them. I began to feel the shots and pocket them with confidence in time. I once recall playing against my friends that are some of the top players in my area, two of these shots came up and I made them both. Practice really pays off on these shots. Hope that helps to answer your question 👍🏻

[@zekragash4294]

@@ronthepoolstudent 👍

[@stevenspencer8143]

Nice video and a great concept. What make are your casino balls?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Steven, they are Aramith.

[@jamescathcart4762]

Hey Ron, When practicing your rotation game with four, six or however many balls you practice with, what percentage of runs do you practice until you add a ball? Thanks James

[@ronthepoolstudent]

30 runs in a row James. Up to 5 currently, 6 is the big next step.

[@richardkirn9901]

Hi, I still wonder about how thin or thick you hit the ball and how you found where to put the golf tees? I will have to try this shot later. Thanks

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Richard. Just start out experimenting by moving the tee until the shots go in. Mark the aim point then start shooting with various speeds and spins. Once you begin pocketing with consistency, visualize your ghost ball positions and no longer aim at the tee as you continue to shoot. Hope that helps 👍🏻

[@brianb0326]

awesome drill , but how do we know where to put the target markets?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Brian. Roughly set up a tee and aim at it. Move the tee as needed until the shots go in. Mark these spots and begin training your eye to see the ghost ball position as you continue shooting. Hope that answered your question?

[@keith1286]

With the predator air rush jump cue can you use it as a break cue if you have a butt that will fit it just wondering if that's possible I know it has a 14 mm tip thanks for your time and your quick responses Ron

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I actually did use it as a break cue for a couple months before I picked up my Cynergy Breach break cue Keith.

[@andrewtooley4099]

Hey Ron, do you do in person training?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I just train one person Andrew, we are going to be Jack and Jill partners.

[@golfingmadeeasy]

Sorry, but where did you place the reinforcers on the end rail?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I shot each shot while looking up table at the end rail then once the the shot goes in, I mark the spot. From there, I keep aiming at this spot while confirming the ghost ball position. After several makes, I begin to visualize the ghost ball aim point. Thanks Rono 👍🏻

[@bucksniper65]

How did you find the aim point to put the golf tee on?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

I just looked beyond my object ball at a point on the cushion Rene. From there, I kept aiming at that point while making adjustments with my paper reinforcements until the shot went in. I then experimented with speed and english to learn how the shot was effected so I could learn cue ball movement and how the shot was maybe altered. Hope that made sense and thank you for your question 👍🏻

[@seamusmcfadden994]

People should note that the sticker is not in the center of the pocket. I think it would be helpful for some if you explain why.😉👍

[@ronthepoolstudent]

This is true center between the near point and far wing for this angle. Thanks Seamus 👍🏻

[@bobkucharski9425]

any english?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Only to avoid the double hit Bob. This video is solely to get players to think. From there, they can experiment with various spin to learn what works for them. FYI: shot #1 needs top inside, shot #2 needs low left, shot #3 needs center top with medium speed.

[@Leswayne777]

Good video Ron I need the brakes and the wild 7😅

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Les 🤷🏻‍♂️😉👍🏻

[@sim672]

so how did you determine the aiming points marked with the golf tee? are they just random spots?

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Just set them close to where you think the projected point will be and adjust as you shoot the shots until you begin to make the ball. Once you begin pocketing, this will be your aim point. From there, shoot several times to not only develop a feel for speed, but to visualize the ghost ball position. You’ll need to use the golf Tee aiming point as a reference, then look at your ghost ball hit point. Once you have the ghost ball position established, continue shooting without looking at your golf Tee aim point but rather rely on what you’ve learned ghost ball wise. After an hour sir so, you’ll begin to see/feel these type shots.