Is depth perception important in aiming?
Assuming you have already visualized the required impact line and ghost ball target (see NV 3.1 and NV 3.2), aligning the cue stick with the aiming line direction does not require depth perception. (In fact, the parallax created by binocular vision, even with a dominant eye, can make straight-line sighting difficult.) Now, some people might adjust their aim while in their stance based on their perception of the “angle of the shot,” impact line, contact point, and/or ghost ball target. In that case, depth perception might be helpful.
A low stance helps one better align the cue with the desired aiming line, without requiring too much of a shift in eye (or head) motion between the CB contact point the aiming target, while fine tuning and verifying one’s aim.
For more info, see dominant eye.
Interesting, the following research study showed no correlation between depth-perception ability (or other vision attributes) and pool-playing performance: “Perceptual-Motor Characteristics of Elite Performers in Aiming Sports” by Abernethy and Neal (1992).
Even if one only has vision in only one eye, where depth perception can be difficult, there are many other visual “cues” on a pool table that provide depth perception information, including the rails, diamonds, pocket locations, and the perceived sizes of the balls at different distances due to perspective effects.
from Qtec:
The difference between short and long bridge is that the EYES are further away from the QB when you play with a longer bridge. This means that when you focus on the QB or OB, you will see more of the shaft [ie. a longer line ] and therefore its easier to line up the cue on the line on the shot.
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