How Do the Pros Aim

Luxury said:
The pros are playing 9 ball and ten ball and using English on the majority of shots. Tons of finesse. The shots require a lot of compensation that they have shot so many times that they just see the shot picture and let their eye,arm, brain computer make the shot happen.

Certain instruction could speed up the learning process to get to that level but I can see how some aiming system instruction could slow down the process as well.
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End of discussion. No aiming system can account for speed and/or throw. For example, draw is a thicker hit than stun. But how much? How hard are you going to hit it? Add a little outside, then what? Will Apple come out with an application for all the variables? No, because it's intuitive. Back to the table, boys (and girls).
 
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TheThaiger said:
Firstly, can someone briefly explain the principles of an aiming system please?
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Aiming systems try to replace aiming "by feel" with aiming "mechanically". Unfortunately, the mechanical steps of an aiming system can never take you all the way to the exact aim needed; it would have to be too detailed and complicated to do that - so you can't avoid using "feel" to finish the job.

Aiming systems work by:

1. Mechanically getting "in the ballpark" of the required aim so the job can be finished more easily than starting from scratch.

2. (For some) giving the beneficial illusion that no "feel" is needed to make shots, which can increase confidence and allow the subconscious to operate more effectively.

3. Giving a consistent setup ("preshot routine") that gets the shooter into the same shooting position every time, focused on a careful beginning alignment of the stick, CB and OB.

1 and 2 are things that aiming systems add to the process, but not everybody needs. 3 (preshot routine and consistent starting alignment) is good practice for everybody, but an aiming system isn't needed for it.

pj
chgo

P.S. Aiming systems don't account for the effects of sidespin or help with CB position - these are necessary "user addons".
 
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Patrick Johnson said:
Aiming systems try to replace aiming "by feel" with aiming "mechanically". Unfortunately, the mechanical steps of an aiming system can never take you all the way to the exact aim needed; it would have to be too detailed and complicated to do that - so you can't avoid using "feel" to finish the job.

Aiming systems work by:

1. Mechanically getting "in the ballpark" of the required aim so the job can be finish more easily than starting from scratch.

2. (For some) giving the beneficial illusion that no "feel" is needed to make shots, which can increase confidence and allow the subconscious to operate more effectively.

3. Giving a consistent setup ("preshot routine") that gets the shooter into the same shooting position every time, focused on a careful beginning alignment of the stick, CB and OB.

1 and 2 are things that aiming systems add to the process, but not everybody needs. 3 (preshot routine and consistent starting alignment) is good practice for everybody, but an aiming system isn't needed for it.

pj
chgo

P.S. Aiming systems don't account for the effects of sidespin or help with CB position - these are necessary "user addons".
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A good explanation from PJ.

I would add that an aiming system is sort of a crutch to use until you can get up and running on your own. It might be able to help you visualize what it is you're trying to do on a given shot, but that's it. There are too many variables, from squirt and swerve and throw and elevation and speed and spin and table conditions (to say nothing of the peculiarities of how you individually see things and the idiosyncrasies of your own body mechanics). An aiming system can get you in the ball park but you're still going to have to find your seat (and buy the beer and brats :-) on your own.

Lou Figueroa
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Aiming systems work by:

1. Mechanically getting "in the ballpark" of the required aim so the job can be finish more easily than starting from scratch.

2. (For some) giving the beneficial illusion that no "feel" is needed to make shots, which can increase confidence and allow the subconscious to operate more effectively.

3. Giving a consistent setup ("preshot routine") that gets the shooter into the same shooting position every time, focused on a careful beginning alignment of the stick, CB and OB.

1 and 2 are things that aiming systems add to the process, but not everybody needs. 3 (preshot routine and consistent starting alignment) is good practice for everybody, but an aiming system isn't needed for it.
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Excellent list. Additional benefits and explanations for how they work can be found here:

Patrick Johnson said:
P.S. Aiming systems don't account for the effects of sidespin or help with CB position - these are necessary "user addons".
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There are aiming systems to account for squirt, swerve, and throw, but they also require "feel" for effective use in all situations.

Regards,
Dave
 
Neil said:
Yes it is, try CTE or 90/90. Bridge placement is a big part of it.
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An argument can be made that "bridge placement" is the only important part, for any "aiming system." The exact bridge placement (after any final "adjustment") totally dictates the line of the cue with center-ball alignment, regardless of what "aiming system" you might be using, and regardless of whether or not you pivot.

Regards,
Dave
 
genomachino said:
Hi there James,

Many of the pros do it just like you. They just do it naturally better. Aiming that is. The other things that go from pool we also do from repetition but you need to know how to do alot of these thing the most correct way first.

One a person learns how to get the eyes in the correct position your practicing getting them there on every shot that you do. Now we really get somewhere with the repetitions.

Some pros but very few know how the eye really work naturally.

To be honest I have never met one that really did know how the eyes work. . But they do things that work for them. Just like chopping wood with an axe the repetitions will get you pretty accurate.

Just like pool though technique is very important.

It's not an accident that many pro men players wives have played on the womens pro tour from time to time.

Some played good before but others learned very quickly.

Knowledge is powerful. Especially aiming knowledge...........

Have a great day geno......................
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when i use left english i aim right and when i use right english i aim left.
what is thiscalled?
 
CTE/Pro One

Neil said:
Right on cue! I knew that if I mentioned those three little letters, that a certain 3 people would be quick to chime in about it.:D Never fails.:rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:
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Lol @ Neil. You're right of course. :D

CTE/Pro One relies on correct bridge placement as well as matching up the correct coordinates.

Some people find using aiming systems very helpful, while others think it is NOT helpful at all.
 
lfigueroa said:
I would add that an aiming system is sort of a crutch to use until you can get up and running on your own.

Lou Figueroa
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It's helpful sometimes on unfamiliar equipment. That said, I do it somewhat backwards.

I usually start playing with a moderate amount of spin to get the feel of the table. I'm basically playing by feel from the get go.

Once I can start trusting the balls to go in, I'll work more centerrball shots into the run. However, I never hit a centerball shot from the getgo. Ever.
 
real bartram said:
when i use left english i aim right and when i use right english i aim left.
what is thiscalled?
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Shouldn't it be the opposite?

When I use left english, I aim to the left because the CB squirts to the right;
and when I use right english, I aim to the right because the CB squirts to the left.

Regards,
Dave
 
AtLarge said:
Lenny -- would you be willing to share your method with us? Perhaps a new thread would be appropriate rather than using this thread.
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I do not feel I could explain it well in this thread, its something that would have to be shown but an example would be this. On a spot shot I have ball in hand in the kitchen, I place the cue ball on the left hand side of the table to make the ball in the right corner pocket. I place the cue ball 1 diamond from the side rail and the on the head string.

To make the ball I am aiming the center of my shaft the left edge of the ball, if the cue ball was on the rail and the head string it would be the left side of the shaft to the edge of the ball, in the center of the table on the head string is the right edge of the shaft to the edge of the ball.

You can break it down further with the shaft, it is a simple method to learn and can be refined. If I take some time I will set up a WEI table so you can try some simple shots to show how it works, you start learning it with closer shots than my examples obviously so you can build trust in it. I have seen similar methods but this is somewhat different from those on paper.
 
Mitchxout said:
It's helpful sometimes on unfamiliar equipment. That said, I do it somewhat backwards.

I usually start playing with a moderate amount of spin to get the feel of the table. I'm basically playing by feel from the get go.

Once I can start trusting the balls to go in, I'll work more centerrball shots into the run. However, I never hit a centerball shot from the getgo. Ever.
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That's interesting - I work the opposite way: going back to centerball until my eye is working again, then adding spin again.

We use spin so frequently that I sometimes feel that I'm forgetting how shots look without it, so I sometimes practice using centerball only, just to remind myself what "pure" aiming looks like - and to remind myself how much spin is really necessary and how much is just a convenience so I don't have to hit as hard.

pj
chgo
 
dr_dave said:
Shouldn't it be the opposite?

When I use left english, I aim to the left because the CB squirts to the right;
and when I use right english, I aim to the right because the CB squirts to the left.

Regards,
Dave
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You are right. Tell the hack to read some of your work.
 
Pat...Maybe you're aware of this...maybe not. "Feel" is a legitimate aiming method...one of several that are mentioned. Many players aim and shoot by "feel"...especially with banks.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Patrick Johnson said:
Aiming systems try to replace aiming "by feel" with aiming "mechanically". Unfortunately, the mechanical steps of an aiming system can never take you all the way to the exact aim needed; it would have to be too detailed and complicated to do that - so you can't avoid using "feel" to finish the job.
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Scott Lee said:
Pat...Maybe you're aware of this...maybe not. "Feel" is a legitimate aiming method...one of several that are mentioned. Many players aim and shoot by "feel"...especially with banks.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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I aim by feel. I'm surprised that I gave the impression I may not think it's a legitimate method.

pj
chgo

P.S. Funny you mention banking as the exception - that's the one kind of aiming that I'm most "systematic" about.
 
Aiming Is way over rated.What about the golfer who stands beside the golf ball,not behind It.How does he aim? Just alot of practice.But In competion,you really shouldn't be thinking about how you are aiming.Ya'll ever shoot a shotgun? The first thing an Instructor will tell you Is..don't aim,point and shoot,that's what they'll tell ya.99.9 percent of all pros play by feel.That's why their pros.They don't think and worry bout all this aiming stuff.I've been around the block.I've hung out with and learned from,oh..Buddy Hall,Nick Varner,Earl strickland,well quite a few pretty good players.I have never gotten Involved In these ole aiming threads,but I just can't take It anymore.Hope I don't offend to many with this,but It's sure how I feel.I'll probably be ran off after this,but so what.John B.
 
JBKY said:
Aiming Is way over rated.What about the golfer who stands beside the golf ball,not behind It.How does he aim? Just alot of practice.But In competion,you really shouldn't be thinking about how you are aiming.Ya'll ever shoot a shotgun? The first thing an Instructor will tell you Is..don't aim,point and shoot,that's what they'll tell ya.99.9 percent of all pros play by feel.That's why their pros.They don't think and worry bout all this aiming stuff.I've been around the block.I've hung out with and learned from,oh..Buddy Hall,Nick Varner,Earl strickland,well quite a few pretty good players.I have never gotten Involved In these ole aiming threads,but I just can't take It anymore.Hope I don't offend to many with this,but It's sure how I feel.I'll probably be ran off after this,but so what.John B.
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I sure hope no one runs you off. If there is anyone in this thread who deserves respect and to be heard, it's you.
 
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