Aiming by feel: The rest of the story

[David Beck]

Bless me father, for I have sinned. But didn't you see my DAM system already ... wasn't that penance enough? Woops. Bless me father, for I have sinned again by writing DAM, which looks like DAMN. Woops. There I go again. I better stop before I burn in hell even more than I expect.:frown:

I'm a recovering catholic, so I sometimes have a guilt complex. Sorry, I couldn't resist making fun again.

In case you missed my DAM system, here it is again, without the mocking sentences:


Regards,
Dave

Are you the DAM guide for the DAM tour?

 

[dr_dave]

My son, I saw the DAM system but wasn't that impressed. If you don't crank out a useful aiming system I am going to have to turn you over to the Monsignor and you really don't want to go there. His grant of absolution comes at a great price.

For the moment, you can chant the Latin mantra, "mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa". Chant this until your tongue becomes too thick to make the sounds audible and then get back to work on the new aiming system.

"Father" JoeyA ( the good one )

I will descend into my basement like a devout Monk, and I won't emerge until I have an improved DAM system.

Your loyal servant,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Are you the DAM guide for the DAM tour?

You're DAM right.

May the DAM force be with you,
Dave (author of "Dave's Aiming Method")

 

[Bob Jewett]

I will descend into my basement like a devout Monk, ...

A warning to those of you who have not been lured into Dave's basement: he keeps black shrouds and C-clamps down there. A word to the wise....

 

[dr_dave]

A warning to those of you who have not been lured into Dave's basement: he keeps black shrouds and C-clamps down there. A word to the wise....

Bob,

Resistance is futile. The lure is mystical. Stare at the screen as you read and repeat to yourself:

I will enter the basement and drink the Cool Aid.

DAM ... DAM ... DAM​

I hope to see you in my basement again in the near future.

Regards,
Dave

 

[JoeyA]

I will descend into my basement like a devout Monk, and I won't emerge until I have an improved DAM system.

Your loyal servant,
Dave

Bless you my son. In addition, don't forget to send in your tithe for this week. Your last tithe was rather small. Have your wages been reduced?
"Father" JoeyA

 

[SpiderWebComm]

You're getting better.



Yeah, sure.

It's OK though - I'm not really looking for an explanation of CTE; I'm pretty sure I understand it well enough for my purpose. I'm just using your inability to describe it (which you call unwillingness) to illustrate that it's feel-based like all "approximation" systems - trying to help others learn something about what these systems really are before they decide to go to The Mount and pay The Prophet.

I'm not saying they shouldn't go - just that they should know something about what they're getting before they go. Maybe it's what they're looking for; maybe it's not.

pj
chgo

If ya ever wanna post and bet someday, make sure you walk up to me in person and find out if I can explain it in great detail and demonstrate it. Make sure there are LOTS and LOTS of people watching too. Maybe TAR would stream it for everyone to see. Big Chad can hold the $.

You think you know, but you don't know.

The funny thing is--- every possible way to aim on planet earth is an approximation system. CTE just happens to be closest thing to no adjustments out there.

 

[duckie]

If ya really want to try to see what aiming by feel is like, try speed pool.

See how many balls you can make in the shortest amount of time.

This whole thread reminds of a story a muscian friend of mine told me. It goes a world class violinist was able to be a student of a great teacher. First lesson she played the best ever, all the teacher said "Until you hear the music, you can't play the music." and walked out. This went on for a bit until she realized what he meant.

There is another level beyond just the mechinics of doing something. Its just knowing what to do and then doing it, no more and no less. No thinking, just doing. Speed pool is a way to practice this. Kinda like shooting wing shots.

 

[ShootingArts]

Funny you should say this

I did just that on my home table when I was a kid making my bones. Once I got pretty good at it I used it in actual play gambling for small stakes. Nothing better to rattle the competition than when they are sweating over shots and you are just stepping into them and banging them without ever planting a foot.

Hu

If ya really want to try to see what aiming by feel is like, try speed pool.

See how many balls you can make in the shortest amount of time.

This whole thread reminds of a story a muscian friend of mine told me. It goes a world class violinist was able to be a student of a great teacher. First lesson she played the best ever, all the teacher said "Until you hear the music, you can't play the music." and walked out. This went on for a bit until she realized what he meant.

There is another level beyond just the mechinics of doing something. Its just knowing what to do and then doing it, no more and no less. No thinking, just doing. Speed pool is a way to practice this. Kinda like shooting wing shots.

 

[Gerry]

If ya ever wanna post and bet someday, make sure you walk up to me in person and find out if I can explain it in great detail and demonstrate it. Make sure there are LOTS and LOTS of people watching too. Maybe TAR would stream it for everyone to see. Big Chad can hold the $.

You think you know, but you don't know.

The funny thing is--- every possible way to aim on planet earth is an approximation system. CTE just happens to be closest thing to no adjustments out there.

I personally would not take that bet!

I talked with SWC at the million dollar tourney about the CTE system. My head was spinning after a few moments I wanted to et into it more ,but a mini was starting and I jumped in. I have been dabling with CTE here at home for banks......very interesting!

G.

 

[JoeyA]

Cte

I personally would not take that bet!

I talked with SWC at the million dollar tourney about the CTE system. My head was spinning after a few moments I wanted to et into it more ,but a mini was starting and I jumped in. I have been dabling with CTE here at home for banks......very interesting!

G.

Not another convert? :speechless:

The monastery is crowded as it already is and will have to be expanded, again. Welcome, brother. :wave:
JoeyA

 

[Patrick Johnson]

If ya ever wanna post and bet someday, make sure you walk up to me in person and find out if I can explain it in great detail and demonstrate it. Make sure there are LOTS and LOTS of people watching too. Maybe TAR would stream it for everyone to see. Big Chad can hold the $.

Yeah, I heard you when you issued your manly challenge the last time. I'll be glad to play if we're ever together, but if you think the outcome will decide anything we've talked about you're even more confused about it than I thought.

The question is how CTE works, not how well it works - and who plays better between us doesn't answer either question. I don't know why it's so personally important to you that CTE works one way vs. another (?), but if a manly contest and some followup crowing will make you feel good, that's fine with me. I've lost plenty of matches; one more won't kill me.

pj
chgo

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Yeah, I heard you when you issued your manly challenge the last time. I'll be glad to play if we're ever together, but if you think the outcome will decide anything we've talked about you're even more confused about it than I thought.

The question is how CTE works, not how well it works - and who plays better between us doesn't answer either question. I don't know why it's so personally important to you that CTE works one way vs. another (?), but if a manly contest and some followup crowing will make you feel good, that's fine with me. I've lost plenty of matches; one more won't kill me.

pj
chgo

I don't try to get rammy, it's just that u talk as if u know and u don't. There is a lot about pivot systems u don't know in general....I can tell from your posts.

Fractional aiming, as an example, is designed to be used with either a 1-tip pivot or 1/2 ball pivot for every shot.

My only point is you're an expert on what you know, and indignant with everything you project to know, but don't. Other than that, I like your posts.

 

[CueAndMe]

Fractional aiming, as an example, is designed to be used with either a 1-tip pivot or 1/2 ball pivot for every shot.
.

Can you explain this in more depth?

 

[Patrick Johnson]

There is a lot about pivot systems u don't know in general....I can tell from your posts.

No offense taken from that, and none intended by this: I can tell the same from yours. For instance, you don't seem to know that it's impossible for pivot systems to prescribe exact aims for all shots in purely mechanical, formulaic terms without some final "adjustment" that can't be taught and must simply be learned from practice and experience (the "feel" component).

pj
chgo

 

[SpiderWebComm]

No offense taken from that, and none intended by this: I can tell the same from yours. For instance, you don't seem to know that it's impossible for pivot systems to prescribe exact aims for all shots in purely mechanical, formulaic terms without some final "adjustment" that can't be taught and must simply be learned from practice and experience (the "feel" component).

pj
chgo

Read post 107 or whatever it is. I never said CTE was riding on top of a unicorn in a universe of pool perfect.

I've only said it was more perfect than anything else....requiring less feel and less adjustment than whatever the alternative is (excluding Ron V's stuff).

 

[JimS]

For sure I will sometimes NEED to adjust my stance, you will sometimes get down in the wrong place. When practicing at a fast tempo, I don't allow myself to adjust, just miss the ball and re-rack. When "grinding" at a slow tempo pressuring yourself to make every ball, you should get back up. That's not the way I prefer to play or practice. Adjusting, or getting back up will not teach you to do it right the first time. Missing and reracking will teach you to pay more attention and come up with an exact line of aim that works with your english before getting down.

Limiting yourself to one practice stroke and hit will limit your adjustment time and make you focus on getting in the right place the first time. But again, this is for very high level players that actually aim their tip on all shots, even when using english. Very few and far between.

I thought that my adopted way of makeing balls.... i.e. "grinding" was the smart move... the precise way to shoot pool.

I read this post and thought you were probably wrong but I had experienced some success when I just "let my body shoot the shot" ... so to speak, so I decided to try it out.

I've pocketed about 500 balls since then using only a stand up aim, often not much more that an intense look at the pocket and ob and find the line. Then, as I get down on the shot I move my eyes to the cb and give no thought to aiming. I just "let my body" line up the shot... never look back at the ob... get down, one stroke and shoot (about 1/2 the time not ever looking at the ob after I get down!) and I think my potting % is almost as good as when I really take my time aiming.

My confidence is taking a big jump as I am learning that there is a part of me that KNOWS how to make balls if I will give that part of me a bigger role in my game.

Trust the unconscious... let the "body" shoot the shot. Aim while up, get down, take a few practice strokes to help insure the tip is where it needs to be, make NO horizontal adjustments to the aim line... just trust the "body" to make the shot, and shoot.

I would have never believed it had I not been willing to try. Now the trick may be to learn how to do this when playing a match.... i.e. learn how to take my time and play precisely but still let the unconscious do it's thing. Again... Rodney comes to mind.