Aiming Is Really Simple

[nathandumoulin]

OMG, I think we have all the salesmen on this thread now. Johnnyt

I never said a word about my DVDs. I hardly ever do. I simply noticed that and attempted to contribute by making the clarification.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I understand the theory Jim

It's not theory; it's geometric fact - like "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line". If you're making these shots you're compensating.

Your test is valuable - it shows that unconscious compensation is a strong tendency that we can't easily detect or overcome even when we're looking for it. Approximation systems rely on it.

pj
chgo

 

[JoeyA]

I have not yet figured out why so many pros have a long bridge. There must be something to it or it would not be such a consistent phenomena among the top players. I suspect that they need less stability than the rest of us and have more flexibility to strike the CB as needed. But there might be something else. I try it and find it makes my playing worse so I don't know why they use that long bridge.

I'm just taking a swing here Joe, but I believe that with the longer bridge you can perceive a better visual picture of the shot after you are down than if you have a short bridge and "crowd the cue ball." You have to have a very straight stroke to utilize the longer bridge.

There are many "secrets" to precision in pool. Each of these secrets has a way of superceding the other and then going the full cycle; after that the different problems start over in random order.

JoeyA

 

[dr_dave]

I'm just taking a swing here Joe, but I believe that with the longer bridge you can perceive a better visual picture of the shot after you are down than if you have a short bridge and "crowd the cue ball." You have to have a very straight stroke to utilize the longer bridge.

FYI, my December '08 BD article looked at all aspects of bridge length. Diagram 3 shows some photos illustrating your point.

There are many "secrets" to precision in pool. Each of these secrets has a way of superceding the other and then going the full cycle; after that the different problems start over in random order.

You just disclosed the biggest secret of pool ... for free! You could have made a DVD and given lessons on this topic ... you could have made a bundle. I guess you missed your chance. :frown:

Regards,
Dave

 

[Andrew Manning]

I have not yet figured out why so many pros have a long bridge. There must be something to it or it would not be such a consistent phenomena among the top players. I suspect that they need less stability than the rest of us and have more flexibility to strike the CB as needed. But there might be something else. I try it and find it makes my playing worse so I don't know why they use that long bridge.

A longer bridge, if you have the precise stroke required to use one and still strike the CB accurately, allows a more gradual acceleration of the cue, since there's more space in which to get the cue up to the necessary speed. You can hit the CB powerfully with a short bridge, but it requires a fairly explosive acceleration, and many players prefer to avoid any such explosiveness.

Also, if you use a closed bridge, a longer bridge distance means a longer "line" of cue that you can use a visual reference to align yourself. The portion of the cue behind the bridge is not so useful for alignment, since there's a visual barrier between that line and the CB. The portion of the cue in front of the bridge is easier to use for aiming purposes if you have a long bridge.

-Andrew

 

[dr_dave]

Excellent points. FYI, I have lists of many more advantages and disadvantages of long and short bridges in my December '08 BD article. Check it out.

Regards,
Dave

A longer bridge, if you have the precise stroke required to use one and still strike the CB accurately, allows a more gradual acceleration of the cue, since there's more space in which to get the cue up to the necessary speed. You can hit the CB powerfully with a short bridge, but it requires a fairly explosive acceleration, and many players prefer to avoid any such explosiveness.

Also, if you use a closed bridge, a longer bridge distance means a longer "line" of cue that you can use a visual reference to align yourself. The portion of the cue behind the bridge is not so useful for alignment, since there's a visual barrier between that line and the CB. The portion of the cue in front of the bridge is easier to use for aiming purposes if you have a long bridge.

-Andrew

 

[12310bch]

Aiming

I can't believe I started this Aim thread. Someone shoot me please. Johnnyt

Where should we aim? We have to consider windage, elevation, velocity, weight and shape of bullet,heat distortion of line of sight,natural pull of shooter.... and on and on. It's useless!!!!:yikes:

 

[Johnnyt]

Where should we aim? We have to consider windage, elevation, velocity, weight and shape of bullet,heat distortion of line of sight,natural pull of shooter.... and on and on. It's useless!!!!:yikes:

LMAO. Johnnyt

 

[dr_dave]

Where should we aim? We have to consider windage, elevation, velocity, weight and shape of bullet,heat distortion of line of sight,natural pull of shooter.... and on and on. It's useless!!!!:yikes:

If you want to see a long list of excuses for missing pool shots, see:

fundamentals "best practices" check-sheet
squirt, swerve, and throw effects
bank and kick effects​

With all of the stuff that can go wrong, it's a miracle we can make any shots at all. :embarrassed2:

Just aim and shoot and the ball goes in the hole. Yeah, right.

Regards,
Dave

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Equipment condition need to be factored in to all systems, Dirty cloth, and Dirty Ball make for adjustment, like HUMIDITY!

 

[dr_dave]

Dr. Dave's sales pitch

OMG, I think we have all the salesmen on this thread now. Johnnyt

Aiming is simple ... but difficult. There ain't no magic silver bullet; although, there seems to be an endless supply of snake oil available. Here's the sales pitch for my snake oil called Dave's Aiming Method (DAM):

I have invented an amazing and new aiming system called DAM that will revolutionize pool playing all around the world. You won't find DAM is any books, because it has just been recently invented. But rest assured ... all future pool books will present DAM in its full glory. DAM is the best and most complete aiming system (that also contributes to correct body alignment) that has ever been devised. All of the pros use it, and it works every time for every shot, regardless of the distance between the balls, or the angle and distance to the pocket. If you ask a pro if he (or she TYP) uses DAM and he says he doesn't, it is because he doesn't want you to know his secrets. The DAM system will radically improve the shot-making abilities of those who spend the time to learn it. DAM will eventually become the "aiming standard" and will significantly accelerate your learning curve. There are those who will eventually learn the system; and there are those who will not, and be beaten by those who do. If you don't think DAM works, it is because you haven't had personalized lessons with somebody who truly understands it. I make almost every shot with this system ... I rarely miss. Isn't that proof of how good it is? Don't you want to be as good as me? If you want to master the DAM system, you must visit me in person and pay outrageous sums of money to learn all of the required intricacies. If you don't believe me or if you doubt the validity of my system, you will be banished by all of my followers.​

Don't ask me to explain how it works, because it is impossible to put in words. The only way to get the full benefit of DAM is to pay for a lesson and purchase my book, CD-ROM, and my DVDs. That's the only way to truly see the light.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Equipment condition need to be factored in to all systems, Dirty cloth, and Dirty Ball make for adjustment, like HUMIDITY!

Here's a list of humidity effects for even more excuses:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/table.html#humidity​

DAM ... this game is tough,
Dave

PS: Don't forget to aim to squerve.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Aiming is simple ... but difficult. There ain't no magic silver bullet; although, there seems to be an endless supply of snake oil available. Here's the sales pitch for my snake oil called Dave's Aiming Method (DAM):

I have invented an amazing and new aiming system called DAM that will revolutionize pool playing all around the world. You won't find DAM is any books, because it has just been recently invented. But rest assured ... all future pool books will present DAM in its full glory. DAM is the best and most complete aiming system (that also contributes to correct body alignment) that has ever been devised. All of the pros use it, and it works every time for every shot, regardless of the distance between the balls, or the angle and distance to the pocket. If you ask a pro if he (or she TYP) uses DAM and he says he doesn't, it is because he doesn't want you to know his secrets. The DAM system will radically improve the shot-making abilities of those who spend the time to learn it. DAM will eventually become the "aiming standard" and will significantly accelerate your learning curve. There are those who will eventually learn the system; and there are those who will not, and be beaten by those who do. If you don't think DAM works, it is because you haven't had personalized lessons with somebody who truly understands it. I make almost every shot with this system ... I rarely miss. Isn't that proof of how good it is? Don't you want to be as good as me? If you want to master the DAM system, you must visit me in person and pay outrageous sums of money to learn all of the required intricacies. If you don't believe me or if you doubt the validity of my system, you will be banished by all of my followers.​

Don't ask me to explain how it works, because it is impossible to put in words. The only way to get the full benefit of DAM is to pay for a lesson and purchase my book, CD-ROM, and my DVDs. That's the only way to truly see the light.

Regards,
Dave

Where can I sign up? Does your website take paypal?

 

[8pack]

Has nothing to do with Bert's stuff. Why would that make things more difficult? For me, it makes things simpler.

I know it dosnt have anything to do with berts videos.It just dont make any sence like his making the long shots video.
Cte for every shot good luck.Theres nothing more stronger than sighting down the cue especaily on straight in shots.

Bert put out a video making the long shots.He has a student Shoots some shots at a long distance from 0 to about 10 degrees.He tells the student to shoot straight at the ball when it has a small cut angle to it.The student makes some misses some.Straight in is straight in and 5 degrees is not straight in .Theres is somthing that you can get from berts video of great value its called depth perception.Hit shots at a long distance thicker and you probably make more.

 

[dr_dave]

Where can I sign up? Does your website take paypal?

Thank you for asking Mr. Spidey. All of my products and lessons are offered via my commercial website. I do accept PayPal payments. I also offer a mail-order form for the Internet-cautious followers.

I am excited you are finally ready to embrace DAM ... like a true "Grasshopper."

Regards,
Dave (The only DAM Master Instructor)

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Thank you for asking Mr. Spidey. All of my products and lessons are offered via my commercial website. I do accept PayPal payments. I also offer a mail-order form for the Internet-cautious followers.

I am excited you are finally ready to embrace DAM ... like a true "Grasshopper."

Regards,
Dave (The only DAM Master Instructor)

Your welcome for the free opp to plug your commercial site. Obviously, I was kidding - you know that :thumbup: It's obvious your DAM is a knock on CTE and that's cool - I think it's cute. What's cuter is you calling me a true grasshopper. Aiming is the easiest thing in pool. You over complicate it. Stroking straight is the only hard part-- and you don't have a scientific calculation for that.

 

[dr_dave]

Your welcome for the free opp to plug your commercial site.

Thank you Mr. Spidey. It is always nice to be able to plug my commercial site. Although, I should probably stop doing this (plugging my commercial site). Some people apprantly don't approve of people plugging their commercial site on this public forum. :sorry:

Obviously, I was kidding - you know that :thumbup:

DAM, I though you were serious about becoming a DAM follower. :frown:

It's obvious your DAM is a knock on CTE and that's cool - I think it's cute.

Actually, my pitch (and my November '08 BD article on this topic) was not a knock against any particular "system." It was a knock against the snake-oil claims some "aiming system" proponents sometimes make.

What's cuter is you calling me a true grasshopper. Aiming is the easiest thing in pool. You over complicate it.

I think you're cute too. :grin-loving:

Stroking straight is the only hard part-- and you don't have a scientific calculation for that.

I disagree. I think people can be taught to stroke straight fairly easily. Knowing where and how to stroke is the tough part. You don't need any equations to understand that.

I don't have any "scientific calculations" related to how to stroke straight, but I (and others) do have some good resources on the topic:

Stroke Tuneup - BD Coaching Bonus
fundamentals "best practices" check-sheet
pre-shot routine advice
stroke "best-practices" routine summary
MOFUDAT (center-ball stroke drill)
​

Regards,
Dave

 

[JoeyA]

Fo Shizzle

There has been alot of good stuff posted in this thread .Of course I am
a huge fan of Pro One aiming . Another thing that helped me aim better
was the No Time For Negative video. I went back and watched it again
a few weeks back. Jimmy talks about the line of aim comming out of the
center of the body and steping into the shot correctly.That was a huge
deal for me that I did not pay enough attention to when I 1st watched
the DVD .

This is one of the reasons I am purchasing a set of Jimmy's DVD's also. You can't digest "Almost everything I know" in a few short hours. It's worth watching several times fo shizzle.

JoeyA

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Thank you Mr. Spidey. It is always nice to be able to plug my commercial site. Although, I should probably stop doing this (plugging my commercial site). Some people apprantly don't approve of people plugging their commercial site on this public forum. :sorry:

DAM, I though you were serious about becoming a DAM follower. :frown:

Actually, my pitch (and my November '08 BD article on this topic) was not a knock against any particular "system." It was a knock against the snake-oil claims some "aiming system" proponents sometimes make.

I think you're cute too. :grin-loving:

I disagree. I think people can be taught to stroke straight fairly easily. Knowing where and how to stroke is the tough part. You don't need any equations to understand that.

I don't have any "scientific calculations" related to how to stroke straight, but I (and others) do have some good resources on the topic:

Stroke Tuneup - BD Coaching Bonus
fundamentals "best practices" check-sheet
pre-shot routine advice
stroke "best-practices" routine summary
MOFUDAT (center-ball stroke drill)
​

Regards,
Dave

If stroking straight is so easy, how come nobody can do it, smarty-pants? :thumbup:

No need to plug your site again, you plug your site in every one of your posts. Instead of supporting azbilliards.com, you drive traffic to your Colorado Univ site for answers to questions---instead of posting them *****HERE***** (on AZB). You do know it takes the same effort to copy/paste the paragraph as it does to copy/paste the link to your site, right?

You can find my final answer *here* and you can read more about it *here*... sheesh, Dr. Dave... wouldn't it be nice of you to post content on the site you sooo love to hang out on?

I'll leave it at that.

 

[dr_dave]

If stroking straight is so easy, how come nobody can do it, smarty-pants? :thumbup:

I guess you are right. No human can stroke perfectly straight and perfectly consistently ... but many can come pretty close.

No need to plug your site again, you plug your site in every one of your posts. Instead of supporting azbilliards.com, you drive traffic to your Colorado Univ site for answers to questions---instead of posting them *****HERE***** (on AZB). You do know it takes the same effort to copy/paste the paragraph as it does to copy/paste the link to your site, right?

I'm sorry you feel this way. I do provide links to resources and FAQ answers on my site often because I organize the info on my site better than I can present with a simple copy and paste here. Also, my linked pages often include text, illustrations, videos, PDF files, and links to other resources ... not just from me, but from many others. It would be very difficult to duplicate that info here, and the posts would be too long. Now, if the answer to a question is short, I usually just respond with a short message. I will try to do this more often, especially when the answer is just a short paragraph or a short list. I'll try to be more sensitive to this. Thanks for making me aware that my posting practices might be annoying to some people. :sorry:

Now, do you promise to make up with PJ, and promise to be a good boy when you guys disagree in the future.

Regards,
Dave