Ever notice if you don't understand someone's DVD aiming system people get mad at you

[tashworth19191]

I posted several questions on here about the DVD sales and aiming systems. I have purchased about every DVD out there and the only thing that works for me is the tried and true HAMP (Hit a million balls) method. Ghost ball makes sense but it does not take into account swerve, cue ball deflection, cue ball throw, object ball throw, speed, or many other factors.

I tried out virtually all the DVD methods and just could not get any of them to work well for me, so I went back to feel and doing much better. It seemed like the ads for the DVD's said to buy the DVD and my game would improve, then when I question the method, I am told to "keep practicing". Well I finally get it - Keep practicing means HAMP, then the DVD will work.. heh heh.

 

[Straightpool_99]

I posted several questions on here about the DVD sales and aiming systems. I have purchased about every DVD out there and the only thing that works for me is the tried and true HAMP (Hit a million balls) method. Ghost ball makes sense but it does not take into account swerve, cue ball deflection, cue ball throw, object ball throw, speed, or many other factors.

I tried out virtually all the DVD methods and just could not get any of them to work well for me, so I went back to feel and doing much better. It seemed like the ads for the DVD's said to buy the DVD and my game would improve, then when I question the method, I am told to "keep practicing". Well I finally get it - Keep practicing means HAMP, then the DVD will work.. heh heh.

Aiming systems are not for everybody, and yes some people are fairly aggressive in their defense of said systems. If you do allright with feel, then sticking with it may be a good idea. Those of us not blessed with the talent to always feel the correct angle will always look for some kind of solution to that problem. Some people with nothing better to do will try to stir things up, pretending they do not understand things and demanding definitions etc. I don't think you are one of those people but some might....

I don't believe aiming to be as important as some make it appear. I would (pulling this number out of my xxx ) estimate it to be maybe 10% of what is your ability. Aiming systems will maybe help a little bit compared to experience, but for an experienced player of good ability that improvement may be miniscule at best. If the method is very solid, it can help you with your pre shot routine and you may see a bit more improvement. Still you won't shoot like Mosconi probably...

I think it is fair to question the most ridiculous claims made by many proponents of aiming systems, but beware for this is the leading cause of forum banishment:
"All the top pros are secretly or unknowingly using this system!" I call BS
Various quasi-scientific claims who "will be proven later", sigh.... Idiotic jargon that reminds me of the kind spewed by brainwashed corporate zombies also abound in this realm. I guess you will have to dig through this crap if you want to explore every avenue to improving your game, which I do. Just make sure you do not dislocate your jaw from laughing, and you'll be fine.

 

[tashworth19191]

Aiming systems are not for everybody, and yes some people are fairly aggressive in their defense of said systems. If you do allright with feel, then sticking with it may be a good idea. Those of us not blessed with the talent to always feel the correct angle will always look for some kind of solution to that problem. Some people with nothing better to do will try to stir things up, pretending they do not understand things and demanding definitions etc. I don't think you are one of those people but some might....

I don't believe aiming to be as important as some make it appear. I would (pulling this number out of my xxx ) estimate it to be maybe 10% of what is your ability. Aiming systems will maybe help a little bit compared to experience, but for an experienced player of good ability that improvement may be miniscule at best. If the method is very solid, it can help you with your pre shot routine and you may see a bit more improvement. Still you won't shoot like Mosconi probably...

I think it is fair to question the most ridiculous claims made by many proponents of aiming systems, but beware for this is the leading cause of forum banishment:
"All the top pros are secretly or unknowingly using this system!" I call BS
Various quasi-scientific claims who "will be proven later", sigh.... Idiotic jargon that reminds me of the kind spewed by brainwashed corporate zombies also abound in this realm. I guess you will have to dig through this crap if you want to explore every avenue to improving your game, which I do. Just make sure you do not dislocate your jaw from laughing, and you'll be fine.

Very good post... I am not saying aiming systems don't work, I am just saying that after I received the DVD's from various sources, that I found the DVD's did not explain the system well enough that I could understand how to use it. Many of them have so many accronym's it takes a custom dictionary just to figure out what they are talking about.

TOI, CTE, BHE, FHE, ETE, A2E, CIT, etc.... Wow...

I am glad some folks figured them out, but obviously I am too dumb to figure them out...

 

[duckie]

I posted several questions on here about the DVD sales and aiming systems. I have purchased about every DVD out there and the only thing that works for me is the tried and true HAMP (Hit a million balls) method. Ghost ball makes sense but it does not take into account swerve, cue ball deflection, cue ball throw, object ball throw, speed, or many other factors.

I tried out virtually all the DVD methods and just could not get any of them to work well for me, so I went back to feel and doing much better. It seemed like the ads for the DVD's said to buy the DVD and my game would improve, then when I question the method, I am told to "keep practicing". Well I finally get it - Keep practicing means HAMP, then the DVD will work.. heh heh.

No system can take into account those things you listed. Experience is the only way for that.

Google Babe Cranfields the Aiming Arrow. This maybe of some help to you. At least by using it, you can see where the CB needs to be on the table to make the CB go where you want.

As I wrote about in Style of Play,in the main forum, your style of play may not be suited for what you are trying to use.

Do not feel bad, its not you. I'm the only one that admits to using solely ghostball and I don't feel bad at all......especially when the balls keep dropping. I must be the only one on AZB. Not brother me a bit.......cause I have the confidence to use it in any manner that I need to.

Proper practice is more important than anything.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Have you used a kicking system

I posted several questions on here about the DVD sales and aiming systems. I have purchased about every DVD out there and the only thing that works for me is the tried and true HAMP (Hit a million balls) method. Ghost ball makes sense but it does not take into account swerve, cue ball deflection, cue ball throw, object ball throw, speed, or many other factors.

I tried out virtually all the DVD methods and just could not get any of them to work well for me, so I went back to feel and doing much better. It seemed like the ads for the DVD's said to buy the DVD and my game would improve, then when I question the method, I am told to "keep practicing". Well I finally get it - Keep practicing means HAMP, then the DVD will work.. heh heh.

Feel is a system, actually it may be the most advanced one available to a human being.

Have you any experience using a kicking system?

 

[ENGLISH!]

Feel is a system, actually it may be the most advanced one available to a human being.

Have you any experience using a kicking system?

Hi CJ,

I like that statement.

The reason may be because it was not contrived or designed by a human being.

Best 2 Ya,
Rick

 

[Buzzard II]

Tom, I'm sorry to say, I feel your pain. Someday I'll hold a big pool aiming DVD sale. Now ghost ball, cling, throw and fractions I get. But the sliding/swivel/inside/outside ram shot in 'da hole, just does not compute.

But somehow, the better my stroke becomes, the better my aiming is. Who 'da thunk it?

 

[tashworth19191]

Feel is a system, actually it may be the most advanced one available to a human being.

Have you any experience using a kicking system?

Yes, I kick and bank very well using feel. I played a lot of one pocket, 3 cushion billiards and practiced banks alot, so I feel comfortable with that part of my game.

 

[tashworth19191]

Tom, I'm sorry to say, I feel your pain. Someday I'll hold a big pool aiming DVD sale. Now ghost ball, cling, throw and fractions I get. But the sliding/swivel/inside/outside ram shot in 'da hole, just does not compute.

But somehow, the better my stroke becomes, the better my aiming is. Who 'da thunk it?

I agree Buzzard.... I play at a pretty strong advanced level and figured the only way to get better is too try and learn new things, so I forked out close to $500 on aiming system DVD's, since I most of my misses seem to be long cut shots. Well unhappy to say that none of them has helped my game and most them actually made me slow down and think, which makes my game worse. I am a fast player and really play best by feel.

Now the thing that has helped me more than anything is to keep a small note pad and write down shots that were makeable that I miss. I then shot that shot at home until it becomes a 90% shot for me.

I have also started doing Dr. Dave's Billiard University to measure my skill and improvement. I think his drills are good. I have also added a few drills and scoring for myself. Mostly on position / speed control shots.

I am glad that aiming systems works for a few, but I have got to say most people I talk to at Skinny Bobs tell me that only the beginners fall for the aiming system sales pitch. I must admit when John Schmidt said "If aiming systems worked then everyone would shoot like me and Corey Dillion. They just don't work for people at our level."

I believe John is right and wish I had saved my $500 and bought a new set of Aramath balls..

 

[BilliardsAbout]

A few thoughts:

1. I feel your pain. Believe me, of all the people I know, I feel your pain. I'm always wanting to hear what my colleagues teach and I have students telling me about their lessons and DVDs, too. The magic bullet is still in magic holsters IMHO and not on some DVD.

2. Most pros are HAMB, yes, and as Schmidt wrote, a new aim system would do nothing for a player of HIS LEVEL. Also, Billiards University is great and anything Dr. Dave says should be memorized and not just listened to. He's wonderful and thorough.

3. Some pros and hustlers have mind-blowing secret aim systems. I have been privy to a number of them. Some of them were mind-blowing because they stunk so badly! Some work REALLY well, and some are for my kids on my death bed--okay, I told my son one the other day, I admit it--or people whom I a) tell the system for free/no cost because b) they won't make fun of me and won't tell a soul because they like beating the people in their league and etc.

4. I mean, if you think about it, an aim system on a DVD has to be a big come-on, because no one is giving out the real sugar for $19.95 (or $99.95) because they'll sell two DVDs to every 250 people who watch the thing somewhere from an illegal download site. Having said that, some of the DVDs sold by active AZ contributors (their DVDs or others' DVDs) are very good quality and can help a lot of players.

5. I'm not offering you any aim system for free or money. I don't know you. Nor is this a come on to buy my DVD, which has only known aim systems and no secret ones on it. But I can certainly help you with long cut shots--the kind of shot that demonstrates I can teach you effectively. Send me a PM. No charge, as always, for me to have a teaching relationship with you online. In person to pay for lessons, should you choose to do so, is different.

6. And no, don't expect my secret aim systems (you gotta have more than one as different ones are better for different players) anytime soon.

 

[tashworth19191]

A few thoughts:

1. I feel your pain. Believe me, of all the people I know, I feel your pain. I'm always wanting to hear what my colleagues teach and I have students telling me about their lessons and DVDs, too. The magic bullet is still in magic holsters IMHO and not on some DVD.

2. Most pros are HAMB, yes, and as Schmidt wrote, a new aim system would do nothing for a player of HIS LEVEL. Also, Billiards University is great and anything Dr. Dave says should be memorized and not just listened to. He's wonderful and thorough.

3. Some pros and hustlers have mind-blowing secret aim systems. I have been privy to a number of them. Some of them were mind-blowing because they stunk so badly! Some work REALLY well, and some are for my kids on my death bed--okay, I told my son one the other day, I admit it--or people whom I a) tell the system for free/no cost because b) they won't make fun of me and won't tell a soul because they like beating the people in their league and etc.

4. I mean, if you think about it, an aim system on a DVD has to be a big come-on, because no one is giving out the real sugar for $19.95 (or $99.95) because they'll sell two DVDs to every 250 people who watch the thing somewhere from an illegal download site. Having said that, some of the DVDs sold by active AZ contributors (their DVDs or others' DVDs) are very good quality and can help a lot of players.

5. I'm not offering you any aim system for free or money. I don't know you. Nor is this a come on to buy my DVD, which has only known aim systems and no secret ones on it. But I can certainly help you with long cut shots--the kind of shot that demonstrates I can teach you effectively. Send me a PM. No charge, as always, for me to have a teaching relationship with you online. In person to pay for lessons, should you choose to do so, is different.

6. And no, don't expect my secret aim systems (you gotta have more than one as different ones are better for different players) anytime soon.

Very well thought out post... I will PM you..