Hi, so we finished the first half of the season top of our division which is really pleasing. Monty is returning to some sort of form while Stephen just seems to improve every week and is now probably the best player in the team. The unfortunate thing is that I feel that I've taken a giant step backwards.
What hasn't helped is that I'm attempting to adjust the way that I line up shots. My problem is this: I have always sighted the angle using the method known as the 'ghost ball'. This has brought me moderate success but there are always angles on the table where I actually struggle to visualise this 'ghost ball' and so I feel that sometimes (especially on cut backs) I'm shooting blind. Furthermore, I can't see how this method can possibly be accurate enough. Sure, I think it's probably enough for pool but I'd like a more accurate method of lining up the shots.
For these reasons I have been focussing on two things (which are related) which is the point of contact that the cue ball needs to hit the object ball, and the line of aim that gets the cue ball to hit the object ball at the point of contact. There's a web application that allows this to be demonstrated and practised (www.onekaraoke.com) and so I'm spending a little time with this in my spare time as well. The theory behind doing this is that if I can pick out the point of contact reliably every time (an easier process than visualising a ghost ball in my opinion) then it will eventually become easy to just pick out the line of aim {because each respective point of contact is 'tied' to it's own line of aim}. This strikes me as a much more accurate way of aiming at the object ball.
So far though, I'm playing a lot worse than I was using my previous sighting method. Of course, while I learn the angles (again) one would expect this to happen and if I eventually become a better potter than I was then this frustration will be worth it. It will be a situation where I've taken a step backwards to take two steps forwards. I'm just beginning to get a little worried that I've made my game irreparably worse by undergoing this sighting change. Time will tell of course.
One more thing about my development as a player, I'm really trying to get my technique better. The more I talk to good players, the more they mention the small things that I didn't really think that much about like the bridge, grip etc.
We played a cup game just before Xmas where we were (un)fortunately drawn against a very good team from our own club. Despite getting 24 points each head start, I went down fairly easily and so did Monty. The difference between divisions was quite stark; while there were no huge breaks all of the shots were much more sensible and safety conscious. I don't think I got an easy shot all game - unlike our division where players just take everything on. I didn't mention Steph-o, because he played an absolute blinder and beat a very good player called Paul Chester. That's a win to brag about (assuming he doesn't go on to become a top division player himself of course, and who knows on his current trajectory?).
Tonight we play Thame C in another cup game. This cup is different in that the teams are capped at division 3 and so we probably stand a better chance in this one. Thame are in our division so we should feel fairly confident.
I'll blog again in the spring I expect. I'm going to have a real go at this adjustment in sighting and if it eventually begins to pay off (and there are angles that I've begun to recognise now) then hopefully I can begin to become the sort of player that I've always wanted to be.
Simon
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