TOI in ACTION Earl Stickland vs CJ Wiley

CJ -- You use TOI and your 3-part pocket system in conjunction with your aiming method. We have discussed your aiming method before, and I think what you say in the quoted post above could be misleading to people who missed the previous discussion.

Your aiming method is to aim one of several points on the CB at either the center or the edge of the OB, essentially creating an "eighths" fractional-ball aiming method. But I don't think that's how most people would interpret your comment quoted above ("I either aim Center to Center or Center to Edge on ALL MY SHOTS.").

Those who are interested can find a discussion of CJ's aiming method in posts #29 through #53 of this thread: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=289527

Yes. I studied CJ's ultimate aiming system at length and it has nothing to do with CTE or pivoting.
 
The important thing to remember is the spot on the object ball never changes

CJ -- You use TOI and your 3-part pocket system in conjunction with your aiming method. We have discussed your aiming method before, and I think what you say in the quoted post above could be misleading to people who missed the previous discussion.

Your aiming method is to aim one of several points on the CB at either the center or the edge of the OB, essentially creating an "eighths" fractional-ball aiming method. But I don't think that's how most people would interpret your comment quoted above ("I either aim Center to Center or Center to Edge on ALL MY SHOTS.").

Those who are interested can find a discussion of CJ's aiming method in posts #29 through #53 of this thread: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=289527

The 'Ultimate Aiming System' is used above the ball as described in the 'Ultimate Pool Secrets' ( www.cjwiley.com ), this is a visual "aiming system" where I connect a portion of the cue ball to either the center or edge of the object ball. The TOI method uses this method to align the cue ball to the same Center or Edge, just in a different manner. It's challenging to describe how this works without the visual demonstration.

It's made very clear in the new TOI Video (we're 90% done at this moment), and it makes the "Ultimate Aiming System" much easier because it's done with the tip to the Inside portion of the cue ball (this is the same portion of the cue ball where the visual aiming points are located to give you a hint ;) )

Check out this excerpt from Pool and Billiard Magazine on Aiming Systems. This is about Ray Martin, I never knew Ray aimed like this until I read this, however, I can't help but notice the similarities. I like the way he describes his thinking on the subject and you'll notice he and I are "speaking the same language".

The only thing I question is when he says the "spot on the object ball NEVER changes"....I change the center to the edge, I"m wondering how he aims at the center for thin cuts? You can do this using TOI on long shots, but on shorter shots you would have to use the edge of the object ball for your reference point. (IMHO)
2011HallOfFame14-1Ray_MartinPhoto457.jpg


http://www.sfbilliards.com/PnB_aiming.pdf

Offering a more detailed explanation is
new P&B Mag instructional guru Ray
Martin, a BCA Hall of Fame player with
three world titles to his credit.
According
to Ray, "I use parts of the cue ball. In
other words, if you were to have a
straight-in shot, you're aiming with the
middle of the cue ball to the middle of the
object ball.
Now let's say the object ball
stays in the same place and you move the
cue ball six inches to the left. Now you're
aiming with only a part of the cue ball. If
you've got a real thin cut, now you're aiming with the edge of the cue ball. I'm not
going to stress 1/2 ball, 1/4 ball here,
because that's way too broad — the difference could be two degrees or a sixteenth of
an inch! The important thing to remember
is the spot on the object ball never
changes. It is a constant.
"


IN THE SAME ARTICLE THERE"S ANOTHER "SECRET"


The Final Secret

There you have it, the secrets of aiming
from dozens of the top players who do it
best. But then again, is the secret really
out? #2 ranked C.J. Wiley offers that you
must aim before you get down on the ball
by lining up correctly, of course, but adds
that as far as his aiming method itself,
"There are certain things you don't tell.
Last time I wrote anything about aiming,
somebody copied it and started selling it."
I considered Chinese water torture, but
I don't think he would've cracked.
I guess the secret may still be out
there... somewhere.
 
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I'm not sure how TOI and CTE work together, I aim all my shots like they're straight in {Center to Center} or on 30*+ cuts {Center to Edge}. I show how I line this up in my 'Ultimate Aiming System' on my DVD, however, at that time (1996) I didn't feel it was time to show how I did it with TOI.

I don't pivot using TOI, unless I need to put "helping English" on the ball and then I pivot towards the outside, however I ALWAYS come down with the "Touch" Of Inside first.

I either aim Center to Center or Center to Edge on ALL MY SHOTS. This is the only way I could possible play for 14 hours against Efren and miss 6 balls. I've stated my record at my pool room (with triple shimmed tables) was 22 hours, missing 4 balls.

I consider someone a great player when they (or I) miss one ball an hour and I consider someone a Champion when they average missing one ball (that has no safety element attached) every two hours.

This is when they are "in stroke" and I wouldn't count the first 30 minutes with anyone, because even the greatest players of all time need to get acclimated to the environment/table/humidity, etc.

I'm telling you how I rate players so you have some idea of the level that anyone can achieve if they can, first, hit the cue ball straight. If someone is at the point with their fundamentals (I show this in my Ultimate Pool Secrets), where they can hit the cue ball accurately, then they are ready to make all the rest of the shots. When someone can make a straight in 4' away consistently with a accelerating stroke I can show them how to create every angle on the table aiming either CTC or CTE (my center to edge;))

The TOI Technique enables a person to shoot all shots like they're alike and this, in my opinion, is how to get the most consistency. There are top pros that can shoot hundreds of different variations, and they also have to practice 6-8 hours a day to maintain.

Who has the time or energy to do that? I assure you I never have. I usually practiced an hour or two at the most when I was playing major tournaments. If I was gambling I would play longer, sometimes much longer. My point is this game is simple to play, and complicated to learn.

My TOI Technique of play simplifies the learning process - plane and simple. This is based on my experience and anyone that puts a few quality hours into TOI will agree. 'The Game is the Teacher'
image.php

So for a cut 0-30° your vision center is on a CTC line, then you look at that CB face that you get, as its a flat disc (2D), and then go down so that your cue is parallel to CTC line and in a 90° angle to that flat (2D) CB face a little to the inside of a cut, and for >30° you align your vision center to CTE line and everything else is the same.

Is this correct?
 
The only thing I question is when he says the "spot on the cue ball NEVER changes".

Ray says the spot on the object ball never changes!!
 
Well, I have English and Neil in my sights.

I am beyond sick of the pettiness.


English, you are *this* close to a long, long break from this board.
Neil, you'll be there with him.


I really couldn't care less which one of you is "right". I'm tired of the bickering.
If you guys cannot find a way to peacefully coexist here the neither of you can be here.

Have I made myself clear?

Play nice or you'll both stay in for recess.


You have someone trying to help all of us be better pool players and you're both too self absorbed to let the rest of us enjoy him.
You are BOTH the problem and you're both spoiling the presentation for ALL.

You can go hate each other somewhere else.
 
Well, I have English and Neil in my sights.

I am beyond sick of the pettiness.


English, you are *this* close to a long, long break from this board.
Neil, you'll be there with him.


I really couldn't care less which one of you is "right". I'm tired of the bickering.
If you guys cannot find a way to peacefully coexist here the neither of you can be here.

Have I made myself clear?

Play nice or you'll both stay in for recess.


You have someone trying to help all of us be better pool players and you're both too self absorbed to let the rest of us enjoy him.
You are BOTH the problem and you're both spoiling the presentation for ALL.

You can go hate each other somewhere else.

Mr. Wilson,

I certainly appreciate your position. However I do not 'hate' anyone. As has often been the case the one responding to the initial foul is the one that gets flagged, I will sincerely try to not be that one & will utilize the report option should the need arise. In fact I am now placing Neil back on ignore.

I sincerely hope that the need to utilize the report button does not arise.

Respectfully to You &
 
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By Jove I think you've got it.

So for a cut 0-30° your vision center is on a CTC line, then you look at that CB face that you get, as its a flat disc (2D), and then go down so that your cue is parallel to CTC line and in a 90° angle to that flat (2D) CB face a little to the inside of a cut, and for >30° you align your vision center to CTE line and everything else is the same.

Is this correct?

When you are aligned in this manner, on a straight in shot you would simply hit the Center {cue ball} and the shot will go in the Center of the pocket. I like that you described the Cue Ball/Object Ball as "flat discs" because that's the way I described them many, many posts ago.

I don't look at any of the balls as being round, they are all flat and "2D". When a player starts to "real eyes" this {perception} they are on their way to faster improvement.

In the TOI Technique, as you move INSIDE (right if cutting a ball to the right) you will create an angle. The more you move to the Inside, the more angle you will create.

This, in a "nutshell" is the foundation of the "Touch Of Inside" Technique and why it's NOT just an aiming system, it's Complete System for creating angles, establishing ideal "shot speed" and of course the "tip target" is ideal because it's ALWAYS TOI. 'The Game is the Teacher'
icon_512.png
sports-equipment-supplies-rubber-flat-disc-31445-2881_medium.jpg
 
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use the center of the cue ball (although this is a controlled "illusion")

The only thing I question is when he says the "spot on the cue ball NEVER changes".

Ray says the spot on the object ball never changes!!

I'm not sure who "he" is that you are referring to.

The contact spot on the cue ball needs to change unless you somehow want to play to overcut everything (center cue ball to the contact point will undercut the shot every time). If you aim at the "contact point" on the object ball, you must use the same "contact spot" on the cue ball, just on the opposite side of the ball. This is the main reason I don't recommend this "aiming system," because it takes more than one visual calculation.

An important thing to understand about my 'Ultimate Aiming System" ( and Ray may do this too), is after I align the portion of the cue ball to the center of the object ball I then just aim the center of the cue ball at the center of the object ball (like it's straight in).

After you're down on the shot you can aim whatever you choose - to get the maximum cue ball control and "Feel" I ALWAYS prefer to use the{TOI} center of the cue ball (although this is a controlled "illusion"). The same thing applies to cuts over 30 degrees, I aim a portion of the cue ball at the edge of the object ball, then use the center to edge after I get down on the shot.
 
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The important thing to remember
is the spot on the object ball never
changes. It is a constant."

This is what he is talking about from the article in the mag you posted. I really enjoy your posts and hope you keep it up. Thanks for all that you give back to us.
 
This is why I strongly recommend NOT using center ball

The important thing to remember
is the spot on the object ball never
changes. It is a constant."

This is what he is talking about from the article in the mag you posted. I really enjoy your posts and hope you keep it up. Thanks for all that you give back to us.

Yes, this is what I do (although I use Center to Edge on cut shots more than 30*) and teaching this through the TOI is simple when players start to {real eyes} how simple it is.

If you want to experience the aiming part of TOI try this:

Set up a slightly off angled shot (straight in to a spot a half diamond to the left of the corner pocket). This means you need to cut it slightly to the right, so look at the center of your tip, then get down as if it's straight in, aim at center (for your reference point and to "dial in your eyes"), then more your whole stick parallel to the shot line slightly to the right.

Hit it at the center, just like it's straight in and see what happens. It will cut slightly and go in, if it over cuts, set it up again and use LESS TOI. If it doesn't cut at all you're not using any TOI, cue it slightly more inside, to the right. After you make this and really FEEL the connection to the shot, more the angle where it's straight in to the first diamond repeat this drill.

This is how to calibrate the angles of TOI. There's no short cut to learning how much TOI to use to create the angles, I"ll just tell you it's LESS than you probably think it is.

After you do this you will start to "Real Eyes" what I've been saying about unintentionally deflecting shots OUT of the pocket in the past. If you just cue it a HAIR outside of center it will deflect a half diamond on a 4'-5' shot. Imagine how many balls you've missed by unintentionally doing this and having NO IDEA why.

This is why I strongly recommend NOT using center ball because{a slight stoking error} will happen and you won't be able to tell which side of center you "might" have hit. Maybe you didn't, maybe you did, who knows? How can you make the correct adjustment if you can't identify what he root issue of the miss is? You simply won't be able to, however, players like myself can and will beat you because of this knowledge.

I know one thing, you will not know for sure unless you start favoring one side of the cue ball and TOI is the best side because that's where your contact point is. Think about this, and it will make more and more sense. 'The Game is the Teacher' CJ WIley

CLICK PICTURE
 
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CJ:
If you just cue it a HAIR outside of center it will deflect a half diamond on a 4'-5' shot.
This isn't true - not even close. A very high deflection shaft (with a 6-inch pivot point) will deflect the cue ball this much only if you hit at least 1/2 inch offcenter (at the miscue limit) - and then only without swerve.

pj
chgo
 
I am very thankful for this tread. For about a year (after I started playing seriously again after a long time away from tournaments and so on) I have played most of my shots with inside english/ side.

I am not a very good player, just to settle that.

I have used inside english on quite many of my shots, and as CJ says, undercutting is not the problem rather overcutting.

The last months I have paid more attention to outside english, and if I now try to only use toi, I have problems. I feel more confortable with either inside or outside depending on where I am going with the cue ball and also where the object ball has to be pocketed, and my game is horrible if I try to always use toi.

Would like some comments on that and my last question:

Why don't you use english on straigth in shots, CJ? You do write that you can just test your self on straight shots that it is hard to hit the cue ball at center. As long as the pockets are larger than the object balls, I feel I pot more of those straight in shots at distance if I use english and aim at the left pocket rail (where the pocket meets the rail) (for left english) or right pocket rail (for right english).

Any thoughts on that?

-Jon Birger
 
I would recommend you go back and read the post, this time without prejudice.

This isn't true - not even close. A very high deflection shaft (with a 6-inch pivot point) will deflect the cue ball this much only if you hit at least 1/2 inch offcenter (at the miscue limit) - and then only without swerve.

pj
chgo

You do "Real Eyes" it deflects the OBJECT BALL a half diamond, not the cue ball. I would recommend you go back and read the post, this time without prejudice. I"m certainly not talking about the CUE BALL deflecting a half diamond, I'm referring to the effect it has on the OBJECT BALL.

I challenge anyone to set the cue ball on the foot spot and the object ball on the head spot and line up straight in (like the example I gave earlier). Move the whole cue over an eighth of a tip and hit it firm.

See how much it deflects the object ball (on the back rail, using the middle diamond as your reference point, it's where it would go if you hit dead center).


HERE'S A COPY OF THE POST WHERE I DESCRIBE THE DRILL IN CASE YOU HAVE TROUBLE LOCATING IT: Post #90

If you want to experience the aiming part of TOI try this:

Set up a slightly off angled shot (straight in to a spot a half diamond to the left of the corner pocket). This means you need to cut it slightly to the right, so look at the center of your tip, then get down as if it's straight in, aim at center (for your reference point and to "dial in your eyes"), then more your whole stick parallel to the shot line slightly to the right.

Hit it at the center, just like it's straight in and see what happens. It will cut slightly and go in, if it over cuts, set it up again and use LESS TOI. If it doesn't cut at all you're not using any TOI, cue it slightly more inside, to the right. After you make this and really FEEL the connection to the shot, more the angle where it's straight in to the first diamond repeat this drill.

This is how to calibrate the angles of TOI. There's no short cut to learning how much TOI to use to create the angles, I"ll just tell you it's LESS than you probably think it is.

After you do this you will start to "Real Eyes" what I've been saying about unintentionally deflecting shots OUT of the pocket in the past. If you just cue it a HAIR outside of center it will deflect a half diamond on a 4'-5' shot. Imagine how many balls you've missed by unintentionally doing this and having NO IDEA why.

This is why I strongly recommend NOT using center ball because{a slight stoking error} will happen and you won't be able to tell which side of center you "might" have hit. Maybe you didn't, maybe you did, who knows? How can you make the correct adjustment if you can't identify what he root issue of the miss is? You simply won't be able to, however, players like myself can and will beat you because of this knowledge.

I know one thing, you will not know for sure unless you start favoring one side of the cue ball and TOI is the best side because that's where your contact point is. Think about this, and it will make more and more sense. 'The Game is the Teacher' CJ WIley
 
Well, I have English and Neil in my sights.

I am beyond sick of the pettiness.


English, you are *this* close to a long, long break from this board.
Neil, you'll be there with him.


I really couldn't care less which one of you is "right". I'm tired of the bickering.
If you guys cannot find a way to peacefully coexist here the neither of you can be here.

Have I made myself clear?

Play nice or you'll both stay in for recess.


You have someone trying to help all of us be better pool players and you're both too self absorbed to let the rest of us enjoy him.
You are BOTH the problem and you're both spoiling the presentation for ALL.

You can go hate each other somewhere else.

And therein lies your problem and the boards problem. You don't care. You just don't want to be bothered. Why even have the job if you aren't going to even care about it? I do exactly what you asked, and you threaten to ban me for it. Nice, real nice.
 
go straight through the cue ball and put minimal spin on it.

I am very thankful for this tread. For about a year (after I started playing seriously again after a long time away from tournaments and so on) I have played most of my shots with inside english/ side.

I am not a very good player, just to settle that.

I have used inside english on quite many of my shots, and as CJ says, undercutting is not the problem rather overcutting.

The last months I have paid more attention to outside english, and if I now try to only use toi, I have problems. I feel more confortable with either inside or outside depending on where I am going with the cue ball and also where the object ball has to be pocketed, and my game is horrible if I try to always use toi.

Would like some comments on that and my last question:

Why don't you use english on straigth in shots, CJ? You do write that you can just test your self on straight shots that it is hard to hit the cue ball at center. As long as the pockets are larger than the object balls, I feel I pot more of those straight in shots at distance if I use english and aim at the left pocket rail (where the pocket meets the rail) (for left english) or right pocket rail (for right english).

Any thoughts on that?

-Jon Birger

First of all I don't use "Inside English," the TOI is used to deflect the cue ball, not spin it. This is why I had to make a video to explain and demonstrate this, so it will be perfectly clear.

If I used inside English on my shots I wouldn't be able to run a rack consistently. There's too many factors to calculate. I recommend using the TOI and try NOT to spin the cue ball. There will be times when you do allow the cue ball to spin, and only if you need to change the angle if the cue ball is going to a rail after contact.

This video is something that will help everyone understand TOI once and for all. If you still don't understand it I'll give you a free lesson in Dallas or on streaming video to make sure you do. This works for everyone I've ever shown this to and it would be rare indeed for it not to work for you.

Use the TOI, just make a point to go straight through the cue ball and put minimal spin on it. If I put the cue ball on the head spot and just shot the cue ball down to the middle diamond and back it will hit a half diamond over with the "Touch" Of Inside. This is a good way to check and calibrate your TOI stroke. I go over all these things in the video in a comprehensive way.

As far as using TOI for straight in shots? I wouldn't recommend this because the "margin of error" isn't the same for straight in shots. In this case you DO want to have the margin of error on either side of your aiming point. On any cut shots you want to aim at the part of the pocket closest to the object ball. The 3 Part Pocket system can only be utilized {as I recommend} on "non straight in shots".
 
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Thanks a lot for clarifying, CJ!

When I say english, I mean all hits that are off center to right or left, but I get your point. I should have been more precise myself in my explanation.

There is still some tiny bit of spin involved even with a little touch as far as I understand.

Anyway I like hearing a theory which is not to far away from what I did myself (I think). For myself this touch of inside will normally be combined with a touch of up and down - above or below the horizontal line - or more for follow through or stun/ draw shots.

Still I am not 100 % convinced about the straight in shots, because the margin of error is not equal on both sides when you are potting at the corner pockets. Depending on position of the object ball, one rail can assist the ball into the pocket making the pocket larger, and I think (and with my limited experience) I would say you could make use of that by using the right english and of course speed...

-Jon Birger
 
I think a TOI is somewhat like trying to explain how a bumble bee flys.

Talk of SIT and CIT and all the many aiming systems taught do have merit. TOI is somewhat opposite of the norm.

Most golf instructors will show you how to stand, head position, the grip, swing plane... ect. You're the one that has to hit the ball.

Here's 2 quick golf stories...
1) I was in Orlando at Bay Hill watching the pros. Crossing through a treed area I heard a ball hit the ground.
Retief Goosen and his caddie discussed the shot because there was only a small opening under the trees.

Everyone thought he would pitch out to the fairway... instead he hit a full shot... to the amazment of the crowd.
The ball screamed out under the trees.. started to climb and turn toward the green. He parred the hole.

2) I played with a non-touring pro in a pro-am scramble in Georgia. On a long par 4 was a green that was surrounded by water.
The pro pulled out a 4 iron.. that I knew was too much club.. but I didn't say anything. He choked down and hit about a 7 iron trajectory.

He hit left of the green, sending the ball towards the water. When the ball was about at it's highest point he said "cut".
The ball turned right and landed on the gree 15' from the pin.
I asked him how he did that. He said it must be the breeze... The leaves weren't even moving.

Both these pros knew what they were doing! Not because they read about it... or taught to do it... they learned to do it.

These guys are good.. and could work the ball. I think CJ can do whatever he wants with the CB.. just as the rest of the pros.

A TOI is hard to teach by just showing someone... until they try it out for themselves and learn how to do it. IMO
 
I am still working with your first dvd, CJ. Looking forward to get into the next one which you released last year, not to mention the ones you are making now.

Anyway a free lesson in Dallas would be great. Next time I come over to the states I will have that in mind and try to get to the south:-)

Take care,
Jon Birger
 
It works like magic.

I think a TOI is somewhat like trying to explain how a bumble bee flys.

Talk of SIT and CIT and all the many aiming systems taught do have merit. TOI is somewhat opposite of the norm.

Most golf instructors will show you how to stand, head position, the grip, swing plane... ect. You're the one that has to hit the ball.

Here's 2 quick golf stories...
1) I was in Orlando at Bay Hill watching the pros. Crossing through a treed area I heard a ball hit the ground.
Retief Goosen and his caddie discussed the shot because there was only a small opening under the trees.

Everyone thought he would pitch out to the fairway... instead he hit a full shot... to the amazment of the crowd.
The ball screamed out under the trees.. started to climb and turn toward the green. He parred the hole.

2) I played with a non-touring pro in a pro-am scramble in Georgia. On a long par 4 was a green that was surrounded by water.
The pro pulled out a 4 iron.. that I knew was too much club.. but I didn't say anything. He choked down and hit about a 7 iron trajectory.

He hit left of the green, sending the ball towards the water. When the ball was about at it's highest point he said "cut".
The ball turned right and landed on the gree 15' from the pin.
I asked him how he did that. He said it must be the breeze... The leaves weren't even moving.

Both these pros knew what they were doing! Not because they read about it... or taught to do it... they learned to do it.

These guys are good.. and could work the ball. I think CJ can do whatever he wants with the CB.. just as the rest of the pros.

A TOI is hard to teach by just showing someone... until they try it out for themselves and learn how to do it. IMO

TOI is like hitting a Draw every time. Most golfers will favor curving the ball the same way, instead of hitting 50% Draws and 50% Fades (or whatever the percentage ends up that day).

It has many advantages, and you're right I can do whatever I want with the cue ball, the only thing you may not know....I do it all with the TOI. It's next to impossible to tell I"m doing it.

It's like watching a magician trying to see the "trick," it's not happening the way your eyes tell you, unless you know the trick. I can use TOI in a room full of people and no one would ever guess I"m doing it. So do a lot of players I used to hang out with, we just like to "Draw" our ball every time.

I don't like to play any other way, it's so much easier to hit the same type shot every time. Like I say "master one shot," and use it every chance you can. It works like magic. ;)
magic.jpg
 
After working with TOI, I hit soft shots with it, too. I use an accelerating stroke and still hit them without too much speed. I've found a push instead of a pull works best.

Best,
Mike
 
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