Pool beginners easily learn to see the object ball contact point (CP). The problem is that they often use a rifle-like sighting down the cue through the center of the cue ball at the object ball CP, which always undercuts the object ball. The diagram above shows that the only way to use the cue with rifle-like sighting directed at the object ball CP is to line up along the line from the cue ball CP to the object ball CP. This is rarely done because it has a couple of problems in addition to squirt and throw. If the cut angle is large, a miscue is likely. Also the contact point on the cue ball is not visible when you are standing close to where you will take your stroke because it is on the opposite side of the cue ball. But as the diagram shows, the exact mid-point (MP) between the cue ball and the object ball is also on the cue ball CP – object ball CP - rifle-like sighting line and this midpoint can often be seen fairly easily. Once the beginner sees that MP – object ball CP is the only correct rifle-like sighting line to the object ball contact point, they will realize why rifle-like aiming through the center of the cue ball at the object ball CP fails. They then need to know that, neglecting the effects of squirt and throw, any stroke parallel to MP – object ball CP will also pocket the object ball. As the diagram shows, the CCB – CGB ‘ghost ball’ aiming line is one such line parallel to MP – object ball CP and is itself a popular aiming system.
Although I don’t think the technique of locating the MP – object ball CP line and then thinking ‘parallel to that line’ will ever be a popular aiming system, the one thing I do hope you take away with you from this article is the understanding that there is only one correct rifle-like aiming line directed at the object ball contact point and that is along the MP – object ball CP line. Shots aimed through CCB directed at the object ball CP must undercut!
