SpiderWebComm said:Hal's system is really, really strong. Hal pretty much changed my life when I took the time to visit him last July. I've been playing pool for about 15 years, but I've only learned how to play since meeting Hal.
These aiming threads tend to get heated for some reason. I compare Hal's system to some of those Stereogram pictures...ya know, where you see an image out of nowhere by looking past it? You either see it or you don't. Those who don't see it will say it's a joke, those who do would attest to the fact it's one of the strongest foundations in pocketing balls.
I don't think Hal really cares if anyone uses his system, likes his system, or whatnot. He just puts it out there for people to use if they want. My take on it is you can play for a decade and never develop your feel to pocket any ball or you can reduce that time greatly w/ Hal's system. I'm 11 months into it and my ball pocketing is at least 5x greater than it was a year ago...i'm confident that's not an exaggeration. For those who pocket balls really well by feel, etc... perfect. I envy you!
I don't like to pivot from right to left when aiming, it's really awkward feeling for me (just a personal thing). Therefore, I use a hybrid system between Hal's and Ronnie V -- to ensure I always pivot left to right. Stan Shuffet does something very similar.
Hal's center-to-edge system really changed my life with pool.... Thanks Hal
Dave
I saw your straight pool run video, and you certainly look like a confident shooter. It must work, even if it's not easily explainable why it works. A little while back you helped clarify Hal's system for me. What I say here is just my opinion as to why the system is successful. I may be way off, but it's what my instincts tell me.
I met with Hal and his family, yet was puzzled by a few things, but eventually I realized that the reason people, like me, too quickly reject the center-to-edge-pivot-back-to-center system is that it doesn't fit into what we would label as an aiming system--one that provides targets for all possible shot angles.
What it does do however is provide our eyes and brain a good base point to do a visual sweep until the correct angle for the shot is found by instinct. Subtle adjustments are made from the basic center-to-edge pivot-back-to-center routine, so that all shots are covered by feel. So my take on it is that the system seems to be a great reference or starting point for feeling the right aim for a particular shot.
One thing you can't do with this system is analyze it too much. You just have to do it and let your instincts take over from there. If you're too rigid with it, like I was, it won't work. You can sight perfectly center to edge, you can then pivot perfectly back to center and still miss, but you're missing because you forgot the third step-- feel and adjust until it's right, don't think.
The center to edge is a reference. The pivot or cue placement before the pivot is one that is different for different shots. It really has to be, but I think we're capable of sensing the right pivot for the shot at hand. If a robot were designed to use this system in its strictest form, it would sight flawlessly center to edge and pivot flawlessly from the side of the cueball back to center, yet it would miss most shots. It's the human element that allows it to work.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting with Hal and his family. It was a beautiful day up in the mountains. If I lived closer I'd go back. Anyone who does live close enough should take him up on his invitation to show you the system first hand. I doubt you'd regret it.
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