10 Reasons Why the HALF-BALL HIT is so Important

Are you an instructor? (obviously not since you have nothing to teach)
Oh gawd no.

I don't have the heart to do that kind of business. Legal bank robbing.

I will say it once...I have never charged anyone for pool lessons and I am not a pool instructor. Please don't label me as such.
 
Oh gawd no.

I don't have the heart to do that kind of business. Legal bank robbing.

I will say it once...I have never charged anyone for pool lessons and I am not a pool instructor. Please don't label me as such.
Not to worry. There was no chance in hell I was even going to suggest it. It's just that clearly obvious.
 
Oh gawd no.

I don't have the heart to do that kind of business. Legal bank robbing.

I will say it once...I have never charged anyone for pool lessons and I am not a pool instructor. Please don't label me as such.
Trust me, it was the furthest thing from my mind because I'm psychic.

You didn't answer the second part of my post: Are you a high-level player? In what? leagues, tournaments, pro or amateur? Fargo rating?
 
You didn't answer the second part of my post: Are you a high-level player? In what? leagues, tournaments, pro or amateur? Fargo rating?
Yes. I would hope that I was good since I started sneaking into pool halls at 16. That's some love and dedication right there. I don't think anyone has done anything illegal like that if they didn't love the game. I'm in my 40's now.

I don't play competitively anymore. I just play in weekly tournaments to get my fix. So I play once a week. Sadly my pool partners have either passed or had families.

You hit a plateau in pool and that's probably around the time I stopped. I think in order to get to the next level for me it would be 2 hours a day practicing. I don't have time for that.

Guess aiming system.
 
With PLEASURE: (PJ getting ready to be caught in some nice big lies)

PJ:
I like this exercise, too. It's also good practice for focusing very intently
from the moment I'm down on the shot.

> In particular, don't get down on the shot until you know *exactly* there the
> desired contact point on the object ball is.

And what the exact cue ball path will be in order to make the contact. Also
(when not "one-stroking"), I like to force myself not to pull the trigger until
I've clearly and confidently visualized the cue ball contacting the object ball
point exactly for three successive strokes. This almost feels like I'm extending
my stick with the cue ball attached until it touches the object ball (adjusted
for squirt/swerve). As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I also like the full
stop at the end of the practice stroke, except I like to do it on every stroke.
Pat Johnson

Now for the PJ doubletalk (a lot more where this came from)
I don’t remember that post - can you link it?

And where does it say or imply no feel?

pj
chgo
 
Yes. I would hope that I was good since I started sneaking into pool halls at 16. That's some love and dedication right there. I don't think anyone has done anything illegal like that if they didn't love the game. I'm in my 40's now.

I don't play competitively anymore. I just play in weekly tournaments to get my fix. So I play once a week. Sadly my pool partners have either passed or had families.

You hit a plateau in pool and that's probably around the time I stopped. I think in order to get to the next level for me it would be 2 hours a day practicing. I don't have time for that.

Guess aiming system.
Now I understand why. But it's NOT for everyone, especially those who take the game more seriously by playing for money, top amateur tournaments that they can qualify to play in, and pro tournaments. There's a lot at stake where complacency, guessing,
and "feeling" doesn't cut the mustard. No time for guesswork.
 
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I don’t remember that post - can you link it?
Does just because you don't remember that post mean you never made it? No, I can't link it because it was taken down.
And where does it say or imply no feel?
Don't play stupid word games. The entire way you phrased it with the importance of "visual exactness between the contact points" and no mention of feel.
 
I don’t remember that post - can you link it?

And where does it say or imply no feel?
Here's another one Mr. "Feel".

Visualizing in tangible, physical
terms is always best for me, and seeing the contact point as the one which
will send the cue ball along the tangent line (assuming no draw or follow)
makes it all more "real" for me, actually helping me to align the contact
points more clearly. Of course, it also adds a lot to my visualization and
control of shape.

One thing I consciously try to avoid, however, is "intuitive" shooting. To
me, this means unconscious use of information which is more effectively and
consistently used if done consciously. Consciously applied information also
becomes part of my shot-making "arsenal" applicable to less typical shots,
and another building block in my learning process (rather than one more
deposit into the intuitive "black box"). Also, when I'm "off" only the
things I can consciously apply will reliably get me back "on." Trying to
regain my "feel" is like groping around in the dark.
Pat Johnson
 
With PLEASURE: (PJ getting ready to be caught in some nice big lies)

PJ:
I like this exercise, too. It's also good practice for focusing very intently
from the moment I'm down on the shot.

> In particular, don't get down on the shot until you know *exactly* there the
> desired contact point on the object ball is.

And what the exact cue ball path will be in order to make the contact. Also
(when not "one-stroking"), I like to force myself not to pull the trigger until
I've clearly and confidently visualized the cue ball contacting the object ball
point exactly for three successive strokes. This almost feels like I'm extending
my stick with the cue ball attached until it touches the object ball (adjusted
for squirt/swerve). As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I also like the full
stop at the end of the practice stroke, except I like to do it on every stroke.
Pat Johnson

Now for the PJ doubletalk (a lot more where this came from)
Good post - I like hearing what PJ has to say, and you have boosted some choice bits.

One point I don't get: in what way does what you have quoted conflict with 'feel' (which I think all good players have as their guiding star). For me a precis of what you have quoted might be: 'focus intently and do not override your gut.'

Have I missed something?
 
No, I can't link it because it was taken down.

Don't play stupid word games. The entire way you phrased it with the importance of "visual exactness between the contact points" and no mention of feel.
So just you being you, as usual - reading nonsense into comments you simply don’t understand (“ammo” in your ongoing “wars”).

A friendly suggestion: avoid aiming discussions… aggressive ignorance isn’t a good look.

pj
chgo
 
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Here's another one Mr. "Feel".

Visualizing in tangible, physical
terms is always best for me, and seeing the contact point as the one which
will send the cue ball along the tangent line (assuming no draw or follow)
makes it all more "real" for me, actually helping me to align the contact
points more clearly. Of course, it also adds a lot to my visualization and
control of shape.

One thing I consciously try to avoid, however, is "intuitive" shooting. To
me, this means unconscious use of information which is more effectively and
consistently used if done consciously. Consciously applied information also
becomes part of my shot-making "arsenal" applicable to less typical shots,
and another building block in my learning process (rather than one more
deposit into the intuitive "black box"). Also, when I'm "off" only the
things I can consciously apply will reliably get me back "on." Trying to
regain my "feel" is like groping around in the dark.
Pat Johnson
Probably 30 years ago (from the treasured archive of my biggest fan). I’ve learned some things since then - you could too if your mind was open (and your brain didn’t fall out).

pj
chgo
 
Probably 30 years ago (from the treasured archive of my biggest fan). I’ve learned some things since then - you could too if your mind was open (and your brain didn’t fall out).

pj
chgo
Sure, you've learned some things since then. How to belittle something else that does use clear visuals and your attempt to go in the exact opposite direction with feel, as if you're some kind of real player to begin with. You never were, aren't now, and never will be. You're an expert only in your own mind and those who you can buffalo.
 
So just you being you, as usual - reading nonsense into comments you simply don’t understand (“ammo” in your ongoing “wars”).

A friendly suggestion: avoid aiming discussions… aggressive ignorance isn’t a good look.

pj
chgo
This is funny as hell because it describes you to a T.
 
Yo, Slick...Here's another real good one straight outta your all-knowing head. This is YOU saying it and YOU
who posted it. (don't worry, I have a LOT more)



PJ:
This variation on the "ghost ball" method of aiming is discussed fairly
frequently here, and I recall several posters being in favor of it. It
doesn't have a particularly bad reputation that I know of, though it's
not my preferred method because I like to aim more directly at the
object ball contact point.


> The aiming method should be by "feel". You get a sense for the target, and shoot.

PJ:
I don't agree. It's true that many players aim by "feel," but that
doesn't mean that every player "should" aim this way. And how is
anybody supposed to follow these instructions? "Get a sense for the
target and shoot?" What does that mean to anybody but you? Is it like
"You'll know it when you see it?"

I think a player should have an idea of what he's aiming at, and what
he's aiming at it. For instance, I aim the contact point on the cue
ball (which I have to imagine, because it's on the other side of the cue
ball) at the contact point on the object ball. To help me do this
accurately, I aim the cue stick at the point it would be touching on the
"ghost ball" (this is the imaginary ball sitting in the spot the cue
ball will occupy when it hits the object ball) as if I was shooting the
same shot with the two balls frozen together. (Of course, I adjust all
this for the combined effect of squirt, swerve and throw).


By the way, this isn't a complicated calculation of some kind that I do
while I'm aiming. I just try to point something (my stick and the cue
ball) at something (the ghost ball and object ball), rather than just
"feel" it. It sounds like David's trying to do that, too, and I say
it's the right thing to try to do.


Pat Johnson
Chicago
 
Oh my God, PJ. It's amazing how much more of an expert on aiming you were then compared to now. Here you are again in all of your omniscient glory. The only thing, this is a 180 from now since your entire motivation is to destroy something that does use clear and concise visuals which you've been fighting against for 27 years.

From: Patrick Johnson:

We've talked about this a few times. I prefer to sight down the
contact point-to-contact point line, but that puts my head in
different positions over the stick depending on the shot and can be
physically difficult for cue ball contact points "outside" the stick,
so I adjust it for comfort and consistency. I also like to move my
head back and forth to sight down more than one of the available
lines, including cue ball path, just for cross reference (I might look
a little like a lizard doing this). I like to know that my stick is
pointing where I want it to, but "sight down the stick" doesn't work
by itself for me.

Pat Johnson
Chicago

Classic, absolutely classic. One of your best posts EVER! :p:love:
 
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So essentially you guys are telling people to shoot shots on a 'degree' basis. So every contact point of the OB will throw certain angle. It is up to the shooter to determine the angle, and shoot at the contact point of the OB that is similar to the angle to the pocket? Geez I hope you guys understand what I'm trying to say because I'm not getting it.

Too much mumble jumbo.
 
All you guys had to do is say so instead of arguing.

If I head to the pool hall I will give it a try but my mind is going to tell me to guess it. I'm an old dog and we know what the saying is.
 
"I just try to point something (my stick and the cue ball) at something (the ghost ball and object ball), rather than just
"feel" it."
"I like to know that my stick is pointing where I want it to, but "sight down the stick" doesn't work
by itself for me."
More from your psychophant archive, huh? I might be flattered if you had a clue.

None of those ancient posts say I didn't use feel at all - just that I didn't use only feel - that's still the case (for you too). You'd already know this if you actually read them instead of just looking for trigger words to weaponize. Of course, you'd also need to understand them and be honest about it... not really your skill sets.

pj
chgo
 
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