Aiming Through the Ghost Ball

In the picture

1. 1The object ball: the ball that must roll into the pocket.
2. 2The ghost ball: a transparent copy of the cue ball touching the object ball.
3. 3The contact point: the spot where the cue ball and object ball would meet.
4. 4The pocket: the target opening for the object ball.
5. 5The cue ball: the ball struck by the cue.

Examples

• Rolling a marble into a target: you aim the marble’s center at the target.
• Pushing a cart through a doorway: you line up the cart’s center with the opening.

Quiz: Aiming Through the Ghost Ball (Age 13)

1. 1

   What does the ghost ball mark?

   • The object ball’s center at the moment it reaches the pocket
   • The cue ball’s center at the moment it touches the object ball
   • The spot where the cue tip hits the cue ball
2. 2

   After impact, which line does the object ball travel along?

   • The path the cue ball followed before impact
   • The line joining the centers of the cue ball and object ball at contact
   • The line from the pocket to the contact point
3. 3

   When potting a ball, why is it better to aim at the ghost ball instead of only at the contact point on the object ball?

   • Because it shows the exact spot on the cue ball to hit with the cue stick
   • Because it shows the path the cue ball takes after hitting the object ball
   • Because it shows where the cue ball’s center must be at contact

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.