Ghost-ball Aiming

billiards.colostate.edu

imaginary
ghost ball tangent impact line ghost ball
(GB) line through ball center
target centers (aiming point)

aiming aiming
line line
cue cue
stick ball cut
(CB) angle
contact point
object target
ball impact
line direction
(OB)

required
impact line
actual
actual required aiming
impact line contact line
point

the actual
cut angle
is too small
actual
contact
point required
cut angle
desired
target
direction
the cue ball is incorrectly aimed at
the required contact point (instead of the
required ghost ball center) resulting in
a different actual contact point

For more information, see the following video demonstrations on the website:

NV 3.1 Practicing contact point and ghost ball visualization

NV 3.2 Using the cue to help visualize the impact and aiming
normal video lines normal video

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 object
ball aiming
line

ghost
ball
target

impact
line
a) ghost ball in place (impact line view)
aiming contact
line point

impact
line

b) ghost ball in place (aiming line view) c) ghost ball removed (aiming line view)

Drill:
1. Have your partner randomly place the CB and OB on the table. Use a striped ball for the OB and
have the stripe point to the pocket with the circled number at the necessary contact point.

2. Aim the shot to pocket the OB and hold your stance in the “set” position.

3. Have your partner accurately place a second striped ball in the GB position with the stripe aligned
with the aiming line.

4. Adjust your aim, if necessary, based on the GB position.

5. Have your partner remove the GB while you hold your aim.

6. Pocket the ball.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 for various cut angles, distances, positions, pockets, and directions.

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