The Truth about How to Aim Pool Shots - (Free Pool Lessons)

[@tonytechsupport]

Every pool player needs to hear this. Best pool advice I ever heard.

[@fire9132]

The longer I've played the less I worry about the "textbook" way to do things. Yes, its important to have good fundamentals but ultimately its about whether or not you can deliver the cue straight. How thats done varies as evidenced by the different ways pros play.

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for watching. And I appreciate your comments.

[@jonsathome]

Great advice Bryan. I have been playing 30 years and absolutely love the game. At this stage I thought I would be better. I play well consistently... I play great sometimes. I spent too much of those 30 years constantly rebuilding my game. New stick, new tip, shaft, chalk, etc. At the same time I'm trying different grip, stance, bridge, stroke, aiming method, and on and on. Always thinking I was doing something wrong, always looking for that new thing. I wish I had just played the game. For me, every change would take months to get comfortable. Trust yourself. Trust your stick. Know what it can do. Feel the shot and play.

[@FXBilliards]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.

[@luckybuck6882]

This is a great message. Thanks for putting this out there. I have met instructors and amazing players that give crap lessons because they are trying to turn the student into a mirror image of themselves. Then, sometimes that student tries to impose that same advice to someone else😂😂 Which creates this doom loop of terrible information being spread. The best trainers i have seen adapt their lessons to the player. Great Vid❤

If I’m really in stroke I don’t know if I could tell you which I’m looking at, or really even thinking about it. Thanks so much for all your hard work putting together all your videos. They have certainly helped me!

[@FXBilliards]

That’s great to hear and thanks for watching.

[@Bridog217]

I know I've told you before that last year I spent the day, one on one, with a world famous instructor. At the end of the day he set up an "arched gate" 1/4" bigger than the cue ball. He put the cue ball at about the head string and an object ball near the corner pocket at the other end. He said that if I did everything we had worked on that day and shoot through the gate without hitting it I would make the ball. Did it twice. He then told me to do it again but, after I set up, close my eyes and if I make it he's buying dinner... he bought dinner. You looking away reminded me of that. That's one of the reasons I like your channel so much, many of your videos reinforce and tweak what I learned that day. Of course I learn other things as well.

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for watching and I appreciate your comments.

[@thegodofpez]

I love that you cued in a snippet of a FXB bombshell in the video. My man. 😂💪

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for watching - and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnbell452]

I have better success by shifting my gaze back and forth during my feathering strokes, watching the cue ball as I hit it, then shifting my gaze again to follow the object ball, hopefully into the pocket. It's very instructive to watch the path of the object ball.

[@joncue0304]

I'm left eye dominant. Taking some cues from Albin and John Morra really helped. Copying them didn't work, but used copying them as a starting point, I was able to adapt it to fit my vision center. One thing I do that has REALLY helped is to completely close my eyes, take my last 3 practice strokes, and then shoot (still with my eyes closed). I learned that taking private lessons from a pro I know. Every time I can feel my stroke out of sync, I repeat this and it puts me in stroke (going back to opening my eyes after my stroke is back in shape).

[@valentenicoletti3622]

❤ you are right 200 % , what people don t understand....you can not play like a pro if you don t train like a pro ....but you can win knowing what you can really do 😎

[@bptraveler6608]

Part of my pregame warm up is to shoot, without the cue ball, 15 balls across the kitchen line, into the far corner pockets. I line up the shot, close my eyes and shoot. This is to concentrate on the feel of my stroke. It helps give me confidence in my stroke. But I look at the object ball last when shooting unless it's a short shot requiring lots of draw. Then I look at the cue ball last to prevent scooping it.

[@c.m.b.4868]

I quit playing about 20 years ago, but recently picked the game back up and have been banging my head against the wall wondering why I haven't had better luck shaking off the rust ...that is until I started concentrating on simply making the shot. Concentrating on the object ball rather than the pocket, which is what I was doing. That seems to be giving me better luck, but I've still got a long way to go to get my game back to where it was.

[@BROU-bb2uc]

I can honestly say this is your best video by far👍

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

[@tonygarner3797]

100% agree. Minnesota Fats was dang near standing straight up on some of his shots and just putting them in. It is what works for each player.

[@bradhornshaw8458]

Joined the Bca instructor program in 2004, is now the PBIA. There is a shot line or what I prefer to call a shot plane. ANY point on that line is ok. I would also say depending on shot that point may vary depending on how much you are forced to elevate the butt of the cue. the hand follows the eye so look at a point you want the tip to go....I love this video. to many times we try to emulate great players who are so different than us. When I was 15 back in the mid 70s I read a book by Willy Mosconi advising me to hold the cue 6 inches behind the balance point with my grip hand. Willy was five foot four and a hundred forty pounds. At 15 I was six foot three and a hundred eighty five. Choking up on the cue that far left me with no stroke and created a bad habit that lasted decades.

[@rexrice4496]

On the break/jump/masse shot - it's the cue ball, with everything else - it's the object ball. Sometimes I miss bc I look at position instead of 'staying' in the shot.

[@wandelust]

This is advice is SOOO true

[@justdata3650]

Sometimes you might not know it when you do it but this is one of the best videos you have made. Letting people know where they need to be themselves is just as important as it learning techniques like proper stroke. I would argue more important than ever for beginners because over time you will figure that out but being given "permission" in areas to be yourself right from the beginning can save years. Not just in pool, this is a general principle for all skills. You might be the first and only if you put out a video outlining all the areas where these boundaries generally lie.

[@josefernandez4423]

I love this REAL TALK. I used to copy my idols too. I kept using a closed bridge because that's what my idol is using most of the time, but when I used an open bridge, my stroke dramatically improved. same with my stance, I used to put my right foot in front, and my left foot in the back because I see pros with that stance, then I tried changing my stance to both feet parallel to each other and my shot magically became more straight. do what feels better for y'all. thanks coach.

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for taking the time to watch. Have a great new year.

[@mattst4444]

You were looking at the cue ball and also looked at the object ball . Very good lesson I remember when I started trusting in myself after practicing technique and stroke and pausing after my backstroke and focusing on object ball then letting my stroke follow through. It was so cool starting to make more and more shots. Awesome Video I think this will help a lot of players.

[@awakenedsoul2638]

I shoot like Jason Shaw, my last look is always at the cue ball because I want to know where I am cueing the cue ball, my cue stick is in the middle of my eyes! Until now I cannot shoot all the balls on the table. Now I decided to look at the object ball last before hitting the cue ball. This will be learning a new different technique in aiming! Basiclly what you are saying is you should know which of your eyes is dominant, line up your body on the shot before bending over the cue ball, keep practicing your stroke make it smooth and straight and have that great muscle memory and strong feeling that once you bend over you know that you can pocket that cue ball at that angle! I HAVE TO PRACTICE A NEW AIMINGTECHNIQUE! To me this time, IT MATTERS WHERE YOU LOOK AT even if you say you do not care where you look at! It matters always because your eyes is the one collecting the information sending it to your brain telling you what you should do so where you look at will always matter!

[@mkyhou1160]

I switched to the cue ball about a year ago, my mentor/coach tried a few things with me, and this stuck. it’s helped me a lot. Why? My aim is good, if I miss a shot it’s not from aim, it’s from not being still or lifting and hitting the wrong spot on the ball. When you miss an eight is it your aim or your form? Focusing on the cue ball and closed bridge fixes that form for me, I aim object ball, then lock in on cue ball. Nice vid - it’s what works for you.

[@shanewlaird]

I learned this practicing with my brother-in-law who is a 7 on his 9ft diamond table. After tweaking a few things in my stance and stroke, started making long straight shots while keeping eyes closed. With my eyes open I was thinking too much and not trusting myself. Big difference

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@luloffadam]

Great Video!

[@FXBilliards]

I appreciate you watching!

[@morty13pao]

Congratulations for the 'bulls eye's video Bryan..

[@necessarytruthszig]

Great video, thank you!

[@FXBilliards]

My pleasure!

[@DeaconJones1961]

So true. Great advice. Great video !

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@BangTimePool]

Cue ball last here…..I think. LOL!! Such a good video B!!! It is like trying to copy Jamaal Wilks shooting style for the Lakers back in the day!!

[@FXBilliards]

You got it, brother Jim. Thanks for watching and I appreciate your comments. Keep up the good work over at BTP

[@grandemaisonfleuries7830]

This is the second time ive heard this advice....been playing seriously for about a year....when i take this advice and use it thoroughly, i absolutely shoot better....

[@Gitoffamylawn]

Consistency is key. Tough cuts I'll look at the object ball, if I'm trying to get the cue ball to dance with english I'll focus on the cue ball, with a fairly straightforward shot I'll look at the pocket, and if I'm trying to get a rise out of someone I'll look away after I get the shot lined up. The last one sometimes backfires, not that I miss but some opponents get mad and play much better when you give them something to prove.

[@AlsAllMetalDetecting]

Exactly Bryan! Be well, Al-Fu

[@jimj.6412]

I think every one pretty much looks right at the target. I think most people have trouble with their timing in their stroke and the stroke is 95% of making the shots. A friend of mine played for years, reached a certain point and could not advance any farther, stayed there for years. I helped him with his timing in his stroke and his game went up drastically over the next 5 - 6 weeks. As simple minded as it sounds, I had him say to himself set, load, shoot. Every one will find their own timing. pre stroke, then set stop the cue completely ( make sure your eyes are on the target, not just the object ball ) then load ( bring the final back stroke back ( nearly impossible to bring it back to slow, keep your eyes on the target ) then either stop the cue or decelerate the clue ) then shoot ( start the cue slow and accelerate the cue through the cue ball. Look at the entire stroke as being a slow lazy movement. You are not playing Ping-Pong. there is very little movement in playing pool. Saying to yourself set, load, shoot may help more then you think.

[@Robert-ln7yt]

Great video my friend 🎉 Basic fundamentals apply them 🎉

[@FXBilliards]

Absolutely!

[@robertfischer380]

I'm looking at the object ball last... I've seen Mark Williams close his eyes and shoot in competition... so yes, if you have a straight stroke, it's all good. 👍

[@gregterkanian5158]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. The only thing I'd add is that watching the cue on final stroke promotes head lift, which can affect the follow-through.

[@robertl9136]

I wholeheartedly agree with this, "where to look doesn't matter". Main focus should be, to achieve straight cue delivery and get precise aiming line consistently according to me. Also, yes to have chin touching above cue allows eyes to see baseline better (since eyes don't move by far when flipping up and down), however I found that being on such position affects my cue delivery negatively on power shots which was my problem. It may be due to my height as a very tall guy... I am very comfortable leaving around 10-12 inches chin to cue. I believe that people should do what feels natural about this regard. Great advice Brian!

[@FXBilliards]

You make a very good point, and I appreciate you sharing your personal insights. Thanks for watching!

[@usmc1992usmc]

This was a message i think i needed to hear.

[@n00ber420]

I, like Albin Ouschan am right handed and left eye dominant. I didnt know for years and then found out and it screwed with my game. I got past that and now better than I was back then. Its just good to see a pro using the same setup as me. Even though im shit.

[@neaguvali63]

The best lesson ever ❤

[@garybkatz]

Thanks for another good video! I shoot while looking at the CB mostly on the break shot and when shooting over another ball. On certain long shots, I look past the OB to the point on the rail that is behind it, and that seems to work better for me. Otherwise, the visual target is the OB. I don't mind being a work in progress, as long as I don't become a "work in regress!"

[@kpayne2911]

Very good advice. BE You, Not someone else. Applies to a lot of sports.

[@wilkvanburen]

Great video! For me personally, I normally line the shot up and look at the object ball if it is a more or less 'normal' shot (i.e. not too much spin; more or less straight line to the ghost ball). If there is more spin involved, I will usually look at the object ball, then at the cue ball to make sure I'm hitting it correctly for the spin. So I guess, like a lot of people subconsciously do, I use a combination depending on the situation. Like most things in pool, I don't think there is a single 'magic pill' solution that will make you a pro-level player. You just have to put in the time and work on what you miss until you learn to make it.

[@andersonbyron1478]

I dont comment much but im locked in and i just have to say thats honestly the best advance work on your individual game of what works for you

[@bossmustang9615]

I think that one of the beauty of pool,everyone has a little different stance an bridge but in the end we all pocket balls

[@billydah3rd]

Thanks for the great content . I look at the cue ball before I take it back . Specifically the spot on the cue ball I’d like to hit .

[@knyng]

Very good thanks Bryan

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for watching.

[@olavodias]

I got lessons from someone and he messed up my stroke real bad. He wanted me to fix one thing that, according to him, pros never do. Came home and wanted to watch some pool. Then i watch Fedor Gorst play and he did exactly what i was told "pros dont do". I decided to just make sure I'm stroking straight and hit the ball where I want. Have been playing pretty good now. Your perfect stroke won't be exactly the same as someone else's stroke. Watch Bustamante's stroke... looks super strange, but he is awesome regardless.

[@keithdavies52]

I did that bit a few weeks ago, but on the 8, cross corner. It was an easy bank, and my buddy was frustrated already. I lined up, looked him in the eye, and made it. I won't get into the expletives that poured out of him, but I had fun .

[@trevorsmith3947]

Very true!

[@Jared45513]

Im glad I stayed till the end lol. Great lesson.

[@FXBilliards]

I appreciate you staying till the end and hope you enjoyed the lesson.

[@SHANEO1976]

Preach it!!

[@mariuszwiszowaty2979]

I ve never paid too much attention to it before... but i think I look at the object ball unless I draw back. In this situation, I look at the cue ball ...I think

[@sparksbakery]

Brilliant advice sir. IMO, set up a technique that works for you….like my peripheral vision is almost gone, so I learned to become ambidextrous with central right eye or left eye looking down the cue. I look down at the cue ball to make sure my cue stroke hits where I want, then I look primarily at the impact point of my object ball. I shoot, but don’t move till I see it fall in a pocket or stop. You can have wildly different routine or similar, but ask “ can this routine deliver?”

[@myaccount3402]

It's about aligning to the cue ball when addressing the cue ball as opposed to looking at a "spot on the Object ball".... By looking at cue ball last he is "squaring " (leveling) or creating the alignment for a straight stroke Even on Cut Shots

[@mkoz1134]

Ya this is so true. I just got into golf so I've been watching alot of training videos. Same thing. So many of the videos are analyzing PGA pros golf swings. Well they all do slightly different things. I skip those videos. Just learn the fundamentals and create your own style.

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for sharing your experience. You're right, finding your own style is key.

[@DangerousWillie]

Some days I need to look at the cue ball at the moment of impact otherwise it consistently goes crooked, some days I look at the object ball at the moment of impact, & some days I need to view both at the same time like looking down the sights of a gun. That's what I use my warm up practice for. Figuring out what my body is doing on that day & how I need to adjust. Once I figure that out everything works fine.

[@SenseiNatePlaysPool]

PREACH BROTHER!

[@Equinox051256]

Baseball - Ty Cobb - unorthodox stance - same thing!

[@kb3170]

I'm usually in a self induced trance, lol sometimes line up the tops or the bottoms of ob and cb .... other times look i look at the pocket. All being straight on shots of course. Variables that usually depicts techniques are bridge type or distance. Whatever gets my contact points to stay still

[@djamo1969]

I tried emulating Efren when I started playing a few years ago and it hampered me for a year. I then found my own fundamentally sound way to deliver my stroke and the only thing I kept from Efren’s shot is shooting on the second stroke after I have my final tip placement where I want it. I’ve found I like that rhythm, but I can’t pocket balls consistently with a “chicken wing” stroke like his.

[@jacobpressley4449]

The object ball you shot hits the face of the pocket on the second ball vs the ball right after goes straight in the pocket without touching a rail/face of the rail

[@2colossery]

A lot of top snooker players has said they look cue ball last, so maybe there's something to it, when it comes to long distance shots. Or maybe it's just more common to teach that way in the UK, who knows. Ultimately, I think it's like you say; if your stroke is good, it doesn't really matter.

[@wdiddy1]

Good time video Brian. I tried both and prefer eyes closed lol.

[@FXBilliards]

That’ll come in handy if you go blind in the middle of a shot. Thanks for watching.

[@shawnogg8208]

Completely correct. Of course eyes and eye pattern matter but there is just no general rule what to look at.

[@tomaszsosnowski9279]

Straight stroke is important, but you have to move your body into the shot line. If your body is aching, cranky, tired, injured, walking into the shot line is more difficult. If you are off line, you will start second guessing and adjusting your aim. That's why young guys are great at long potting, their bodies are light and mobile, they go into the shot in a fluid way, they glide into the position. I used to crash land on the table, I sometimes find it difficult to line the shot the day after some hard gym training. I play much better after some basic gymnastics. If you are on line you just shoot and make the ball, you don't even think what you are looking at.

[@tomhiggins875]

A repeatable technique, whatever it is for a particular individual, that produces the desired results is the ultimate goal.

[@nathangonzalez9109]

I am grateful for this vid! One question that I’d appreciate your opinion. What is the line between doing something that works for you, and doing something that is just wrong? Is there something “plain wrong” when it comes to stance, stroke, or anything? Just want to hear your thoughts. Thank you!

[@joeyvanleeuwen5229]

Object ball here. Not because i was taught or anything but because my aiming and tip position is pretty much done when i get down on the shot. I do go back and forth a few times to make sure everything looks good and to feel the shot. But definitely object ball last.

[@FXBilliards]

You've got it. Thanks for watching!

[@davidkihm9186]

I think I’m mostly cue ball last but I think I vary it by shot and sometimes switch from cueball to object ball during my stroke. Best advice I ever received was to JUST NOT THINK ABOUT IT! I promise you that no professional is consciously thinking about what they are looking at. Try different things if you want to see what you like, but then just forget about it. You never want to be thinking about those things over a shot. Let your unconscious mind take over.

[@choov7554]

I’ve told many different ppl that the issue with one person trying to j strict another is that, it’s hand, eye, and muscle coordination… everyone’s body works differently. There are fundamental principles, but different ways that ppl do them

[@kb3170]

Sometimes I will make 3 lines. Both Edges and the ob ...3rd eye / center vision

[@nickbonvino]

Cue ball last for me… nice shooting BTW !!

[@FXBilliards]

You got it! Thanks for your comments

[@xdecemberguy]

What do you think is best. Using only one cue all the time or switching it up every now and then. I have a few not many but I switch it up half way through league season so I get to play with both. I like them both and I believe I play equally well with both cues. Good idea or maybe hurting my game...what do you think?

[@FXBilliards]

Chances are you’re not hurting your game. There aren’t many really good players sticking to the exact same cue 100% of the time. Enjoy the inventory.

[@qzwx4205]

Sometimes I look at the cue and sometimes I look at the target ball... it really depends on the shot

[@sdhoney9592]

It all depends on the straight shot most of the time it's the pocket or the object ball or the cue ball I stick with my own game which helps me with table runs or defensive shots.

[@FXBilliards]

Thanks for watching and appreciate the comments.

[@dynofx1132]

I use one eye for object ball and the other eye for cue ball.

[@johnstorton]

I tried to mimic Mike Segal, but I kept hitting myself in the head with the cue or throwing my shoulder out of socket. I also kept seeing images of Ed Norton in my head.

[@tonyhanna1392]

Love your videos and I am a subscriber. Have you done a video before on straight shooting? When I shoot straight down the middle of the table onto the end cushion and back the cue ball always comes back to the right of centre. When I practice just shooting single balls into corner pockets it is very evident that I am putting a fair bit of spin on the balls. I have only been playing a year but it is pretty obvious I have some faults in my stroke that need fixing. I live in Australia and about 1000kms away from the nearest instructor so I have never had any tuition and we don't have any pool competitions where I live. So if you have any particular video that you think may help me I would be very much appreciative. Thanks

[@jasonh3109]

Amen!

[@aroundseasia]

Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'sullivan both watch the cue ball in snooker. I can't do it though😂😂😂

[@willstearmer6482]

So I'm kind of a struggling 5, 5 (8ball, 9ball). It seems like magic when I actually make a straight shot. I actually took some lessons from a local legend in San Diego. But I would get so exhausted from the repetitions due to my long COVID symptoms that I got frustrated and had to quit. Pretty sure I'm over them now as my energy is better. Long story short he was changing my shot process looking at the cue ball then looking at the object ball two or three times and then the object ball last. Heaven knows what I was doing before that. But now I have this mutated process if I even remember to do it the way he taught me. I guess my question is what do I do at this point assuming I don't have a straight stroke? Lots of years being slightly above average. But want to level up. Thank you in advance.

[@robertbell6230]

If possible, object ball/pocket after finding my spot on the cue ball.

[@mikeleahy244]

I do cue ball but I’m just finally at 59 trying to improve

[@724riff]

Hi , I was wondering if you can offer some insight for right handers who are left eye dominant , I am 63 now playing on low low tables and either coming across the cueball or not linning up straight , something is breaking down and my stroke feels bound up . I've seen Mr Wilson's clinic in clearance but it hasn't seemed to help so any insight would help , thank you

[@user-do1fq8oy9c]

Sometime I miss so bad it's as tho I wasn't even looking down my cue. Other times it's as tho my aiming and visualization software has crashed!

[@tonymon875]

I've been saying this for years. The only thing that matters is having a straight stroke. No matter how good you aim the proper angle, if you don't have a straight stroke on delivery it doesn't matter.

[@FXBilliards]

♦ HEY GANG: Tell me in the comments, what you usually look at right before shooting.

[@TimeForTrim]

Ive always been a cue ball last person as well. If i switch it i can still make the ball but its awkward.. Its whatever you are used to , there is no right or wrong answer..

[@nvpoolshooter]

Always comes down to the stroke, doesn’t it, Bryan? Once I've lined up the shot, which takes me about a millisecond because I'm 99% already lined up when I drop down for the shot, my eyes lock onto the object ball during my stroke. Definitely not looking at the cue ball.

[@allgood6760]

So true and it would be boring if we were all the same 🎱👍🇳🇿

[@justachristian4072]

You shot the shot more accurately when looking at the cue ball.

[@whitigir]

It is all about "feels" after you hit millions balls 😅. A lot of people said elbow swings and or dropping it is not straight....that is also wrong. Everyone biomechanics and physics are different. Like you said, muscle memories can not be mimicked. The same as unconsciouness memories

[@ruffdawgg]

I look at pocket

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

Always the Object Ball. Always. . .

[@FXBilliards]

Cool. Thanks for watching and leaving your comments.

[@johngraves1216]

got to have your own style fo sho

[@FXBilliards]

Very true Thanks for watching.

[@keworder]

I wish you’d made this video 10 years ago, would have saved me a lot of grief 😂

[@davidtrzeciak2451]

At fun bar games do this on 8 ball and make eye contact with opponent on shot. Cause it's all lined up 60% of the time anyway.

[@anthonykeller5120]

People should see Judd Trump shoot a cut shot with right spin. During his warm up strokes the cue tip is pointed at the left side of cue ball. Just before the cue meets the cue ball it shifts across the cue ball to the left side. It’s insane when you see him shoot from a straight on angle. And he’s one of the best cueists in snooker, and he didn’t look too shabby the first time he went to the US Open. Judd and Bustamante are not billiards players anyone wants to emulate. I can’t imagine the number of hours it took to work effectively with their basic bad habits. In “Play Great Pool” by Marc Wilson, he writes that great players look at both cue ball and object ball last depending on … Marc contends that it’s not something you should concern yourself about as you learn your stroke. I’ve never heard of looking at the pocket last…hmmm I might try that sometime although I can’t see it helping with a super thin cut. I find that I almost always look at the cue ball last to ensure I’m hitting the cue ball where I think I should be hitting it. I will usually look at the object ball when it’s a very thin cut. Another good video. Thanks.

[@kb3170]

In practice I will shoot with my eyes closed to confirm I own that shot

[@FXBilliards]

That is a very good practice technique. Thanks for watching.

[@jdmikeg4]

I see SO MANY players pre-stroke like Efren or Bustamante LoL!!