jondrums said:
av84fun:
Thanks for a short description of "your" system, I'm interested to hear more about it - especially the part about using the line of centers of the OB and CB to determine the cut angle. I'm not sure its valid to measure how many diamonds away from the pocket the line of centers is - but perhaps I am misunderstanding. I think that the distance between the CB and OB, as well as the distance from the OB to the pocket both effect this calculation dramatically.
In response to the original question: I find myself using a variety of aiming "systems" but not usually on the same shot. In other words, when I go down for a shot, I already know how I want to aim the shot. The main think I look for mentally, is a complete confidence that the aim is correct before I pull the trigger. I've found the most reliable way to miss a ball is to take the shot even though it "feels" off...
Jon
"I'm not sure its valid to measure how many diamonds away from the pocket the line of centers is - but perhaps I am misunderstanding."
I will try to make it more clear when I post the entire system but just briefly,
A) everything having to do with pool is based on geometry. (although, as noted, the geometry can get screwed up due to cueing issues)>
B) When a shot is aimed correctly (assuming center ball)...regardless of the system used to achieve that correct aim.... then the cue tip IS POINTING TO ONE AND ONLY ONE SPOT ON THE OB. (within the tolerance of the width of the available pocket of course.)
C) It is simply geometry and no magic potion, that REQUIRES that the OB will go if the cue tip is pointed where I suggest AND the line of centers points to where I suggest.
But let me point out that ANY system that works MUST work due to the geometry involved and there are several "systems" often discussed such as ghost ball and ball fractions, for example that work (absent cueing issues) because they MUST work due to the operation of the geometry involved.
All I am saying is that FOR ME pointing the cue tip at the exactly correct spot on the CB is the most obvious and precise way to KNOW FOR A FACT that my aim is correct.
But as noted, there are some exceptions that must be recognized and when cueing issues come in to play as they do on a large number of shots, ANY system becomes a "baseline" from which certain adjustments must be made which IMHO can only be learned by rote practice or intuition or feel...whatever one might chose to call it.
As I said, whatever system one uses, I can guarantee that the tip is pointing to an exact spot on the OB and I suggest that knowing what that spot is provides an EXCEPTIONAL way to verify one's aim regardless of the primary aiming system.
FINALLY, not long ago, I demonstrated this system for the first time to another human being who happens to be a national champion 9 Ball player.
I showed her each of the diamond-related aiming zones and then picked the most difficult of them all....I placed the OB in the exact center of the table and the CB in the center of the table 1 diamond off the head rail and asked her to choose which corner pocket she wanted me to make the ball in.
She said "right" and I got over the shot...aimed as recommended and shot the OB into the EXACT CENTER of the right corner pocket...WITHOUT EVER LOOKING AT THE POCKET.
When the shot went down she simply said..."Awesome."
REALLY FINALLY...(-: this system cannot make a world champion out of anyone and certainly not me at age 63 because mechanical errors (of which I commit a LOT) will screw up even a perfect aiming system and because when english, throw, squirt etc. are introduced ANY system is reduced to no more than a baseline and it is only the champions who can adjust successfully often enough to be champions.
I merely suggest that if you START from an absolute known quantity, then the process of adjustment becomes easier to achieve more consistently.
Thanks for your interest.
Regards,
Jim