All this mind-numbing talk of aiming systems is utterly pointless for the vast majority of players, because these players (myself included) still have a long, long way to go in learning to hit the cue ball accurately. Aim perfectly all you want, use whatever system you want. The vast, vast majority of balls are being missed because of improper cuing. Period. Position is also messed up because of improper cuing (also speed control). Not saying there isn't any aiming error, but no aiming system is going to help when a player hasn't mastered their cuing skills. Speaking of speed control, why not a system for getting the right speed control!!! See what I mean? Some things are just feel and must be learned through experience and interaction with the game.
Shane doesn't make those balls because he has some special aiming system. He makes them because he has an excellent stroke. A world class stroke. Incredible focus and concentration. Rock solid fundamentals. Shane can teach you what he uses to help him see a tough shot here and there, but it doesn't matter - because you don't stroke the ball like Shane does. To prove this point, use lasers as a training tool. I'm serious. Use lasers (such as those used in construction) to literally paint lines down the table and illuminate exact contact points. Have several players shoot. They still won't make the ball every time. WHY WHY WHY? Cuing error. Bad fundamentals. Or inconsistency. Even with the entire visual part of the equation removed, with the aiming done for them, the shots are still not made with perfection and consistency.
There are several drills that can be done too. Take two object balls, Put them on the foot string. Separate them evenly apart from each other 1.25 ball width apart. Take the cueball, put it on the head string. Now shoot it between those balls without contacting either one. Better yet, get it to rebound of the foot rail and come back through without contacting either one. Get my point? The aiming is already done. There's no mystery as to where the ball needs to go, or where to sight. Use middle ball. Put a tiny object on the cushion itself as point of aim if need be.
What is it with pool players? They might be worse than golfers! Everyone wants the easy way out. You cannot, repeat, cannot BUY skill. There is no cheap, fast or easy way to master the game.
There are so many excuses, crutches and devices of mental avoidance in pool. The worst of which is aiming systems, followed closely by cue selection. Sorry people, there's no getting around it. There's no secret. All it is, is mastery of the fundamentals.
Do you realize that the short instructional section they used to print in the BCA rule book, if followed to perfection and executed consistently - would result in high level play? It's all there. How to hold the cue, how to line up. Bridges to use. What top, bottom and english does.
Good grief people, the game basically amounts to hitting one ball, to strike another to send it to a pocket! How complex can the interaction between two spheres be? It's not as complex as some make it to be. And people here are creating charts, graphs, schematics, using trigonometry. Ridiculous. Again, fundamentals applied. For everyone of you aiming system junkies, there's at least 10,000 players out there with a low IQ who will beat you silly in a race to 10. Do you think they are applying any of this nonsense that is discussed in these aiming system threads on every shot? If you think so, you're foolish. Perhaps you should get out more and interact with some of these players sometime.
It's just more secret weapon syndrome. If you have the right tools or knowledge, you will prevail. Wrong. These are excuses and crutches for the horrific and sad truths:
Truth #1: Most people will never possess the physical ability to play at the pro level. Reminds me of all the clowns that say the game is 90% mental. BS!!!! The physical component (hand eye coordination etcetera) is very underrated in pool.
Like it or not, what makes for a good player is a person who can work hard at improving their game. There's no easy way out. No cue will make you play better. No knowledge of a system will get you there alone. So why be so obsessed with aiming systems? It would be like being obsessed with the rules of the game thinking that will make you better.
Look, if knowledge could do it - you'd be able to read a book, then go to the table and run out a rack the first time you pick up a cue. Most people are capable of obtaining more than enough knowledge of the game, how it is played, what makes for a good stroke and good fundamentals. But do they practice what they preach? Do these players do what they know? They don't! If they did, they'd be great. But they are not.
You have to train your mind & body to execute the knowledge that you already possess. That comes with years of practice and working on the game.
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