boogieman
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that ping.
Very interesting read. Consistency comes from the limited alignments, yet we are to allow our subconscious to “riff” or bend the notes a little to make the music come alive.The greatest players in the world all play subconsciously using what they would call instinct, feel and/or touch. They understand the physics at such a high level it surpasses normal physics and geometry into a level that would be better described as Quantum Physics, and Cosmic/Sacred Geometry. This doesn't mean any regular laws are broken, after all, physics is the science of objects in motion. However, understanding the game at that level won't allow you to perform better, in many cases it will keep you at the same level your entire life.
The game of pocketbilliards at the highest level is perfect because the physical geometry is perfect, you have two squares that make a rectangular surface, the shots are angles, usually triangles and the balls are perfect spheres, the cue is a straight line. Understanding how to unlock this perfection is the challenge we all have if we want to attempt to master the game. This can't be done with "normal/logical" thinking, it's much too complex to "figure out," because the subconscious is much like a quantum computer, able to defy normal guidelines.
The way we all experience this at times is when we go "into the zone" and play by feel and instinct, allowing the perfection of the game flow through us......we have the experience of being connected to the game, like an artist or musician connect to their area of self expression.
I only have to create 8 angles to play pocket billiards at the highest level, this won't sound like enough when looking from a pure geometrical perspective, however, it's like sophisticated classical music which may have one theme and several variations on that theme.
Like I mentioned earlier, the human mind is incredibly sophisticated, so when I consciously align to any shot "center to center," or "center to edge" I am giving my subconscious a referential index to create the angle I need to create to make the shot. So, to answer your question, I do evaluate the angle, from the starting alignment position, then allow my instinct, to create the angle, and one more important factor is I FEEL the shot hit the pocket and watch what specific part it contacts Every Time. This completes the shot in your mind which is the reward your subconscious needs, if you don't do this it's like shooting a gun or bow and never seeing where the bullet or arrow lands.....this should be boring and unfruitful for your subconscious, yet many pool players do this routinely without ever realizing they are making a fatal error!
The Game is the Teacher
I’m not going to attempt an elegant paragraph, but by playing only by feel and a pinpoint
aim on the OB, your subconscious has “infinite” aim points and strokes to deal with. By limiting yourself to say 4 aim points, you can focus on 1 aim and let the other 3 slip from your mind. Essentially you’ve eliminated 75% of “infinity on the OB” so good ol’ subconscious can do what it does best, without filtering through bad info along with the good. It really does make sense. There are infinite notes but some don’t sound good.
I’m sure once your onto the system, you can also eliminate many CB positions for many shots or leaves, so again you’re letting your subconscious do what it does best without having to sort through the muck.
Currently I’m the aim at a pinpoint guy then let my subconscious adapt to spin, throw, deflection, cloth speed, etc. I can see that going to a system that at first glance feels like it’s limiting my aim, is actually going to allow me to fine tune and get more out of my game. Dang it feels bad to not let my mind run undisciplined over infinity and back. I guess any bad habits feel that way. It feels bad to not go for that extra slice of pie, that extra hour of sleep, that extra day off from working out, that extra drink, etc. Running roughshod over infinity is a waste of focus. I can focus on essentially much less consciously and then subconsciously really nail it since the bandwidth is going towards the correct and not the everything.