How do you need to aim to compensate for "throw" when you use english?

I will explain several methods of this technique, starting with a simple positioning and aim point determination for a shot.

I took wild1's diagram and modified it slightly to show the aim point.
This is where being able to imagine a "ghost ball" (in this case the 1 ball behind the 9) is helpful.

If you place the "ghost ball" directly behind the object ball (OB) on the same line that the object ball needs to follow to go into the pocket, then all you have to do is aim for the center of the "ghost ball", the 1.

What happens is that the CB, if aimed this way, hits the 9 exactly in the right place to cause the 9 to go into the corner. This same method works for all balls on the "wild1" diagram.

Basically the aim point is the center of the ghost ball.

The exception to this is when you use English on the CB, which will "throw" the OB (cause the OB to track opposite the applied English). How much it tracks off, depends on the amount of English and how hard you hit the CB. Throw is the process of "imparting spin" or "gear action" between balls when one (the CB) is spinning and the other (the OB) is hit. This also works between 2,3 or 4 balls in succession, in reverse direction for each new ball hit. Of course the effect diminishes as more balls are hit in sequence, but the effect is there.

If you have an angle that is greater than 90 degrees on the shot, or you need to hit the OB off angle (to get around another ball) you can use "Throw" to put the OB back on track toward the pocket. This, of course, is a more advanced playing technique you will need to practice before becomming proficient. See the next diagram for this example.

In this example the 1 is the ghost ball, the 9 the OB. This shot has the CB at 90 degrees or slightly greater to the 9. Your "aim point" is the center of the 1 or slightly (a hair) left of center).

If you hit the CB with no english the probable result will be the 9 tracking on the green line, missing slightly. If you put outside (right) english on the CB, it will impart or throw the 9 back to the left along the orange line.

Without English, you will probably scratch, with English you will end up hitting the cushion at "A"...Of course, as I mentioned this is not an easy shot.....I make it about 50%...

You can also use "Throw" to change the inevitable path of a ball frozen to the CB, in the same way...Left English will "throw" the OB Right and visa-versa...how much depends on how much English, the friction between the balls (dirty balls tend to throw more) and the table cloth's friction.

In this example, the 9 is frozen to the CB. The line of allignment is the yellow line. If you hit the CB with no English, that is where the 9 will go, to point "A". If you put 11 o'clock English on the CB, and allign your cue to the pointing at the pocket, the 9 will travel the green line. I can tell you this works, but how much "offset" travel the English will cause depends on the factors I mentioned above (how much depends on how much English, the friction between the balls (dirty balls tend to throw more) and the table cloth's friction).

Whenever you use English, it causes some "throw". How much depends on how much English, as I mentioned earlier...The main thing to remember:

IF you use English on a shot to position your CB for the next shot, don't forget the throw effect on the current shot. If you are using, for example, Right English, it will throw the OB Left so to compensate you will need to aim at the OB, slightly Left to get the OB to go back to the Right, thus offsetting the throw. (depending on English and distance OB has to travel to pocket).

Remember, to compensate for throw, aim opposite English side (Right English, aim more left on OB, and visa-versa). In reality, on a short (1ft) shot, this throw/aim compensation technique may not even need to be used...but on a longer shot it must be considered or you will invariably miss the shot and not know why.

This might sound complicated but it is not that hard to remember if you go through it and understand and remember "what you need to do" on a shot to improve your odds for success!

There are many examples one could use to show variations in this technique but they all basically have the same characteristics. What is important is that you learn these techniques and make them an integral part of your game.

So as you can see, Aiming and aim points is a bit more complex than it appears to be..........ever wonder why that shot you thought you had dead stroke on missed? Maybe you used English and caused "throw" you didn't intend or maybe didn't know "throw" would cause.......certainly something to think about, and better yet practice so you get to know the various effects.