Aiming Secrets - The Cue Ball is the Target

CJ Wiley

CJ Wiley

ESPN WORLD OPEN CHAMPION
Gold Member
Silver Member
At first the players that I've worked with don't like the idea of creating angles with their tip and the cue ball (without "aiming"). Then when I show them how it actually works and the precision and accuracy it generates, they quickly "open their minds" to the potential of the TOI.

I know this is "common sense," however I'll say it again "the cue ball is the target and the tip is the only direct relationship we have to the Game."

Doesn't it stand to reason that it's easier to create every "shot angle" by using the TIP as a reference point connected to a consistent "target" on the object ball (center or edge is the only target you will ever need).

When the TOI Video is watched with "an open mind," everyone will be able to "Real Eyes" the simplicity of super-accurate shot making and distance will no longer matter.

When you're just connecting to the center or edge and creating angles with your tip, you will be the same distance from the target. The CUE BALL IS THE TARGET and you can control the distance and perception the cue ball gives you EVERY TIME - this is not true with the object ball.

Some people labor for years "trying" to see {a ghost ball} or a contact point on the cue ball (then try to hit the "contact point" with a cue ball "contact point" - talk about challenging).

This is a fruitless pursuit and will lead to many frustrating hours at the table. TOI makes the Game FUN AGAIN, because you no longer have to "think" about ball pocketing, you just "point, connect the dots and click". 'The Game is the Teacher' www.cjwiley.com
 
CJ Wiley said:
At first the players that I've worked with don't like the idea of creating angles with their tip and the cue ball (without "aiming"). Then when I show them how it actually works and the precision and accuracy it generates, they quickly "open their minds" to the potential of the TOI.

I know this is "common sense," however I'll say it again "the cue ball is the target and the tip is the only direct relationship we have to the Game."

Doesn't it stand to reason that it's easier to create every "shot angle" by using the TIP as a reference point connected to a consistent "target" on the object ball (center or edge is the only target you will ever need).

When the TOI Video is watched with "an open mind," everyone will be able to "Real Eyes" the simplicity of super-accurate shot making and distance will no longer matter.

When you're just connecting to the center or edge and creating angles with your tip, you will be the same distance from the target. The CUE BALL IS THE TARGET and you can control the distance and perception the cue ball gives you EVERY TIME - this is not true with the object ball.

Some people labor for years "trying" to see {a ghost ball} or a contact point on the cue ball (then try to hit the "contact point" with a cue ball "contact point" - talk about challenging).

This is a fruitless pursuit and will lead to many frustrating hours at the table. TOI makes the Game FUN AGAIN, because you no longer have to "think" about ball pocketing, you just "point, connect the dots and click". 'The Game is the Teacher' www.cjwiley.com
Click to expand...

Wow, sounds amazing.

:rolleyes:
 
I have really enjoyed leaning this technique CJ! Still amazed at how simple this is. My only problem is shooting slow rollers. not as consistent with those
It reminds me of a couple types of 90/90 shots that Ron V taught me. Very interesting CJ thanks again!
Mikey
 
the shadow of the object ball as a "check and balance"

On "slow rollers" I like to use the shadow of the object ball as a "check and balance" so I can concentrate on hitting the cue ball more precisely....especially if I'm stunning it with low english (this shot will get away from you if you're not careful).

I've hesitated in disclosing the "shadow technique" - Shane may have, I'm not sure, I know he uses it quite a bit, especially on long shots near the center of the table.


Palmetto cue said:
I have really enjoyed leaning this technique CJ! Still amazed at how simple this is. My only problem is shooting slow rollers. not as consistent with those
It reminds me of a couple types of 90/90 shots that Ron V taught me. Very interesting CJ thanks again!
Mikey
Click to expand...
 
I've never seen this not open up a new dimension for a player, it appears to work

Of course it's that easy, how else could we play for hours and make all shots? When I'm gambling I rarely miss more than a ball every hour and if I'm really "in the zone," it's a ball every two hours. When Efren and I were playing for 20k a set I missed 6 balls in 14 hours.....the best I've ever played was missing 4 balls in 19 straight hours.

Pool, like anything else requires a subconscious system, the major challenge is teaching this to someone's conscious mind (it tends to get in the way with "logic").....the TOI Technique was designed to teach subconsciously when the player is committed to practicing for at least 3 straight hours using the guidelines from the TOI Video......I've never seen this not open up a new dimension for a player, it appears to work every time. 'The Game is the Teacher'



DTL said:
Oh, you bought Virtual Pool 4.0, did ya? :smile:


DTL
if it were only that easy
Click to expand...
 
CJ Wiley said:
At first the players that I've worked with don't like the idea of creating angles with their tip and the cue ball (without "aiming"). Then when I show them how it actually works and the precision and accuracy it generates, they quickly "open their minds" to the potential of the TOI.
I know this is "common sense," however I'll say it again "the cue ball is the target and the tip is the only direct relationship we have to the Game."
Doesn't it stand to reason that it's easier to create every "shot angle" by using the TIP as a reference point connected to a consistent "target" on the object ball (center or edge is the only target you will ever need).
When the TOI Video is watched with "an open mind," everyone will be able to "Real Eyes" the simplicity of super-accurate shot making and distance will no longer matter.
When you're just connecting to the center or edge and creating angles with your tip, you will be the same distance from the target. The CUE BALL IS THE TARGET and you can control the distance and perception the cue ball gives you EVERY TIME - this is not true with the object ball. Some people labor for years "trying" to see {a ghost ball} or a contact point on the cue ball (then try to hit the "contact point" with a cue ball "contact point" - talk about challenging).
This is a fruitless pursuit and will lead to many frustrating hours at the table. TOI makes the Game FUN AGAIN, because you no longer have to "think" about ball pocketing, you just "point, connect the dots and click". 'The Game is the Teacher' www.cjwiley.com
Click to expand...
Absolutely the gospel truth.
 
CJ,
Can you give a brief description of the shadow technique ?
Such as which shadow do you look at ?
 
.there's more than one way to do this and using the shadow of the Object Ball is one

There are three basic "Shadow Targets," used for Aiming:

1) Where the shadow connects to the object ball (must be done above the shot)

2) The center of the shadow (this will lean towards the "contact side") on the table cast by the Object Ball

3) The edge of the Object Ball shadow (on the side opposite the intended pocket) - this is also cast on the table by the O.B.


One key element is how a player learns to calibrate the shot angle {to a feeling} generated by seeing a certain connection between the Cue Ball AND the Object Ball (or the Object Ball's Shadow).....a "Connection System" if you will.

This is why aiming systems "can" work, but ONLY if the angles are calibrated in some way/shape/form to "how your eyes see the correlation between the two balls forming the correct angle".

There's more than one way to do this and using the shadow of the Object Ball is certainly one of them (you can also use the light on the object ball) and it works well as a "check and balance" with my "Ultimate Aiming System" (shown in the 'Ultimate Pool Secrets' video) - "Ferrule Aiming," "Center to Edge" or a variety of others.

It's long been known that it's wise to have a "check and balance," or "another witness," to verify any situation and pool's no different. That's why I recommend using (and learning) more than one way to aim so your confidence gets fed a nutritious "well balanced meal".

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - 'The Game is the Teacher'

www.cjwiley.com

JE54 said:
CJ,
Can you give a brief description of the shadow technique ?
Such as which shadow do you look at ?
Click to expand...
 
Palmetto cue said:
I have really enjoyed leaning this technique CJ! Still amazed at how simple this is. My only problem is shooting slow rollers. not as consistent with those
It reminds me of a couple types of 90/90 shots that Ron V taught me. Very interesting CJ thanks again!
Mikey
Click to expand...

TOI is very speed dependent. Like CJ says, "aim and accelerate." At slower speeds you'll have to deal with less effective squirt and more curve.
 
That's right.

When someone "dogs" a ball or misses because of pressure it's usually because:

a) they decelerated

b) they undercut the object ball (this is the result anyway, there's no way of knowing if they actually "aimed" wrong)

To use 'The Touch of Inside' effectively a player MUST accelerate and the tendency is to over cut the object ball.....the "side effect" is no "dogging".


Mitchxout said:
TOI is very speed dependent. Like CJ says, "aim and accelerate." At slower speeds you'll have to deal with less effective squirt and more curve.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Mitchxout said:
TOI is very speed dependent. Like CJ says, "aim and accelerate." At slower speeds you'll have to deal with less effective squirt and more curve.
Click to expand...

I agree that TOI is very speed dependent. Almost without exception, I know when I screw up when I am using TOI because I hit the ball without the required "firmness". You don't have to hit the balls really HARD, but you do have to hit them harder than you see most people doing.

The thing with TOI is that you can hit the ball a lot harder and not lose control because no unintended spin is being put on the ball which causes the ball to get away from you on many occasions.

Aloha.
 
what are some others you've experienced?

That's right, and don't you feel like the cue ball is heavier using TOI?

The balls are only 6 oz's, so it's essential to find a way to make them "feel" as heavy as possible in your game. Taking the "no spin" approach is one way, what are some others you've experienced?

Playing shape for a "fuller" hit on the object ball may be one of them.


HawaiianEye said:
I agree that TOI is very speed dependent. Almost without exception, I know when I screw up when I am using TOI because I hit the ball without the required "firmness". You don't have to hit the balls really HARD, but you do have to hit them harder than you see most people doing.

The thing with TOI is that you can hit the ball a lot harder and not lose control because no unintended spin is being put on the ball which causes the ball to get away from you on many occasions.

Aloha.
Click to expand...
 
It's been awhile since I posted anything from here, I was using TOI for quite sometime but not really sure if I was doing it correctly so I let it go for 6 mos. ( I think i did it correctly since someone verified it on a previous post that its a speed dependent), went back to ghost ball for a month or 2 then found SVB's aiming on vimeo. I was very happy after the 4th day playing with that system (I had a 2 break and run, 2 8ball runs on the same day).

Now back to TOI days, I was having problems on playing position. I always seemed to miss the zone position that I want and if I do hit it soft, i feel like im decelerating and miss the shot. CJ is always been answering to all my questions and I did try to attend one of his lessons but couldnt make it due to me being overseas and in the service. I may come back to it again one day but as for now I'm sticking on SVB's aiming tech. (now figuring how to use english with it)
 
I can't speak to TOI, as I simply don't have the time to truly dedicate in order to really learn it. However, related to your thread title, I have noticed recently that when approaching more difficult shots, I have consciously made it a point to focus far more intently on the cue ball at the point of contact in the shot process...with better success.

Not any major discovery, I'll admit. But when I read the title and the original post, it resonated with my most recent matches....I hope to work more with this soon .
 
No matter what "aiming system" you prefer you still have to follow this one rule

Deceleration is the root of many missed shots, and/or sloppy position. The component I've always liked about TOI is it MAKES me accelerate because that's the only way it works.....which is really a "Blessing in disguise" (since we need to accelerate anyway).

No matter what "aiming system" you prefer you still have to follow this one rule...the CUE BALL is the only thing you can make physical contact with, so it is always going to be the PRIMARY TARGET.

This sounds like a simple thing, however, many of the players I watch are too "object ball conscious," and it almost appears like they're trying to hit the object ball. This leads to "reaching" with their follow through and not getting maximum acceleration AT THE CUE BALL....it happens through the cue ball and there's a difference.

It's like throwing a dart, you want your hand to accelerate to the point of contact, so you get that quick, precise release. Using an extended follow through may be okay for some shots, for the majority of them however, it leads to some poor results. You also won't get that "quick english" and responsive reaction from the cue ball like the champion players get.....and the reasons are simple. 'The Game is the Teacher'



dirtychapurado2 said:
It's been awhile since I posted anything from here, I was using TOI for quite sometime but not really sure if I was doing it correctly so I let it go for 6 mos. ( I think i did it correctly since someone verified it on a previous post that its a speed dependent), went back to ghost ball for a month or 2 then found SVB's aiming on vimeo. I was very happy after the 4th day playing with that system (I had a 2 break and run, 2 8ball runs on the same day).

Now back to TOI days, I was having problems on playing position. I always seemed to miss the zone position that I want and if I do hit it soft, i feel like im decelerating and miss the shot. CJ is always been answering to all my questions and I did try to attend one of his lessons but couldnt make it due to me being overseas and in the service. I may come back to it again one day but as for now I'm sticking on SVB's aiming tech. (now figuring how to use english with it)
Click to expand...
 
become more "cue ball conscious" - ironically this is done by using object balls

I find that many players are "stuck" because they are too "object ball conscious" and fail to focus on the main target - THE CUE BALL.

One drill that you can do to overcome this tendency is to spread all 15 balls out and bank them all in with a "Touch" of inside. This will make you shorten up each bank and also require a crisp, accelerated stroke to make balls consistently.

Again, don't use a cue ball at all, just back every ball in the sides and/or corners and soon you will become more "cue ball conscious" - ironically this is done by ONLY using object balls.....go figure. :D 'The Game is the Teacher'



justadub said:
I can't speak to TOI, as I simply don't have the time to truly dedicate in order to really learn it. However, related to your thread title, I have noticed recently that when approaching more difficult shots, I have consciously made it a point to focus far more intently on the cue ball at the point of contact in the shot process...with better success.

Not any major discovery, I'll admit. But when I read the title and the original post, it resonated with my most recent matches....I hope to work more with this soon .
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top