Can someone explain why Earl used to just take one look and fire the ball in?

[Cuemaster98]

Earl aiming system:

Reference, Repetition (30 plus years of playing), Refined Aiming Processes (refined for 30 years plus that it becomes intuitive and natural to him).

Check out my CM98 aiming system.

Regards,
Duc.

I don't understand.

Earl has won 5 US Opens and 3 World 9-Ball championships.

He usually just takes one look at the shot, 2 practice strokes, and then pumps the ball straight into the middle of the pocket.

And he was one of the deadliest shooters in the history of pool for many years, and he hasn't fallen too much off his peak yet.

What type of aiming system is that supposed to be? He just looks, gets down, and fires. I don't understand.

Help me.

 

[Shaky1]

You understand. Thank you. Missing comes from a conflict of the conscious and subconscious minds

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Although I have no problem whatsoever with aiming threads, I think you are correct. When I'm playing good pool, I don't have to aim. I know where to hit it and I do.
That being said. There are days that I am not playing so good.
On these days I need all the help I can get and will use everything I have to use to put the ball in the hole. If it works for you, use it!:smile:
A mind is a terrible thing

 

[trob]

Work ethic combined with an absolute natural. No one said earl just woke up one day and could run racks but you and I could play just as much as he has and never reach his level. He has a god given natural ability to play the game.

C-man,
Are you kidding????

Earl spent UNBELIEVEABLE FREAKING HOURS to get where he is. He spent more than EVERYONE else (except maybe Efren..), so he's better than everyone else.

To explain him as "natural talent" is almost an insult to his incredible work ethic. JMO.

P.S. - when he explained how he learned to play, I was flabbergasted - he has the will to train.

 

[nine_ball6970]

First of all, Earl has it all, talent, intensity and an incredible work attitude (it's a mystery to me how he does it, for example, I wish I were as physically fit, running four miles every day, but heck, for some reason my days all appear to have only 24 hours…).

Secondly, beware of concepts of "aiming". When I was a beginner, there was no one to learn from in my neck of the woods. I used side spin on most shots, and although I already used to get down after I'd decided what I'd do, I still needed to get a feel for a shot once I was bending over the table (performing "micro-adjustments", so to speak). I only took professional lessons after I'd won a first national title, and I can honestly say that my shot-making ability hasn't improved in the last quarter of a century. I still do best when I do something that admittedly has started to feel energy-consuming now that I'm getting older: get a feel for the shot, which means nothing less than stop after my practice strokes, focus back and forth between cue ball and object ball and ask myself the simple question if what I see feels right (although there's no need to put this in words, on the contrary). I do not remember missing a single shot in my whole life where/when I had the patience to truly do this (= make sure my subconscious was indeed fully satisfied, in a worst case scenario get up and start over again etc.). I'd go so far as to claim that I've made shots this way that not only I'm unable to do any other way (such as banks and kick shots in competitive situations with my back to the wall), but that I've never practiced and would not be able to repeat unless under sufficient pressure to do so.

Note I'm not talking about an aiming technique here: focussing my eyes back and forth between cue ball and object ball, and listening to my inner voice, I know if I'm e.g. under- or over-cutting, or dead-on. And I'm no different than anyone else in this respect. 25 years of teaching others has taught me that everyone can do this, that I'm not in any way, nor do anything special. Admittedly, it takes nerves to learn to trust in one's aim, because it's not a rational process. But ultimately we're always going to leave it to our subconscious (our "on-board computer" as I jokingly call it sometimes) to execute motion sequences. It's not the jockey who races: the mind will have to learn to leave that part to the body and thus our subconscious, no matter how one slices the matter. And it's useless to tinker with such a well-honed machine. Think about it: one that can walk a tightrope without further practice than the ability to walk itself - which like all the good stuff in life we didn't learn, but acquired. That's why the horse and jockey analogy should be taken with the appropriate grain of salt: the body is not a workhorse we beat into submission - the jockey, at best, is a passenger trying not to interfere.

Millions of years worth of evolution. If we handed control over to our minds, would we be able to get up from a chair or tie our shoes?

Now, one might assume (wrongly) that a pool players stroke is "bodily execution" but that aiming is/should be in the realm of the mind. I've always doubted this, perhaps because I learnt it all "wrong". The mind is like the jockey, pointing out options, possibly precluding options. Preferably visualizing just one at a time, no more, no less - that feels right.

As a pool player, beware of the mind for all it does is crave for attention: it's constantly trying to claim praise for something it doesn't do. I do not remember mine shooting a single ball into a pocket for me ever.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti

This reminds me of something Mike Sigel said. He said he never pulled the trigger until he was 100% sure the ball was going in the pocket.

 

[acousticsguru]

This reminds me of something Mike Sigel said. He said he never pulled the trigger until he was 100% sure the ball was going in the pocket.

Yes, of course, only this doesn't tell the full story: the problem is partly what one's definition of a 100% is, and about whose 100% we're talking in the first place.

If a Mike Sigel gave every shot his very best effort, he'd in all likelihood never win a tournament - on that level of play, it becomes a matter of knowing when it's worth paying that much attention, and when to save his energy.

It's ultimately a matter of gauging short-term versus long-term goals, and it becomes easier once one is able to make 99% of all shots comparatively nonchalantly.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti

 

[Shaky1]

This reminds me of something Mike Sigel said. He said he never pulled the trigger until he was 100% sure the ball was going in the pocket.

100% for him = about 19% for me! :embarrassed2:
A 20% shot is a hanger!

 

[Cuemaster98]

Spoke to Earl about his aiming system and no surprise he doesn't have one. However, his system is playing for 40 years plus and repetitively shooting the shots so that when he get down, he'll already understand the shot and just let his experiences (Subconscious) do the work (including adjustment for squirt, throw, etc). Basically he understand the shot before he get down and shoot. He doesn't look at a contact point....he just get down and shoot. I think his subconscious already know where to aim so his focus is on either the speed of his stroke or adjustment of his spin for position.

The Key to Earl aiming is understanding how to aim with your playing cue.
Every shaft is not equal...even the LD shafts...so you need to understand what your cue is doing before you can start to learn to aim. This is probably the most frustrating things for someone who teaches pool .

When I teach my aiming system to local players, the goal is get the player to understand how to find their center with their cue. Once you find your center, you'll learning to build on your fundamental skills and will have the basic foundation to start to learn how to spin the ball and start making adjustments to building references through repetition that your mind is able to recall faster to help cut your learning curves.

It's no secrets that you have to pay your dues on the table to get to a certain levels. Aiming system is not a magic pill but it's objective is to help a player cut their learning curve to become more consistent player.

The key to most aiming system is about building reliable references that your brain can relate to faster. Eg. Ghost ball method (imagine point of contacts), point of contact on the objective ball (you have to guess) vs a dynamic reference point that you can use reliably and depend on. Main point on this is that your brain will be able to build more reliable reference on a dynamic tangle point of contact vs some un-tanglible point of contact. What took Earl maybe 10 years to learn could have been reduced to 2-3 years for him to be proficient at aiming with his Subconscious because the references he's building over time is more reliable so it take less time for your brain to make it instinctive.

All the pro players..do not use any aiming system....they may have in the beginning but eventually every and I say "EVERYTHING" become instinctive with these guys. I mean, they think about pool everyday, night and day...they plays for 6 to 12 hours everyday....it's in grain in their Subconscious. Everything they learn will become second nature to them.

So the goal with my system is try to help you get to that level (what ever it may be...it ultimately comes down to you and how much you want to sacrifice) and become instinctive player where you mind does the work for you.

Looking at David's video, it clear to see that he uses his eye to validate his shot. Once you play enough and hit enough balls, you should already have built your system of references...now all you need is a method to validate/visualize and then let the mind/body take the shot.

Aiming is a 2 step process, in the first step....aiming system will help as you learn to trust your stroke. The second step is all hard work (using your eyes) to validate and visualize so that your mind can enter the "dead stroke" zone. Once you in dead stroke...you'll feel like your stroke is effortless and when you shoot...you level of confidence is so high...that you know the ball is already in the pocket before you shoot. The key to high level play is been able to get this state repetitively .

I personally can't sacrifice the time to get to that level but I know what it takes to get there.

Regards,
Duc.

"Now, if one watches Earl, one will notice he only walks behind the shot line to look at the contact point on the object ball in certain situations, nothing to do with the difficulty, let alone a certain type of shot. He's that economic. Needless to say, economy is another sign of a great player. I have no doubt it's part of what won him his many titles.

Greetings from Switzerland, David."
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti[/QUOTE]

 

[Ratta]

That s how it is ...

*You see the line by *Standing behind*, and then it is all about your ability to transfer that funny whitey to the point you want!

to quote Fran Crimi: "But you for sure will never get away from beatin the *table-time-monster*

lg
Ingo

 

[hcsilvert]

I don't understand.

Earl has won 5 US Opens and 3 World 9-Ball championships.

He usually just takes one look at the shot, 2 practice strokes, and then pumps the ball straight into the middle of the pocket.

And he was one of the deadliest shooters in the history of pool for many years, and he hasn't fallen too much off his peak yet.

What type of aiming system is that supposed to be? He just looks, gets down, and fires. I don't understand.

Help me.

It is called the shoot-it-in-the-pocket aiming system. Aiming is genetic to the human species. One of the first things we learn is to point. As pool players we start off with the SIITP system then we learn all the other systems and eventually return to this method. All the touted aiming systems really help, but when you are playing well aiming is not in your conscience activity. Your body position, tip placement, and most of all STROKE is what makes the ball.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Cuemaster98:
...point of contact on the objective ball (you have to guess)

This isn't true for everybody - that's just what John Barton wants to believe. There doesn't have to be a physical mark on the object ball in order to "see" the contact point very precisely. If you can accurately visualize the ball-to-pocket line, you can "see" the OB contact point with enough precision to cheat the pocket, make combos, etc.

I can do it from just about any perspective, but it obviously isn't easy for everybody - that's a big reason aiming systems exist.

pj
chgo

 

[poolguy4u]

Back in the 1970's and 1980's, no one ever talked about an aiming system. What was taught was...draw a line through the object ball to the center of the pocket, and that is where you want the cue ball to hit.

Only one place to hit the ball. You see the spot and you shoot it in.
Lots of practice and hang out with good players and hopefully things
will work out. Good hand and eye coordination is a must.


Some people are born with natural ability, and people like myself have to practice, put in many hours, days, and years.


This (aiming system) was in the Willie Mosconi blue book and red book. These are great books for the beginner and I still recommend these books if you can find them.

 

[DrGonzo]

Back in the 1970's and 1980's, no one ever talked about an aiming system. What was taught was...draw a line through the object ball to the center of the pocket, and that is where you want the cue ball to hit.

Only one place to hit the ball. You see the spot and you shoot it in.
Lots of practice and hang out with good players and hopefully things
will work out. Good hand and eye coordination is a must.


Some people are born with natural ability, and people like myself have to practice, put in many hours, days, and years.


This (aiming system) was in the Willie Mosconi blue book and red book. These are great books for the beginner and I still recommend these books if you can find them.

Wouldnt collision induced throw make this point incorrect under certain conditions?

 

[ENGLISH!]

I don't understand.

Earl has won 5 US Opens and 3 World 9-Ball championships.

He usually just takes one look at the shot, 2 practice strokes, and then pumps the ball straight into the middle of the pocket.

And he was one of the deadliest shooters in the history of pool for many years, and he hasn't fallen too much off his peak yet.

What type of aiming system is that supposed to be? He just looks, gets down, and fires. I don't understand.

Help me.

It's been relayed somewhere on AZB supposedly Mr. Strickland told him first hand that when ES was 16 years old everyday he would practiced for 16 hrs. a day & slept for 8, everyday. Hit A Million Balls!

 

[AtLarge]

Wouldnt collision induced throw make this point incorrect under certain conditions?

Yes, but you can prevent or compensate for any expected CIT.

To prevent it, use a bit of outside or "gearing" english on the cue ball.

To compensate for it, aim the shot a little thinner. In other words, the ghost-ball position (or intended contact point) you use in aiming doesn't have to be aligned to the center of the pocket; it can be aligned to the side of the pocket, or to the point of the cushion, or to wherever you think it needs to be in order to compensate for the CIT you are going to have.

 

[CJ Wiley]

get Earl gets down on the shot "as if" it's already been made! :wink:

I don't understand.

Earl has won 5 US Opens and 3 World 9-Ball championships.

He usually just takes one look at the shot, 2 practice strokes, and then pumps the ball straight into the middle of the pocket.

And he was one of the deadliest shooters in the history of pool for many years, and he hasn't fallen too much off his peak yet.

What type of aiming system is that supposed to be? He just looks, gets down, and fires. I don't understand.

Help me.

I have been close to Earl off and on for over 20 years and he knows as well as anyone "Look Long, Think Wrong".....if you know how to connect the cue ball to the object ball in the "Line of the Shot" format, it's just a matter of Connecting the Dots....and then it's Point and Click with Confidence.....You MUST get down on the shot "as if" it's already been made! :wink:

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[BilliardsAbout]

I don't understand.

Earl has won 5 US Opens and 3 World 9-Ball championships.

He usually just takes one look at the shot, 2 practice strokes, and then pumps the ball straight into the middle of the pocket.

And he was one of the deadliest shooters in the history of pool for many years, and he hasn't fallen too much off his peak yet.

What type of aiming system is that supposed to be? He just looks, gets down, and fires. I don't understand.

Help me.

Fugeddaboudit! How about "Machine Gun" rapid-fire Lou or speed pool victors?

Good stance, aim and stroke and you're all set. I like to bend down and fire off rapid shots in lessons occasionally to help a student reduce anxiety. Good stance, aim and stroke, and you don't need more than a shot or two to "warm up" either.

I say, "Is the table still a rectangle today and are the balls round? I'm good to go..."

Seriously, each player has their own practice stroke rythym. Seven or eight practice strokes doesn't do more for the average player than two or three...

 

[Neil]

I don't understand.

Earl has won 5 US Opens and 3 World 9-Ball championships.

He usually just takes one look at the shot, 2 practice strokes, and then pumps the ball straight into the middle of the pocket.

And he was one of the deadliest shooters in the history of pool for many years, and he hasn't fallen too much off his peak yet.

What type of aiming system is that supposed to be? He just looks, gets down, and fires. I don't understand.

Help me.

Can you explain to me how you can just take off running at full speed and run around a bunch of traffic cones, zig-zagging in and out of them without hitting them and falling down?

Same principle.:wink: It's nothing more than seeing what you want to do, and then fully letting your subconscious control your body to accomplish the task. Just like with running, you have many hours of practice running and walking, Earl has many hours of practice pocketing balls.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Visually your feedback will always create a feeling in your body

Back in the 1970's and 1980's, no one ever talked about an aiming system. What was taught was...draw a line through the object ball to the center of the pocket, and that is where you want the cue ball to hit.

The best way I can describe how I aim (and I shoot the same pace as Earl), is that I am "feeling the angles with my eyes".....(I use a specific part on the cue ball connected to either the center or edge of the object ball and "connect the dots" to achieve this), looking at the balls as if they are FLAT {one dimensional}.

Visually your feedback will always create a feeling in your body...you see a snake you may feel fear/anxious etc...you see an ex wife (you may feel the same )....when you see a parent, flower, az post, etc. you will feel a stimulus of some kind either consciously or unconsciously.....when you are calibrating angles created by connecting the cue ball to the object ball you also get a feeling....after making the shot a confident feeling is reinforced and likewise when you don't make a shot a feeling of doubt/indecision is reinforced.

The most important thing (in my opinion) 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.....a "Connection System" if you will....this is why all 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.....I can make many "aiming system" work because my eyes already know the correlation between the two balls (I'm creating the angle, then "allowing" the aiming system to work"....so I can "feel the shots with my eyes"....this may sound esoteric, but I assure you it's not.

EarlStickland Dead Stroke

 

[Ratta]

Exactly,

it s just about finding a way for yourself *to see+find this connetion*. It doesn t matter if you use a contact-to-contact, pivot-based,cte-based or what ever kind of aiming system. You have to see the angle, or have to be able to connect the 2 important points of the cueball and object ball. The rest is hard disciplined practice and training-to receive the physical ability to shoot whitey from point A to point B!

Humans can just work with pictures-so you have to find a successful way to *create enough correct pictures* in your mind. And the ability to pull out the correct picture at the right time.

lg
Ingo

 

[CJ Wiley]

"Connecting the dots" to create the right angle and you'll see the entire shot

Exactly,

it s just about finding a way for yourself *to see+find this connetion*. It doesn t matter if you use a contact-to-contact, pivot-based,cte-based or what ever kind of aiming system. You have to see the angle, or have to be able to connect the 2 important points of the cueball and object ball. The rest is hard disciplined practice and training-to receive the physical ability to shoot whitey from point A to point B!

Humans can just work with pictures-so you have to find a successful way to *create enough correct pictures* in your mind. And the ability to pull out the correct picture at the right time.

lg
Ingo

That's right, it doesn't really matter how you achieve it, but you must learn to get down on the shot as if you've already made it. You may go through a few "systems" before you find the one that really clicks.

However sometimes you just have to "Fake it Til You Make It" and just get down with confidence and stroke the ball as if YOU KNOW it's going in. Then, if you undercut/overcut it, adjust and DO IT AGAIN. If you make it this time, just "file it away in your unconscious" and shoot ANOTHER angle/shot and do the same thing.

You'll start to see things that CONNECT between the two balls that you can duplicate. When this happens you're on the right track FOR YOU. At some moment it will be like "Connecting the dots" to create the right angle and you'll see the entire shot in your "mind's eye".:wink: