Excellent post Roger!!!
FYI, if people want info and diagrams covering many of the other aiming methods, including those mentioned below, I have good descriptions, demonstrations, and resources for all of them here:
Regards,
Dave
FYI, if people want info and diagrams covering many of the other aiming methods, including those mentioned below, I have good descriptions, demonstrations, and resources for all of them here:
Regards,
Dave
Yes, I do teach people to pocket balls more consistently, and so far I have been successful at doing so without using CTE aiming. As I alluded to in my post, my students are primarily novices and intermediates (and I prefer it that way since they are the future of this sport), and being such, I feel the need to introduce them to pool in the most simplistic and understandable ways possible. And CTE definitely does not fit that need.
But let me say this about CTE: While I do believe it may be an extremely valuable method of aiming, I think that value may only apply to certain people. As with all other aiming methods, CTE is just a way of looking at a shot and then pointing the cue stick to make the cue ball go to the desired spot.
But there are other methods for doing the same thing. One is the Ghost Ball method. Another is the Fractional Ball method. Yet another is the Wagon Wheel method, and still another is the Light Reflection method. There are more, but they are too numerous to mention. And while all these methods exist, none of them can change the laws of physics; the cue ball will always have to be struck at the right spot, with the right amount of spin (or none at all), and at the right speed, to get it to pocket the object ball and then roll on to get shape for the next shot. But as for the method of aiming chosen; that will depend on the individual. Some people will never "get" the Ghost Ball method, but they might get the Fractional Ball method. Others might not get Fractional Ball, but they may get Light Reflections. Still others may not "get" anything except CTE, while others will never "get" it. It's all in each individual's personal perception.
So, it is my belief that CTE has its place in pool, but I seriously doubt that it can automatically turn everyone into ball pocketing machines.
Roger