CTE and TOI

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One of the things I love most about pool discussion boards, going back to RSB, is to hear about and discuss how players from divergent backgrounds find their way up the mountain that is playing pool. Players with backgrounds from carpentry, to plumbing, to academia, the military, students, medicine, cops, and robbers, and engineers all bring their unique perspective to the discussion and that is great. Because it’s the guys that have done something other than pool their entire lives that I can identify with.

Ok, great. That's the same experience that most of us have here since only a tiny percentage of AZ's membership has been willing or able to devote their lives to pool. And of course it's great to have everyone's voice and perspective.

One of the things I always find most rewarding is when I can describe my own travails and someone will post in return something like: you know, that really resonated with me or, that really rang true to me.

And yet you don't allow that other people can write of their own travails and have it ring true with others IF that experience is not about something you agree with. How is that fair?

I like having pros around as much as the next guy.

No, actually you don't or you would not work so hard to one-up them and thus attempt to drive them away.

But what I have observed over the years is that most often the pro does not know how he does what he does anymore than prodigies or naturals at any other sport.

This is rich. You assume that a professional player is not also a student of the game. You assume that they cannot read nor watch videos nor ever have any discussions with people about how things work?

Most often? Try again Lou, you love to make these blanket statements but you have zero data to back it up. So you are saying that in your observation MOST OFTEN pros are wrong about what they are doing?

I will concede that RARELY a pro will say something that is not aligned with what physics shows to be true such as Mike Sigel's famous declaration that spin does not transfer. ( I think that's what it was or something about throw not existing). Other than that what things have pros said on these forums about playing that are not true?

And so, you end with guys trying to describe and explain how to play pool and often (usually) those explanation don’t resonate or are based in faulty logic, or can even be proven to be flat out wrong.

You mean that it's RARELY the case that a pro will say something that can be proven wrong. And yes it's entirely possible that a pro trying to explain pool from his perspective would not resonate with a banger. Resonance is being on the same plane Lou and you are not at pro level. Just because you can't get it doesn't mean that the information is not valid.

Th occasional pro that wanders in here should keep things in perspective: being a professional pool player just means you can poke balls into holes on a cloth covered table better than most.

It means that they can make balls way way way way way better than you can. Not just better than most, but better than 99.99% percent of living human beings. Not just a little better than you but many many levels above you.


It does not mean you are the brightest bulb on the tree and right about everything. There are people who might not play pool as well as you but are smarter, more insightful, can argue more artfully, write better, and have accomplished far, far more in life than poking those balls around.



Lou Figueroa

So this game that you have professed such love for and the players that you have written so eloquently about in admiration are just ignorant bums who wasted their life playing pool if they happen to not agree with you on how to play pool? That's kind of mean and petty.

I would love to do an experiment that I am now going to absolutely ruin by explaining it. If I got a couple pros in here to agree with you I bet you would fall all over yourself fawning on them and saying how smart they are. I wonder then how you would feel if they then came out and said that they use CTE/ProOne. Would they suddenly be ignorant bums again with no knowledge of physics?
 
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I think you can learn something and come to the realization that it is a flawed model. So you discard it.

Lou Figueroa

And you can learn something and not understand it as well and discard it because you don't get it. Goes both ways.


You can watch the DVD, understand it, and realize it doesn't work as advertised. Just because something comes out on a DVD (or is on TV, or in the newspaper) does not mean that it is valid.

Lou Figueroa

Just what was advertised that does not work? I am just curious, what exact statement on the DVD about actually playing does not work? Was there a particular shot that didn't work according to the aiming instructions?

Yes it's certainly true that whatever information is presented is not always valid. That absolutely includes reviews such as yours. Why is your experience any more "valid" than Stan's material or the testimonial of Stevie Moore or the playing ability of Landon Shuffet or the many many many testimonials from people for whom Stan's material was found to be valid and accurate?

I think some people benefit from all kinds of things that aren't "valid," much like a placebo effect. I believe Dr. Dave also has a list on his site of why some people might benefit from CTE.

Lou Figueroa

Yes of course, people are making more balls simply because of the placebo effect. So going by the testimonials and using your logic all the players who swear that they are playing better after learning CTE are experience a placebo effect and the very small number of players who say that they don't get it are the "smart" ones?

He was aware, long before he got the DVD, what I thought of it. But he's a smart guy and was able to make up his own mind after studying it ;-)

Lou Figueroa

And since he gave up on it he is smart right? Funny because if I recall there is at least one other attorney here on AZB who has testified that he LOVES CTE and that his game has gone up a lot since learning it. So do two attorneys then cancel each other out on the got it/didn't get it scoreboard?


Well, they/you would lose that $1K bet because after watching your DVD I did try *many* racks of 14.1 and couldn't begin to make it work.

Why didn't you follow the directions and shoot the reference shots? If you truly learned it then anyone should be able to place a shot and you should be able to recite the aiming points.

What you can't do that? You mean you watched the DVD and then went to the pool room to shoot 14.1 and tried it? Did you have a DVD player with you to review the material? Did you do it in your house?

I am curious how one would exactly get this particular information and view it and then go play with it without having practiced the reference shots and without having internalized the aiming points. I am sorry but I feel that your description of how you claim you gave it a try is sorely lacking for anyone who claims to be a serious student of the game. It just doesn't hold water.

I guess for me that would be about the equivalent of sitting down to read Robert Byrne's Standard book straight through and then going out and expecting to run 50s in straight pool and then when I failed concluding that Robert Byrne's instructions are bunk.

As I said in my first post in this thread, it would be beneficial to the discussion if the proponents would just acknowledge that this system is not for everyone. But apparently that is too much to ask -- you would prefer to place the blame for failure on the individual rather than the system.

Why would anyone make such a claim? How does a person know that this method is not for them until they try it. There is no litmus test to determine beforehand whether you are suited to learn CTE or not. At least your friend gave it a few weeks which is more than you did. Perhaps if he had picked up the phone or sent an email explaining what he was having trouble with then he MIGHT have gotten just the right tip to help him understand it.

To put this into perspective for you, I buy videos and books on leatherworking all the time. Sometimes I don't quite understand the material as presented and when that happens I go to the net and ask for help and 100% of the time help is there from other people using the same methods. Often someone will have discovered an easier way to look at the technique and sometimes people even figure out improvements.

Now I could buy these instructional materials and discard the ones I don't understand without doing the slight bit of extra research and go on dong what I do without learning the new techniques. I can sell cases all day doing what I do already, no need to improve to keep the status quo. But when I make an investment into education then I don't consider throwing it away without trying every resource I know of to understand it. I think that it would be absurd to spend money this way and just throw it away because something is not clicking with me.

That's another perspective.

And here's some free PR advice: you should get off the repeated proffers to teach people at your home in the manner that you are offering it because the message it sends is that the DVD does not stand alone and that after folks purchases it they will, almost inevitably, need further instruction that may or may not make it work. You're welcome.

Lou Figueroa

That's the message YOU read into it because YOU made the accusation that Stan DELIBERATELY withheld information.

The DVD does not stand on it's own for all people. Why is that? Well because his is something completely new to most players who have been weaned on ghost ball. It's a higher level concept that isn't easy to take in all at once. So while some people will watch it and fairly quickly get it without much help others will need a bit more explanation to understand the terms and the visuals.

Also Stan did the best job he could of explaining it and in hindsight can certainly see places where he could have done a better job. Everyone who makes things sees where they could have done better after the product is done and shipped. Even Apple with all its engineers ships flawed products so what do you expect from a single man and a few helpers? Oh that's right you expected failure and that's exactly what you described even in the face of dozens of positive reviews.

What's wrong with the author standing up and saying here is my phone number call me as much as you need to? Only you can turn such a wonderful offer into a negative.

To conclude Lou, Stan is a much better player than you are. He helps people to play better pool. He sponsors pool and he offers an amazing amount of support for a method that he has studied and refined. Only you can denigrate a person's work like this transferring your grudges from other message boards and other arguments onto a kind and gentle gentleman.
 
You're right Lou, we all can only strive to be at your level of accomplishment, expertise and humility. You are like a beacon of light shining on the darkness of pool players, instuctors and the injustices therein.

How can you be so smart, insightful, and artful, yet remain so humble? What is your background, were you a priest, charity worker or a saint?

Thanks for spreading joy, happiness and good cheer to us Blessed proletariat.


Like I said: you should try and keep things in perspective.

Lou Figueroa
 
I guess it's time to give in. CTE is NOT for everyone.
I can understand If you're just to set in your ways to much to change your game for the better and not willing to lose a little of what game you don't have. I would probably say to hell with learning how to play again as well. Yes CTE is not for everyone.

This is how I see it. If you can see the CTE alignment, you can damn well learn CTE/Pro One. Are you willing to relearn when your 60 to 80 yrs young? Some say NO. What else do you have to do if you really want to play the best pool of your life. How could you not change what your doing if the best in the world are already doing it. I guess you can just keep knocking it. Lol! Some life that is! Doesn't make much sense or should I say intelligence.

I may not be the smartest, artful in my writing, or even accomplished very much in life. Well, I ain't done!

Real CTE is and will remain the best way to aim in pool. From A pool player that runs out for a living and loves it. Pool IS my life and will be until I have no more life in me. I will always look for ways to improve my game.


Well I don't know about "best in the world," but here's what the *World* 14.1 champion, John Schmidt had to say about it (you get a mention :-):

John Schmidt: Well, don’t get me started on aiming systems. I’ll tell you if...

Maybe they work... but nobody’s telling me the one’s that work. Because if they work, first of all you’re not factoring in swerve and deflection. OK, now what if a guy comes up with a delivery system, that’s different. But, aiming’s adorable -- but you still have to deliver -- so you could aim perfect. If those aiming systems worked, well there would just be like four million people who played like Corey. But it’s year after year and it’s still Corey.

So these aiming systems are overrated, they’re a way to sell videos and books and make people pontificate about their own greatness and believe me if it worked, then they’d be out there winning tournaments, but they’re not.

What Stevie Moore doesn’t get is -- Stevie Moore -- you could put a bag over his head and he’d run out. He’s a great player. So he’s playing great in spite of his aiming system, not because of it. I mean, think about it: he’s already a great player. He could aim at the wall and he’s still going to make the ball. And it’s a way to give him comfort and confidence. He’s kind of like tricked himself into thinking ‘this aiming system works.’

(John sets up to demonstrate a shot.) I just can’t see how I’m going to use english here and I’m going to aim bottom right english. So I’m aiming out here -- it’s going to squirt. Well, what aiming system is going to work for that?! It’s only going to work with center ball. And you know, all these guys with their aiming systems can get like weight from me. And I don’t use an aiming system.

Corey Duel: Yeah the one that he’s talking about I haven’t been able to comprehend it yet. It’s something about pivoting the back foot and... I don’t know.

John Schmidt: My piece of advice, if anybody cares to the viewers at home: forget all the aiming systems. Just like when you throw a baseball to first, you just do it. Right? There’s no aiming, you do it, you feel it. It’s same with pool. You get a mental picture and you do it. Aiming systems are the most ridiculous, overrated thing...The pros scoff at that stuff, they’re like, ‘aiming systems, really?!’...

If they would quit spending so much time on line and learning about aiming systems and go hit more balls they’d become better players. There’s no short cut to it. Sitting on AZ Billiards looking for aiming systems isn’t going to get it. It’s like the golf swing guys. They got a thousand videos. But the guy that goes to the driving range till his hands bleed, that’s the good golfer. You can’t watch it online and go, ‘oh, there’s got to be a system for hitting a four iron two hundred yards on the green.’ It’s the same with pool. We’ve hit a million pool balls -- that’s our system. I mean, you’re not going to get good at anything using a system.

I could be wrong, I don’t know if I’m right. I just think aiming systems are crazy. Deflection and swerve is what makes this game so tough. If there was no such thing as that, you know you just hit whatever english, but this thing goes sideways off of your stick. That’s why the game’s so impossible.

Lou Figueroa
 
If you have such thick skin like you say, why do you have people on ignore after you stir the pot :confused: Disruptive behavior disorder and bullying you may want to look into these.


Narcissistic Adult Bully: This type of adult bully is self-centered and does not share empathy with others. Additionally, there is little anxiety about consequences. He or she seems to feel good about him or herself, but in reality has a brittle narcissism that requires putting others down.

Funny, I was going to post the same thing this morning. Mr. Thin Skin with his monkey and sycophant followers has everyone on ignore who he can't bully.

Mr. Thin Skin got kicked out of every pool room in his area for being a pompous know it all. "I play around the country in major events so I KNOW this table needs to be recovered, re-leveled or plays bad."

It's ironic how he has a history of bullying pros to the point where they leave. When people bully him back in HOPES he'll leave, they go on ignore. Maybe he thinks if he gets enough people who can actually play to leave, that'll make him the best player here?

To Mr. Thin Skin, every pro player is a mongoloid with "retard-strength" who has no clue how or why they play well. The moment a pro comes here to help, it's only a matter of time before he pounces and "out-types" the pro before he forces them out. He prob loves it since he can't beat them playing pool and probably considers that a W.

Mr. Thin Skin is a total pussy. Can't stand to read the truth from those who aren't afraid of internet chest-puffing so he puts those on ignore and :-) and ;-) everyone else to death while shitting on pros because they haven't sat in RSB/AZB for 15 years practicing their posting style since they were out playing pool and winning money -- imagine that.

Mr. Thin Skin is a seasoned PR professional who can't stand the heat of azb so the heat goes on ignore. For those who are left, he runs into a phone booth and emerges as Captain Thick Skin.
 
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I thought you were referring to the video where Lou took three break shots to make a cumulative score. Even so I still think that there are plenty of folks who post on the aiming system forum who could easily get through two racks and into a third.

"Plenty"? If we're still talking strictly short-rack rotation players (and not guys that practice or have very good familiarity with straight pool), sorry John, but no, I would challenge that. A few, or a handful? Sure.

Thank you for the lesson on 14.1 basics, I had no idea.

:p Actually, that was to address your "multiple swings at the plate" thing, which you reiterated above. I wanted to be clear we were talking about the same thing.

Oh please. Now this is going to turn into a 14.1 vs. 9 ball debate? The same guys who can put up 3-5 packs of nine ball, that is running 27-45 balls in rotation are the ones you say can't run 30 in straight pool?

Thank you for proving my point. You have entirely too much respect for that "running the balls in rotation" thing. And, those 27-45 balls are NOT being run continuously -- there's 3/4/5 "mind-resetting" break shots in there, remember? They are not truly stringing those 27-45 shots together.

Although I will give you that the player that CAN string 3 - 5 packs of 9-ball consistently (and we're talking 9-foot table, of course, not barboxes) probably *do* have the shooting prowess to hack their way through a 30-ball straight pool run.

:-) And you have interviewed these players and know that they are "exclusively" 9 Ball players.

Oh, come on. You mean to tell me that even you yourself can't tell one player's creed from another? That you can't tell when someone's "cue ball heroics" (racing around the table to get from shot to shot, versus picking the pattern apart correctly) is not one leaning on their base 9-ball skillset?

You mean to tell me that you can't tell a 14.1 player, from a one pocket player, from a 9-ball player, etc. -- just by watching how they play?

But to answer your question, yes, yes we have interviewed players afterwards, and the suspicions were correct in almost every case.

And the pressure of getting up to play in a challenge format at one of these contests has nothing to do with it? After all in the very same contests we have also not seen the professionals and self-proclaimed professionals putting up the same scores that they have done or claimed to have done in less formal settings.

That's very true -- pressure gets to us all. But in these pressure situations, we all resort to our "base" or "founding" skillset. And that's my point -- one's "9-ball-ness" comes out in these pressure situations.

Why don't you spend some time with us in the 14.1 challenge booth, and watch? You'll see what I'm talking about, and then we can interview players afterwards, and verify.

Well for what it's worth I consider video to be the new way to hustle. Put a lot of video out there that shows you playing badly, talk about how great you are and how much you understand the game and line up the suckers willing to play you. :-)

Can't argue that. I got nuthin'. :)

It is number one. You don't get paid for missing. And especially in your beloved 14.1 where a miss could cost you the entire match. In the run out contest format a miss simply ends your attempt. No bonus points for how creative you were trying to be.

Well then we will have to disagree because I feel that the game demands that the sequence be make the ball and get shape in that order repeated until the game is over. Because dong it out of sequence means you don't get to continue playing.

This is common sense. But not all things can be boiled down so simply. Yes, it's true; if you miss, your run is over, you sit, and you lose. But it's also true that you make the ball, you forget that you were supposed to break up that cluster a foot away, and now you lost your window to do so, where that cluster bites you in the *ss later, ending your run, you sit, and you lose. See?

So Lou is a boy?

<...facepalm...> Remember the purpose of my original reply? That before people lambaste, they should know what they're looking at, that not everything is as it looks or seems?

<...Sean reminds himself he's in the Aiming subforum...> But of course, if we're going to emotionally-charge aiming systems, let's make sure we adopt the stance that *any* miss is sacrilege, right?

What dare? To run more than 30 balls on a 9ft table? Ok, when I have the time to do it I will post a video. My memory card starts getting funny after about 30 minutes of recording so I run balls until the storage capacity is reached or I miss which will likely be sooner but more than 30 balls for sure.

Now we're talking!

[...]
I am ok with disagreeing. I don't consider it to be tunnel vision but instead practicality that if you are playing a game where you have to make a shot to continue shooting that your focus be on making the shot first and foremost. As Willie said when asked about the secret to pool, "don't miss".

Right, and conveniently forget that there's more to staying at the table than "don't miss" (which was Willie's trademarked sarcasm, btw -- but obviously, the readership devotees here in this particular forum miss the sarcasm and instead take it as "gospel"). You are just as likely to have to sit and lose with not doing your other duties at the table (e.g. breaking up clusters), as you are with a miss.

Perhaps it is a simple view but the plain fact is that missing ends the turn. So if you are in a run out contest your primary task is to make the ball you are shooting whether or not you achieve the secondary task of getting the result you wanted after making the shot.

"Whether or not" is also too simplistic. You need *both*. You are just as likely to have your run ended, sit, and lose, with not doing that secondary duty, as you are with a miss. Granted, the miss guarantees that position, while you might get lucky in achieving the secondary task in a subsequent shot if you didn't miss. Or not! It really depends on how many balls are left on the table -- you already know this, but the more there are, the more opportunities you have to achieve those secondary goals. But the less balls on the table, the less chances you have -- so back to the original point, you need to achieve those secondary goals as early as possible, thereby tying the primary and secondary goals back together again in each shot. A pool "shot" is a complete system all by itself. You can't deconstruct it or boil it down like you are, without losing the whole premise behind the shot's purpose of keeping you at the table.

When I offer a serious bet Sean then it's real bucks. When I say bet a million then it's hyperbole of course.

You missed the little jab. Nobody seems to take you up on these gaff bets (I've yet to see one accepted and executed to resolution), so I thought it was monopoly money you were betting. ;)

Anyway, let's get something straight -- we *all* use aiming systems. You do, I do, everyone does. If you have a technique or methodology for getting yourself online and set into a shot, ready to fire, you are using an aiming system. I myself have a set number of steps I get into before I'm ready to pull the trigger. That, to me, is a SYSTEM for aiming.

I just think the passion, religion, and especially the vitriol over the topic of "aiming systems" is just entirely overboard. We're getting so wound up over this stuff?

Doesn't make sense. (And that goes for BOTH sides, btw -- those that attack, and those that defend.)

-Sean
 
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CTE/Pro One The Holy Grail of Aiming

CTE is aming information at its finest. This system teaches you center ball and objectivity. Throw and swerve is learned through experience no matter how you aim. Like I've said before. CTE will help correct any flaws you may have in your stroke and give you the proper alignment so you can give a 100 % of your focus to stroke instead of steering your cue at an imaginary ghost ball.
No need in putting effort into aiming anymore. It's all about stroke when using CTE. Cueball is the target!

CTE/Pro One has givin me the confidence of what ghost ball could not. CTE gives me a routine of visual information which inadvertently gives me more confidence that I am lined up correctly. In turn I can put all my focus on cueball.

I've beaten John Schmidt, Corey Duel, even Efren Reyes before CTE. I can honestly say that I will beat them with much more consistency now because I am on their level or maybe even above their level of information with REAL CTE!

THAT IS ALL!!!
 
CTE is aming information at its finest. This system teaches you center ball and objectivity. Throw and swerve is learned through experience no matter how you aim. Like I've said before. CTE will help correct any flaws you may have in your stroke and give you the proper alignment so you can give a 100 % of your focus to stroke instead of steering your cue at an imaginary ghost ball.
No need in putting effort into aiming anymore. It's all about stroke when using CTE. Cueball is the target!

CTE/Pro One has givin me the confidence of what ghost ball could not. CTE gives me a routine of visual information which inadvertently gives me more confidence that I am lined up correctly. In turn I can put all my focus on cueball.

I've beaten John Schmidt, Corey Duel, even Efren Reyes before CTE. I can honestly say that I will beat them with much more consistency now because I am on their level or maybe even above their level of information with REAL CTE!

THAT IS ALL!!!

That is the type of confidence you need to beat those types of players, there monsters! I like that mentality Stevie and i try and bring that confidence into the games i play also, No Fear brother!
 
John,

In post #178

The quote you have is not me.


I believe that is Lou saying that after quoting me. I certainly do not think the system is bogus as he seems to be suggesting. The jury is stil out for me as I have not yet given CTE a good enough try.

Could you please edit post # 178 so it does reflect me saying Lou's words.

Thanks in adavance,
 
Been trying to follow this a bit, a few comments:

- Although I learned and enjoy CTE/Pro1 (and other systems), agree that they may not be for everyone. Some people just don't get or "see" the lines and can pick up or visualize ghost ball type approaches better, or are so set in what they do that it's hard to retrain. Nothing wrong with that.

- Where I think CTE/Pro1 excels is in giving a player a great framework for the correct sight picture on every shot on the table. Beginning or even intermediate players often have no clue where to aim, the approach taken gives one a framework with which to make every shot whether it's been seen before or not. Not to mention the largely agreed upon fringe benefits such as a consistent PSR etc

- Playing straight pool, or 9 ball, right after watching the DVD is NOT the way to learn the system. Lou, if that's what you did I totally see how it didn't work, wouldn't have for me either. You, like me, might have assumed that simple instructions could be followed and it should work or not. I think some mental, physical, and visual retraining is involved to be able to see the lines, understand when and how to pivot, and progress through the reference shots to really learn the system, not as simple as seeing the material and just doing it. Whether it should be or not can be argued...

- Even though I play mostly 9/10 ball, I can run more than 30 in straight pool consistently... :) But your point is taken, the average 9 ball player who doesn't understand basic 14.1 patterns or has little experience with the game would be challenged to get through a few racks with minimal attempts or even at all


I'm sure the debates will continue - always provide some interesting reading at work - but for me at least I try to be civil and am more interested in exchanging information and ideas about the systems and helping those who really want to learn them.

Scott
 
John,

In post #178

The quote you have is not me.


I believe that is Lou saying that after quoting me. I certainly do not think the system is bogus as he seems to be suggesting. The jury is stil out for me as I have not yet given CTE a good enough try.

Could you please edit post # 178 so it does reflect me saying Lou's words.

Thanks in adavance,


Darn. And here I thought I had a new spokesmodel :-)

Lou Figueroa
 
Been trying to follow this a bit, a few comments:

- Although I learned and enjoy CTE/Pro1 (and other systems), agree that they may not be for everyone. Some people just don't get or "see" the lines and can pick up or visualize ghost ball type approaches better, or are so set in what they do that it's hard to retrain. Nothing wrong with that.

- Where I think CTE/Pro1 excels is in giving a player a great framework for the correct sight picture on every shot on the table. Beginning or even intermediate players often have no clue where to aim, the approach taken gives one a framework with which to make every shot whether it's been seen before or not. Not to mention the largely agreed upon fringe benefits such as a consistent PSR etc

- Playing straight pool, or 9 ball, right after watching the DVD is NOT the way to learn the system. Lou, if that's what you did I totally see how it didn't work, wouldn't have for me either. You, like me, might have assumed that simple instructions could be followed and it should work or not. I think some mental, physical, and visual retraining is involved to be able to see the lines, understand when and how to pivot, and progress through the reference shots to really learn the system, not as simple as seeing the material and just doing it. Whether it should be or not can be argued...

- Even though I play mostly 9/10 ball, I can run more than 30 in straight pool consistently... :) But your point is taken, the average 9 ball player who doesn't understand basic 14.1 patterns or has little experience with the game would be challenged to get through a few racks with minimal attempts or even at all


I'm sure the debates will continue - always provide some interesting reading at work - but for me at least I try to be civil and am more interested in exchanging information and ideas about the systems and helping those who really want to learn them.

Scott


I guess I didn't see the disclaimer telling me to not play straight pool right after watching the DVD :-) More seriously, perhaps you are correct that some kind of visual retraining needs to take place. I know, for instance, that when I come to a table layout that my opponent has left me at 1pocket, I probably see things on the table that a lesser play might not. By the same token, a more advanced player will see additional things that I can't. So maybe there is where part of the problem lies.

Lou Figueroa
 
Hey folks:

I don't check the Aiming forum as much these days, other than to stay on top of Stan's product announcements, or whenever I see a lot of traction on certain threads.

But I wanted to interject here, because Lou is apparently catching a lot of flack for something that most of you short-rack rotation players may not even have a clue what he was trying to do. Other than Dave Segal (SpiderWebComm) who actually plays 14.1, I dare say MOST OF YOU here would have a hard time putting up a 30-ball run on a regulation 9-footer, nevermind a Diamond. And I put that dare to anyone here, especially those with the "in straight pool, you can shoot any ball you want, how hard can that be?" short-rack-rotation player myopic stance.

Only Lou can speak authoritatively here about what his thought process was at the time. But when watching that video, the first impression I had was that shot on the 6-ball was an intentional "bump" shot. Meaning, obviously Lou was trying to pocket the 6 in the side, but a secondary intention was to bump that 8-ball towards the side pocket as a key-ball to the ultimate break-ball. The 8-ball was in a funny spot (it did have a pocket, but it was a narrow window to get to it). It is a common technique in straight pool to solve these problem spots quickly, and even to bump balls to a better position (in this case, to a key-ball spot -- a ball hanging by the side pocket is a perfect key-ball for a break-ball to the side of the pack).

As mentioned in the 14.1 forum, on this past New Year's Day, I scored a 78-ball run, and much of the run included some bumping to break clusters and put balls in an optimum spot. I would venture to say that literally half of my break balls turned out to be "bumped" balls, because of the slowness of the table I was playing on, and having to deal with clusters. (Sometimes I need to shoot my break-ball off prematurely, because it was the only ball that offered me an angle to deal with a cluster.)

I realize that Lou's position on aiming systems and review of Stan's product does not sit well with most of the readership on this particular forum. But before we lambaste, 1.) know what you're looking at, and 2.) try playing some 14.1 and putting up your own numbers in video form.

Respectfully, and back to our regularly-scheduled programming,
-Sean
Sean, How you doing? Well as you know I'm a 9-ball bar table player (From Md.) but in my recent move to Florida had the chance to shoot my first straight pool league match last night. Race to 150 and in the middle of the match ran a 42. Not great but considering my background I'll take it. Point is with Lou's form on that video he shouldn't be here knocking pro's. That was a poor overall display of pool and there is not one person on this forum that would take a lesson from him after watching that.
And I beat a top player from a 40 person league from a pretty good pool hall, Strokers of Palm Harbor. Pro-One is the best, Thank You Stan and Dave Segal.
 
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Sean, How you doing? Well as you know I'm a 9-ball bar table player (From Md.) but in my recent move to Florida had the chance to shoot my first straight pool league match last night. Race to 150 and in the middle of the match ran a 42. Not great but considering my background I'll take it. Point is with Lou's form on that video he shouldn't be here knocking pro's. That was a poor overall display of pool and there is not one person on this forum that would take a lesson from him after watching that.

Hi Dave -- nice to hear from you. I imagine sunny FL is treating you good with that to-die-for weather (I'd winter in FL at the drop of a hat).

And yes, good to hear that you're in a 14.1 league. A 42 is a great run for someone not used to playing 14.1 -- that's through 3 complete racks (3 worked break balls) for sure. I'm sure, though, you had to settle into it, right? A 14.1 league is probably the BEST way to get introduced to this great game, in a comfortable environment and at a comfortable pace (i.e. it's not like the curtain goes up and you're on camera, having to perform).

I hadn't been checking this forum enough to know "who's knocking who" -- so honestly, I don't know about anyone knocking pros. The only thing I know about from past involvements in aiming threads, are systems-knockers, but even that is more due to the historic overblown marketing than anything (from my seat, anyway). Obviously, that'd quieted down, but you do see little spikes of it here and there. That stuff used to bug me, but, feh, I don't get involved anymore.

As for Lou, only he can explain his situation. My point was before dragging him through the coals, know what you're looking at in the video first, and even then, know that it's easy to knock when there's no video of oneself out there to base from or compare against. We have too many "anonymous knockers" here on this and other AZB forums.

-Sean
 
Hi Dave -- nice to hear from you. I imagine sunny FL is treating you good with that to-die-for weather (I'd winter in FL at the drop of a hat).

And yes, good to hear that you're in a 14.1 league. A 42 is a great run for someone not used to playing 14.1 -- that's through 3 complete racks (3 worked break balls) for sure. I'm sure, though, you had to settle into it, right? A 14.1 league is probably the BEST way to get introduced to this great game, in a comfortable environment and at a comfortable pace (i.e. it's not like the curtain goes up and you're on camera, having to perform).

I hadn't been checking this forum enough to know "who's knocking who" -- so honestly, I don't know about anyone knocking pros. The only thing I know about from past involvements in aiming threads, are systems-knockers, but even that is more due to the historic overblown marketing than anything (from my seat, anyway). Obviously, that'd quieted down, but you do see little spikes of it here and there. That stuff used to bug me, but, feh, I don't get involved anymore.

As for Lou, only he can explain his situation. My point was before dragging him through the coals, know what you're looking at in the video first, and even then, know that it's easy to knock when there's no video of oneself out there to base from or compare against. We have too many "anonymous knockers" here on this and other AZB forums.

-Sean


Thanks again, Sean.

Honestly, I don't recall knocking anyone. Obviously guys like "Blade" are great players. To clarify my point: I believe everyone -- from pros to beginners -- should be welcome to the discussion and their opinions accorded respect because *everyone* has something to contribute. In addition, some of us find the perspectives of non-pros, but nonetheless fine players such as yourself, more insightful and meaningful to fellow amateurs than the occasional perspective offered from far more advanced players.

We all come from such divergent backgrounds and have such a wealth of skills that very often the bestest stuff comes from "the mouths of babes" so to speak. Unfortunately there are those that want to muzzle opinions or disregard and disrespect them because they aren't top players.

That would be a shame and everyone's loss.

Lou Figueroa
 
Are you on video playing 14.1 as well? I trust you scored more than one this time? ;)

Out of all the possible respondees and material in this thread... you're really fixated on me, aren't ya? I mean, there's a TON of low-hanging fruit for you here -- you can go nuts -- but I'm the one you select? ;)

There's no YouTube video out there of me playing 14.1 that I'm aware of, but there are readers here who can vouch for my playing ability -- both 14.1 and other games. If you're truly wondering (and not here for the trademark Thaiger AZB self-entertainment), just head-on over to the 14.1 forum. There are high-run challenge threads there for each year. And by golly, you might find a certain screenname you're fixated on... I mean... know. ;)

-Sean
 
Well I don't know about "best in the world," but here's what the *World* 14.1 champion, John Schmidt had to say about it (you get a mention :-):

John Schmidt: Well, don’t get me started on aiming systems. I’ll tell you if...

Maybe they work... but nobody’s telling me the one’s that work. Because if they work, first of all you’re not factoring in swerve and deflection. OK, now what if a guy comes up with a delivery system, that’s different. But, aiming’s adorable -- but you still have to deliver -- so you could aim perfect. If those aiming systems worked, well there would just be like four million people who played like Corey. But it’s year after year and it’s still Corey.

So these aiming systems are overrated, they’re a way to sell videos and books and make people pontificate about their own greatness and believe me if it worked, then they’d be out there winning tournaments, but they’re not.

What Stevie Moore doesn’t get is -- Stevie Moore -- you could put a bag over his head and he’d run out. He’s a great player. So he’s playing great in spite of his aiming system, not because of it. I mean, think about it: he’s already a great player. He could aim at the wall and he’s still going to make the ball. And it’s a way to give him comfort and confidence. He’s kind of like tricked himself into thinking ‘this aiming system works.’

(John sets up to demonstrate a shot.) I just can’t see how I’m going to use english here and I’m going to aim bottom right english. So I’m aiming out here -- it’s going to squirt. Well, what aiming system is going to work for that?! It’s only going to work with center ball. And you know, all these guys with their aiming systems can get like weight from me. And I don’t use an aiming system.

Corey Duel: Yeah the one that he’s talking about I haven’t been able to comprehend it yet. It’s something about pivoting the back foot and... I don’t know.

John Schmidt: My piece of advice, if anybody cares to the viewers at home: forget all the aiming systems. Just like when you throw a baseball to first, you just do it. Right? There’s no aiming, you do it, you feel it. It’s same with pool. You get a mental picture and you do it. Aiming systems are the most ridiculous, overrated thing...The pros scoff at that stuff, they’re like, ‘aiming systems, really?!’...

If they would quit spending so much time on line and learning about aiming systems and go hit more balls they’d become better players. There’s no short cut to it. Sitting on AZ Billiards looking for aiming systems isn’t going to get it. It’s like the golf swing guys. They got a thousand videos. But the guy that goes to the driving range till his hands bleed, that’s the good golfer. You can’t watch it online and go, ‘oh, there’s got to be a system for hitting a four iron two hundred yards on the green.’ It’s the same with pool. We’ve hit a million pool balls -- that’s our system. I mean, you’re not going to get good at anything using a system.

I could be wrong, I don’t know if I’m right. I just think aiming systems are crazy. Deflection and swerve is what makes this game so tough. If there was no such thing as that, you know you just hit whatever english, but this thing goes sideways off of your stick. That’s why the game’s so impossible.

Lou Figueroa

Well there we go, no need to do my experiment you are already using John's comments as validation of your position.

I sincerely hope that John gets together with Stan someday. I am sure that after some time with him he will revise these comments and boy won't that be depressing for you to have to relegate John to the ignorant bum category.
 
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