I assume that you have the items that I requested from the last column and will ask you to help me to help you find your personal Facial Guide Points.  Take the time to angle the mirror so that you can see the reflected cue ball (acting as an object ball), cue ball, bridge hand, and cue stick from your normal head shooting position.  Take care to set the string in a straight line by taping a little at the top and bottom.  o­ne checkpoint would be to place your bridge hand the same normal position from the cue ball as when playing.  In addition, it is important to lower your head the same distance as you normally would. Then you will position yourself in front of the mirror as you would when playing.  Set yourself so that you will be able to duplicate your normal feet, body, and head positions. 

Once you are comfortably set over the imaginary shot – freeze your head and body!  Then look in the mirror to see where the vertically aligned string (imaginary aim line) is in relation to your face and cue stick.   Take time to study where the string intersects the specific points o­n your face.  Is it intersecting over the normally assumed “Nose Center Line” and “Jaw Center Points”?  Where is it really intersecting o­n your face?Continue to freeze and try to look at the string while moving your o­ne eye, and then move the other eye.  Then move both eyes.   Do you see that it will appear that the string will intersect different facial points as you move your eyes?   This changing perception of the strings intersecting the different facial points is due to the change of your angle of sight.  Then focus o­n the string and your face points the same way you normally aim and shoot to establish your Facial Guide Points!Can you see how the slightest eye movement will change your perception?   The subtlest eye movement will have an enormous affect o­n your shot-making ability, especially with the long shots.  (A Michael Jackson song says if you want to make a change, start with the pretty face in the mirror).So, with your favorite eye position, examine where the string intersects the specific points o­n your face.  Pay close attention to where the cue stick and string intersect the specific points around your eyebrows, teeth/mouth, and chin areas.  Select the points that are easy to recall and to visualize.  Ask your friend to verify and help make any adjustments that you may need.  Ask your friend to coach your way to your favorite Facial Guide Point.  (Moreover, why not do the same for your friend)?   The next columns will help select other possible Facial Guide Points using slightly different head positions.

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