John Schmidt's and Corey Deuel's comments on aiming systems

[Mikjary]

To learn the stroke I shot the cue ball cross table for a good half hour both ways. I cued high and low, firm and soft. It was only consistent with a firm stroke.

The cue ball came back to me a few inches left and right when I started practicing with the stroke. I didn't try to play position until I started pocketing balls with some regularity. My table has 4 inch pockets, so tight aiming wasn't much of a stretch.

The new position I can get to and killing the cue ball are the real benefits for me. I never had a problem pocketing balls, but holding the cue ball on fast cloth forced me to take an extra rail more often than I wanted. Less cue ball movement and more pocket to shoot at make playing fun again.

Best,
Mike

 

[Patrick Johnson]

One way that CJ's technique is different is that this technique forces the shooter to more sharply focus their attention to where you're aiming the object ball.

Different from what? This is one of the positive things that CJ's technique can teach, but anybody can do this (and should) with or without a special aiming technique.

The other thing that is different is that you are using a touch of inside, which prevents you from using a touch of unwanted outside.

It doesn't "prevent" unwanted outside - a tiny amount of tip movement in one direction (too little to even produce sidespin, remember?) won't eliminate all stroke errors in the other direction unless they're already tiny to begin with.

A third thing is the cue ball will react differently when it contacts the rail after striking the object ball.

Again, different from what? Anybody can do this whenever they need to by simply hitting with a little inside - no special aiming technique needed and no need to use it on every shot.

If you want more reason to master this technique you might consider:

If you're aiming the object ball toward the center of the pocket (without squirt), most of us get rather lazy in our aiming. This technique of CJ's is similar to practicing on tight pockets as far as the additional attention to aiming the object ball is concerned.

This isn't "more reason"; it's the same as your first point above.

If you get lazy and the object bal isn't aimed at the center of the pocket (wthout squirt),you could easily and accidentally put RIGHT or LEFT side spin on the cue ball forcing a miss by throwing the object ball into the point. I know it's happened to me and I have to imagine that it has happened to others.

This is the same as your second point above - with the same mistaken conclusion.

...in addition to the extra focus that is required, additional attention is paid to acceleration of the cue stick.

Doesn't this just mean hit harder? Is it really advisable for most shots?

pj
chgo

 

[Mikjary]

One way that CJ's technique is different is that this technique forces the shooter to more sharply focus their attention to where you're aiming the object ball.

The other thing that is different is that you are using a touch of inside, which prevents you from using a touch of unwanted outside.

A third thing is the cue ball will react differently when it contacts the rail after striking the object ball.

If you want more reason to master this technique you might consider:

If you're aiming the object ball toward the center of the pocket (without squirt), most of us get rather lazy in our aiming. This technique of CJ's is similar to practicing on tight pockets as far as the additional attention to aiming the object ball is concerned.

If you get lazy and the object bal isn't aimed at the center of the pocket (wthout squirt),you could easily and accidentally put RIGHT or LEFT side spin on the cue ball forcing a miss by throwing the object ball into the point. I know it's happened to me and I have to imagine that it has happened to others.

The bottom line to all of this is that there are many ways to make balls, get shape etc. It is to our advantage to learn them all and to excel with all techniques and perspectives. CJ's technique is a different perspective and utilizes a touch of inside AND in addition to the extra focus that is required, additional attention is paid to acceleration of the cue stick.

Like he aiming system, CTE/Pro1, CJ's technique taps into some of the problem areas of excellence in cueing.

Until you become somewhat familiar with CJ's technique, these results you speak of seem fairly mundane. After seeing the change in your perception and the control you gain with the cue ball you want to hit more balls with it to explore all the new possibilities.

People that don't try it think you're a newb learning inside spin for the first time and want to coach you along. Not even close. I've used inside spin effectively for many years. This is a mental exercise that can def add consistency with practice.

Best,
Mike

 

[HalfDeadEd]

"Aiming small" at the CB is a benefit of this technique that I can believe. Another similar benefit is "aiming small" at the pocket. In fact, I believe these are the benefits that players who try this are really seeing, and the "greater margin of error" they're experiencing is really just an overall "magnification" of the things they're looking at because they're focusing more closely.

Thank you PJ, I accept that...game over...now let's talk about your left foot.

mines going to sleep would you mind talking more about this?

btw: your TOI < touch of inside> forces/helps me split/ignore the opposite side of the CB. thanks :thumbup:

 

[Mikjary]

CJ,

:idea2: I just hit some balls and figured it out. It is more than hitting inside. The speed is the answer. You don't have to hit firm. You can hit the balls softly and get the same effect. The accelerating stroke is the key. Wow!

Best,
Mike

 

[Mitchxout]

CJ,

:idea2: I just hit some balls and figured it out. It is more than hitting inside. The speed is the answer. You don't have to hit firm. You can hit the balls softly and get the same effect. The accelerating stroke is the key. Wow!

Best,
Mike

Are you saying the accelerating stroke causes cueball deflection?

 

[Neil]

CJ,

:idea2: I just hit some balls and figured it out. It is more than hitting inside. The speed is the answer. You don't have to hit firm. You can hit the balls softly and get the same effect. The accelerating stroke is the key. Wow!

Best,
Mike

Mike, I don't mean this in a mean way at all,... but statements like that just baffle me. Why is it that every instructor on here has pushed on an accelerating stroke for YEARS, not to mention the countless other people that have stated it. But, now that a former world champion says it, all of a sudden it is new and fantastic news to you??

 

[sammmy]

Does an accelerated stroke mean to just hit the shot harder than you normally would?

 

[Mikjary]

Are you saying the accelerating stroke causes cueball deflection?

Yes, but the cue ball deflects any time you don't cue to center. I'm saying you can use the accelerating stroke with firm or softer shots. Accelerating strokes are death to soft shots because of the possible speed you can generate. This doesn't seem to be an issue with this method.

I didn't understand that at first and will need more time to see what the limits are with what I'm doing. Maybe CJ can respond with some advice. All I know is I've really noticed quite a change to my game.

Best,
Mike

 

[CJ Wiley]

This style is about taking control of the table, rather than the table controlling

I've been working on this while playing(practicing running balls)and let me tell you it doesn't feel normal.:smilenot yet)While shooting one certain shot over and over becomes easier taking it into game play well thats another story.This type of shooting is not mastered in a short while. The answers for the misses are really more clearer but the comfort zone is not there yet .(havnt done it enough yet i guess,it will take me more than 3 hours):grinAlso this touch of the inside is probably better with a normal shaft.I tried it with a 314 and then a regular shaft and the touch spot moved.If i where to play this way all the time I dont think switching shafts would be a good ideal.

If you could put a percentage on much you do this during the game what would it be?

When I"m playing my best game I use it almost 100% of the time....the exceptions is when I"m straight in and when I have to change the angle of the cue ball AFTER going to a rail.

Remember, the key thing is not the bigger pocket zone it creates. The biggest difference is when you do miss a ball you know exactly why, and you can adjust it with shot speed. When you spin balls or try to hit center you never really know why you are missing. The problem is you will be inclined to make adjustments that my NOT be the problem.

When a champion player misses (and we all do, especially early in matches) we know EXACTLY why and how to adjust. That's why developing one particular type of shot is superior to shooting several types of shots. You can certainly play both ways, and be at choice about your style.

This style is about taking control of the table, rather than the table controlling what type of shot you shoot. You can see what this style looks like if you want to watch this match with Steve "The Miz" and CJ Wiley

 

[CJ Wiley]

You don't have to understand it, you just have to experience it

Are you saying the accelerating stroke causes cueball deflection?

The accelerating stroke makes the "Touch" of Inside work. If you don't accelerate, you are better off not doing it. I wish you could understand it without doing it, but I don't think it's possible.

For some reason you have to experience this to understand it and I've never trained anyone that is the exception to this rule. Just accelerating with a conventional method is a BAD idea and it leads to amplifying your mistakes. With this method it's essential. It's a totally different way to play pocket billiards than most people are aware of.

You don't have to understand it, you just have to experience it. I know that doesn't make sense, I'm not claiming that it does {make sense}. I'm just the messenger, giving you the messager of how it's done. You'll have to decide if it's right for you all by yourself, no one will ever be able to do it for you. 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[Neil]

Does an accelerated stroke mean to just hit the shot harder than you normally would?

No. Do you know what a sine wave looks like? If so, look at the sine wave as your acceleration curve. You want to hit the cb at the peak of the curve, not on the downside of the curve. You don't want to hit the cb while slowing down the stroke, but while accelerating it or while at a constant speed. This can and should be done no matter what speed you use.

edit: Apparently, what CJ means by accelerating is something different than it's normal usage. So, just what he means by it, I have no clue as he can't find the words right now to describe what he means. Maybe later he will figure something out.

 

[LAMas]

I notice from his vid with Miz that he does have a full follow through...is this a component of an accelerating stroke?

 

[CJ Wiley]

With this T.O.I. System you will be able to calibrate your speed to "zero in"

Does an accelerated stroke mean to just hit the shot harder than you normally would?

You need to calibrate your speed. This stroke is a penetrating shot that holds it's "shot line" extremely well. Pool has such a small margin for error that the least bit of deviation will alter the cue ball from it's course.

Therefore, you must hit it firmly, with a stroke that may give you the feeling of extending your tip quickly through the ball. Words are limiting, so you must experience it for yourself. I have many matches that show me doing this and you can see Efren do it too. He calls it the "No Spin" stroke, but it's done by using the "Touch" of Inside to get the ball to NOT SPIN.

You CAN NOT do it with center all the time because it will deviate and you will miss on both sides of the pocket. With this T.O.I. System you will be able to calibrate your speed to "zero in" on the pocket. This will create the feeling of the pocket being a 3 Part Zone....I call it the 3 Part Pocket. You can see me using this in the match with Steve Mizerak and Myself

 

[CJ Wiley]

Your HAND is the key, your cue follows your hand

I notice from his vid with Miz that he does have a full follow through...is this a component of an accelerating stroke?

Not really. I suggest you follow through the same distance that you take the cue back. Sometimes we make it look like it's longer than necessary, because after you go an inch or so past the cue ball it doesn't really matter.

You want to feel precise, almost, in some cases like you're stopping at the cue ball. You obvously don't stop, but I think you will do well if you feel like you're bringing your hand back (hesitate slightly) and return it to EXACTLY where it {your hand} started.

Your HAND is the key, your cue follows your hand so use it to as a barometer when you want to fine tune your stoke. imho

 

[ENGLISH!]

The accelerating stroke makes the "Touch" of Inside work. If you don't accelerate, you are better off not doing it. I wish you could understand it without doing it, but I don't think it's possible.

For some reason you have to experience this to understand it and I've never trained anyone that is the exception to this rule. Just accelerating with a conventional method is a BAD idea and it leads to amplifying your mistakes. With this method it's essential. It's a totally different way to play pocket billiards than most people are aware of.

You don't have to understand it, you just have to experience it. I know that doesn't make sense, I'm not claiming that it does {make sense}. I'm just the messenger, giving you the messager of how it's done. You'll have to decide if it's right for you all by yourself, no one will ever be able to do it for you. 'The Game is the Teacher'

Those with 'real eyes' will see. Those with light receptors will only be 'blinded by the light'.

RJ

 

[ENGLISH!]

Not really. I suggest you follow through the same distance that you take the cue back. Sometimes we make it look like it's longer than necessary, because after you go an inch or so past the cue ball it doesn't really matter.

You want to feel precise, almost, in some cases like you're stopping at the cue ball. You obvously don't stop, but I think you will do well if you feel like you're bringing your hand back (hesitate slightly) and return it to EXACTLY where it {your hand} started.

Your HAND is the key, your cue follows your hand so use it to as a barometer when you want to fine tune your stoke. imho

CJ,

Oh no. Watch out. Another 'balshemy' that I agree with.

RJ

 

[Neil]

CJ,

Oh no. Watch out. Another 'balshemy' that I agree with.

RJ

And just what blasphemy would that be?

 

[LAMas]

No follow through?

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Do you know what a sine wave looks like? If so, look at the sine wave as your acceleration curve. You want to hit the cb at the peak of the curve, not on the downside of the curve. You don't want to hit the cb while slowing down the stroke, but while accelerating it or while at a constant speed. This can and should be done no matter what speed you use.

I agree, but I don't think you have to do anything unusual to achieve this. I think it's rare for a normal stroke to be decelerating when it hits the cue ball. Unless you try to slow it down (say for a really soft shot or trying to avoid a double hit) you'd probably have to hit the cue ball well after the bottom of your stroke to do it.

I get the feeling CJ is talking about something other than the stroke's speed profile - a stroke that feels like you're stroking the cue through a specific point on the CB at another specific point beyond it (maybe a point on or near the object ball, like I like to do), with the emphasis more on smooth, accurate and perfectly straight. I find it easier to get this feeling with a moderate-speed stroke than with a slow or fast one.

pj
chgo