Lesson
4

Aiming: Ghost Ball and Fullness of Hit

Picture where the cue ball will be at contact

Goal

Know exactly where the cue ball has to go to send the object ball into the pocket.
1ghost ballcue ball
The ghost ball (dashed circle) is where the cue ball must be at contact. Aim the center of the cue ball at the center of the ghost ball, not at the contact point.
Video lesson

Key points

Draw a line from the pocket through the center of the object ball and extend it out the back of the ball by one ball radius: that's where the center of the ghost ball sits.
Aim the center of the cue ball at the center of the ghost ball, not at the contact point on the object ball.
Fullness of hit: full ball (straight in), 3/4 ball, 1/2 ball (about a 30° cut), 1/4 ball (about 49°), thin.
The bigger the cut angle, the smaller your margin for error.

Common mistakes

Aiming at the contact point, which makes you cut the ball too thin
Changing your aim after you're already down on the shot
Hitting big cut shots too hard
Drill
Place an object ball 30 cm from a corner pocket and set the cue ball up at 0°, 30° and 45° cut angles. Shoot 10 from each angle and write down your make percentage.