CTE/Pro One Anniversary

JoeyA

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
Silver Member
It's been pretty close to a year since Stan Shuffett first released his DVD on CTE/Pro One and I thought it might be interesting to start a new thread about CTE/Pro One to discuss what has been learned or not learned in this past year.

For me CTE/Pro One continues to be a journey. Often I find players asking me about CTE/Pro One and if they have purchased Stan's DVD on CTE/Pro One, I give them my time and answer any questions that they have.

I've always aimed pretty well, mostly by instinct and what I call contact point to contact point. This particular aiming system has helped me to have more confidence in my auto-pilot aiming than anything else I have ever learned. In fact, that is what my aiming has evolved to, auto-pilot; a method of aiming whereby I simply place my bridge hand where it needs to go in order to make the shot. On occasion when my game is off, I revert back to the manual CTE/Pro One method of aiming to help "center" myself. It gives me solace to know that I can instantly go back to a manual system of aiming using the different reference points to help guide me to the proper bridge hand placement.

I don't think I would have developed the confidence in aiming that I now have it hadn't have been for CTE/Pro One and the one on one lesson that I took with Stan Shuffett.

As I've said in the past, some people may not need or want to use an aiming system and for them, that's just fine. For others who are struggling to get that perfect sight picture, you should consider using an aiming system like CTE/Pro One to help you perfect your method of aiming.

Anyway, I've said enough for now. I imagine that others have had similar results and different results as well and this thread is an opportunity for you to discuss what CTE/Pro One has brought to your table or not.

Look forward to hearing about your experience with CTE/Pro One.
 
Good idea.

I use both CTE and 90/90. When something goes wrong I know that it is me, not the system.
randyg
 
JoeyA said:
It's been pretty close to a year since Stan Shuffett first released his DVD on CTE/Pro One and I thought it might be interesting to start a new thread about CTE/Pro One to discuss what has been learned or not learned in this past year.

For me CTE/Pro One continues to be a journey. Often I find players asking me about CTE/Pro One and if they have purchased Stan's DVD on CTE/Pro One, I give them my time and answer any questions that they have.

I've always aimed pretty well, mostly by instinct and what I call contact point to contact point. This particular aiming system has helped me to have more confidence in my auto-pilot aiming than anything else I have ever learned. In fact, that is what my aiming has evolved to, auto-pilot; a method of aiming whereby I simply place my bridge hand where it needs to go in order to make the shot. On occasion when my game is off, I revert back to the manual CTE/Pro One method of aiming to help "center" myself. It gives me solace to know that I can instantly go back to a manual system of aiming using the different reference points to help guide me to the proper bridge hand placement.

I don't think I would have developed the confidence in aiming that I now have it hadn't have been for CTE/Pro One and the one on one lesson that I took with Stan Shuffett.

As I've said in the past, some people may not need or want to use an aiming system and for them, that's just fine. For others who are struggling to get that perfect sight picture, you should consider using an aiming system like CTE/Pro One to help you perfect your method of aiming.

Anyway, I've said enough for now. I imagine that others have had similar results and different results as well and this thread is an opportunity for you to discuss what CTE/Pro One has brought to your table or not.

Look forward to hearing about your experience with CTE/Pro One.
Click to expand...

Stan has a very good version of cte aiming. I still use the Half ball offset
simply because I had already adjusted to coming in from the same side every time . Same principle though. Stans DVD helped reinforce what I had learned from Spidey. Great information from both
Thanks Stan and Dave
 
randyg said:
Good idea.

I use both CTE and 90/90. When something goes wrong I know that it is me, not the system.
randyg
Click to expand...

Randy, earlier this week you made this post: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=3394937&postcount=8

When I read that, I assumed that what you described there is your normal/usual aiming method. It sounds like a fractional-ball aiming method.

Now, I know that you, as a teacher, probably understand and at least occasionally use several different aiming methods. But am I correct that what you described on Jan. 9 is your normal/predominant aiming method if you are, say, in an important match?

In what situations would you use CTE or 90/90 in that match?
 
randyg said:
Good idea.

I use both CTE and 90/90. When something goes wrong I know that it is me, not the system.
randyg
Click to expand...

Don't you just hate when you really realize "IT'S YOU"....:o:o.Now if I could just remember it's me sooner than later..:p
 
AtLarge said:
Randy, earlier this week you made this post: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=3394937&postcount=8

When I read that, I assumed that what you described there is your normal/usual aiming method. It sounds like a fractional-ball aiming method.

Now, I know that you, as a teacher, probably understand and at least occasionally use several different aiming methods. But am I correct that what you described on Jan. 9 is your normal/predominant aiming method if you are, say, in an important match?

In what situations would you use CTE or 90/90 in that match?
Click to expand...



Don't be confused. That would make two of us.....:)

Fractional aim numbers are only my reference points for CTE & 90/90.

I use CTE & 90/90 for about 95% of my shots. Have for about 10 years. Before that I used Fractional Aiming for about 30 years. In the beginning I used the HOPE method.

By the way...CTE & 90/90 are twin sisters.

randyg
 
randyg said:
... Fractional aim numbers are only my reference points for CTE & 90/90. ...
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with that; it sounds like a combination of methods. Would you be willing to explain it in more detail?
 
AtLarge said:
I'm not familiar with that; it sounds like a combination of methods. Would you be willing to explain it in more detail?
Click to expand...

Sure. It's a great combination.
Because my brain likes and understands numbers as apposed to other alternatives I used Fractional Aiming like this.

A full ball aim/hit was #1.
A three quarters ball aim was #2
A half ball aim was #3
A quarter ball aim was #4

In the first of my three pre-shot routines I would determine which number to aim at to get my desired result. Then as I smooth through the other two routines my aim never changes. No disappearing contact point or illusional ghost ball, just a number to focus on.

Now with the twin sisters I still know what number I'm supposed to be aiming at, I just pivot to that number. For me, a great cross reference.

Hope that helps
randyg
 
Joey,

It has been a year already, hasn't it?

I first got interested in CTE/Pro1 in Feb last year, then seriously through March/April with lots of practice and feedback from Spidey, Joey, JB, Stan, and the many threads here. I would say I had it integrated into my game fully in a month or two, but certainly tweaked and learned more things along the way.

I recently went through a 3 - 4 month slump, felt like wasted time, but as of 2 weeks ago I'm playing better than ever. I needed a short break, and rededication to some basics that I had taken for granted. Looking back, I think the slump was caused by some experimentation coupled with less time at the tables, a deadly combination.


As for CTE/Pro1, wouldn't shoot without it. I can - I can still "force" myself to just aim the old way and make shots - but I prefer not to. I've showed a few people how it works, most people were amazed but not enough to learn more about it. I taught it to a student of mine just for banking and she's 100% better in a short amount of time. It's so integrated into my game and so seamless that I doubt anyone would even know that I'm doing something different other than just stepping into the shot normally. Stan said it would get like that, I had a hard time believing it considering how much conscious effort is involved in the beginning, but it did.

As Joey said, it is a journey. As well as I shoot now, I'm still improving - I'm deadly on a lot of shots that used to give me pause but there are still some oddball angles that I don't trust and have a tendency to steer, I'm getting better at jotting those down and working on them in future practice sessions. I personally use more of a 90/90 approach for the very thick cuts, just see the ball better that way, and standard pivoting for everything else. I played with same side pivoting for a while, but I found I liked the inside pivots too much to get rid of them... I'm also very close with my new shaft to having a somewhat systematic way to adjust for english based on various distances and shot speeds, it will never be perfect (too many variables) but I'm almost as deadly with english as without.

Overall for me, I was never great at visualizing ghost balls, contact points, etc., and this system gave me a framework instead of constantly "guessing" on those medium - tough shots, and even improved my consistency on the easy - medium shots. As Randy said, I know when I miss immediately what I did, I just have better feedback and confidence in my alignment. The "soft" benefits of me improving my PSR, focusing more on center ball, etc. certainly helped as well. There are many different ways to aim, and while this might not be for everyone I can attest that it has helped me for sure. Can't say enough about the support I got from Stan as well as several forum members, appreciate it!!

Scott
 
In my eyes this system is just to advanced for most on here to understand even though its not hard to learn but takes a bit to master. This system will be recognized in the future as the holy grail of aiming eventually!! it gives you visual alignment,body alignment,contact points,banking system. What i found out recently is the importance of a consistent straight stroke and if you don't have one, balls will not drop even if there laser guided! I changed my entire stroke a few weeks ago and that has made a huge difference! This system and a straight stroke will take anyone out of a plateau.

I will add this in also for my pro1 brothers lol i picked up the kamui chalk and tried it, it will throw your routine off during a game, if you try and chalk when it doesn't need it, the chalk will cake and flake up on your tip and you will worry about if you should chalk or shouldn't chalk during your match. I will be retiring it to my breaking and jumping chalk. Blue diamond chalk on the other hand is the nuts!! i also put on a onyx tip by tiger and im really impressed with it.
 
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champ2107 said:
In my eyes this system is just to advanced for most on here to understand even though its not hard to learn but takes a bit to master. This system will be recognized in the future as the holy grail of aiming eventually!! it gives you visual alignment,body alignment,contact points,banking system. What i found out recently is the importance of a consistent straight stroke and if you don't have one, balls will not drop even if there laser guided! I changed my entire stroke a few weeks ago and that has made a huge difference! This system and a straight stroke will take anyone out of a plateau.

I will add this in also for my pro1 brothers lol i picked up the kamui chalk and tried it, it will throw your routine off during a game, if you try and chalk when it doesn't need it, the chalk will cake and flake up on your tip and you will worry about if you should chalk or shouldn't chalk during your match. I will be retiring it to my breaking and jumping chalk. Blue diamond chalk on the other hand is the nuts!!
Click to expand...

I don't know if any aiming system can be called the Holy Grail, but I know that CTE/Pro1 can be an excellent aiming system to learn because it gives you more than just a way to aim. It has also helped me to appreciate the perfect center of the cue ball, helped with my confidence as well as my alignment.

I've taught a couple of people CTE/Pro1 and while it is an excellent aiming system, it cannot help you to put balls in the hole if you have not mastered other critical fundamentals. Me, I'm still working on my grip and stroke. :o

Thanks for the heads-up about the Kamui Chalk. I haven't tried it just yet. The miscueing that I experienced when I first put on a Kamui SS is gone, FWIW.
 
it will be 15- 20 years from now Joey and will start from the east lol i always thought my stroke was good until i decided to really analyse it closely and figured out it was flawed.
 
Last edited:
champ2107 said:
it will be 15- 20 years from now Joey and will start from the east lol i always thought my stroke was good until i decided to really analyse it closely and figured out it was flawed.
Click to expand...

We've all got flaws and it gets frustrating (at least for me) to keep repeating the same flaws over and over. :p
 
randyg said:
... Now with the twin sisters I still know what number I'm supposed to be aiming at, I just pivot to that number. For me, a great cross reference.

Hope that helps
randyg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the explanation, Randy. It sounds like you're still using the 1, 2, 3, 4 fractional-ball aims as your final arbiter, but with a CTE-type pre-shot routine.

Isn't it neat how many different ways there are to try to get the blasted cue stick on the right line to make the shot?
 
AtLarge said:
Thanks for the explanation, Randy. It sounds like you're still using the 1, 2, 3, 4 fractional-ball aims as your final arbiter, but with a CTE-type pre-shot routine.

Isn't it neat how many different ways there are to try to get the blasted cue stick on the right line to make the shot?
Click to expand...

49 million ways and counting.
randyg
 
randyg said:
Sure. It's a great combination.
Because my brain likes and understands numbers as apposed to other alternatives I used Fractional Aiming like this.

A full ball aim/hit was #1.
A three quarters ball aim was #2
A half ball aim was #3
A quarter ball aim was #4

In the first of my three pre-shot routines I would determine which number to aim at to get my desired result. Then as I smooth through the other two routines my aim never changes. No disappearing contact point or illusional ghost ball, just a number to focus on.

Now with the twin sisters I still know what number I'm supposed to be aiming at, I just pivot to that number. For me, a great cross reference.

Hope that helps
randyg
Click to expand...

Just great- tested kind of this *cross reference* today. I used to work with contact to contact and fractional system- found myself kind of a combo with the numbers Joe Tucker uses for his system. But since a longer time i tried to earn knowledge about cte/pro1 and 90/90.
Since Randy gave me an idea of the 90/90 system i was very curious and also excited.
After reading the last comment i recognized a *PLING* moment- and i really must say-that such a moment happened soooo long ago the last time...-
Thx for this- it s really amazing how just a few words just can put it together to get a better understanding,

:bow-down:

lg
Ingo
 
scottjen26 said:
Joey,

It has been a year already, hasn't it?

I first got interested in CTE/Pro1 in Feb last year, then seriously through March/April with lots of practice and feedback from Spidey, Joey, JB, Stan, and the many threads here. I would say I had it integrated into my game fully in a month or two, but certainly tweaked and learned more things along the way.

I recently went through a 3 - 4 month slump, felt like wasted time, but as of 2 weeks ago I'm playing better than ever. I needed a short break, and rededication to some basics that I had taken for granted. Looking back, I think the slump was caused by some experimentation coupled with less time at the tables, a deadly combination.


As for CTE/Pro1, wouldn't shoot without it. I can - I can still "force" myself to just aim the old way and make shots - but I prefer not to. I've showed a few people how it works, most people were amazed but not enough to learn more about it. I taught it to a student of mine just for banking and she's 100% better in a short amount of time. It's so integrated into my game and so seamless that I doubt anyone would even know that I'm doing something different other than just stepping into the shot normally. Stan said it would get like that, I had a hard time believing it considering how much conscious effort is involved in the beginning, but it did.

As Joey said, it is a journey. As well as I shoot now, I'm still improving - I'm deadly on a lot of shots that used to give me pause but there are still some oddball angles that I don't trust and have a tendency to steer, I'm getting better at jotting those down and working on them in future practice sessions. I personally use more of a 90/90 approach for the very thick cuts, just see the ball better that way, and standard pivoting for everything else. I played with same side pivoting for a while, but I found I liked the inside pivots too much to get rid of them... I'm also very close with my new shaft to having a somewhat systematic way to adjust for english based on various distances and shot speeds, it will never be perfect (too many variables) but I'm almost as deadly with english as without.

Overall for me, I was never great at visualizing ghost balls, contact points, etc., and this system gave me a framework instead of constantly "guessing" on those medium - tough shots, and even improved my consistency on the easy - medium shots. As Randy said, I know when I miss immediately what I did, I just have better feedback and confidence in my alignment. The "soft" benefits of me improving my PSR, focusing more on center ball, etc. certainly helped as well. There are many different ways to aim, and while this might not be for everyone I can attest that it has helped me for sure. Can't say enough about the support I got from Stan as well as several forum members, appreciate it!!

Scott
Click to expand...

Scott,
Nice post! My experience has almost mirrored yours in ways! I wasn't trusting what I was envisioning at first! I guess I had to let my old brain get out of the way, sorta speak! I've always been able to pocket balls fairly well! Cte has seemed to free my mind of that and let me concentrate on other aspects of the game such as spin and speed!! I have kept at it religiously (pun intended) and it has finally begun to payoff over the last few months! Thank you Stan for helping my overall game!!
 
Just this last weekend, one of the almost regulars came in talking about CTE and explained it in a way that made a lot of sense and was very easy to demonstrate and to absorb. I've tried reading all the science and the endless threads about it here, but it was just too much to wade through. The guy set up three shots, three different cuts, and outlined the way to set down, align and pivot, and I was cutting shots with my eyes closed in seconds that would take me at least 4 or 5 up'n'downs normally. Not saying I'm a full convert, but I have definitely picked up a few new tricks for certain shots - especially the super thin cuts.

Although I do tend to overthink things when I add english to the equation, but I like that I can get to the correct line of center-ball-aim quickly and confidently.
 
people are starting to slowly understand the systems now and that its ok to try it and talk about it!! now that PJ,lou,nickb,dr dave,duckie a couple more guys have finally settled down and stopped flaming the systems,users, instructors and threads!
 
In my experience the CTEL is key, in more ways than one!! I kept at it playing as much as I could with manual CTE! I then had an "ah ha" moment and fell right into Pro-One!! After so much repetition the sub-conscious competence takes over!! Like anything else you have to stick with it and practice, practice, practice!!
 
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