There has been a lot of discussion on different aiming methods lately. This sort of seems cylindric, and will probably die down in a few weeks. However... these threads got me to thinking about some things people have stated in these posts about their aiming methods, and there abilities versus others who aim differently than they do.
I'm not mentioning any names on purpose in this post. And really hope those that contribute to this thread think about what they are going to say, and why, before they do. Getting knee jerk responses rarely helps any thread. Little alone, one on a topic that can inflame our passions so easily.
Now.. on to the subject.
There are those that have suggested, that due to their way of aiming, they play better and beat others who aim in a different way than they do.
Also, there are those out there, that are trying to come up with a more accurate way to aim than they already are doing. (Some do this just to see a different way to do something they already do..)
These groups of people, who are in these aiming method band wagons, give the impression that the way to get better is by getting a better aiming method. I don't agree with this. Having an aiming method that works for you is great. If you're having trouble with your aim, or aren't happy with how you aim, and want to try something else, that's fine. Work on ways to get something that works for you. The rest of it, after you get what works for you, is all in a 6 inch space.. between your ears.
Case and point...
When I'm at home, and have been practicing/playing for a bit, I can narrow in my aiming pretty fine. I have a 9 foot, with 4 3/8 in pockets. (Just a hair over two balls at the jaws) I can shoot balls in from 5 to 7 feet from the pocket into half a pocket (ball placed on one of the pocket points, and I don't touch it going in.) when I'm relaxed, with no pressure at home.
Why am I not a champion, taking down world cups and opens all over the world?
Because... when I compete, I feel the pressures of competition. My mind doesn't always focus on the exact spot I need to put the cueball to make the shot, but is worried about getting my cueball to a certain spot for my next shot. I get tired and fatigue makes me hurry my routine.
These are all mental mistakes, and these cause me to miss way more shots than not aiming correctly.
Usually when I miss a shot, I know why I missed that shot. I was anxious and wasn't smooth in my stroke. I wasn't focused on aiming, but focused on where my cueball would go. I rushed the shot. I jabbed the stroke.. etc.
The times that I shoot a shot, and swear I made it, and it misses.. these are the times I simply miss aimed. Yes.. it happens.
Better yet.. I know how to correct everything above. But I don't have all of those issues resolved all the time.
So while aiming systems, and different ways to aim are an important element, I don't think they alone will be the mark of the top players. But the top players are able to stay calm under those periods of high stress, and just do what they've trained themselves to do, without getting in their own way.
I'm not mentioning any names on purpose in this post. And really hope those that contribute to this thread think about what they are going to say, and why, before they do. Getting knee jerk responses rarely helps any thread. Little alone, one on a topic that can inflame our passions so easily.
Now.. on to the subject.
There are those that have suggested, that due to their way of aiming, they play better and beat others who aim in a different way than they do.
Also, there are those out there, that are trying to come up with a more accurate way to aim than they already are doing. (Some do this just to see a different way to do something they already do..)
These groups of people, who are in these aiming method band wagons, give the impression that the way to get better is by getting a better aiming method. I don't agree with this. Having an aiming method that works for you is great. If you're having trouble with your aim, or aren't happy with how you aim, and want to try something else, that's fine. Work on ways to get something that works for you. The rest of it, after you get what works for you, is all in a 6 inch space.. between your ears.
Case and point...
When I'm at home, and have been practicing/playing for a bit, I can narrow in my aiming pretty fine. I have a 9 foot, with 4 3/8 in pockets. (Just a hair over two balls at the jaws) I can shoot balls in from 5 to 7 feet from the pocket into half a pocket (ball placed on one of the pocket points, and I don't touch it going in.) when I'm relaxed, with no pressure at home.
Why am I not a champion, taking down world cups and opens all over the world?
Because... when I compete, I feel the pressures of competition. My mind doesn't always focus on the exact spot I need to put the cueball to make the shot, but is worried about getting my cueball to a certain spot for my next shot. I get tired and fatigue makes me hurry my routine.
These are all mental mistakes, and these cause me to miss way more shots than not aiming correctly.
Usually when I miss a shot, I know why I missed that shot. I was anxious and wasn't smooth in my stroke. I wasn't focused on aiming, but focused on where my cueball would go. I rushed the shot. I jabbed the stroke.. etc.
The times that I shoot a shot, and swear I made it, and it misses.. these are the times I simply miss aimed. Yes.. it happens.
Better yet.. I know how to correct everything above. But I don't have all of those issues resolved all the time.
So while aiming systems, and different ways to aim are an important element, I don't think they alone will be the mark of the top players. But the top players are able to stay calm under those periods of high stress, and just do what they've trained themselves to do, without getting in their own way.
