Vertical Axis Perception Error
RACK ‘EM UP!
Have you ever missed a shot with ball-in-hand? It seems impossible when you can place the cue ball anywhere on the table, but it happens regularly. How? The answer may be the Vertical Axis Perception Error. If you haven’t heard of it you are not alone. It describes, what is a fundamental error in alignment. Don’t worry it only affects 7 or 8 out of 10 players. Gee, what a relief. The straight-in shot is the most susceptible to throw from sidespin. The simple fix is to aim carefully and hit the cue ball on a center axis with no sidespin. The professional player aims exactly through the center of the cue ball and object ball to where at the pocket they aim for and strike the cue ball exactly where they intend. Amature players like us use the whole darn ball to aim and go from there to “somewhere” at the pocket and hit the cue ball “about” where we intend. Then be astonished we missed a straight-in shot. If you are missing straight plays you might consider practicing the straight stop shot. That would be where you hit the cue ball as close to the center of the cue ball as possible, with enough speed the cue ball is sliding when it strikes the object ball and stops. Is the cue ball spinning after stopping? If it is you didn’t hit “center.”You hit off-center on the cue ball and your aim, body alignment, stance, too tight of grip or loose bridge is the culprit. Try again.
FOR TUESDAY, 04/19/2022 »
TEAM POSITIONS: ANGELIA’S GRILL AND BAR TEAM # 1» 6 wins; Angelina’s Grill and Bar Team # 2: 6 wins; Golden West Saloon Team # 1: 6 wins; Golden West Saloon Team # 2: 1 win; Milano Hotel and Bar Team
# 1: 9 wins; Milano Hotel and Bar Team # 2: 2 wins; Tip Top Lounge Team # 1: 12 wins; Tip Top Lounge Team # 2: 6 wins; Welcome Inn Team # 1: 9 wins; Welcome Inn Team # 2: 1 win.
TOP PLAYERS OF THEIR TEAMS: ANGELINA’S GRILLE & BAR TEAM # 1 » Hugh Miller; Angelina’s Grille & Bar Team # 2: Tomas Venegas; Golden West Saloon Team # 1: Luke Pedersen; Golden West Team # 2: Mikael Haye; Milano Hotel and Bar Team # 1: Gabe Medina, Joel Vidal are tied; Milano Hotel and Bar Team # 2: Mark Wright; Tip Top Lounge Team # 1: Dan Casteel; Tip Top Lounge team # 2: Jason Hawk; Welcome Inn Team # 1: Sam Banker; Welcome Inn Team # 2: Schelagh Fredson.
TOP PLAYERS OF LEAGUE » Dan Casteel leads with 21 wins; Luke Pedersen with 19 wins; Victor Munoz with 18 wins. Sam Banker and Jason Hawk 17 wins. Ian Rebesch and Randy Gibson 16 wins.
Visit the following Fort Bragg Pool League sponsors: Angelina’s Grille & Bar, Golden West Saloon, Milano Hotel and Bar, Tip Top Lounge, or Welcome Inn: all maintain a schedule of Fort Bragg Pool League players and teams. Look to the list for someone you know and find where they are playing. You might join a team, make new friends, or just watch 8-ball games as they unfold. The League plays Tuesday at 7 pm ending before 10 pm. Tournaments, if held, are after League play, or as likely on a different night. Tournament schedules are usually posted on bulletin boards near pool tables and anyone can enter and play.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS » 9-ball Victor Munoz. 8-ball Dan Casteel.
If you are visiting Fort Bragg, you can test your game against local players! Enjoy the good company, food, music, and fullservice bars. With shuffleboard, dice, dart, or corn-hole in addition to billiards for your entertainment. Angelina’s Grill and Bar features Karaoke Friday evenings. If you like being outside, try Milano Hotel and Bar, with a patio and tables for enjoying the fresh air. Come, and spend time in Fort Bragg.
CUE TIP » Playing a level cue stick is one thing you can do to improve your pool game. If you watch you will see players with the rear part of their cue stick elevated. When they shoot down on the cue ball it will also push down on the table. The problem is, that will cause the round cue ball to curve, or “squirt” away. Another best thing to help your pool game is to strike the exact center of the cue ball. Your aim may be correct but on a straightin shot when you hit on one side or the other of the center axis of the cue ball can cause a “throw” to the object ball moving it off of its straight line. Contact me at mcbohanon@gmail.com.