There's something else to this that CJ may or may not have mentioned elsewhere (sorry, wish I had the time to read all his posts, but can't). Given a consistent hit and speed, the inside not only translates into the cut angle he describes, the cue ball also comes off the object ball, especially at half ball cuts or ones close to it, picking up no outside spin (an aspect of collision-induced throw that players tend to neglect or think of as "normal"),
Greetings from Switzerland, David.
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Yes, David, I believe I get a truer "cut," and there does seem to be "cleaner/truer" angles all the way around using the "Touch."
There's many ways to describe this 'Touch of Inside' system{as far as why it's' so effective} and it comes down to what your philosophy is concerning the pool game.
If you believe that you can hit the cue ball in the center, cut the object ball where you "aim," and the pocket in the center you are being unrealistic....I'm not saying "you're wrong," I'm simply saying "that's what it looks like when the "Pros" play."
However, theres more, you're seeing the "result," but you can't see "the incentive." The incentive is to utilize all the factors involved to create the highest margin of error to produce the results you see, using a "System" to make the Game as simple as possible. The question is "how do you make a Game simple that has thousands of shots, as well as a multitude of spins, speeds, and deviations to calculate?"
The most important issue of the matter, from my perspective, ( documented to winning thousands of gambling matches and professional matches) is no human being can hit the cue ball, cut the object ball, and contact the center every time.
Therefore a system must be utilized to maximize margin of error (this exists because the pocket is bigger than the ball, if this wasn't true there would be NO margin of error).
The best "System" to do this would have three factors:
1) You would not be required to hit the cue ball straight every time to make all the shots that come up in a game.
2) You would be able to control your speed, spin and where you contact the cue ball more and more as you gain experience by doing it ONE way.
3) The System would have a "built in" trigger that would assure you "align your body to the shot", "hit the cue ball precisely/accurately" AND "accelerate". This is the best way to assure overall consistency.
If you don't hit the cue ball precisely and with a stroke that accelerates the cue you really can't expect to play that well. Certainly not at the level you may be striving for. Either way, to play a game or sport better it usually does take a mental change. The "mental change" in pool is the ability to see how to maximize "margin of error."
I'm suggesting that by giving shots the "Same Common Denominator," you will suddenly have the ability to shoot them the same. There will be exceptions where you still have to use different spins and speeds, however, the important thing is positioning your game so you can hit a "Touch of Inside" if possible.
So in your pre shot routine it changes from you asking "where do I need to play position on my next shot to get the right "angle." - to "where do I need to get position on my next shot{using a Touch of Inside 'TOI'}to create my favorite angle?
This calculation is done quickly and easily once you become familiar with the different type shots now available to you.
Unless you've used TOI before there's no way to know the style and type of shots that are possible. That's why I've always said you need to practice for 3 hours using TOI every timeto gain this essential experience. 'The Game is the Teacher'
This is on hell of a post...........should be a sticky for intermediate and advanced players. Pretty much says it all.
John
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