Indeed, indeed. And as I've said before, how do you see 1/32 of a ball when your head is 12 feet from the ball or 1/8 of a shaft when you're really wanting to look at the ob...?
Shanes Method of Aiming
- Thread starter david cooksey
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Indeed, indeed. And as I've said before, how do you see 1/32 of a ball when your head is 12 feet from the ball or 1/8 of a shaft when you're really wanting to look at the ob...?
It's a way to visually balance the shot and the players perception of the connection
I understand the process and, Roger Griffis is the first one to show me something similar in what he does, however, it's just the first part of the procedure, on the last stroke we are NOT using the same visual point on the cue/tip.
It's a way to visually balance the shot and the players perception of the connection between the two balls. imho
The shadow trick that Shane uses is pretty cool too, although it's more for long shots off the end rail.
I understand the process and, Roger Griffis is the first one to show me something similar in what he does, however, it's just the first part of the procedure, on the last stroke we are NOT using the same visual point on the cue/tip.
It's a way to visually balance the shot and the players perception of the connection between the two balls. imho
The shadow trick that Shane uses is pretty cool too, although it's more for long shots off the end rail.
I think CJ nails it.. when he said that the system Shane or any other systems out there right now for aiming really just help the player define the visual that allow the player to consistently find their reference lines. Once you practice...everything should become automatic over time..."Learn to aim you don't have to aim".
As far as the visual is concern, I think some systems are much easier for the brain to conceptualize than other. CJ own system of plays is great...only just uses 2 reference lines and the rest is just up to you to define.
My own system, use 4 reference lines but I think it much easier as 2 of these lines are dynamic and two of them are fixed (straight in and half ball). The two dynamic lines are well defined as the visual reference point is consistent so you don't have to guess at 1/8 or 1/32. Shane..through practice already knows that he can use left, center or right of the ferrule to aim depending on the angle. Similarly, in my system, you need to define if the angle is between 0 to half ball or over hall ball. Once you can define that you have a consistent point of reference to use.
Shane has a system but what make him a world champion is that he also put his system to use by hitting thousand of balls so that he does it automatically and instinctively. He must have shaved off 20 years of his learning curve at his age to get to Earl level who used the HAMB methods. I think Shane is a great example of how a system can help you get to your desired level faster but you still need to put in the time and dedication to get there. Just knowing a system will not help you if you don't use it....knowledge is power....but in pool....that knowledge only become power when it's applied repeatedly until it's ingrain in your subconscious.
Duc.
As far as the visual is concern, I think some systems are much easier for the brain to conceptualize than other. CJ own system of plays is great...only just uses 2 reference lines and the rest is just up to you to define.
My own system, use 4 reference lines but I think it much easier as 2 of these lines are dynamic and two of them are fixed (straight in and half ball). The two dynamic lines are well defined as the visual reference point is consistent so you don't have to guess at 1/8 or 1/32. Shane..through practice already knows that he can use left, center or right of the ferrule to aim depending on the angle. Similarly, in my system, you need to define if the angle is between 0 to half ball or over hall ball. Once you can define that you have a consistent point of reference to use.
Shane has a system but what make him a world champion is that he also put his system to use by hitting thousand of balls so that he does it automatically and instinctively. He must have shaved off 20 years of his learning curve at his age to get to Earl level who used the HAMB methods. I think Shane is a great example of how a system can help you get to your desired level faster but you still need to put in the time and dedication to get there. Just knowing a system will not help you if you don't use it....knowledge is power....but in pool....that knowledge only become power when it's applied repeatedly until it's ingrain in your subconscious.
Duc.
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Not to be a pedant but I'd refine a little further to "until you can see that the o.b. will pocket without needing to use a conscious aiming method or specific point along the o.b."
It's not bending down without aiming at all. It's getting into the full stance than confirming all looks good--on a steeply angled cut, I still want to see that I'm "pointing" the object ball to roll toward pocket center and etc. There's an important difference IMO between seeing whether a shot is "on" or "off" and perhaps even reassuming the stance from an erect position and saying "don't aim".
It's not bending down without aiming at all. It's getting into the full stance than confirming all looks good--on a steeply angled cut, I still want to see that I'm "pointing" the object ball to roll toward pocket center and etc. There's an important difference IMO between seeing whether a shot is "on" or "off" and perhaps even reassuming the stance from an erect position and saying "don't aim".
I was playing pool with a buddy of mine last night and the topic came up about aiming. The game was English 8 ball and the CB in that game is 1/8" smaller than the OBs. He's asked me how I aim in snooker and pool before and I've tried explaining the best I can.
I've tried SEE, Pro One, fractional aiming and a few other methods in English 8 ball but with no real success and I've always assumed it was because of the smaller CB. So I said to my buddy that I just find the contact point on the OB and try make the white contact it. On closer inspection it turns out I use shaft aiming similar to how Shane does. I point the inside of the shaft to the contact point whilst aiming through centre cue ball. Its amazing how well it transfered over given the 1 1/8" CB and the 8mm tip I use. Finally now I know what I do I can go through 'steps' when a shot doesn't seem right.
I would dare to say that those claiming they don't aim use some form of shaft aiming, and most likely for most cuts the inside edge of the shaft to 'x' on the OB, but they don't realise they do it. Its simple to do, but it isn't anywhere near as complex and thought through as Shane's way, but the similarities are there.
I've tried SEE, Pro One, fractional aiming and a few other methods in English 8 ball but with no real success and I've always assumed it was because of the smaller CB. So I said to my buddy that I just find the contact point on the OB and try make the white contact it. On closer inspection it turns out I use shaft aiming similar to how Shane does. I point the inside of the shaft to the contact point whilst aiming through centre cue ball. Its amazing how well it transfered over given the 1 1/8" CB and the 8mm tip I use. Finally now I know what I do I can go through 'steps' when a shot doesn't seem right.
I would dare to say that those claiming they don't aim use some form of shaft aiming, and most likely for most cuts the inside edge of the shaft to 'x' on the OB, but they don't realise they do it. Its simple to do, but it isn't anywhere near as complex and thought through as Shane's way, but the similarities are there.
I have always been fascinated by what makes Shane Van Boening stand out amongst the rest .
No doubt quite an easy aiming system .
Trying this out soon !
No doubt quite an easy aiming system .
Trying this out soon !
Shane's success isn't because of an aiming system. Sorry. :nono:
Didn't Bert Kinister explain shaft aiming in depth in one of his videos from way back? If memory serves me Shane's method is exactly what Bert demonstrated.