The point is that, in their world - there seems to be a greater percentage of attention given to stroke, mechanics and fundamentals than "aiming systems" ..they've got aiming systems too. They just don't seem so religious and fanatical about them.
Here's probably why....
If you've played on a genuine 12 foot snooker table (I have), it becomes obvious. But I'll spell it out. Take a straight in shot. A straight in shot doesn't' require any kind of compensation for the curvature of the balls. The contact point ought to be very clear and obvious. There's a few different ways to line that shot up. This is easy to miss in snooker. Even in pool. But snooker, due to the nature of the game, more quickly brings people to the conclusion that THEIR STROKE SUCKS. Sure, they may have aiming flaws. I never said aiming isn't part of the equation. It is just as important as anything else as a prerequisite for great play. Without aim, there's nothing else. It's mandatory. However, aim is a visual and mental understanding. That is easier to learn and acquire, because unlike stroke, it doesn't require nearly as much repetition to train the body. Stroke also requires mental understanding, but there's also the physical component of controlling one's body.
Think of it this way....
Who would be the better player?????
Player 1:
Player 1 has absolute perfect aim. Never lines up wrong, always knows the exact contact point or line of aim. However, Player 1 has a mediocre stroke, doesn't always hit the CB correctly.
Player 2:
Player 2 has an absolutely perfect stroke. It is as straight as if it were a mechanical device. Always hits the cueball where intended. However, Player 2 has mediocre aiming skills. Can aim well, but is not perfect all the time.
I contend that player 2 would CRUSH player 1 in the long run if not immediately. Player 2 will occasionally miss due to an aiming flaw. But Player 2's knowledge of aiming is sufficient for the vast majority of shots. Sufficient enough to pocket balls and get good shape. Since even intermediate players have sufficient aiming skills and knowledge for the vast majority of shots.
Player 1, as great as their aim may be, is likely to MISS ANY SHOT AT ANY TIME due to the mediocre stroke. Player 1 has no consistency in hitting the cueball. That introduces uncertainty in ALL SHOTS, ALL the TIME. Player 1 might know exactly how to aim every single time, but player 1 is no better than a novice with equivalent stroke/mechanics because either has the same odds or ability of cuing the CB correctly.
Bottom line, if you can't deliver the ball to where you're aiming - what good was the great aim? Conversely, the aiming fanatics say what good is a great stroke without direction (aim)?
To that I say, and I contend, that a lot of players develop pretty decent aiming skills. Enough to be able to play great pool. Maybe not pro, but their aim is good enough to make them real good shooters..pretty close to pro I would say. What's holding them back is stroke. Earning a great stroke = lots of time and hard work.
That said, more attention ought to be spent on stroke. Not on finding magic cure, get rich quick, diet pill type solutions. The aiming zealots absolutely do claim, whether implied or suggested, that what is holding people back is their inability to aim shots. Please do not say that isn't true or that "no one says that" ...
The last and final touches on aim, that is, perfecting aim to reach pro level will occur the same way as stroke - with practice and training to condition/program the visual and mental memory and perception part of a player's game. By all means, utilize an aiming system. Good to have more weapons in your arsenal. More tools at your disposal. Knowledge is never a bad thing. But when tackling a problem (in this case, the development of a player's game), it's wise to address and achieve the biggest and more important goals. To take on and master that which will reward or pay back the player the most. And again, that doesn't mean never learn to aim perfectly. As I stated, you need it all to have a complete game and be a "pro" ...
That was the point of the thread. (Trying to get the thread back on track).
At least JB is not condescending and incapable of ever admitting he is wrong to the point of spinning and spinning. Sorry Pat, if you're out there you're also a knowledgeable guy that I respect your info and logic. He's has been a great contributor, but pride gets in the way sometimes. No one is perfect. I admit that I can be a little incendiary. I'm not trolling, but I do like to "myth" bust at least as I see it, and that tends to result in picking on what some feel is sacred.
